Motor yacht or catamaran in Greece
You have had the brilliant idea of chartering a yacht in Greece for your next holiday with your family or friends, but you have never done it before and you’re not sure whether a motor yacht or a catamaran is the better choice.
You are not alone. This scenario fits 50% of our clients when they first inquire, and we solve it every time.
Here’s the simplest way to think about it:
Choose a catamaran charter in Greece if your priorities are
- more space per foot
- stability
- better value for money
Choose a motor yacht charter in Greece if your priorities are
- speed
- covering long distances (like Athens to the Cyclades)
- ultimate privacy and luxury onboard
And no—it isn’t entirely black and white. Your best match also depends on:
- your budget for the week
- the needs of your group
- and your ambitions for your itinerary
Watch this video and get smart on yacht types fast
In this video, we break down the real differences in plain terms. Catamarans offer exceptional space, stability, and shallow draft (so you can get closer to beaches), and the newest large cats feel like a much bigger yacht in terms of volume. We also increasingly place clients on powercats, because they combine catamaran living space with engine power—often with significantly lower fuel burn than traditional motor yachts.
Motor yachts win on speed and range, which matters in Greece—especially in the Cyclades, where distances are bigger and conditions can demand flexibility. The main takeaway: tell your broker what you want to see, and we’ll match the yacht type to a realistic weekly plan, so you don’t lose days to transit—or get beaten up by weather.
Quick takeaway (if you only read one thing):
Want to tick off far-apart hotspots? Go motor yacht.
Want relaxed island-hopping and maximum space/value? Go catamaran.
Step 1: What is your budget?
Money is always a good place to start. There is no point in browsing superyachts if catamarans are all you can afford. And your price bracket changes the parameters we look at a lot.
For example, if you are looking for a yacht charter in Greece for less than €30k per week, we will almost always point you towards a catamaran. Why? Because motor yachts at this price point are old and outdated, while you can get a brand-new catamaran with all-new toys.
If you have €60k for the week, you suddenly have many more options. You can either get a luxury catamaran designed like a floating villa and serviced by a crew of 3-4. Or you can get a motor yacht that will open up more of the Greek Islands to you.
Now, jump to €100k per week, and the catalogue changes completely – you are now browsing superyachts: either the biggest, most luxurious catamarans or flash motor yachts with big crews and amenities on par with a luxury resort.
Up from there, you’ve got the whole luxury yacht charter world at your feet, and you probably do not need to read this article.
Step 2: How far do you want to go?
If you’re set on Athens → Mykonos + Santorini → back, there’s usually no point considering a sailing catamaran. Why? That routing involves open sea in the windiest part of Greece, and it’s a lot of mileage (more than 300 nautical miles)—especially in high season when the Meltemi can blow hard. Trying to force a big-distance Cyclades week on a catamaran is one of the fastest ways to create an uncomfortable trip.
This is the best way to look at it:
Catamarans are best for short, relaxed island-hopping, where the focus is spending time at anchor, swimming, and exploring ashore. It makes a perfect beachfront base – its shallow draft means you can get real close to shore.
The best places to go on a catamaran in Greece are the Saronic Islands, which are located just south of Athens in the Saronic Gulf, which is more protected from the Meltemi than the Cyclades. And the Ionian Islands, on the other side of the peninsula, which are much calmer in general and have tons of beautiful islands in protected water – ideal to explore with a catamaran.
Motor yachts basically give you access to all of Greece. It is the best choice for Athens to Cyclades yacht charters, full Ionian loops from Corfu to Zakynthos and back, and more remote itineraries to the stunning Dodecanese Islands closer to Turkey.
This doesn’t mean a motor yacht makes weather irrelevant. We’re always transparent about Greece’s realities—especially in the Cyclades. The difference is that a motor yacht gives you the best chance of keeping the week comfortable and still seeing what you came for.
Step 3: What does your group actually need onboard?
This is the part most first-time clients don’t think about—and it matters as much as distance. If you’re a mixed group with kids or anyone prone to seasickness, we often lean toward a catamaran for the stability, space, and easy “beach-house” living at anchor. Or a motor yacht with efficient stabilizers.
If you’re a group that values privacy (couples, executives, or anyone who wants more separation), a motor yacht often wins on cabin privacy, service level, and onboard flow. And if your group is large, layout becomes everything: number of equally sized cabins, bed configuration (twins vs doubles), and how the yacht handles everyone dining and relaxing together. Tell us your group setup—and we’ll recommend the yacht type that fits how you’ll actually use the boat.
Bonus: Fuel consumption changes the real cost of your charter
Fuel is the part many charter sites don’t explain well, but it matters—because it can change the final cost by thousands over a week.
Even two motor yachts of similar size can have very different fuel burn – the difference can be 300 liters vs 700 liters per hour. Multiply that by 2–4 cruising hours per day, and the numbers add up fast. That’s why we include fuel consumption wherever possible and talk clients through what it means for their route and cruising style.
If you charter a catamaran, this will hardly be a concern. The fuel consumption of catamarans is very low compared to motor yachts, which is also why the APA is set lower to begin with.
The 30-second yacht type cheat sheet
You want sailing and relaxed island hopping → catamaran
Cyclades hotspots are non-negotiable → motor yacht or powercat
You hate long transits → motor yacht
You want the best boat for the money → catamaran (especially under €30k)
You want resort-level luxury + privacy → motor yacht / superyacht
Our Top Greek Yacht Recommendations
We publish these shortlists because most clients don’t need “every yacht”—they need the few that make sense for their dates, itinerary, and budget. Use the guides below to compare the best options by category (Santorini-ready motor yachts, standout value yachts, catamarans that outperform expectations, 5-cabin layouts, and more). If you want a faster answer, send us your brief and we’ll point you to the right list—and the right yachts—immediately.
