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Destination comparison

Greece vs Indonesia

Two distinct sailing grounds — here's how they compare on conditions, cost, season, and who they suit.

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Quick Comparison

Dimension Greece Indonesia
Region Mediterranean South East Asia
Peak season Jun, Jul, Aug May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Shoulder May, Sep, Oct Apr, Oct
Sailing difficulty moderate moderate
Recommended level intermediate intermediate
Avg wind (winter / summer) 14 / 12 kn 10 / 18 kn
Hurricane risk None None
Currency EUR IDR (Indonesian Rupiah)
Mid-tier price (7 days) $8,000 $12,000
Luxury tier price $32,000 $45,000
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At a Glance

Mediterranean
Greece

Meltemi (strong NW wind) peaks in July-August; affected areas: Cyclades. Best sailing: late May-June and September. Sail one-way Athens to Mykonos/Santorini possible.

  • • 4 base marinas
  • • 6 must-visit anchorages
  • • 27 boats in our fleet database for this region
South East Asia
Indonesia

East Indonesia (Komodo, Flores, Raja Ampat) peaks June-September with calm seas and SE breeze. Bali and western islands are calmer April-October. Liveaboard / crewed charter is the norm; bareboat options are limited.

  • • 2 base marinas
  • • 4 must-visit anchorages
  • • 12 boats in our fleet database for this region

Sailing Conditions

Greece averages 14 knots in winter and 12 knots in summer. There's no hurricane season, which makes year-round planning easier.

Indonesia averages 10 knots in winter and 18 knots in summer. No hurricane season.

In terms of sailing difficulty, Greece is generally rated moderate and Indonesia is moderate. They're at the same level — your decision will hinge on route and vibe, not on whether you can handle the conditions.

Cost Comparison

For a 7-day charter of a typical 45-ft catamaran (4 cabins, sleeps 8):

Greece
  • Low season: $3,000
  • Mid season: $8,000
  • High season: $16,000
  • Luxury / crewed peak: $32,000+
Indonesia
  • Low season: $4,500
  • Mid season: $12,000
  • High season: $24,000
  • Luxury / crewed peak: $45,000+

Bareboat base rates. Crewed typically adds ~$1,500/day (captain + hostess). Prices exclude fuel, provisioning, mooring fees, gratuity.

Anchorages & Must-Do

Greece
  • Santorini caldera — Iconic cliff villages; sunset at Oia
  • Mykonos — Cosmopolitan nightlife; Little Venice
  • Naxos — Long beaches; Mount Zas hiking; quieter
  • Ios — Party vibe; quiet anchorages
  • Milos — Sarakiniko lunar landscape; sea caves
Indonesia
  • Komodo National Park — Dragons, manta rays, Pink Beach — bucket-list dive area
  • Raja Ampat — 75% of all marine species; liveaboard-only diving
  • Gili Islands (NW Lombok) — Calm water, snorkelling, no cars
  • Flores (Maumere / Labuan Bajo) — Gateway to Komodo; volcano hikes

Which Should You Choose?

If you've never chartered before

Both work for first-timers. The default choice for the industry is BVI; choose that unless you have specific reasons to prefer Greece or Indonesia.

If you want warmer / tropical water

Choose Indonesia. Warmer water year-round (often 75–85°F), palm-fringed anchorages.

If you want history / culture / food

Choose Greece. Mediterranean culture, history, cuisine, wines.

Captain's Take

"The Meltemi wind peaks in July-August with gusts of 30-40 knots, mostly in the central Cyclades (Mykonos-Paros-Naxos corridor). If you're a less experienced crew, base yourself in the Saronic Gulf (Aegina, Hydra, Spetses) or the Ionian (Corfu, Lefkada) — far calmer. For adventurous crews, the Meltemi gives excellent downwind runs from Mykonos to Santorini in just one day. Always have a Plan B harbor within 10nm — Koufonisia and Donoussa are great Meltemi shelters."

— Captain M. (Athens-based charter fleet), local captain · summer note · verified 2026-09-01

"Raja Ampat is worth every mile of repositioning, but do not make it your whole trip. The classic Komodo route out of Labuan Bajo - Pink Beach, Padar, the dragons - is the more achievable week for most groups, and the sailing between islands is superb in the June-September SE trades. If you have 10+ days, add a Flores volcano day. Indonesia rewards slow: the anchorages are the destination."

— Captain E. (2Hulls editorial charter captain), local captain · year_round note · verified 2026-09-09

Timing and Budget: Greece vs Indonesia

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Greece or Indonesia better for a first-time charter? ▾
Neither is a "first-charter" pick — both lean intermediate. Consider starting in BVI or Greece before tackling Greece/Indonesia.
Which is cheaper to charter — Greece or Indonesia? ▾
Greece is the cheaper of the two at the mid-tier: ~$8,000/week vs ~$12,000/week for Indonesia (mid-size catamaran, shoulder season). Bareboat low-season starts around $3,000 in Greece vs $4,500 in Indonesia.
When is the best time to visit Greece vs Indonesia? ▾
Greece: peak Jun, Jul, Aug; shoulder May, Sep, Oct; off Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr. Indonesia: peak May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep; shoulder Apr, Oct; off Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar. Both are Mediterranean-style (peak = Jun–Aug).
How do sailing conditions compare — Greece vs Indonesia? ▾
Greece: typical winter winds 14 knots, summer 12 knots. Sailing difficulty: moderate. No hurricane season. Indonesia: typical winter winds 10 knots, summer 18 knots. Sailing difficulty: moderate. No hurricane season.
Which has better flight access — Greece or Indonesia? ▾
Greece: Athens (ATH), Mykonos (JMK), Santorini (JTR), also Corfu (CFU), Heraklion (HER), Rhodes (RHO). Indonesia: Ngurah Rai International (DPS), Bali, also Singapore SIN + 2.5h, Jakarta CGK + 1.5h domestic.
Which is more beginner-friendly, Greece or Indonesia? ▾
Both are accessible to first-time charterers (intermediate and intermediate respectively). Many charterers combine both on one trip.
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