Yacht Charter in Mykonos: Complete Guide for 2027
A yacht charter in Mykonos costs roughly €1,400–€4,500 per day for a crewed motor yacht, or €3,500–€12,000 per week for a bareboat sailing yacht or catamaran, depending on size and season. July and August are the most expensive and the windiest months; late May, June and September give you the same water at 20–35% less.
If you already know your dates, it’s worth checking live availability early — the best boats in the Cyclades are typically booked six to nine months ahead for peak weeks.
This guide covers what you’ll actually pay, when to go, which boat suits which trip, and where to sail once you leave the harbour.
How much does a yacht charter in Mykonos cost?
Prices split into three very different products, and most first-time charterers don’t realise they’re comparing apples with oranges.
Day charters
The most common Mykonos booking: a motor yacht or catamaran for 6–10 hours, usually to Delos and Rinia, with a skipper included.
| Capacity | Low season | High season | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RIB / small speedboat | 6–8 | €700–€1,200 | €1,100–€1,800 |
| Sailing catamaran | 10–12 | €1,200–€1,800 | €1,800–€2,800 |
| Motor yacht (40–50 ft) | 8–12 | €1,400–€2,600 | €2,400–€4,500 |
| Luxury motor yacht (60 ft+) | 10–12 | €3,500–€6,000 | €5,000–€12,000 |
Fuel is almost never included in motor yacht day charters. Budget €200–€800 extra depending on distance and engine size — a Delos–Rinia loop is short, a run down to Paros is not.
Bareboat weekly charters
You skipper the boat yourself. This is the cheapest way to spend a week on the water, and the only option that requires paperwork (see below).
| Berths | Shoulder | High season | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monohull 40–45 ft | 6–8 | €2,800–€4,500 | €4,200–€6,500 |
| Monohull 50 ft+ | 8–10 | €4,500–€7,000 | €6,500–€10,000 |
| Catamaran 42–46 ft | 8–10 | €5,000–€8,500 | €8,000–€12,000 |
| Catamaran 50 ft+ | 10–12 | €8,000–€13,000 | €12,000–€20,000 |
Add roughly €250–€600 per week for the mandatory end-cleaning and linen packages most Greek operators charge.
Crewed and luxury charters
A skipper alone costs €180–€250 per day plus their food. A full crew (skipper, hostess, cook) on a 50 ft+ catamaran adds €1,500–€3,000 per week. Genuine superyacht charters in Mykonos start around €60,000 per week and climb without limit.
The costs nobody quotes you
- Security deposit: €2,000–€6,000 on bareboat charters, refundable, or replaceable with damage insurance at around 5% of the charter fee.
- APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance): on crewed charters, typically 25–35% of the base rate, covering fuel, food, drinks and berths. Unspent APA is refunded.
- Marina fees in Mykonos: among the highest in Greece — expect €80–€250 a night in high season for a 45-footer, more for larger boats at the new port.
- VAT: Greek charter VAT applies at 12% for most charters starting in Greece. Check whether your quote is inclusive.
Best time to charter a yacht in Mykonos
Mykonos has one weather feature that shapes every charter decision: the meltemi, a dry north wind that blows hardest in July and August. It can reach 25–35 knots for days at a time in the central Cyclades, which is exhilarating for an experienced sailor and miserable for a novice crew or anyone prone to seasickness.
| Sea temp | Wind | Crowds | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May | 19–20°C | Light, variable | Low | Lowest |
| June | 21–23°C | Moderate, meltemi starting | Moderate | Low–mid |
| July | 24–25°C | Strong meltemi | High | High |
| August | 25–26°C | Strongest meltemi | Peak | Peak |
| September | 24–25°C | Moderate, easing | Moderate | Mid |
| October | 22–23°C | Variable, some rain | Low | Lowest |
Best overall compromise: the first two weeks of September. Warm water, reliable but manageable wind, meaningfully lower prices, and the island still fully open.
Best for first-time bareboat crews: June or late September, when the meltemi is less likely to pin you in port for a day.
Best for experienced sailors chasing wind: July and August, no question — but plan itineraries with bailout options.
More detail on this in our guide to the best time to charter a yacht in Greece.
Types of yachts available in Mykonos
Catamarans
The default choice for groups and families. Two hulls mean far less heel and roll, wide deck space, and cabins that feel like small rooms rather than berths. The trade-off is price — a catamaran typically costs 50–80% more than a monohull with the same number of berths — and marina fees, since you pay for the extra beam.
Best for: groups of 6–10, families with children, anyone worried about seasickness in meltemi conditions.
Monohull sailing yachts
The best value per berth in Greece, and the more rewarding boat to actually sail. In Cyclades conditions a 45-footer handles the meltemi comfortably with a reefed main. Accept that you’ll heel, that cabins are tighter, and that showering underway is an adventure.
Best for: couples, experienced sailors, budget-conscious crews.
Motor yachts
Speed and range. A motor yacht turns a two-day sail to Paros into a two-hour trip, which matters if you have four days rather than ten. Fuel is the catch: a 50 ft planing motor yacht can burn €400–€700 of diesel in a single active day.
Best for: short trips, island-hopping on a tight schedule, day charters.
For a fuller breakdown, see our comparison of catamarans and monohulls and our overview of yacht types.
Where to sail from Mykonos: routes and nearby islands
Half-day: Delos and Rinia
The classic Mykonos run, and a genuinely good one. Delos is an uninhabited UNESCO archaeological site — the mythological birthplace of Apollo — about 45 minutes away. Rinia, just beside it, has empty sheltered bays for swimming and lunch. Note that overnight anchoring at Delos is prohibited, and landing requires a site ticket during opening hours.
Two to three days: Paros, Antiparos, Naxos
Paros is 3–4 hours south under sail. Naoussa’s harbour is the highlight; Antiparos offers quieter anchorages and the Blue Lagoon at Despotiko. Naxos adds a long sandy coastline on its west side and the most reliable provisioning in the area after Syros.
Four to seven days: the Small Cyclades and Ios
Koufonisia, Schinoussa and Iraklia sit between Naxos and Amorgos and are the closest thing the central Cyclades has to empty water in August. Ios gives you a proper harbour and nightlife without Mykonos prices.
Seven days or more: Santorini and back
Doable in a week, but only with settled weather and a willingness to move most days. Santorini’s caldera has no real harbour for yachts — you’ll be on a mooring buoy at Ammoudi or anchored in deep water at Vlychada — so treat it as a highlight, not a base. Our 7-day Cyclades itinerary sets out a realistic version.
Planning note: in a strong meltemi, the sail south from Mykonos is fast and comfortable. The return north is upwind and can be genuinely hard. Never plan a route that requires you to be back in Mykonos on a fixed day with no buffer.
Marinas and departure points in Mykonos
Mykonos New Port (Tourlos) — the main commercial and cruise port, about 2 km north of Chora. Most charter boats pick up and drop off here. Well connected, well serviced, and busy with ferry wash.
Mykonos Old Port — small, shallow, and effectively reserved for local boats and tenders. Not a charter base.
Ornos Bay — south-facing, sheltered from the meltemi, popular anchorage for day boats and the usual pickup point for RIB and speedboat charters.
Paradise and Super Paradise — anchorages rather than ports, fine in northerly wind, exposed to anything from the south.
If you’re planning a full week, consider starting from Paros, Naxos or Athens (Alimos) instead. Fleets there are larger, base fees are lower, and you’ll often find the same boat for meaningfully less than a Mykonos pickup. See our guide to charter bases.
What you need to know before booking
Licence requirements
For a bareboat charter, the skipper needs a recognised sailing qualification (an ICC with sail endorsement is the safest choice), and Greece requires a second named crew member on the crew list. Acceptance of other certificates, including RYA Day Skipper, and whether a VHF/SRC certificate is required vary by operator, so confirm your qualifications in writing before you book. Full details in our licence requirements guide.
No licence? Hire a skipper. It costs €180–€250 a day and removes every navigation headache in a region where the wind genuinely matters.
What’s included and what isn’t
Typically included: the boat, standard equipment, dinghy and outboard, bedding, insurance with a deductible, and a safety briefing.
Typically not included: fuel, marina fees away from base, food and drink, end cleaning, WiFi, water sports equipment, and skipper or crew costs.
Booking timing
For July and August, book by January or February. For June and September, three to four months out is usually enough. Last-minute deals exist in May and October but rarely on catamarans.
Frequently asked questions
Can you charter a yacht in Mykonos without a licence?
Yes — day charters and crewed weekly charters always include a professional skipper, so no licence is needed. Only bareboat charters require a recognised skipper’s licence.
How far is Delos from Mykonos by yacht?
About 6 nautical miles, or 30–45 minutes for most charter boats. It’s the shortest and most popular excursion from the island.
Is Mykonos too windy for a yacht charter?
In July and August the meltemi regularly blows 25 knots or more, which is demanding for inexperienced crews. June and September offer the same warm water with more manageable conditions.
How many people can a Mykonos charter yacht take?
Day charters are usually limited to 10–12 passengers by Greek regulation. Weekly charters sleep 6–12 depending on boat size, and the sleeping limit is always lower than the daytime capacity.
Is it cheaper to charter from Athens instead of Mykonos?
Usually yes. Athens bases at Alimos and Lavrio have far larger fleets and lower pickup fees, often 10–20% cheaper for an equivalent boat, at the cost of a day’s sailing each way.
What’s the minimum charter length in Mykonos?
Day charters start at 4–6 hours. Bareboat weekly charters in Greece almost always run Saturday to Saturday, though some operators offer 4–5 day mini-weeks in May and October.
