Athens Yacht Charter

Highlights

Mix of Secluded Islands & Lively Cities
Historical Sites to Explore
Easy Access to Saronic Gulf & Cyclades

Experience level

If you are seeking an offshore vacation in the Mediterranean that’s packed with terrific sailing conditions, beautiful scenery, historically significant landmarks, a vibrant culture, delicious cuisine and surrounded by incredible islands – Athens is the place to be!

Located on the Southern end of mainland Greece, Marina Zea is perfectly situated for an exhilarating yacht charter vacation through the wondrous Saronic Gulf. This cruising ground provides you with a wealth of opportunities to experience Grecian culture through ancient ruins, towering landscapes, decadent cuisine and so more. Explore stunning Greek islands like Poros and Hydra or kick back on Cape Sounion Bay – the choices are as limitless as your imagination.

With many itinerary options available in this expansive cruising ground, you will also have the opportunity to select an area with conditions that best suit your navigation style. Will you take the helm and challenge yourself on a bareboat charter around the Saronic Gulf, or hire a skipper and glide around the Cyclades and Aegean? If you’re wondering about charters around the Ionian Sea, check out our Corfu yacht vacations today.

So, what are you waiting for? Build your Athens yacht charter quote and sail into the sunset in style!

Sailing a Yacht in Athens

A Marina Zea yacht charter in the Saronic Gulf features shorter passages, less wind and waters that are well-protected and relatively flat. Generally, the Cyclades and Aegean have more wind. Both areas are enchanting and offer the same blend of modern amenities at the resorts and tourist towns and quaint, laid-back destinations and historic sites.

In the cruising season of April to November, blue skies and warm weather prevail with average temperatures of 76°F-82°F and water temperatures averaging 80°F. The Eastern Mediterranean, which includes Athens and Corfu, has a very small tidal range of 1-2 feet, and wind direction is generally light from a southerly direction during the Spring and Fall months.

Please note: Our Athens Zea base is closed from mid November to the end of March.

Why charter a yacht in Athens?

The cruising grounds that surround Marina Zea are among the most picturesque surroundings in Greece. You will be surrounded by the beautiful bays and coves of the Saronic Gulf and the Cyclades Islands, with quiet villages and busy tourist destinations, historic sites and scenic beaches. The unique character of Athens is reflected in the architecture of the homes, as well as the castles, monasteries and churches perched high on the hilltops.

Consider chartering through the protected waters of the Saronic Gulf between the Attica and Peloponnesian peninsulas, or enjoy a more exhilarating and challenging cruising itinerary in the Cyclades Islands. Each destination has a pleasing host of varied attractions, whether you’re enjoying a vacation as a couple, family or group of friends!

Types of Yacht Charter in Athens

Do you want to relish in a completely private yacht charter where you take the helm and guide yourself around Athens and surrounding islands? Book a bareboat yacht charter in Athens and challenge yourself like you’ve never done so before. Don’t worry though, our expert base staff will still be available to support you whenever you need so you can relax, unwind and sail in style!

If you’re looking for a glamorous yacht charter where you can switch off from reality completely, hire a crewed yacht charter in Athens and have your every need catered for by our incredible team of skippers, chefs and housekeepers as you uncover the wonders of Athens. Did someone say paradise?

Want the best of both worlds? Hire a skipper for part of your vacation and share skipper duties. Split the responsibility and spend half your yacht charter navigating the open waters, and the other half relaxing up on deck with a cocktail in hand!

What type of yacht will you set sail on?

Cruise around the Saronic Gulf in style on one of our state-of-the-art yachts. When you book your Athens yacht charter, will you choose one of our catamarans, monohulls or power yachts?

Catamarans – Incredibly spacious, technologically advanced and very high-performing, our catamarans make the perfect companion for your Athens yacht charter! Say hello to true bliss as you step aboard one of our innovative, powerful catamarans.
Monohulls – Are you a keen sailor and want to experience a slice of sailing history? Roam around the Aegean Sea in a classic monohull, a favorite among sailors for centuries. Crafted by Beneteau, our monohulls are world class and ready to welcome you aboard.
Power yachts – Are you an experienced sailor who wants the yacht charter of a lifetime? Our exquisite power yachts have been designed to take your sailing experience to the max. Cutting edge, fuel-efficient and easy to maneuver, glide through the open waters in style.

Whether you choose an exhilarating bareboat charter on one of our sensational monohulls, or an all-inclusive crewed charter on a high-performing catamaran, follow one of our unique itineraries and have the time of your life! Come with us and explore idyllic locations, including Methana, Cape Sounion Bay, Spetses Island, Poros and Kythnos. Review the sailing requirements or power requirements for Athens while planning your sailing vacation.

Set sail on the ultimate Athens sailing vacation and take in the beautiful sights by following one of our incredible itineraries. Let us do all the work for you and set your route, or use it as inspiration to chart your own destiny!

Qualifications required to sail in Athens:

Cruising Licenses

ASA 104 | US Sailing “Bareboat Cruising Course” | SLC, IPC, ICC

Sailing Experience

At least 20 days or 400 miles as skipper on an equivalent size yacht

Inspiring Itineraries

What is the best route to sail Athens?

With 227 inhabited islands and between 1,200-6,000 uninhabited gems to discover, there are many different routes to take when you sail Athens. A typical Marina Zea itinerary can include the protected waters of the Saronic Gulf between the Attica and Peloponnesian peninsulas. Popular stops include the islands of Kea, Hydra, Poros and Kithnos, to name just a few.

When you book an Athens yacht charter with The Moorings, you have the freedom to choose your own route or follow one of our carefully designed itineraries. Once you’ve decided your route, all you need to do is sit back, relax and marvel in the exquisite sights of Athens!

How easy is it to island hop in Athens?

Island hopping on an Athens yacht charter couldn’t be easier! You can fill your vacation with as many or as little islands as suits you best. Our Athens itineraries take you to some of the most popular islands around Athens and beyond. For example, our Cyclades two-weeks itinerary guides you around islands such as:

Kythnos
Serifos
Milos
Ios

Each destination has a pleasing host of rewarding attractions that are certainly worth experiencing: snorkeling, swimming, and sunbathing on pristine beaches; sightseeing tours of ancient temples and medieval castles; exploring traditional open-air markets and dining in intimate tavernas. Take a look at our blog on island hopping in Greece for more information.

What are the best things to do in Athens?

As the marina is located in Athens, a city 3,000 years old and with a population of more than 4,500,000 people, the list of things to see and do is endless!

Walking distance from the marina:

Hellenic maritime museum (inside the marina)
Archaeological museum of Piraeus (10 minutes)
Municipal Gallery of Piraeus (20 minutes)
Take a walk in the Pasalimani area and visit one of the many restaurants, coffee shops and bars right next to the base

Other exciting things to do in Athens:

The Panathenaic Stadium (The ancient stadium of Athens where the first modern Olympics took place in 1896)
The Ancient Agora of Athens
Scuba diving and snorkeling in the incredible crystal clear waters. Did you know…The Moorings provides snorkeling gear (flippers, masks & snorkels) for all charters for your pleasure?
Exhilarating watersports (you can add water toys to your charter prior to arrival at the base)
Kerameikos
Athens National Archaeological Museum

How many days in Athens is enough?

The length of your Athens yacht charter is completely up to you! If you want to spend your days exploring and uncovering as many of the wonders of Athens and surrounding islands as possible, you may choose to go for longer. If you want a good balance of relaxing and exploring, you may decide to go for less time. We have a selection of incredible itineraries, ranging from 7-14 days. Take a look at our itineraries and build your Athens yacht charter quote today!

When is the best time to sail Athens?

The sailing season in Athens runs from April-November, with the best time to set sail generally being May-September. If you want to avoid densely populated areas, filled with tourists then we’d suggest booking outside of Summer vacation periods, particularly July and August.
Contact us today to talk about the best for your incredible Athens yacht charter.

FAQs

What does Exclusive Plus, Exclusive and Club mean?

Exclusive Plus – Exclusive Plus class yachts are up to 1 year old, and feature the latest innovations and complimentary WI-FI in British Virgin Islands, Thailand, Seychelles, and all Mediterranean locations (excluding Italy).

Exclusive – Exclusive class yachts have been in our fleet approximately 1 to 3 years and feature many of the same amenities as our Exclusive Plus yachts as well as complimentary WI-FI in British Virgin Islands, Thailand, Seychelles, and all Mediterranean locations (excluding Italy).

Club – Club class yachts have some of the Exclusive class amenities, and are generally 3+ years of age (up to 10 years in the Exotics and Mediterranean) .

Can I rent just a single cabin?

Yes! Perfect for couples or singles, you can enjoy the experience of a Luxury Crewed Charter for the price of a single cabin.

Is there Wi-Fi on board?

The Moorings is proud to announce that Free Wi-Fi is now included on all Exclusive and Exclusive Plus models, and all-inclusive Crewed Yachts in select

destinations worldwide*, including the British Virgin Islands, Thailand, the Seychelles, and all Mediterranean locations (excluding Italy). Wi-Fi is also available for rent on our Club model yachts in participating destinations.*Internet connectivity and speed may vary within cruising grounds.

What type of equipment and amenities will I find on board?

The Moorings carries the most up-to-date equipment and all the extras a sailor or powerboater could ask for, including GPS satellite navigation

systems, autopilots, The Moorings SailMate mainsail stacking system and CD players with cockpit speakers. Some even have generators and air conditioning. The below deck areas are modified from standard factory production models to give you more room, comfort, and luxury. Our newest models include flatscreen TV’s and DVD players