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.
- Caldera anchorage at Santorini with front-row views of the sunset
- Hidden coves of the lesser-visited Cyclades — Folegandros, Milos, Amorgos
- Mykonos beach clubs and nightlife — among the most celebrated in the Mediterranean
- Ionian sailing winds ideal for performance sailing
May offers the first reliable warmth and almost empty anchorages — a genuine secret for those in the know. June is excellent: warm water, moderate Meltemi, harbours not yet overcrowded. July and August are full high season — the Meltemi can blow hard and the major anchorages fill by early afternoon, but the energy is electric and the days are long. September is the connoisseur's month: summer warmth, autumn availability, water still at 25–26°C. October is quieter still — some restaurants close but the sailing is often the best of the year, with lighter, variable winds and a quality of light that October reserves for itself.
The Greek Islands are the world's premier island-hopping destination by yacht. No other charter ground offers this density of islands — each with its own character, cuisine, and coastline — within such manageable sailing distances.
A week in the Cyclades takes you from the cosmopolitan energy of Mykonos to the volcanic drama of Santorini, with stops at quieter gems like Folegandros and Koufonisia in between. The Ionian Islands offer an entirely different mood: verdant hillsides, calm turquoise bays, and the Venetian elegance of Corfu and Kefalonia. The Dodecanese blend Greek and Ottoman heritage along the Turkish coast, while the Saronic islands — Hydra, Spetses, Aegina — are close enough to Athens for a long weekend.
What unites them all is the quality of light, the warmth of the people, and a maritime tradition that has been welcoming seafarers for millennia. Your captain and crew know these islands intimately, adjusting the itinerary each day based on wind, your mood, and which taverna has the freshest catch.
Five cruising regions each with distinct character
Short inter-island passages — more time swimming, less time at sea
Uninhabited islands and hidden anchorages only accessible by yacht
Gastronomy from simple fish tavernas to Michelin-starred dining
Ancient ruins, Byzantine churches, and Venetian fortresses at every stop
Reliable summer winds for sailing purists
