Catamaran Charter in Greece
Greece is a fantastic place for anyone who loves history, good food, and stunning beaches. With a catamaran charter in Greece, you get to explore the most beautiful secluded beaches, tucked away in bays of small Greek islands and mysterious bays filled with stories and legends of Greek gods from times that have long passed. Navagio Beach, the beautiful beach with the shipwreck surrounded by impressive cliffs on Zakynthos island, and Kanali tou Erota on Corfu are just two of the most impressive spots that you can visit on a catamaran on a sailing holiday in Greece.
The pros of a catamaran charter in Greece
Charter a catamaran in Greece if you like to be flexible. As catamarans are equipped with both an engine and a sail, you can rest assured that you always have a way to get back to the coast. Sail with the sail when the winds are blowing, but use the engine when they aren’t. That way you won’t ever get stuck in the middle of the sea, having to patiently wait for the winds to pick up again.
Another fantastic thing about a catamaran rental in Greece is that you can easily access all the lovely bays, beaches and grottos you come to Greece for. After seeing all the images online, you don’t just want to come to Greece and see them from a distance, you want to experience them first hand - feel the soft golden sand on your toes, swim in the turquoise waters and peek into the most amazing grottos. As catamarans have a shallow draft, they are the perfect water vehicles to sail close to the shore and in shallow waters.
Also, rent a catamaran in Greece if you like to have a comfortable sailing vacation without feeling like you’re lacking anything that you could easily access in a hotel room. Catamarans are generally more spacious than other types of boats and due to the fact that they’re standing on two hulls, are more stable. When the winds pick up, you won’t feel it as much on a catamaran as you would on another type of boat. This is particularly great for anyone suffering easily from seasickness. Due to the outline of a catamaran, you also get more privacy on board than you would on a sailboat.
As catamarans are carried by two hulls, you get more space on deck - not just for the bedrooms and communal areas. This means that you can easily stretch out your legs and spend many hours soaking up the Greek sun on deck your catamaran rental.
The cons of a catamaran charter in Greece
As catamarans are bigger than other types of boats, you might have to pay double the price for mooring at the marinas. After all, allowing a catamaran to dock means that marinas would miss out on the fee of another boat that would have fit next to the boat otherwise. The size of a catamaran also means that you might not even be able to find a spot for mooring at a marina - especially if you decide to vacation in Greece during the busy summer months July and August. During this period in time the marinas are packed, so you might be better off finding an anchoring spot in a safe bay. Isn’t that much nicer anyway? Waking up early to a beautiful sunrise surrounded by water and stunning Greek nature makes your catamaran charter in Greece a truly magical experience.
Charter a private luxury catamaran in Greece
Islands like Mykonos and Crete are obviously known for the crowds of celebrities and their friends visiting the islands year after year. If you have the necessary funds and want to experience this lifestyle for a week, you might as well charter a private luxury catamaran in Greece. Enjoy the stunning views while sipping a cocktail on deck in a jacuzzi. Yes, you read that right. Some of the more luxurious catamarans you can rent in Greece come with a nice jacuzzi.
How many people can go on a catamaran in Greece?
In general, catamarans can fit between 10-12 people. It is the standard size - also for a catamaran hire in Greece. Of course, you can find smaller or bigger catamarans than this, but they are not as common.
Why a crewed catamaran charter in Greece is the best option
Opting for a crewed catamaran charter in Greece presents the epitome of a luxurious and stress-free sailing experience. With a dedicated crew at your service, including a skilled captain and attentive staff, you relinquish the burdens of navigation and logistics. This allows you to bask in the breathtaking Greek islands without the worry of operating the vessel. The crew's local expertise enhances your journey, ensuring you discover hidden gems and experience the authentic culture. Indulge in gourmet meals prepared onboard, relish personalized itineraries, and savor the freedom to immerse yourself in the azure waters or relax on pristine beaches. A crewed catamaran charter not only promises opulence but also transforms your Greek sailing adventure into an unparalleled, carefree escape.
When is the best time to charter a catamaran in Greece?
Like many other destinations in the Mediterranean, the sailing season in Greece usually lasts from April until October/November - making it the perfect sailing destination almost all year round. The summers are dry and hot while the winters are mild, windy and rainy. If you want to rent a catamaran in Greece, you should consider the differences in the seasons. Coming to Greece in the summer also guarantees a bustling nightlife, restaurants filled with tourists and locals alike as well as fun beach parties. If you decide to come here off-season, you can expect a more quiet and peaceful atmosphere.
As you plan on chartering a catamaran rather than a sailboat you should choose your sailing location in Greece wisely as there are many places that are more challenging sailing territory than others. The Cyclades, for example, offer one of the most challenging sailing conditions as the winds are incredibly strong here.
How much does it cost to rent a catamaran in Greece?
Greece is one of the most popular sailing AND affordable sailing destinations in the world. Europeans and non-Europeans alike flock to the country with over 6.000 islands to spend their summer vacation here. Catamarans might not be the cheapest option when it comes to renting a yacht in Greece, but they are still very affordable - and obviously come with a lot of comforts you won’t get on other types of boats. On average it costs 150 EUR per person per day to rent a catamaran in Greece. Keep in mind that this is only an average price, you will always be able to find cheaper or more expensive boats - all depending on the season, your budget and the size of the catamaran.
What kind of boat license do I need when renting a catamaran in Greece?
The good news is that smaller boats with less than 30 hp don’t require you to have a boat license in Greece, however, anything bigger and more powerful means that you need to carry a valid boat license, ergo you need a valid boat license in order to charter a catamaran in Greece. If you want to be 100% sure carry an International Certificate of Competency or short ICC. This is your safest bet as only boat licenses of EU residents are automatically valid in Greek waters - licenses of anyone from outside of the EU might not necessarily be valid if they don’t fulfill the criteria of a Greek boat license. One thing that is worth mentioning is the fact that you need to get your boat license translated should it be issued in a language other than English or Greek.
If you don’t have a valid boat licence or simply don’t want to operate a catamaran on your own when coming to Greece on a sailing vacation, you can always hire a skipper in addition to your bareboat catamaran charter in Greece. This means that you still get to enjoy a boat vacation even if you don’t fulfill the requirements and you can lean back, relax and let someone else take care of navigating your boat safely through Greek waters.
The best sailing routes for catamarans in Greece
The Dodecanese islands belong to a stretch of Greek islands that are not as popular as the Cyclades of the Saronian islands, but they are just as beautiful. Take a two week long trip around the islands to relax, explore the magnificent beauty and learn more about the history of this part of Greece that is located so close to Turkey.
Sailing the Greek Islands on a catamaran
Day 1 - Sail from Rhodes to Simi: When in Rhodes, you should see the many historical sites the island has to offer. The Mandraki Marina & Port, the Castle of Monolithos and the Street of the Knights of Rhodes are just a few of the historic sites you get to explore when visiting the biggest of the Dodecanese islands. While it might be very interesting to learn more about the history of the island and see these historical sites for yourself, you should also discover the natural beauty that Rhodes has to offer. Tsambika beach is amongst the most beautiful beaches on the island. Sail to Simi to see the most stunning, colourful houses lining the hilly coastline surrounded by deep blue water. Saint George bay is one of the most beautiful spots you can visit on the island.
Day 2 - Sail from Simi to Nisyros: In Nisyros or Nisiros you should visit the whitewashed town of Mandraki. The town with the white houses is also an amazing sight from the sea. Another thing you need to do when coming to Nisyros is taking a dip in the hot springs - available all thanks to the volcanic activity here.
Day 3 - Sail from Nisyros to Kos: The beautiful island of Kos is not just a wonderful place for anyone seeking to discover ancient Greek ruins, it is also the perfect spot to explore remote beaches on a catamaran. Drive to Cavo Paradiso beach to feel like you’re part of the movie ‘Cast Away’.
Day 4 - Sail from Kos to Leros: The island of Leros is a true gem in the Aegean sea. Untouched nature, whitewashed houses and beautiful hilly landscapes. This is what you come to Greece for!
Day 5 - Sail from Leros to Patmos: The island of Patmos is also known as the ‘Jerusalem of the Aegean’ due to Saint John writing the ‘Book of Revelations’ on the island in the first century AD. The monastery of Patmos is one of the most impressive sites. From the outside it looks more like a fortress than a monastery, but this was necessary to protect it from the Seljuk Turks and pirates, who were rummaging the area at the time.
Day 6 - Sail from Patmos to Lipsi: The island of Lipsi is a true gem amongst the Dodecanese islands. Arriving at one of the white sandy beaches, surrounded by the most turquoise water you can find in the Mediterranean, you will ask yourself whether you are sailing on a catamaran in Greece or in the Caribbean.
Day 7 - Sail from Lipsi to Levitha: The island of Levitha is much more quiet and peaceful than many of the other Dodecanese islands. Find a bay that will keep your catamaran safe from the wind and take a dip in the Mediterranean. Simply enjoy your holiday!
Day 8 - Sail from Levitha to Kalymnos: Another gem in this part of Greece is the island of Kalymnos. Explore the island on your catamaran charter and discover some of the most beautiful beaches, including Platis Yialos beach where you can step foot into the black sand and swim in the crystal clear water.
Day 9 - Sail from Kalymnos to Astypalea: The little island remains almost untouched by tourists and certainly doesn’t attract the masses. This makes it a perfect place to see what life on the island is really like. You also get to explore some of the most amazing wild beaches in the Aegean, including Kaminakia beach and Vatses beach.
Day 10 - Sail from Astypalea to Tilos: The little island of Tilos is a true gem in the Aegean. The beautiful landscapes make for a wonderful trip with a catamaran as well as hiking it by foot.
Day 11 - Sail from Tilos to Halki: Halki, like many other Dodecanese islands, is surrounded by the most beautiful turquoise water. The Medieval castle on top of the hill overlooking the whole island is one of the main attractions here.
Day 12 - Sail from Halki to Alimia: The little islet is completely uninhabited and therefore makes the perfect destination for a relaxing day trip. The beaches are mainly filled with pebblestones rather than sand, but are just as beautiful.
Day 13 - Sail from Alimia to Rhodes: It’s time to take your catamaran rental back to where it all started - the amazing island of Rhodes. If you decide to charter a catamaran in Greece, you truly get the chance to explore the most magnificent beaches, the most stunning remote bays and other hidden gems.
Day 14 - Time to fly home: Before you board your plane, make sure to visit the old town of Rhodes city. Visit some of the most interesting historical sites and have a wholesome traditional Greek meal.
