What certifications are required to rent a bareboat sailing yacht in Greece?
According to Greek port authorities’ request, one sailing license is obligatory, when chartering a bareboat yacht. Client must provide original sailing certificate/license confirming competence and valid for International or Mediterranean waters (in English language or officially translated). Certificates for motor yachts, sailing on day-light hours only, weather or miles limitations are not accepted by the port authorities.
All the certificates or licenses should be verified from a sailing school/club or from local public authorities. This is checked when the charter company issues the departure “permission” for each voyage.
Accepted licenses include the ICC (Bareboat Skipper level or higher), ASA 104 and above, RYA Day Skipper (practical) or higher, as well as equivalent national certificates.
Catamaran or Monohull?
- Stability
Catamaran
- Very stable due to twin hulls.
- Minimal heeling — typically <5 degrees.
- More comfortable for guests unfamiliar with sailing.
Monohull
- Heels significantly under sail (15–25 degrees is normal).
- Some guests may feel uncomfortable or seasick.
- However, the heeling contributes to the sailing “feel.”
Best for: Catamarans win for guest comfort and calm cruising.
- Space & Layout
Catamaran
- Huge deck and salon space.
- Cabins spread into two hulls → privacy.
- Ideal for families, groups, or luxury charters.
Monohull
- Narrower beam → less living space.
- Cockpit smaller.
- More traditional and cozy interior.
Best for: Catamarans (especially in the charter market).
- Performance & Handling
Catamaran
- Faster on reaches and downwind due to lightweight structure.
- Harder to tack
- Excellent for shallow anchorages (low draft).
Monohull
- Better upwind performance.
- More responsive and enjoyable for experienced sailors.
- Feels more “connected” to the sea (traditional sailing experience).
Best for: Monohull if performance sailing is the goal.
- Comfort at Anchor & Underway
Catamaran
- Very comfortable at anchor—less rolling.
- Wide platform makes swimming, lounging easy.
Monohull
- Can roll more at anchor.
- Underway movement is more dynamic.
Best for: Catamarans for charter guests.
- Safety
Catamaran
- Less likely to capsize, but if it happens, difficult to right.
- Great redundancy: 2 engines, 2 hulls, 2 rudders.
Monohull
- Very unlikely to flip; self-righting design.
- Single engine/rudder (unless double system installed).
Best for: Both safe, but each in different ways.
- Fuel Efficiency
Catamaran
- More efficient under power—two small engines instead of one big.
- Lower drag than expected for their size.
Monohull
- Typically burns more fuel at the same cruising speed.
Best for: Catamaran for economical cruising.
- Charter Demand & Pricing
Catamaran
- Higher demand in most markets
- Higher charter rates.
- Higher operating and maintenance costs.
- Higher purchase price.
Monohull
- Lower upfront cost.
- Lower berth fees (narrower beam).
- More appealing to traditional sailors.
Best for: Catamaran wins for revenue potential.
In short:
If your priority is charter comfort, space, revenue, family-friendly cruising, a catamaran is the clear winner.
If your priority is performance, traditional sailing feel, and lower cost, a monohull excels.
Skippered or Bareboat?
Charter companies can arrange, recommend, and hire a skipper on behalf of the client—someone who is familiar with the local waters and the most interesting places to visit.
Skipper fees vary depending on the country and the charter operator, but the average cost is around EUR 200-230 per day, plus meals, regardless of the number of guests.
The skipper is considered as the “driver” of the yacht, being responsible for the navigation and mooring of the yacht and at the same time of the safety of the vessel (& her equipment) and the people onboard.
The skipper is considered as the “driver” of the yacht, being responsible for the navigation and mooring of the yacht and at the same time of the safety of the vessel (& her equipment) and the people onboard. The skipper is considered as the “driver” of the yacht, being responsible for the navigation and mooring of the yacht and at the same time of the safety of the vessel (& her equipment) and the people onboard. Weather conditions (wind’s force and direction) are to tell if the skipper can sail the pre-designed route or if changes should be made. For this reason, the skipper gets the weather forecast once or twice a day and discusses all possible options with his guests and makes recommendations for the next step each day. Of course, the skipper is there not only to sail the boat but to coordinate both the wishes of his “guests” and their safety and comfort by taking in serious consideration the reactions/behavior/tolerance/skills of his guests onboard. A typical day for the skipper is to sail from one island to another and include a 1 to 3 or 4 hour swim-stop to a beach/cove near or close to the direction of each day’s destination. He should manage to do everything within his 8 working hours every day or so and after that to stay alert for the rest 16 hours of the day. It is recommended the yachts to stay overnight in port, though during one week charter, the skipper can agree and schedule one night “on the anchor” in a bay, in case the weather allows. The food of skipper is on the expense of clients. He should have access on snacks and food on board for daily breakfast and lunch on board + plus an amount for a dinner when moored and eating ashore.
A skipper will need a cabin on board—typically a single forward cabin on a monohull or catamaran—and access to one of the yacht’s bathrooms. Their responsibilities include navigating the yacht, handling mooring operations, and ensuring the safety of both the vessel and everyone on board. However, skippers are not responsible for cooking or cleaning. Most skippers speak English, while some other speak other languages, such as French, Italian.
When selecting a yacht for a skippered charter, many clients overlook the maximum permitted number of people on board, which includes both guests and crew—an important detail when planning your trip.
Hostess/or Cook on board?
Clients may hire a hostess or cook for the entire duration of their sailing holiday, although this is optional if they prefer to handle the cooking themselves.
Hostess after consulting her guests about their food preferences (and restrictions) is responsible for shopping, preparing and serving breakfast and light lunch, washing dishes and glasses, saloon and cockpit daily (no cabins’ or wc cleaning), usually helping the skipper with setting of the sails and mooring/anchoring of the yacht, while she is considered to “work” for 8 hours per day and sleeping in separate cabin.
It is a fact that the big majority of people prefer to have just breakfast and a light lunch on the yacht and after they are safely moored and relaxed in port in the evening, they most times find a nice local restaurant ashore for dinner and try local wine, and traditional Greek tastes (and/or fresh fish) that should not be missed, while exploring the little town-port of each island. It is at the guests’ discretion whether or not they wish the crew to join them ashore for meals. Provisions must be onboard for the crew otherwise the amount for their meals is Euro 30/day/person.
The simple and casual nature of sailing and the cooking facilities of the sailboats define the style of the holidays, and therefore the services provided by a hostess onboard a sailing yacht should not be compared to services of the permanent crew found in the fully crewed yachts.
Sailing yachts and catamarans provide limited storage space, limited fridge space and cooking facilities. As a result, no complicated recipes can be prepared onboard.
A cook prepares breakfast, light lunch and dinner, and some charter operators in Greece, offer a half-board or full‑board option that includes three meals per day/per person. In crewed charters, APA is obligatory.
A.P.A. =ADVANCE PROVISIONING ALLOWANCE is the amount intended to cover operational expenses for bunkering, food supplies and any other incidental expenses which are described in detail hereunder.
Pricing
Early booking is usually 10%, but can also be 15%, which is combinable with other discounts, such as repeat client discount, long term discount, etc.
Last minute bookings: Last minute offers with a high percentage of discounts for charters with departure 30 days and less of departure date.
Special offers with special offer discounts, usually for one way route charters, that can be beginning or end of the season.
Apart from yacht price, each charter company or fleet operator sets its own pricing structure, and different services may be included in the base rate or offered as mandatory extras.
We will prepare a charter offer that clearly outlines what is included and what is not, according to each operator’s policies.
The payment of charter fee should be paid usually into 2 installments, down payment and balance payment, 45 days before charter’s departure.
In general, the following additional obligatory extras often apply:
- Cleaning fee, charter pack, essential pack (usually includes: End cleaning +Bed linen/Bath towels+ Marina fees First & final night at pier etc)
- Damage Deposit – Refundable Security Deposit
Optional Extras – Items such as Stand-Up Paddleboards, kayaks, Wi‑Fi, and other add‑ons.
Food, beverages, and transfers – If requested through the charter company rather than arranged independently.
Fuel Costs – The yacht must be returned with full fuel and water tanks.
Cancellation policy
In Greece and in all other charter destinations, the cancellation conditions are primarily determined by the fleet operator (the service provider), followed by Yacht2Sail, in its role as a charter intermediate. The cancellation policy is clearly stated in each charter party/contract and is usually based on the time remaining between the cancellation date and the scheduled departure.
Booking Procedure
Usually, there are 3 main steps in order to finalize your booking as smooth as possible:
STEP 1 – We receive your request (dates, sailing area, yacht type, specifications, special request you have, etc), we come back with an offer with your tailor made vacations with a personalized service.
STEP 2 – We hold an option on the yacht of your interest, usually for 5-7 days maximum.
STEP 3 – We proceed with booking after receiving first/last name and address, and we will revert to you with confirmation; contract and necessary paperwork for payment and base information.
Contract terms
The charter party’s Terms and Conditions (T&Cs) are established by the fleet operator or charter company intermediate, which is the owner or provider of the yacht.
First (Check-in date) & Last day (Check-out date) on board
Typical Base Procedures
Times may vary slightly per base and fleet operator, but the above schedule is standard across Greece.
Clients usually cannot return Saturday morning, as bases need several hours for turnaround and cleaning before the next charter.
Day | Time | What Happens |
Saturday (Start) | 17:00 | Check‑in starts, briefing, provisioning, night on board. |
Sunday | Morning | Most yachts depart. |
Friday (Last Full Day) | ~17:00 | Yacht returns to base, technical check. |
Saturday (End) | 09:00 | Final check‑out, disembarkation. |
Check in Day (First Day on Board)
Documents required (usually 1–3 weeks before embarkation): crew list, valid sailing license for skipper and arrival time at the airport or base.
- Clients may board the yacht on the official start date of the charter, usually Saturday after 17:00.
- The first day is used for:
- paperwork and crew list finalization
- boat and equipment briefing
- inventory check
- safety instructions
- provisioning
- Overnight on board is included.
- The yacht cannot officially depart the marina before all documents and checks are completed, often making Sunday morning the realistic departure time.
Check out Day (Last Day on Board)
- Clients must return to the base on the evening before check‑out, usually Friday by 17:00–18:00, for:
- end‑of‑charter inspection
- diesel refueling
- diver inspection (where required)
- Overnight on board Friday is included.
What to Pack for a Sailing Trip?
(Equipment, clothing, luggage for sailing suitable and necessary for sailing)
- Essential Equipment
These are items that significantly improve comfort and safety on board:
Must‑haves
- Soft water bottle / insulated flask – staying hydrated is key.
- Sunscreen (high SPF), lip balm with SPF – sun reflection from the water is intense.
- Sunglasses with polarized lenses – reduces glare.
- Headlamp or small waterproof flashlight – useful at night on deck.
- Dry bags – protect electronics and documents.
- Power bank – outlets can be limited; boats often use 12V sockets.
- Sea sickness remedies – pills, patches, or ginger tablets.
- Small first‑aid kit – plasters, antiseptic wipes, motion sickness pills.
- Snorkeling gear (if not provided) – mask + snorkel; fins optional.
Optional but helpful
- Gloves for sailing – prevent rope burns.
- Pocket knife / multi-tool – only if allowed and safe to bring.
- Waterproof phone case – essential for dinghy rides.
- Books, Kindle, cards – great for downtime.
2. Clothing for Sailing
Think lightweight, breathable, quick‑dry and layered. Space is limited, and clothes dry slowly on boats.
What to pack
- Swimwear – 2–3 sets.
- T‑shirts / tank tops – quick‑dry fabrics preferred.
- Shorts – comfortable for sailing and beaches.
- Light fleece or hoodie – nights can be cool.
- Windbreaker / light waterproof jacket – essential.
- Long‑sleeve UV‑protective top – great for midday sun.
- Casual clothes for dinner ashore – simple, light.
- Hat or cap – ideally with a strap.
- Boat shoes or non‑slip sandals – to avoid marking the deck.
- Flip‑flops – for showers and beach.
- Underwear & sleepwear – breathable fabrics.
What not to bring
- Heavy clothing
- High heels
- Hard‑soled black shoes (they leave marks)
3. Best Type of Luggage for Sailing
This is important: hard suitcases do NOT fit well on boats.
✅ Best option
Soft duffel bag (foldable, no wheels)
- Fits easily into cabin storage
- Can be compressed
- Lightweight
Other good options
- Soft backpack
- Small weekender bag
- Water‑resistant duffel
❌ Avoid
- Hard‑shell suitcases
- Large rolling suitcases
They don’t fit in cabin lockers and are difficult to store.
Quick Packing Checklist
Essentials
- Passport, sailing documents, cash/cards
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat
- Swimwear + lightweight clothing
- Light jacket + fleece
- Dry bag, power bank
- Toiletries (reef‑safe recommended)
- Boat shoes + sandals
Pricing
Clients may hire a hostess or cook for the entire duration of their sailing holiday, although this is optional if they prefer to handle the cooking themselves.
Hostess after consulting her guests about their food preferences (and restrictions) is responsible for shopping, preparing and serving breakfast and light lunch, washing dishes and glasses, saloon and cockpit daily (no cabins’ or wc cleaning), usually helping the skipper with setting of the sails and mooring/anchoring of the yacht, while she is considered to “work” for 8 hours per day and sleeping in separate cabin.
It is a fact that the big majority of people prefer to have just breakfast and a light lunch on the yacht and after they are safely moored and relaxed in port in the evening, they most times find a nice local restaurant ashore for dinner and try local wine, and traditional Greek tastes (and/or fresh fish) that should not be missed, while exploring the little town-port of each island. It is at the guests’ discretion whether or not they wish the crew to join them ashore for meals. Provisions must be onboard for the crew otherwise the amount for their meals is Euro 30/day/person.
The simple and casual nature of sailing and the cooking facilities of the sailboats define the style of the holidays, and therefore the services provided by a hostess onboard a sailing yacht should not be compared to services of the permanent crew found in the fully crewed yachts.
Sailing yachts and catamarans provide limited storage space, limited fridge space and cooking facilities. As a result, no complicated recipes can be prepared onboard.
A cook prepares breakfast, light lunch and dinner, and some charter operators in Greece, offer a half-board or full‑board option that includes three meals per day/per person. In crewed charters, APA is obligatory.
A.P.A. =ADVANCE PROVISIONING ALLOWANCE is the amount intended to cover operational expenses for bunkering, food supplies and any other incidental expenses which are described in detail hereunder.
Pricing
Early booking is usually 10%, but can also be 15%, which is combinable with other discounts, such as repeat client discount, long term discount, etc.
Last minute bookings: Last minute offers with a high percentage of discounts for charters with departure 30 days and less of departure date.
Special offers with special offer discounts, usually for one way route charters, that can be beginning or end of the season.
Apart from yacht price, each charter company or fleet operator sets its own pricing structure, and different services may be included in the base rate or offered as mandatory extras.
We will prepare a charter offer that clearly outlines what is included and what is not, according to each operator’s policies.
The payment of charter fee should be paid usually into 2 installments, down payment and balance payment, 45 days before charter’s departure.
In general, the following additional obligatory extras often apply:
- Cleaning fee, charter pack, essential pack (usually includes: End cleaning +Bed linen/Bath towels+ Marina fees First & final night at pier etc)
- Damage Deposit – Refundable Security Deposit
Optional Extras – Items such as Stand-Up Paddleboards, kayaks, Wi‑Fi, and other add‑ons.
Food, beverages, and transfers – If requested through the charter company rather than arranged independently.
Fuel Costs – The yacht must be returned with full fuel and water tanks.