Greece has over 13,000 km of coastline and thousands of islands: one of the world's sailing paradises. A boat holiday lets you reach bays and beaches inaccessible by land and stop each evening in a different harbour.
The caique
The caique (kaiki) is the traditional Aegean work boat, wooden, broad and sturdy, used for centuries for fishing and carrying goods between islands. Colourful caiques are still a familiar sight in Greek harbours. Larger two-masted versions with cabins have become cruise boats, similar to Turkish gulets: they motor and sail, with a crew that does everything, cooking included. They are very comfortable, with wide sunbathing decks, but slower than modern boats.
Types of boat holiday
| Option | For whom | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Crewed caique or gulet cruise | Those who want to relax | Book a cabin or the whole boat; full board on board |
| Yacht with skipper | No licence or experience | The skipper knows routes and harbours |
| Bareboat yacht or catamaran | Experienced sailors with a licence | Maximum freedom |
| Day trips | Those who want a taste | From almost every resort, to beaches and caves |
| Flotilla | Novice sailors | Several boats sail together with a lead boat |
The finest routes
- Ionian Islands: calm seas, moderate winds and short hops; ideal for beginners. Lefkada, Meganisi, Ithaca, Kefalonia, Paxos and Antipaxos.
- Saronic and Argolic Gulfs: close to Athens, with Aegina, Poros, Hydra, Spetses and the Peloponnese coast to Nafplio and Monemvasia.
- Cyclades: the most spectacular islands, but exposed to the meltemi, which in July and August makes sailing demanding: for experienced crews.
- Dodecanese: Rhodes, Symi, Kos, Kalymnos, Leros, Patmos, with the Turkish coast on the horizon.
- Sporades: Skiathos, Skopelos and the Alonissos marine park, home of the monk seal.
When to go
The best periods are May to June and September to mid-October: warm sea, steadier winds, quieter harbours and lower prices. In July and August harbours are full and the meltemi blows in the Cyclades.
Indicative costs
Prices vary enormously by boat and season. A week on a 12-14 m bareboat yacht starts at a few thousand euros for the whole boat in low season, plus fuel, harbour fees, provisions and, if needed, a skipper. A cabin on a crewed caique with full board usually costs €1,000 to over €2,000 per person per week. Luxury caique cruises can cost far more.
See also the Greek islands and island ferries.