Destination comparison
Greece vs Martinique
Two distinct sailing grounds — here's how they compare on conditions, cost, season, and who they suit.
Quick Comparison
| Dimension | Greece | Martinique |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Mediterranean | Caribbean |
| Peak season | Jun, Jul, Aug | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr |
| Shoulder | May, Sep, Oct | Nov, May |
| Sailing difficulty | moderate | moderate |
| Recommended level | intermediate | intermediate |
| Avg wind (winter / summer) | 14 / 12 kn | 17 / 13 kn |
| Hurricane risk | None | Aug, Sep, Oct |
| Currency | EUR | EUR |
| Mid-tier price (7 days) | $8,000 | $9,800 |
| Luxury tier price | $32,000 | $38,000 |
| Detail page | View → | View → |
At a Glance
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
Strong winds on Caribbean side; Atlantic coast swells. Le Marin is the largest sailing hub in French Antilles. Some provisioning in French, less English than BVI.
- • 2 base marinas
- • 4 must-visit anchorages
- • 31 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.
Martinique averages 17 knots in winter and 13 knots in summer. Hurricane risk: Aug, Sep, Oct.
In terms of sailing difficulty, Greece is generally rated moderate and Martinique 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):
- Low season: $3,000
- Mid season: $8,000
- High season: $16,000
- Luxury / crewed peak: $32,000+
- Low season: $3,800
- Mid season: $9,800
- High season: $19,000
- Luxury / crewed peak: $38,000+
Bareboat base rates. Crewed typically adds ~$1,500/day (captain + hostess). Prices exclude fuel, provisioning, mooring fees, gratuity.
Anchorages & Must-Do
- 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
- Baie du Carbet — Volcanic backdrop
- Anses d'Arlet — Authentic Creole vibe
- Les Salines — Long white sand
- Saint-Pierre — Ruins of volcanic destruction 1902
Which Should You Choose?
Both work for first-timers. The default choice for the industry is BVI; choose that unless you have specific reasons to prefer Greece or Martinique.
Choose Martinique. Warmer water year-round (often 75–85°F), palm-fringed anchorages.
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."
Timing and Budget: Greece vs Martinique
Frequently Asked Questions
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Choose Between Greece & Martinique
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