Catamarans

Catamaran Charter Greece

Catamaran on engine in azure Greek water

Catamaran charters in Greece are a convenient way to have a larger number of guests (up to 12) on a comfortable crewed yacht.

Notice that the distances in Greece are quite long. Since most catamarans are based in Athens (inquire for Mykonos based catamarans), the ideal itinerary will include the Saronic Islands of Aegina and Hydra.

For chartering in the Cyclades, especially if you are planning to visit Santorini, we recommend chartering out of Mykonos. Our brokers will find you a Mykonos based yacht or arrange a delivery. Start a chat to tell us what you’re looking for, we’re here for you 24/7!

The Papafragkas caves on Milos - a secret catamaran jump from Monemvasia to Milos on the way to Santorini

A crewed charter and a charter with skipper + hostess are not the same thing. The progression goes: bareboat -> skipper+hostess -> crewed catamaran charter -> crewed motor yacht charter. The line between catamarans and motor yachts has become very blurry in recent years.

How to charter crewed catamarans in Greece

Ideally, you’d inquire about a catamaran charter 12 months in advance. WHY? the best catamarans are often fully booked long in advance and it’s not unusual to see the key dates booked 2 summers ahead. Inquiring less than 6 months ahead often means that your first choice is unavailable or the dates might be off, or the boat can’t make it to the port where you need to get.

Especially if you’re planning to charter the Cyclades (and we recommend you fly into Mykonos to start there), there are many things that need to go exactly right to make it happen – inquire early.

most catamarans are based in Athens (marinas from Piraeus in the west to Saunio in the east).
some catamarans are permanently based in the Cyclades, most have temporary availability
some catamarans are based in the Ionian islands

“Greece never gets the look-in that France has or the Italians… Honestly, I think Greek cuisine is better than Italian cuisine.” -Gordon Ramsey — “Greece never gets the look-in that France has or the Italians… Honestly, I think Greek cuisine is better than Italian cuisine.” - Gordon Ramsey

Power Catamarans - an increasingly popular option in the Greek Islands

The village of Naousa in Paros - a great example of how universal the smaller Cycladic islands are. Stop by for a Greek coffee, have a snack and observe the flow of life - the fishermen, the cats, the women, the blue and white buildings...

Best Areas to Charter Catamarans

The best areas to charter catamarans will have small distances between destinations and calm waters. Catamarans are slower than sailboats and motor yachts, that’s why they don’t like long distances. Don’t get me wrong – these catamarans are ready to do an Atlantic crossing – the guests are not. Taking a group of 2 families with young kids who have not chartered before from Athens to Santorini (because why do the additional flight to Mykonos, right?) in August with the Meltemi winds blazing is not the greatest idea for a relaxing charter. We’re happy to provide references for people who insisted, only to regret it as an Indiana Jones type of vacation.

You’re afraid there is nothing to see apart from Santorini and Mykonos? Let Peter show you these assorted charter locations in the Saronic Gulf in the video below…

My Greek Odyssey - Epidavros

The Saronic Gulf is perfect for first-time charterers – 2 to 4 hours cruise between islands outside of the Meltemi winds, fantastic locations, and things to do like the pistachios of Aegina, walking the old town of Poros or snorkeling the Sunken City of Ancient Epidaurus.

Second up are the Cyclades – still perfectly doable on a 7-day charter, especially if you plan on starting in the actual Cyclades instead of “taxiing” there from Athens – the captain is in a great position to account for the weather (instead of having to cross large distances) and provide a pleasurable charter either hitting the hot spots – windmills of Mykonos (or it’s vibrant night clubs), the sights of the city of Thira on Santorini, the ancient Delos – or the hidden gems – like the forgotten island of Anafi (get a taste in the Anafiotika quarter in Athens).

Departing from Athens past the Saronic and Argolic Gulf lies Monemvasia - a well kept yacht charter secret. To visit with a catamaran, we recommend a 10 days charter

Interaction with Greek people is priceless - the uncomplicated, direct and common sense way of life is absolutely delightful and inspiring.

Is the Cyclades a great area for a catamaran charter?

Yes and no – if planned well but without commitment, a catamaran charter in the Cyclades can be a relaxing and pleasurable experience. If you’re an exact planner, it is wise to avoid it.

Chartering a yacht is subject to elements – if the weather is bad, the port authority bans all the yachts to depart (usually just the motor yachts, but do you really want to be out there?). That happens in some areas more than in others, it does happen in the Cyclades. We’ve had experiences where a stubborn travel agent (yes, we cooperate with travel agents on the condition we’re taken seriously) has booked activities on a rigid itinerary – one that wind was not favorable. Horse ride on Siros, dinner reservation in Skorpios on Mykonos, wine tasting on Santorini starting at 9am sharp on a Saturday morning – you need Poseidon’s blessing to commit to that…

Santorini - the holy grail of a catamaran charter in the Greek islands. A blessing if all goes well, a curse if expectations are not met. To be 100% sure weather and island closures for overtourism don't interfere with your once in a lifetime opportunity, fly in and start the charter there!

A good broker and a good captain will list your preferred activities and pre-arrange them on a confirmation basis. More with motor yachts, but increasingly more with large catamarans – we have forged relationships with attractions, restaurants and activity providers to the point where we can get you stuff you did not know existed – would you like to have a private dinner in an ancient ruin? Would you like to have a famous singer show up at your birthday party at Mykonos? Contact us.

What activities can I do on my crewed charter? You could, for instance, charter the Acropolis for a private dinner - it's been done before. In low tens of thousands, you could dine in another ancient ruin. If you're looking for something special, inquire and let us know what the special occasion is...

Your broker and captain can assist you in the location details and planning - from surprise birthday to weddings to any special occasion.

Advantages of chartering a crewed catamaran in Greece

lower consumption compared to motor yachts
lower cost, especially for catamarans under 50 ft
shallow draft – you can get quite close to secluded beaches
access to the dock – especially in high season, bigger yachts might need to stay out of the harbor and access via a dinghy
captain + stewardess still a dominant way (keeps the costs down), bigger – motor yacht like catamarans are on the rise (with more crew)
gratuity – a 10% gratuity paid after charter is considered completely satisfactory in Greece. Compare that to the (up to) 25% mandatory gratuity that is increasingly more often being demanded in escrow pre-charter in the Caribbean or the Bahamas.
use of water toys – rules are more relaxed and definitely less enforced compared to France or Italy – it’s not the same if you get on a jetski in a secluded bay on Iraklia or in the overcrowded Gulf of St Tropez.

Not many charterers ask about chartering in the Mamma Mia islands - Sporades. Definitely an up and coming Greek charter area - not overcrowded!

Another Greek charter location on the rise - the Dodecanese. Given the great value for money, charterers return to Greece, looking to see places the haven't seen before. This is the Island of Symi

Disadvantages of chartering a catamaran in Greece

low speed mandating a limited itinerary or a lot of sailing hours – not unusual to move before sunrise to break it up. Can be mitigated by starting in the destination – Mykonos, Santorini, Lefkada (Ionian), Patmos or Ikaria (Dodecanese), Skiathos (Sporades – Mamma Mia Islands)
smaller crew – used to be 2 crew members, now growing (it’s both a positive and a negative as per your price sensitivity. Compared to the Caribbean – there are more options
vertical layout– 2 or 3 decks on a horizontally constrained area

Some catamarans have moved it's base from Athens to Cape Sounion (Laurio)- the southernmost cape of Attica and the Gateway to the Cyclades - an interesting option to land in Athens and still start "in the Cyclades," avoiding the taxiing to Athens.

Catamarans vs Motor Yachts

This text will not age well – in 2020, the average length of a crewed catamaran was 45 feet. Given a crazy expansion of the crewed catamaran fleet (demanding a whole new boat show to accommodate this segment starting in 2023), the catamarans are getting closer to the motor yachts. The average size of a new catamaran in 2023 is 67 feet, there are few additions to the fleet of 40-60 range. If you’re looking to get a recent Lagoon 45 with crew, inquire early.

Especially the 60+ power catamarans with a jacuzzi intersect with the below 100 feet motor yachts (some without a jacuzzi).

Catamaran Elly - A great example of the intersection of motor yachts and catamarans - a recent trend starting in 2022

That being said – the same is true – power catamarans will generally have a lower consumption with comparable deck space at the expense of speed. Catamarans will be able to get closer to the beach and will get to marinas easier than a huge motor yacht that had a change of itinerary and is looking for a last minute spot on the dock (and will probably anchor out, hailing the guests from shore with a dinghy).

With the deck space being comparable – the choice is yours – are you looking for a wider deck that’s arguably more casual for a group to sit down (a square will accommodate the group better than a rectangle as it forms a circle with larger radius), or are you looking to have a bottle of something really nice served to you on the aft deck of a Ferretti motor yacht?