- HOME
- MEDITERRANEAN
BAREBOAT YACHT CHARTER: Explore one of these glorious holiday destinations in your own sailing yacht.
FLOTILLA SAILING HOLIDAYS: Sail your own yacht with the added support of a lead boat crew.
LEARN TO SAIL HOLIDAYS: Start from scratch or brush up your skills.
MOTORYACHT CHARTER: Do you prefer power to sail?
CREWED YACHTS: Relax, let the crew do the work.
SAIL AND STAY HOLIDAYS: Why not add a few days ashore in a hotel?
- WORLDWIDE
BAREBOAT YACHT CHARTER: Sail your yacht in any one of our glorious holiday destinations and explore at your own pace.
MOTORYACHT CHARTER: Do you prefer power to sail?
CREWED YACHTS: Relax, let the crew do the work.
SAIL AND STAY HOLIDAYS: Why not add a few days ashore in a hotel?
- PLAN YOUR TRIP
AIRPORT PARKING & HOTELS: Save up to 60% when you book airport parking & hotels in advance.
BOOKING CONDITIONS: Check our Booking Conditions.
CAR RENTAL: Rent a car instead of an airport transfer or if you add a week ashore.
CRUISING GUIDES: Start planning before you travel with a cruising guide or chart to your sailing destination.
PASSPORTS & VISAS: Check the passport & visa requirements of your sailing destination.
SAILING LOGS: Read our reports on sailing holidays we've been on.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: Don't travel without adequate insurance. We offer single trip or Annual multi-trip travel insurance.
TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN: Read our handy hints on taking small children on a sailing holiday.
USEFUL LINKS: Check these websites for more information on your sailing destination.
WHAT'S ONBOARD: Standard inventory for all charter yachts.
- FAQs
- CONTACT
CONTACT: Check our details and opening hours.
REQUEST A BROCHURE: Order our latest brochure.
WHO WE ARE: Meet the Nautilus team.
WHY BOOK WITH US: How do you benefit?
- OWNERSHIP
Are you thinking of buying a new yacht and putting her with a charter fleet? Speak to us about the best deal for you. Nautilus Yachting has been arranging sailing holidays throughout the Mediterranean & Caribbean since 1992 so we are ideally qualified to advise you on yacht charter management. Find out more
- MOTOR
Yacht Charter in the Aegean
Explore the sun-baked Cyclades islands of the Aegean, considered to be the typical Greek islands with their dazzling whitewashed hilltop villages
The Cyclades in the central Aegean Sea are the archetypal Greek islands, with charming white washed houses and windmills, churches with bright blue domes, ancient ruins and small tavernas with traditional food and wine. Great sailing for more experienced sailors who want more challenging itineraries and longer passages between the islands.
The larger islands of Paros and Naxos are more cosmopolitan with sandy beaches and a lively nightlife. Santorini (Thira) has one of the most spectacular landscapes in Greece as the island is the exposed rim of a submerged volcanic crater.
As a contrast to these popular tourist islands, Kea, Sikinos, Kithnos, Serifos, Sifnos, Milos, Amorgos and Andros are much simpler with unspoilt small fishing harbours and protected anchorages - charming islands to discover and still very genuine places to visit on your sailing itinerary.
Sailing in the Aegean
There are many sailing itinerary options available in the Aegean so you can set your itinerary that best suits your sailing experience and the weather forecast. From Lavrion sail south to Kea and Kithnos and return via the islands of Hydra and Poros in the Saronic Gulf. If the winds are favourable, more experienced sailors will want to head further south to visit the Cyclades islands of Naxos and Paros. In 2 weeks you could sail as far south as Ios and the dramatic island of Santorini (Thira).
Or start your yacht charter at Paros or Mykonos in the centre of the Aegean for easy access to the Cyclades islands.
Your itinerary in this area must be flexible to cope with wind conditions. The prevailing wind is northerly or north-easterly so going south is fine but the homeward leg should be north-westerly. Distances between the islands in the Aegean are longer so you may spend much of the day sailing. Keep an extra day or so in hand to allow for adverse weather on the return leg.
DAY 1 : Embark at Lavrion. Sail to Sounion Point (10nm). The photogenic temple ruins are worth a visit.
DAY 2 : Kithnos (35nm) island charms visitors with its authentic atmosphere. The island is barren and rocky and the rugged coastline has numerous coves and beaches. Anchor in Ormos Kolona (Sand Bar Bay) or moor in Merikha, the main harbour.
DAY 3 : Sifnos (25nm) is a verdant island, full of olive trees, with traditional whitewashed houses, blue sea and bright red bougainvillea. Choose between Kamares, the main harbour or Faros, an attractive bay in the south-east.
DAY 4 : Paros (28nm) is one of the most popular Greek islands due to its sandy beaches, traditional villages with narrow paved alleys and plenty of tavernas. The main harbour is Parikia but Naoussa is also a lovely anchorage with a picture-postcard town.
DAY 5 : Serifos (32nm) has remained its traditional character with an unspoilt coastline and beautiful beaches. Moor in Lavadhi harbour or anchor in Ormos Koutala to the south.
DAY 6 : Kea (27nm) lies to the south of Lavrion and is famed for its important archaeological sites, locations of unique natural beauty, wonderful beaches and picturesque villages. Ayios Nikolas offers a choice of anchorages within the bay.
DAY 7 : Return to Lavrion (16nm).
DAY 1 : Embark at Paroika, the main harbour on Paros.
DAY 2 : Folegrandos (30nm) is an enchanting little island in the Cyclades, with an authentic character and spectacular landscape. Ther main harbour of Karavostasi is a traditional Greek fishing harbour.
DAY 3 : Santorini (21nm) (also called Thira) was the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in the world and what remains today is a submerged volcano and a caldera. Moor in the new marina and visit the stunning town of Thira overlooking the volcano crater to enjoy the sunset and local wine.
DAY 4 : Ios (15nm) is a "party island" famed for its nightlife but the harbour front is not noisy - most of the action is in the town, a steep walk up the hill. Apart from fun, the island has many beautiful beaches and peaceful anchorages.
DAY 5 : Naxos (40m) is the largest of the Cyclades islands with many sandy beaches. Naxos Town is the capital and main harbour and has a lovely waterfront with elegant Venetian architecture.
DAY 6 : Paros (28nm) is one of the most popular islands with lovely sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, traditional villages with whitewashed houses in narrow paved alleys contrasted with the many colourful bougainvilleas. Naoussa is a lovely anchorage with a cosmopolitan town and plenty of tavernas.
DAY 7 : Return to Paroika (6nm).
DAY 1 : Embark at Mykonos in the new marina.
DAY 2 : Naxos (21nm) is the largest of the Cyclades islands with many sandy beaches. Naxos Town is the capital and main harbour and has a lovely waterfront with elegant Venetian architecture.
DAY 3 : Amorgos (35nm) is a mountainous island whose trademark is the beautiful monastery of Hozoviotissa which is wedged into a huge precipice at 300m from the sea. Katapola’s waterfront is lined with cafes, tavernas and moorings for fishing boats and visiting yachts.
DAY 4 : Schinousa (15nm) is an escape from the tourist trail. The beautiful harbour at Mersini is considered one of the best havens for anchoring in the Aegean Sea. Visit the beaches and bays on nearby Koufonisi.
DAY 5 : Ios (18nm) is a "party island" famed for its nightlife but the harbour front is not noisy - most of the action is in the town, a steep walk up the hill. Apart from fun, the island has many beautiful beaches and peaceful anchorages.
DAY 6 : Paros (25nm) is one of the most popular islands with lovely sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, traditional villages with whitewashed houses in narrow paved alleys contrasted with the many colourful bougainvilleas. Paroika is the main harbour with plenty of tavernas.
DAY 7 : Return to Mykonos (27nm).
Sailing conditions
The best times to sail in the Aegean are May to June and September to October when you are less likely to be affected by the meltemi wind from the North which blows strongest in July and August at Force 5-6 and may reach Force 7-8. In the Spring and Autumn the wind strength is less, around Force 3-4. Experience level 3.
Yacht charter in Aegean - Lavrion, Paros & Mykonos
We offer 2 fleets in the Aegean. From Lavrion, near Athens airport, charter a high specification Bavaria yacht. Charters start and finish on Saturdays. We can also offer yachts from other fleets based at Lavrion so please ask.
The yachts from Paros and Mykonos in the centre of the Cyclades are from one of the largest fleets of bareboat charter yachts in the Mediterranean, and charters can start and finish any day of the week, giving you total flexibility over your holiday dates. Not all yacht models are available in every base in Greece.
Click on the yacht names below to view yacht layout & specification
2 cabin
Yachts from Lavrion
3 cabin
Yachts from Lavrion
4+ cabin
Yachts from Lavrion
Catamarans
Yachts from Paros & Mykonos
Yachts from Paros & Mykonos
Yachts from Paros & Mykonos
Yachts from Paros & Mykonos
Check availability of Kiriacoulis yachts in Paros & Mykonos online
Yacht charter rates are shown WITHOUT flights giving you the flexibility to book your own flights.
If you want a flight-inclusive holiday Nautilus Yachting is a fully bonded ATOL tour operator and can book flights from the UK to fit your sailing holiday. Choose from a wide choice of airlines - we are not tied to any particular airline. All flight-inclusive holidays are fully bonded for your financial protection under our ATOL 3016. Airport transfers can also be pre-arranged.
FLIGHTS TO ATHENS:
British Airways, Aegean Airlines and Olympic Airlines run flights from Heathrow to Athens, easyJet operates from Gatwick. With daily flights you can add on a few days for a city break in Athens before or after your charter. Transfer time to Lavrion 40 minutes.
FLIGHTS TO PAROS:
Olympic have a 30 minute flight from Athens to Paros or the ferry from Pireaus Port in Athens to Paros runs daily and takes 4-5 hours.
FLIGHTS TO MYKONOS:
easyJet have direct flights to Mykonos from Gatwick on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Thomson have direct charter flights from Gatwick and Manchester on Fridays.
To charter a yacht bareboat or on flotilla you should be Day Skipper standard and be assisted by at least one competent crew.
At present you need an RYA Day Skipper qualification or RYA International Certificate of Competence (ICC) for charters in Croatia, Montenegro, Mallorca, Tenerife and Malta.
The RYA ICC will be ever more required by overseas port authorities but if you have skipper experience it is easily obtained in a day from RYA sailing schools in the UK such as Hamilton Sailing or Brixham Sea School
Whether you are an experienced sailor or setting foot on a yacht for the first time, we can offer you a holiday afloat to suit you. We have given all the sailing areas a level with 'Experience Level 1' suitable for less experienced crews and 'Experience Level 3' for the experts.
This takes into account the wind strength, tidal range and currents, distances between stops and ease of mooring. Of course even experts may choose to sail in Level 1 areas as they still offer stunning scenery and great sailing.
Experience Level 1: Ionian
Generally light winds Force 2-4, line of sight navigation, shorter sailing distances under 20nm. You will be Day Skipper standard having sailed at least 1 week or 100nm as skipper
Experience Level 2: Saronic Gulf & Sporades
Stronger winds up to Force 3-5 with some longer passages up to 30nm. You will be Day Skipper standard having sailed at least 2 weeks or 200nm as skipper
Experience Level 3: Aegean & Dodecanese
Stronger winds up to Force 4-7 which can lead to bigger seas on long passages between the islands. You will be Coastal Skipper standard with experience to a higher level having sailed at least 4 weeks or 400nm as skipper
Built in 444BC, the Temple of Poseidon stands on the tip of Cape Sounion, overlooking the Aegean Sea, and is a spectacular sight. The ruins bear the deeply engraved name of Romantic poet Lord Byron. According to legend, Aegeus, king of Athens, leapt to his death off the cliff at Cape Sounion, giving his name to the Aegean Sea. Aegeus, anxiously looking out from Sounion, despaired when he saw a black sail on his son Theseus' ship returning from Crete. Theseus had successfully slain the Minotaur, but tragically had forgotten his promise to hoist a white sail.
Santorini sits on the top of a volcano which erupted in 1500BC. The volcano's eruption was so strong that it caused the centre of the island to sink. Some believe that this eruption was responsible for the extinction of the Minoan Civilization on Crete and the resulting tsunami drowned the fabled city of Atlantis. With a new marina on the south side of the island it is now easier to visit the island but take the bus into the old town Thira for spectacular views across the crater.
Naoussa, on the north coast of Paros in the centre of the Aegean, is one of the prettiest places in the Aegean with white-washed houses covered in flowers and narrow paved streets. Relax in one of the harbourside bars and watch the colourful little fishing boats bob up and down in the harbour. Fresh fish and seafood is always is on the menu at the local restaurants. There are several good sandy beaches in the huge bay.
"We all had a fab holiday. The kids thoroughly enjoyed it. At 11 and 9 I wondered if they may get bored while we were sailing but absolutley not, the days flew by and we visited some cracking bays and harbours. "
Skiathos flotilla 2011 - N.D.
