Greek Islands

Greece is not one destination — it is several hundred, scattered across a coastline longer than France’s, folded into gulfs, strung along island chains, and hidden behind headlands that reward those who know where to look. Since 1972, Aris Drivas Yachting has operated in these waters. We know which bay turns glassy at sunset, which harbour master keeps late hours, and which taverna owner still dives for his own sea urchins.

In Greek waters, the best anchorage is always the one just around the next headland.

A Country Built for Charter

With roughly 6,000 islands — 227 of them inhabited — Greece offers a density of choice unequalled in the Mediterranean. Distances between stops are short: rarely more than 15 to 25 nautical miles, often less. This means relaxed morning departures, time for a midday swim over a sand bottom, and an evening arrival with enough light to watch the town come alive.

The Regions

Each cruising ground has a distinct character. The Cyclades deliver the iconic white-cube architecture, open-water sailing, and a social energy that peaks in July and August. The Ionian Islands on the western coast offer green hillsides, gentle winds, and sheltered waters suited to families and first-time charterers. The Saronic Gulf, an hour from Athens, packs neoclassical ports and car-free islands into a compact itinerary ideal for long weekends. The Dodecanese, near the Turkish coast, combine medieval architecture with volcanic geology and far fewer crowds. The Peloponnese traces a rugged southern coastline rich in Byzantine fortresses and deep anchorages. And the Athens Riviera serves as the gateway — a polished stretch of coast where most charters begin or end.

Season and Conditions

The Greek charter season runs from late April through October. May and June bring warm days, calm seas, and wildflowers still visible on the hillsides. July and August are peak months — the Meltemi wind blows from the north through the Aegean, creating lively sailing conditions in the Cyclades while the Ionian stays largely sheltered. September and October offer warm water, thinning crowds, and softer light that photographers prize.

What Sets Greece Apart

• Short inter-island distances that allow daily variety without long passages
• A cuisine rooted in locality — fish landed that morning, oil pressed from the grove behind the restaurant
• Harbour culture where the yacht ties stern-to and the village begins at the quay
• Water visibility routinely exceeding 25 metres in the southern Aegean
• A maritime tradition older than recorded history, reflected in infrastructure that understands yachts

We have spent over fifty years building relationships in these ports — with captains, with provisioners, with the families who run the best small hotels ashore. That network is the difference between a good charter and one that feels as though every detail was arranged by someone who has done this a thousand times. Because we have.