Motor Yacht Charters in Greece
More speed, more range, more luxury. Here’s why we recommend crewed motor yacht charters in Greece–and how to find the right one.
Motor yacht charters in Greece have never been more popular or more accessible. Why? Because they offer the ultimate way to explore the Greek islands:
Motor yachts are like floating hotels that bring you right to the doorstep of Greece’s most remote and spectacular islands – places you can’t reach any other way.
Motor yachts are faster than catamarans and sailboats, allowing you to see more in a week and maximize your time spent swimming and exploring rather than being stuck at sea.
Motor yachts have made long and much desired itineraries possible – such as Athens to Santorini, Corfu to Zakynthos and back, or routes in the remote Dodecanese Islands – itineraries that are unrealistic on other yacht types.
If you are looking for ultimate freedom on your Greek yacht charter, we recommend booking a motor yacht. On this page, we explain how you do it right.
Why we recommend a motor yacht charter in Greece
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- Fast cruising speeds (16–20+ knots) cut travel time in half
- Luxury hotel-like standards – Private cabins, Jacuzzis, cinema rooms, top chefs, spa crews
- More water toys – Jet skis, Seabobs, e-foils, inflatables, dive gear, waterslides, etc.
- Go further – Explore Cyclades, Dodecanese, or Ionian in a single week
How to choose your motor yacht charter in Greece
There are thousands of motor yachts available for charter in Greece, but maybe only a few hundred of those are worth your money, and even fewer suit your needs. So, how do you find an excellent motor yacht that suits your exact needs?
One of the most effective ways to narrow down the search is by using these 3 parameters:
- How many guests are you?
- What is your maximum budget for the week?
- Where would you like to go?
How many guests are you?
All motor yachts in Greece are legally limited to 12 guests, with a few exceptions of specially licensed greek motor yachts for more than 12 guests. On our website, you can search motor yachts with a minimum guest capacity:
Who is chartering?
Are you a family or a friend group? Do you have young kids or teenagers? These factors are important when we look at the cabin layouts on motor yachts: will you want a master cabin, twin cabins, bunk beds, or 5 equal cabins that can be shared?
Get a full understanding of cabin types on motor yachts and who they fit
What is your maximum budget for the week?
Money is obviously one of the biggest factors, and knowing your approximate budget is a good way to filter your search.
- motor yachts under €40k/week
- motor yachts under €60k/week
- motor yachts under €100k/week
- motor yachts under 250k/week
- superyachts above 250k/week
For a complete breakdown of all the costs involved in a motor yacht charter in Greece, scroll down to our price section.
Where do you want to go in Greece?
This brings us back to the speed of the motor yacht. We already know it is faster than catamarans and sailing yachts, and therefore gives you more freedom to explore the Greek Islands. But some are faster than others, and some burn more fuel than others. These are 2 things you should consider when choosing where you want to go on your Greek yacht charter.
For example, many of our clients want to charter a motor yacht in Athens and go to Mykonos and Santorini, and then return to Athens at the end. This is not just a venture into open seas and possible strong meltemi winds, but also a journey over 300 nautical miles. – A trip like this requires a fast motor yacht with stabilizers, and choosing one with a lower fuel consumption will make a massive difference to the final cost of the entire charter.
Matching yacht to destination and vice versa is one of the hardest things to get right, especially in weather-dependent locations like Greece – this is what we are good at.
The Cyclades Islands are the most iconic island group in Greece, and they are best explored by motor yacht charter. Think whitewashed houses, turquoise bays, and iconic names like Mykonos and Santorini.
But the Cyclades Islands are also the most weather-dependent – exposed to the Meltemi winds, which blow at the strongest in the charter high season – so having a fast, stable motor yacht is key.
Motor yachts make this region truly accessible—even Santorini is doable with the right itinerary. Want to skip the long haul from Athens? Ask us about starting your charter in Mykonos.
The Ionian Islands are totally different from the rest of Greece. Located in the Ionian Sea, they offer green landscapes and more places with fewer crowds. They are also protected from the Meltemi, making them ideal for more predictable itineraries and guests prone to seasickness.
Most of our motor yacht charters start in Corfu or Lefkada and cruise to stunning places like Paxos and Meganisi, known for their sea caves and pristine bays.
Located just south of Athens, the Saronic Gulf is the most accessible yacht charter area in Greece. The islands are close together, meaning less time underway and more time exploring, swimming, or relaxing ashore.
Fuel use is minimal, and the waters are calm—Hydra, Spetses, and Poros are all classic stops with a strong local vibe.
Located in the southeast Aegean Sea off the Turkish coast, the Dodecanese Islands offer a charter area rich in history with a wonderful mix of Ancient Greek ruins, medieval castles, Eastern architecture, and old Ottoman ports.
Distances in the Dodecanese can be long, and motor yachts are best suited and more available. We often recommend this area to returning clients who have already done the Cyclades and Ionian, or clients who want to explore a more remote location.
So, which motor yachts in Greece are best?
Out of thousands of motor yachts for charter in Greece, how do we know which are the best ones? The only way is to see the yachts in person.
Our team attends the annual yacht shows MEDYS in Nafplion and EMMYS in Poros, where we step aboard the yachts and meet the crew in person.
This allows us to check each cabin, feel the mattresses and the quality of the bedding, smell the bathrooms, listen for generator noise, check the selection of water toys, test the chef, get a feel for the crew dynamic, and their enthusiasm for chartering, and so many other important details.
By the time we step off, we know exactly whether we want to book that yacht for our clients. And as a bonus, we also snapped a bunch of photos, did a walk-through video, and an interview with the captain, which we can share with our clients.
These are the motor yachts in Greece that impressed us for one or more reasons:
Top 10 Crewed Luxury Motor Yacht Charters in Greece for 2026
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10 Best 6-Cabin Motor Yachts in Greece for Families, Friends & Flexibility
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10 Greek Motor Yachts Worth More Than You Pay – Unbeatable Value
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Top 10 Fastest Motor Yachts for Charter in Greece – Need for Speed
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How much does a motor yacht charter in Greece cost?
Crewed motor yacht charters in Greece range from €40,000 to €250,000+ per week, depending on yacht size, luxury level, fuel use, and season.
For anything worth your time, we recommend budgeting at least €40k for the week. If this is above your budget, we strongly suggest booking a Greek catamaran charter instead – in this price range, you simply get more for your money, and save loads on a significant fuel reduction.
Cost breakdown:
- Base rate – Yacht and crew
- VAT – 12% Greek yacht charter tax
- APA (Advanced Provisioning Allowance) – 30-40% for fuel, food, drinks, dockage, and transfers
- Gratuity – 10–15% (based on service)
Looking for full cost transparency?
If this seems like too much hassle to you, and you would prefer a fully predictable, all-up-front yacht charter price, we have compiled a list of all-inclusive motor yachts in Greece – not offered anywhere else.
Best Greek Itineraries for Motor Yacht Charters
We have made these Greek yacht charter itineraries with motor yachts in mind. They:
- explore the best of the Greek island group
- are longer than catamaran itineraries
- start and end in places easy to fly into
Classy 8-Day Cyclades Yacht Charter Itinerary: Unspoiled Islands
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Ultimate 8-Day Ionian Yacht Charter Itinerary: Corfu to Zakynthos and Back
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Popular 7-Day Saronic Islands Yacht Charter Itinerary: Athens to Spetses
Read More
Dodecanese Islands 7 Day Yacht Charter Itinerary Greece: Rhodes, Tilos, Astypalea, Kalymnos, Kos, Nisyros, Symi
Read More
7 day charter itinerary: Cyclades from Mykonos | Naxos – Amorgos – Santorini – Ios – Paros – Mykonos
Read More
Ideal Ionian One-Way Yacht Charter: Corfu to Zakynthos in 8 Days
Read MorePosts relevant to motor yacht charters in Greece
If you want to learn even more about motor yacht charters in Greece, we have written numerous posts that answer specific questions we have received from clients or that we think you should be asking.
Other questions our clients often ask
What is the best time to charter a motor yacht in Greece?
The Greek yacht charter season peaks from June to August, but with warm weather and mild winters, the season extends beyond summer. For fewer crowds and lower rates, we recommend May-June or September-October, when anchorages and marinas are less packed, especially in hotspots like Santorini and the Cyclades.
Popular yachts and prime dates book fast—9-12 months in advance—so planning early is key, especially for larger yachts needing limited berths in places like Alimos Marina.
Can I visit Mykonos and Santorini on a motor yacht in one week?
Yes, but we recommend a well-planned itinerary. A fast motor yacht can comfortably cruise from Athens to Santorini with stops in Milos, Paros, and Mykonos. However, we advise against rushing—enjoying each island properly is key. Expect 2-4 hours of cruising per day to balance travel and time for activities.
To be probably prepared, read our guide to What You Need to Know Before Chartering a Yacht to Santorini
Can I do a one-way motor yacht charter from Athens to the Ionian Islands?
Yes, but we advise checking relocation costs. The Ionian Islands are quite far from Athens, requiring extra cruising time and fuel. One-way charters to Corfu, Zakynthos, or Lefkada are possible, but availability depends on where the yacht is based. A more common route would be a Cyclades or Saronic Gulf charter with a one-way finish closer to Athens.
How much does it cost for a yacht relocation in Greece?
Yacht relocation fees depend on distance and fuel consumption. A one-way charter from Athens to the Ionian can add €5,000-€15,000 in relocation fees, depending on the yacht’s size and speed. We recommend chartering a yacht already based in your preferred cruising area to minimize extra costs.
Do all motor yachts include water toys like jet skis and seabobs?
Most luxury motor yachts come with a selection of water toys, including Seabobs, jet skis, paddleboards, snorkeling gear, and towable inflatables. Larger yachts may also have waterslides, e-foils, wakeboards, or even a fully equipped dive center. We recommend checking each yacht’s toy list before booking if specific equipment is a priority.
How fast do motor yachts cruise between Greek islands?
Most motor yachts cruise at 15-20 knots, while faster yachts can reach 30+ knots. This means a typical island-to-island journey takes 1-4 hours, depending on the distance. Fast cruising allows for shorter travel times and more time at anchor.
Are motor yachts in Greece stable and comfortable in rough seas?
Motor yachts are designed for stability, with larger models featuring advanced stabilization systems. The Meltemi winds in the Cyclades can create choppy waters; bigger yachts handle rough seas far better. For the smoothest experience, we recommend the Ionian or Saronic Gulf, which have calmer waters.
How far in advance should I book a motor yacht charter in Greece?
We strongly recommend booking 9-12 months in advance, especially for peak season (June-August). The best yachts are often fully booked a year ahead, so early inquiries give you more options and better rates. Last-minute charters are possible but very limited.
Not sure about a motor yacht? See other yacht types
TJ
Ty J Hagen
Sep 23, 2024
We were very pleased with DMA Yachting
This was our first trip to Greece and first time renting a yacht. It was fabulous. DMA Yachting, especially Mr. William McNally, did a great job for us. He was responsible, knowledgeable and very professional. He always answered our questions in a timely fashion. He recommended a great yacht and great crew. Most importantly there we no surprises, just a lot of fun.
CT
Courtney Tibbetts
Oct 08, 2024
Amazing experience!
We had an amazing experience on our trip to Greece! The yacht and staff were amazing and they made DMA yachting made the whole experience easy to book and plan! We will definitely be traveling with them again in the future!
MA
Meg Allison
Jul 23, 2024
Wonderful yacht experience in Greece!
We had such a fabulous trip to Greece – Louis Campbrell with DMA yachting did a wonderful job matching us with an amazing boat, captain and crew. We have been on 10 sailing trips and this was the best! Louis was involved in every aspect to make it a memorable family vacation! Thank you Louis!
What Do Our Clients Say?
We are proud of our long track record of happy clients, many of whom return for their second or third yacht charter with us. Our clients consistently praise the ease of our booking process and our ability to find the perfect yacht and crew match. We are here to set you up with your dream Greece yacht charter.
Our Team
Booking a Greek yacht charter is easy with us—just contact one of our Expert Charter Brokers and tell us what you want!
Daniel Asmus
Owner, Charter Broker, Active CYBA Member, IYBA, ECPY
+34 678 368 304
+1 (814) 564-5550
Martina Asmus
Owner, Charter Broker, Active CYBA Member, IYBA, ECPY
+1 838 259 2403
+34 639 053 238
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