Destination comparison
Greece vs New England
Two distinct sailing grounds — here's how they compare on conditions, cost, season, and who they suit.
Quick Comparison
| Dimension | Greece | New England |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Mediterranean | US East Coast & Florida |
| Peak season | Jun, Jul, Aug | Jul, Aug, Sep |
| Shoulder | May, Sep, Oct | Jun, Oct |
| Sailing difficulty | moderate | easy to moderate |
| Recommended level | intermediate | intermediate |
| Avg wind (winter / summer) | 14 / 12 kn | 20 / 11 kn |
| Hurricane risk | None | Aug, Sep, Oct |
| Currency | EUR | USD |
| Mid-tier price (7 days) | $8,000 | $13,500 |
| Luxury tier price | $32,000 | $60,000 |
| 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
A short but beloved season: fleets launch after Memorial Day and haul out by mid-October. July-September delivers 75-85°F days, classic sea breezes and picture-perfect harbours from Narragansett Bay to Penobscot Bay. Fog and strong tides on the Maine coast reward careful planning.
- • 2 base marinas
- • 3 must-visit anchorages
- • 11 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.
New England averages 20 knots in winter and 11 knots in summer. Hurricane risk: Aug, Sep, Oct.
In terms of sailing difficulty, Greece is generally rated moderate and New England is easy to moderate. The difference matters: Greece asks more of the skipper — confidence at the helm and some experience with coastal navigation helps.
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: $5,200
- Mid season: $13,500
- High season: $30,000
- Luxury / crewed peak: $60,000+
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
- Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket — Iconic New England harbours - Edgartown and Nantucket Town on the mooring field
- Newport & Narragansett Bay — Gilded-Age mansions, America's Cup history and the best cruising chandlery in the NE
- Penobscot Bay, Maine — Granite islands, lobster harbours and Camden Hills - the cruising classic
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 New England.
Neither is tropical — these are temperate or seasonal grounds (peak water typically 65–75°F). If warm water is the priority, consider a Caribbean or Red Sea charter instead.
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."
"New England's season is short and worth planning around. July-September is the sweet spot, but each month has its own character: July is warmest, August brings the whale-watching off Stellwagen Bank, September has the best breeze and the emptiest harbours after Labor Day. Fog is the real hazard on the Maine coast - if you see it building, tuck into a harbour early; it rarely clears before noon."
Timing and Budget: Greece vs New England
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