Greece remains one of the world’s premier sailing destinations, and 2025 is no exception. With over 6,000 islands and islets (around 227 inhabited), Greece offers endless coastline, crystal-clear waters, and a rich tapestry of history and culture at every stop. Even better, Greece’s charter costs and marina fees have stayed relatively stable in recent years, making it an attractive alternative to pricier sailing hotspots. Prices in neighbouring countries (yes, we are pointing to Croatia :) ) have climbed, while Greek mooring fees remain modest. This value and fantastic cruising grounds have only increased Greece’s popularity among sailors. From the gentle, green Ionian Sea on the west coast to the windswept Aegean islands in the east, there’s a suitable sailing area for every skill level.

Seasonal Sailing Conditions in Greece

Let’s start with the weather, because nothing can make or break your sailing holiday quite like it. Greece’s summer sailing conditions vary by region, largely due to the famous Meltemi wind in the Aegean. Here’s an overview of what to expect from each part of the season:

June – Early Summer

By June, Greece is basking in warm weather without the extreme heat. Average daytime highs are comfortably warm (upper 20s to low 30s °C), and the sea is warming up. Wind patterns are moderate: in the Ionian Sea (west coast), you’ll get gentle northwesterly afternoon breezes known as the Maestro or Maestral, which reliably pick up around midday and calm down by dusk. The Aegean (east) starts to see the Meltemi wind beginning to stir, especially later in June, but it’s usually milder than in peak summer. June typically has very little rain, and visibility at sea is excellent. Overall, it’s a fabulous month for sailing with long daylight hours and not too many crowds.

July – August (High Summer)

The height of summer brings hot, sunny weather (temperatures often 30–35°C or higher) and the strongest winds of the year. In the Cyclades and Dodecanese islands (central and southeast Aegean), the Meltemi dominates – a dry, northerly wind that can regularly blow 15–25 knots and occasionally top 30 knots in the afternoons. It’s a relief on scorching days and provides exciting sailing for experienced crews, but it can make the sea state choppy and force itinerary changes if it blows for several days straight. The Meltemi is most persistent in July and August, often peaking at this time. In contrast, the Ionian and Saronic Gulf are much calmer – these areas are largely sheltered from the Meltemi. The Ionian Sea experiences lighter NW winds (Force 2–5 most days) and is known for flat seas and a predictable daily wind cycle (calm mornings, moderate afternoons). Rain is practically nonexistent in mid-summer, and skies are typically cloud-free. Note that because this is the busiest season, popular harbours can get crowded, so arriving early at anchorages is wise.

September – October (Late Season)

Early autumn is a wonderful time to sail in Greece. September still feels like summer – warm air (25–30°C in early Sept, gradually cooling later) and sea temperatures around 24°C. Crucially, the fierce Meltemi winds begin to calm down by late August and into September, making Aegean sailing more relaxed. You’ll enjoy more moderate breezes, often from the north, still, but generally gentler and more predictable. By October, the Meltemi has fully subsided (ending around the end of September, after that it will completely disappear), and winds may blow from the south or west on some days at a mild Force 2–4. The weather in October is mild and pleasant: average daytime temperatures range 20–25°C, with cooler evenings (a light jacket is a good idea). There’s still plenty of sunshine, though late October can bring a few rain showers or the odd thunderstorm as the season transitions. The sea remains warm enough for swimming (around 21–23°C in October). Many sailors love September–October for its combination of comfortable conditions and thinner crowds – it’s the shoulder season sweet spot where you get the best of both worlds. Just keep an eye on the forecasts in case of any autumn weather fronts, and note that daylight hours do shorten by late fall.

Aerial view of yachts on Ionian sea in Lefkada, Greece stock photo
With its dramatic cliffs, turquoise waters, and hidden coves, Lefkada has long been one of the most booked regions on Boataround – and it’s easy to see why.

Regional differences in sailing conditions

In summary, the Ionian Islands (Corfu, Lefkada, Kefalonia, etc.) offer gentle winds and protected waters throughout summer, ideal for those wanting stress-free sailing. The Aegean islands (Cyclades, Dodecanese) see stronger winds; the Cyclades in July–August are best tackled by more experienced crews due to the Meltemi’s force. The Saronic Gulf (near Athens) and Argolic Gulf are relatively sheltered, with weaker winds (great for easy sailing or family trips) except occasionally in mid-summer when even they feel a bit of Meltemi breeze. By late season, virtually all regions calm down, opening the door for exploring areas like the Cyclades under gentler conditions once the Meltemi fades. Always check a reliable marine weather forecast (such as the Hellenic National Meteorological Service or apps like PredictWind/Windy) during your trip, especially in the Aegean, to plan around any strong wind days.

Greece may be one country, but when it comes to sailing conditions, it’s practically a whole archipelago of microclimates — what’s true in one area might be completely different just a few islands away.

Marina & Mooring Costs in Greece in 2025

One of the pleasant surprises for many sailors is that marina and mooring costs in Greece are quite affordable, especially when compared to popular sailing destinations like Croatia or Italy. In 2025, this remains true – Greece offers excellent value for berthing fees, contributing to its growing popularity. Here we’ll break down typical costs in high season (June–October) and give a few examples, then compare them briefly to Croatia to highlight the differences.

Panorama of Symi, Dodecanese island, Greece
Colorful port of Symi, where berthing costs for a 12-meter yacht typically range around €24 per night

General cost range: In Greece, a night in a marina or at a town quay for a 12-meter (~40 ft) monohull can cost anywhere from €20 to €60 on average, depending on the location and facilities. Many smaller island harbors are €20–€30 or even free for visiting yachts, especially if they are simple municipal quays with minimal services. Even the larger, full-service marinas tend to charge well under €100 per night for a 12 m boat in peak summer. By contrast, in Croatia a similar 12 m yacht might pay on the order of €80–€150 per night in a marina during high season, and often even more in the most sought-after marinas. Modern facilities and high demand have driven up Croatian prices, whereas Greece has kept prices relatively low to encourage nautical tourism.

Let’s look at a few specific examples of 2024/2025 high-season marina rates (for a 12 m / 40 ft monohull):

Panoramic aerial view of the Alimos marina at South Athens, Greece, with moored luxury yachts and sailboats
Marina Alimos
View of beautiful Gouvia port marina - calm sea, white yachts and blue sky with white clouds, reflecting on water surface, and mountains on the horizon.
Gouvia Marina
Rhodes Marina
Rhodes Marina
Day life in beautiful town Preveza located on Ionian sea coast. Nice bay with calm water, very long yacht and sailboat marina, sidewalk with park and nice modern architecture makes this place recognizable
Preveza Town
Oia, santorini, views of the white houses with their cobbled streets. aegean sea, cyclades, greece.
Oia, Santorini
Aerial view of Fiskardo, Kefalonia.
Fiskardo, Kefalonia. 

Furthermore, catamarans usually incur a surcharge (often +50% of the monohull rate) because of their beam – still, a 40 ft cat in Greece might pay €50–€80 in many places (versus easily €150 in Croatia).

Why are Greek fees lower?

Partly because many facilities are older or municipally run, and Greece historically views sailing as part of normal life, not solely a luxury tourism business. There’s an understanding that visiting yachts bring revenue to local shops and restaurants, so prices are kept invitingly low. In Croatia, by contrast, a lot of marinas are newer private ventures (like the ACI marina chain) with significant investments to recoup, leading to higher fees. This difference is noticeable to sailors’ wallets. For example, a 13 m yacht in Split’s ACI Marina in high season is around €172/night, whereas the same yacht in Athens (Alimos) or Rhodes might be €34–€60/night – a huge disparity. Even a mid-range marina like Gouvia (Corfu) at ~€100 is considerably cheaper than, say, Marina Dubrovnik at €130+ for that size.

Anchoring/mooring fields: Another cost factor: in some countries, taking a mooring buoy in a bay can be expensive (for instance, Croatia’s national park moorings can cost €40–€50/night). In Greece, anchoring is free and mooring buoys are not very common except in a few spots. Often, if a taverna lays mooring buoys, they’ll be free if you eat at the restaurant (or a small fee like €10). So, you can spend several nights at anchor at no cost at all, interspersed with an occasional marina night to refill water and charge batteries – an economical approach many enjoy.

To sum up, Greece’s stable and affordable pricing for mooring is a big part of its appeal. You can cruise for two weeks and spend very little on berthing, especially if you favor anchoring out or town quays. With Greece’s 2025 prices holding steady, it’s not hard to see why many sailors are choosing the Greek Islands over more expensive Adriatic or Western Med destinations.

Sailing Regulations & Anchoring Rules in Greece

Before setting sail, it’s important to understand Greece’s current sailing regulations and best practices for mooring and anchoring. The good news is that Greece has streamlined many formalities in recent years, making it relatively straightforward for charterers and visiting yachtsmen. Below is a summary of key rules and tips as of 2025:

Charter Paperwork & Legal Requirements

If you’re chartering a yacht through a company (like Boataround’s partners), most of the necessary paperwork will be handled for you. Bareboat charterers in Greece typically need to have at least one certified skipper (with an ICC or equivalent license) and a co-skipper/crew member who can sign a self-declaration of competency. The charter company will ensure your crew list and boat papers are in order. All recreational boats cruising in Greek waters must carry a permit to cruise – for Greek-flagged or EU boats, this is the DEKPA (Cruising Log) or a Transit Log for non-EU vessels. These documents are obtained from the Port Authority (Port Police) and should be kept on board. Since 2019, Greece also requires a cruising tax (known as TEPAI or TPP) for all boats. The tax is modest for charter users (often built into charter fees), but for reference, it costs private boat owners about €200–€400 per year for boats under 12m (larger boats pay more per meter). If you’re bringing in your own yacht, you’ll need to pay this tax monthly or annually via the online system here or at Port Police – e.g. a 10–12 m boat pays €33 per month or €400 for the year. The good news is that many old bureaucratic requirements have been relaxed: you no longer need to obtain Port Police permission each time you arrive or depart a harbour or get a transit log stamped at every port. Now, you generally only deal with Port Authorities for initial entry clearance, to pay fees/taxes, and if there’s an incident or emergency. Always keep your boat registration, insurance papers (with the Greek-mandated liability coverage), crew list, and passports readily available for inspection. But day-to-day, charter sailors will find formalities minimal – you can freely sail between Greek ports without repetitive check-ins.

The good news? If you book through Boataround, most of these formalities are taken care of by our charter partners. That means you can focus on planning your route and enjoying your trip — not navigating Greek bureaucracy.

Mooring Practices (Mediterranean Mooring)

In most Greek ports and harbours, you’ll be doing stern-to mooring (Med mooring) at town quays or marina piers. This means you drop your anchor a boat-length or two off the quay and then reverse in, securing your stern lines to the dock. Unlike some other countries, lazy lines (pre-laid mooring lines) are rare on public docks in Greece, so your anchor is essential for holding the bow. Basic med-mooring etiquette applies: set your anchor well (at least 3:1 to 5:1 scope, depending on space), and be mindful of adjacent boats’ anchor lines to avoid crossing. Harbour depths are often 3–5 m near the quay, and many have a mix of sand and weed on the bottom – so let the anchor dig into sand patches if possible. Greek locals and fellow sailors are usually friendly and will lend a hand or offer advice if they see you’re unfamiliar with a harbour.

Moored sailboats at beautiful island Kornat, the main island from Kornati region islands, Dalmatia, Croatia, Europe. High angle view from drone.

Tip: Have your fenders out and a long stern line ready on each side as you approach; in busy ports, you might even “raft” (tie side-to) next to another boat if directed, though this is more common in peak season overflow situations - but be prepared :) . In smaller coves without docks, the common practice is to anchor in the bay and take a long line ashore to a rock or tree to hold position (this prevents swinging and lets more boats fit in a cozy anchorage). Be prepared with a sturdy 30–50 m line for this “long-line” mooring technique in case you need it.

Sailboats and catamarans anchored in a beautiful bay of Fiscardo, Kefalonia, Greece. They are anchored in a row, view from above.
Anchoring in a beautiful bay of Fiscardo, Kefalonia

Anchoring Rules & Protected Areas

Greece offers tremendous freedom for anchoring – you can drop anchor in most bays and coves at will, as long as you’re outside swimming-only zones and not obstructing harbors or ferry routes. The general rule is to anchor responsibly: avoid damaging Posidonia seagrass meadows (look for patches of sand to drop your hook) and respect any local signage about restrictions.

Posidonia oceanica is a protected seagrass found in the Mediterranean. It’s vital for marine life and water quality. Avoid anchoring on it – it’s legally protected.
Posidonia oceanica is a protected seagrass found in the Mediterranean. It’s vital for marine life and water quality. Avoid anchoring on it – it’s legally protected.


While Greece doesn’t yet have as strict Posidonia anchoring bans as, say, Croatia or France, Posidonia oceanica is a protected species under EU law and Greek regulations, so eco-friendly anchoring is encouraged. In fact, some marine protected areas have installed oorings to prevent anchor damage – for example, around Gyaros Island in the Cyclades (a Natura 2000 marine reserve), you’ll find eco-mooring buoys that visiting yachts are required to use instead of anchoring, to preserve the seabed.

Beautiful turquoise transparent sea waters, in Gyaros island, Greece
Waters near Gyaros Island

Pay attention to charts and cruising guides for any such areas; they are few, but important. Greece has National Marine Parks and Natura 2000 protected zones in several regions. Notable ones include the National Marine Park of Alonissos and Northern Sporades (home to the endangered monk seal), the National Marine Park of Zakynthos (protecting sea turtle nesting areas in Laganas Bay), and parts of the Cyclades (Gyaros, as mentioned, and surrounding islands), among others. In these areas, special rules apply. For example, in the Alonissos/Sporades park, the core zone near Piperi Island is strictly off-limits (no approach within 3 NM), and overnight stays are only allowed in a couple of designated bays (like Planitis Bay and Agios Petros on Kyra Panagia Island) for safety and environmental protection. In Zakynthos’s turtle sanctuary, anchoring is forbidden in the shallow nesting zones, and speed limits apply to protect turtles. Always look for signage or information when entering a protected area – often there will be marker buoys or notices about restrictions (e.g. no anchoring, no fishing, no diving, or daytime-only access). The Port Police and park authorities do patrol these areas, and fines can be imposed for violations, so it’s best to follow the rules – and of course, it helps preserve Greece’s natural beauty. Outside of official protected zones, anchoring is generally unrestricted. Just avoid anchoring in submarine cable areas (marked on charts) or in front of busy ferry ports.

Another thing to note: free anchoring versus paid moorings – in some very popular bays (typically in the Ionian and the Sporades), you might find private mooring buoys laid by tavernas or local operators. Using these might incur a fee (or an expectation that you dine at the taverna). If unsure, ask locals or check a cruising guide app like Navily or Navionics for notes on a bay. But broadly, anchoring in Greece is cost-free and a joy – a big difference from some neighbouring countries where mooring buoys or anchoring permits are the norm.

Traditional Greek taverna by the sea in Kastellorizo island. People sitting at a traditional Greek taverna located by the sea in Kastellorizo, Greece
In some Greek harbors, enjoying dinner at a taverna often comes with a bonus: free mooring right in front. A great way to end the sailing day, right? 

Marina Fees & Port Police

While anchoring out is free, staying at a dock or marina may involve a fee. Greece is known for its inexpensive (often nominal) port fees. Many smaller town quays managed by the local municipality charge just a token fee of a few Euros per night – it might be around €10–20, or even nothing at all on occasion. These fees are usually collected by the Port Police or a harbor master who may visit your boat in the evening or morning to issue a receipt. It’s a good idea to keep some cash (Euro) on hand for this. Larger private marinas (for example, marinas in Athens, Lefkas, Gouvia in Corfu, etc.) have higher fees (see the next section for specifics) and are usually paid at the marina office. Aside from nightly mooring fees, Greece doesn’t nickel-and-dime you – there are no daily cruising permits or special taxes beyond the aforementioned TEPAI. If you’re sailing under a foreign (non-EU) flag, note that you must officially clear in/out of Greece at designated ports of entry and may be limited in how long your boat can stay in EU waters (Schengen area rules and temporary importation apply). But for the typical charter sailor flying into Athens or one of the islands and picking up a Greek-flagged charter yacht, formalities are simple. Just remember to carry your license (they do check that the skipper has an appropriate certificate before handover) and follow standard maritime rules (like showing anchor lights at night, not sailing in restricted military areas, etc., though those areas are well-marked on charts).

In short, Greece offers a very sailor-friendly environment. Basic seamanship and respect for rules will keep you out of trouble. The combination of relaxed regulations, helpful local authorities, and ample safe harbors makes Greece ideal for an intermediate bareboat skipper looking to broaden their experience.

Top Anchorages and Bays in Greece 

Starting from Lefkada

For the Ionian Islands, our local partner Sightsea Yachting recommends the following must-visit anchorages:

Starting from Athens/Alimos

From Athens (Alimos Marina) in the Saronic Gulf, Athenian Yachts and their skipper Panos Zervas recommend these top anchorage spots:

Tip: Arrive at Hydra very early in the day if you want a chance to dock; by midday the tiny harbor is usually full.

Plan Your Greek Sailing Adventure – Handy Route Ideas

Thinking about where to point the bow? Below are seven tried-and-tested itineraries from the Boataround blog, each summed up in a sentence or two so you can pick the vibe that suits your crew. Click through for the full day-by-day breakdown, local tips, and harbour notes.


Pair one of these routes with the pricing intel and anchoring pointers above, and you’ll have a smooth, budget-smart cruise plan ready to go. Kαλά ταξίδια – safe travels and fair winds!

boat

Bavaria Cruiser 41 | Hermes

Greece, Marina Kos
from 46 € /day
boat

Bavaria Cruiser 46 | Leonidas

6 OK  |  1 Review
Greece, Marina Kos
from 65 € /day
boat

Dromeas 4.5 | Dromeas

10 Excellent  |  1 Review
Greece, Nikiana Marina
from 69 € /day