Sailing holiday in Greece advice?

[Linguaphile]

Hello,

We are looking at doing a sailing holiday around the Cyclades islands next summer. Neither of us had much boating experience (DH has been on a number of sailing holidays but his mum and stepdad were always the ones doing the work!), but I assume that’s what skipper hire is for?

Can anyone recommend a good jumping off point for booking something like this? How do these things work? Any good reputable companies to book with? We’d be going with my parents, so would be 4 adults and 3 kids.

Any advice appreciated!

www.sailingholidays.com/yacht-charter/about/skippered-yacht-charter

The first thing you need to remember is that you need to charter a vessel big enough, ie don't forget that the skipper needs to be provided with a cabin.
You are also expected to provide him/her with meals, etc.

You can choose how involved you want to be in terms of the actual sailing - ranging from sitting back, relaxing and admiring the view to being very hands on.

I would suggest the Ionian rather than the Cyclades if you are a boat of mostly 1st time sailors. The Cyclades can be pretty windy.

In the Ionian I can suggest a few companies; sailingholidays.com, sail Ionian, Nisos yachting.

The Meltimi winds are at their worst during the summer months around the Cyclades hence the suggestion of a chartered skippered vessel. It's a beautiful part of Greece and there's no need to miss out on the area when the issue with the winds can be easily rectified with an experienced skipper.

Fine, it was just a suggestion that as first timers they may prefer calmer waters. Even with a skipper if you get caught up in a Meltemi and you don’t have the experience to know what’s happening it can be an unpleasant time.

OP. I’ve spent some time working on yachts in Greece in various roles so happy to help with any advice.

This is very helpful, thanks!

I hadn’t even thought about feeding the skipper, good tip! How does that normally work with stocking up for provisions if we fly in? Do people do an online shop and have it delivered to the dock? 🤔 Also, are tips expected? And what do the skippers do at night when they’re not driving the boat? My biggest concern with having a skipper is the privacy aspect and being able to feel like we’re still able to enjoy our own time as a family if that makes sense. Are they normally quite discreet and sort of keep to themselves or do they expect to participate in family activities, sit at the dinner table with everyone else, etc? I just worry we might constantly feel the need to invite them to join us for everything and it would end up being quite hard to chill out and relax as a family.

That’s interesting about Ionian islands vs Cyclades. I’ve actually been waffling back and forth between the two groups. I didn’t know about the winds in the Cyclades at that time... Ionian might have the edge of that’s the case as I get seasick if the conditions are too rough and choppy!

Boat-wise, what would be a good option? I guess we’d need 4 cabins for 8 people. Is a catamaran a good idea for further stability? There are so many options... what is a good starting point?

Finally, I’m guessing we can ask the skipper to take us pretty much anywhere we want in the islands? In my mind I’m thinking the benefit of this kind of holiday would be getting to potter between islands, little fishing ports and hard-to-reach beaches as we please. Is that the general idea?

Thanks so much for the input, realise it’s a lot of questions! Appreciate it!

The Skipper will normally take their lead from you as to how involved or not involved they are in your holiday but also depending on how far into the season they are they will likely want some alone time.

I would expect them to join you for lunches on board but dinner and drinks in the evening they will take your lead and also likely choose to spend some nights alone. The skipper will know the area and likely have friends there too.

You will have to provision at the port you pick up the yacht rather then an online shop I’m afraid. And then most mornings you will pick up fresh bits for that day.

Tips, I would tip the skipper on the last day if you wish. It’s a weird one because you are paying them/the company anyway but it’s a nice gesture. Not unexpected but definitely not a given either.

With a group your size I’d be looking at a minimum of 50ft if you are going for a monohull, 45 if you are looking at a Cat. Personal preference would be a mono because I prefer them but there’s pros and cons to both. What ages are the kids cos I find cats easier with younger ones?

In terms of where you go. You will be able to dictate the route and stops to an extent but i would advise letting the skipper make the final call. I would sit down with them on the first day and outline some of the places you are desperate to see and then ask them their advise on some of their favourite spots as well. That will help plan your week/2 weeks and the skipper will be aware of what weather is coming and which ports are the best ones for every weather condition.

I know the Ionian really well so happy to advise on places of you go there.

4 cabins would mean all 3 kids in one cabin or one of them sharing with the skipper - is that right? Am assuming each pair of adults in your party takes one cabin each, then the three kids in together and then one for the skipper? Do cabins sleep three kids?

The skippers cabin is normally separate to the 4 main cabins. The skipper will absolutely need their own space.

Something like this would work well; www.sailingholidays.com/luxury-crewed-charter/yachts/jeanneau-57

We’ve been on two Greek sailing holidays - we sailed the Saronic islands the first time which I highly recommend for relaxing sailing. We flew into Athens and sailed from Piraeus. Sailed round islands like Hydra (amazing, no vehicles), Poros, Aegina. Second time we did the Cyclades.

We chartered a catamaran which was great for 6-8 adults. Cabins all en-suite and roomy(ish). Think we had a lagoon 440 or 550. Very spacious up on deck for everyone to sunbathe, eat etc and room for skipper to sleep. Nice dining area/kitchen inside. Not too pricey - think about £650 pp for the boat for the week (plus flights).

One of my ultimate favourite holidays - we now have small children and can’t wait until they’re old enough to take!

Again, this is all so helpful, thanks!

Kids will be 7 (twins) and nearly 5 and able to swim. They share at home (their choice, not mine!) so I know they’d be happy to share if there was a room that could accommodate 3.