Author’s Note: My name is Tom, and I have five years of experience sailing the Mediterranean. I’ve chartered catamarans on my own for leisure at least 20 times in the Ionian Sea and the Cyclades.I’ve encountered all sorts of situations—from getting lost to having my anchorage snatched away to running out of fresh water. This article isn’t meant to teach you how to read nautical charts, nor does it repeat the useless platitudes copied from official websites; it’s simply a discussion of the things you absolutely must understand before stepping aboard.
My first time chartering a boat, I almost had a meltdown on the spot
To be honest, I’m just like a lot of people.
Before renting a catamaran in Athens for the first time, I pored over plenty of travel guides—all full of advice like “book in advance,” “check the engine,” and “don’t speed”—but reading them was like not reading them at all.
On the actual day I boarded, the boat owner handed me the keys.
I stood on the dock, staring at that so-called 40-foot Lagoon, my mind completely blank for a full ten seconds.
Don’t laugh. It really does leave you dumbfounded.
You have to understand that chartering a bareboat catamaran in Greece is completely different from renting a car.If a car breaks down, you can just pull over to the side of the road and fix it, but what if something goes wrong with the boat? It happens in the middle of the ocean. You’re in a spot with no cell service, and the nearest port is 20 nautical miles away.
So in this post, I want to share some real insights with you.
When choosing a boat, don’t just look at the photos—you need to check the year of manufacture and the owner.
A lot of people start by asking, “Which catamaran is the easiest to sail?”
That’s a trap.
The real question is: Which charter company is the most reliable?
I once had a bad experience on a boat near Santorini. It was a 2016 Bali 4.3 that looked fairly new in the photos, but once I boarded, I discovered that the left engine’s RPM wouldn’t go up no matter what I did. and it would start to shake at 3,500 RPM. Even with light winds, we nearly collided with the breakwater.
I’ve learned my lesson since then.
When considering a boat’s age, prioritize those that are less than three years old. In the Greek charter market, boat owners—in an effort to cut costs— many vessels built before 2020 have never had their outdated components replaced—this applies to generators, watermakers, and even windlasses, which are highly likely to malfunction.
Additionally, don’t just look at the owner’s rating; check when the interior was last renovated. Some companies, such as Dream Yacht Charter or Mullins, have their own maintenance centers in the South of France and Greece, so they respond relatively quickly when problems arise. As for those small local companies, you might have to wait two days just to get an engine serviced.
Do you really need a “bareboat” charter in Greece?
Many beginners ask me what exactly is required for a bareboat charter.
It’s actually not that mysterious.
You need to have an ASA 104 or an ICC certification. If you don’t, some companies will arrange for a skipper to sail with you. However, to be honest, if you’ve never sailed a catamaran before, I strongly recommend bringing an experienced person along for your first trip.
That’s because catamarans and monohull sailboats are two completely different beasts.
The width you imagine a catamaran to be isn’t its actual width—it’s actually much wider. When entering a harbor, you might think you have 3 meters of clearance, but in reality, there’s only 1 meter. The first time I docked at the Mykonos marina, the paint on the starboard side was almost scraped off.An elderly French man standing nearby who witnessed the scene glanced at me and shook his head.
I still remember that look to this day.
Also, berths at Greek marinas are extremely scarce. From July through August, there are simply no open spots at the ports of many small islands. You need to make a reservation 48 hours in advance on Navily or Dockwa. If you don’t have a reservation, you’ll have no choice but to anchor outside the harbor, and then, once the wind picks up at night, the anchor can easily be dragged away.
Don’t try to cover too much ground—25 nautical miles a day is plenty.
I’ve seen too many people who map out a grand loop before setting off.
Starting in Athens, heading to Syros, then on to Santorini, followed by a detour to Crete, and finally back to Athens.
Hmm. Seven days. Covering 300 nautical miles.
And the result?
Rushing from place to place every day—getting up at 6 a.m. to hoist the sails and not arriving at the next island until 5 p.m.—leaving absolutely no time to go for a swim, no time to explore the towns, and certainly no time to enjoy a decent lunch on board.
Remember, a catamaran isn’t a yacht. It’s meant for you to enjoy every stop along the way.
I recommend a route I’ve sailed four times:
Set sail from Lefkada, head south to Meganiisi, then turn east toward Karamos, followed by another southerly leg to Isaki, and finally spend two days in Kefalonia.
Why?
Because the waters here are generally calmer; while the Aegean Sea can experience Meltemi winds reaching force 6 in July, in the Ionian Sea, winds are usually only force 3 to 4.
Moreover, there are numerous anchorages and countless small coves. With just your boat there, lighting a single lamp at night, raising a glass of wine, and listening to the sound of the waves—that kind of tranquility is something money simply cannot buy.
A Few Things I Regret Not Knowing Sooner
Fresh water is a major pitfall.
The water tanks on catamarans typically range in capacity from 400 to 600 liters—which might seem sufficient at first glance. But did you know? A single toilet flush uses an average of 3 liters of water, and a shower uses 20 liters. With two sinks and a kitchen area, four people can use up a total of 150 liters of water in a single day.
On my second trip, we ran out of water on the third day.
Later, I spent 30 euros to refill at a small port. But the pipes at that port were dirty, and the water tasted like rust.
Therefore, the first thing to do after boarding a boat is to ask where the water comes from. Some boat owners use tap water from the port, which is safe to drink. However, some boats use bottled water, which you should never use without permission.
Also, don’t trust weather forecasts beyond 48 hours.
The winds in Greece during the summer are unpredictable; they might be shown as Force 4 on the Windy app, but half a day later, they can suddenly rise to Force 6.Once, when I was near Paros, conditions were fine at 2:00 p.m., but at 4:00 p.m. I suddenly encountered a squall, and the wind instantly surged to Force 7.At the time, I had only the mainsail up, and the port side was under severe pressure; the boat nearly capsized.
Fortunately, I managed to reef the sail in time.
If you’re a beginner, remember this: as soon as you spot dark clouds on the horizon, don’t hesitate—lower the sails first.
It’s best to buy food in advance, but don’t buy it too early
In Greece, large supermarkets like AB Vasilopoulos and Sklavenitis can be found near major ports. However, on the smaller islands, there are only mini-markets, where prices are high and the selection is limited.
I recommend stocking up at a supermarket in Athens or Preveza before you set off.
Here’s a rough estimate for 4 people for 7 days:
Breakfast: cereal, milk, bread, jam, eggs
Lunch: sandwiches, salad, fruit
Dinner: pasta, chicken, fish, vegetables, wine
I estimate that 150 to 200 euros should be enough. However, be sure not to buy too many perishable items. The refrigerator on board is very small, and the temperature isn’t consistently stable. Once, the chicken breast I bought started to taste slightly sour by the third day.
Also, bring a box of instant coffee—that way, you can still make a cup of coffee even if fresh water is in short supply.
Frequently Asked Questions—I’ve asked them for you
Q: I don’t know how to read nautical charts. Is it okay to use my phone for navigation?
Sure. However, there are many areas in Greek waters where cell service is limited to 3G. For offline maps like Navionics and iNavX, you must download them in advance. Don’t wait until you’re on the boat to download them, because the data charges at that point will be shockingly high.
Q: My English isn’t very good. How good is the English of Greeks?
Most people at ports and marinas speak enough English to get by. However, if you’re heading to remote islands like Koufonisia or Schinoussa, the local elders will only speak Greek. Learn a couple of phrases: “Kalimera” (good morning) and “Efharisto” (thank you). They’ll come in handy.
Q: How much is the security deposit for a boat rental?
It’s usually between 3,000 and 5,000 euros, charged to a credit card—never use cash, as it can be a hassle to get a refund. Also, make sure to clarify exactly how much the damage deductible is; some companies start at 500 euros, while others start at 1,500 euros.
Q: Is it safe to take my children along?
Please note: The guardrails on catamarans aren’t very high.If a child is even slightly distracted or careless, there’s a risk they could fall into the sea. It’s best to have your child wear a life jacket; the ones provided on board are usually quite worn out, so you should buy a brand-new one yourself—they cost only about 30 euros.
Q: Which is better, July or September?
September—definitely September. In July, the winds are strong, the crowds are large, the harbor is crowded, and temperatures reach 40 degrees. In September, the winds are lighter, the water is warmer, and prices are 20 to 30 percent cheaper.
Final Thoughts
Renting a catamaran in Greece and sailing it yourself is no big deal.
You don’t need to be a captain. You don’t need to understand fluid dynamics.
Just remember: don’t try to do too much, don’t rush, and don’t push your limits when the wind is strong.
The rest is simply enjoying that sea so blue it seems unreal.