Abstract:
Do you dream of sailing through the waves of the Aegean Sea? Chartering a catamaran in Greece sounds wonderful, but the reality may be more complicated than you imagine.As an ordinary Western vacationer, I’m here to share my firsthand experiences from four Greek charter trips—from Athens to Santorini, and from Mykonos to Zakynthos.This article isn’t a textbook guide; instead, it details how I spent my days on board, how I saved money, the problems I encountered, and the details that beginners are particularly prone to overlook.After reading this, you’ll realize that a catamaran isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, but if you choose the right one, it can actually be more cost-effective than staying in a hotel.
Why I Wrote This Article
My name is Mike. I live on the East Coast of the United States and worked as an IT project manager before retiring. Over the past six years, I’ve chartered a catamaran in Greece four times with my wife and another couple, with trips ranging from seven days to two weeks.
I’m not some sailing expert, nor am I a yacht broker. I’m just an ordinary person who’s spent real money on these trips—and who’s cursed at the boat, the wind, and my own stupidity for letting water in while out at sea.
However, precisely because I’ve fallen into these traps myself, I’ve come to believe that those posts listing the “Top Ten Benefits of Chartering a Catamaran” fail to clearly explain what ordinary people should really be paying attention to.
Catamaran vs. Monohull: I Made the Wrong Choice the First Time
When I chartered a boat for the first time, I originally planned to rent a monohull sailboat because it was relatively inexpensive—just 2,500 euros for seven days—while a catamaran cost 4,500 euros, a difference of nearly double.
But the agent casually asked:
> “Does your wife get seasick?”
I didn’t pay much attention to it at the time, but on the very first day at sea, with winds and waves reaching Force 5, my wife ended up vomiting for a full six hours on that monohull sailboat.
Since then, I haven’t even considered renting a monohull.
The biggest advantage of a catamaran can’t be summed up by the word “stable.”
It doesn’t rock at all.
Not “less rocking”—no rocking at all.
The hulls are wide, and the two hulls spread apart like a pair of legs; when the waves crash against the boat, you can still walk in a straight line while holding a cup of coffee.
In places like the Aegean Sea, where afternoon winds can suddenly pick up, this is literally a lifesaver.
Here’s a small detail that beginners would never expect:
On a catamaran, you don’t have to wait in line to use the restroom.
Sounds like a no-brainer?
On a monohull sailboat, there’s only one bathroom for four people—the morning rush can drive you crazy waiting in line.
A catamaran has two bathrooms—and sometimes even two shower stalls.
My wife and I use one, and our friends and their spouse use the other—no one has to wait.
The Real Cost of Chartering a Boat in Greece: Don’t Believe Those “500 Euros Per Person” Posts
There are always people online saying, “Chartering a catamaran in Greece costs just 500 euros per person.”
All I can say is: You haven’t even factored in the fuel costs.
In July 2025, I compiled the following detailed breakdown of actual costs for a seven-day charter on an 11-meter catamaran departing from Athens.
| Item | Cost (euros) |
|---|---|
| Boat Rental (including basic insurance) | 4,800 |
| Mandatory final cleaning fee | 250 |
| Fuel (approximately 180 nautical miles over seven days) | 420 |
| Dock fees (six docks) | 380 |
| Onboard Wi-Fi (entire trip) | 90 |
| Drinking Water and Supplies | 200 |
| Total | 6,140 |
Divided among four people, that comes to 1,535 euros per person.
These prices are still for the off-season; during peak season (July through August), prices for the same type of boat can rise to between 6,500 and 7,500 euros.
So, if someone tells you, “A catamaran is cheaper than a hotel,” you should ask them: “What kind of hotel are you staying at?”
One thing that’s easily overlooked: You can’t just drop anchor wherever you want
I’ve seen too many posts from beginners saying, “Find a pretty bay, drop anchor, go for a swim—perfect.”
The reality is: in the Aegean Sea, anchoring is simply not allowed in many bays.
There are two main reasons for this:
1. Seagrass reserves, known as the Poseidon Seagrass Reserve. It’s important to identify the specific type of seagrass, as EU regulations stipulate that boat anchors must not cause damage to it.
2. Private beaches: Many small coves are claimed by hotels or villas, and as soon as you get close, someone will come in a jet ski to chase you away.
My lesson learned:
That time, while sailing around Mykonos, I searched for a long time but couldn’t find a place to drop anchor. In the end, I had no choice but to return to the marina with a long face, having spent 40 euros to moor there for the entire night.
Since then, I’ve made it a habit to check Navily or iNavX every day before heading out to sea to see if there are any no-anchoring signs in the bays I’ve planned to visit that day.
It’s worth taking the time to do this.
The real drawback of a catamaran: you can never “sail close to the wind” like you can on a monohull.
Catamarans are stable, but they aren’t fast.
Especially when sailing into the wind, they’re much slower than monohulls.
Once, on a trip from Santorini to Naxos, we had originally planned to arrive in four hours.
But the wind was blowing in the wrong direction, so the catamaran had to zigzag its way there, and the trip took a full six and a half hours.
My wife was sitting on the deck scrolling through her phone and said, “Aren’t we just going in circles?”
No. It’s just that when a catamaran is sailing into the wind, its efficiency is so low that you’ll start questioning the meaning of life.
So, if you enjoy that “speedboating on the sea” feeling, a catamaran isn’t for you.
There’s a certain type of person who isn’t in a hurry but just wants to lie back and enjoy the pleasure of soaking up the sun—and a catamaran is perfect for them.
Rental Company Pitfalls: I’ve fallen into two
Pitfall #1: “Basic Insurance” Is Basically No Insurance
The first time I rented a boat, the agent said, “Basic insurance is included,” so I thought everything was taken care of.
But when I got to the marina, they pulled out a form:
“Basic insurance comes with a 3,500-euro deductible. This means that if the boat is damaged, you’ll have to pay 3,500 euros out of pocket first before you can file an insurance claim.”
3,500 euros! My seven-day rental only cost 4,800—one incident would wipe out more than half of that.
I learned my lesson: I spent an extra 200 euros to upgrade to full coverage, which lowered the deductible to 500 euros.
Don’t skimp on this.
Pitfall #2: A Boat’s Age Doesn’t Equate to Its Condition
I rented a boat in 2023 that was only two years old, but the owner clearly hadn’t maintained it well.
The fridge wasn’t cooling, the toilet required manual flushing, and there was a musty smell in the bilge.
In contrast, an older boat from 2019 that I rented in 2024 was in much better condition—because the owner lived on board and took care of it every day.
So, don’t just look at the boat’s age. Ask clearly: Is this boat for private use or strictly for rental?
Boats used exclusively for charter see heavy use and tend to be poorly maintained.
Boats used for private living, even if they’re a bit older, are much cleaner.
Frequently Asked Questions (Questions People Have Actually Asked Me)
Q: Can a beginner operate a catamaran?
Yes. But only if you’re accompanied by someone with knowledge of sailing. Catamarans are harder to dock than monohulls because they’re wider, while docking spaces are relatively narrow—a moment’s inattention could lead to a collision with another boat.The first time I attempted to dock, the captain had to shout “Stop! Stop! Stop!” three times from the bow before I even realized what was happening. I strongly recommend arriving at the dock a day early to practice docking for half an hour.
Q: Are catamarans suitable for children?
Yes, they can, but their safety lines must be securely fastened. Catamarans have a particular feature: there are no guardrails along the edges of the deck, so if a child isn’t careful, they could easily slip overboard.I once witnessed a situation where a five-year-old child was running and playing on the boat; the moment his father turned his back, the child had vanished. Fortunately, he only fell into relatively shallow water.It is essential that the boat be equipped with a child safety net; however, not all rental companies provide one, so be sure to inquire about this in advance.
Q: Is Santorini worth a dedicated private boat charter?
It’s worth it, but you should definitely avoid going during peak season. In July and August, the docks in Santorini are as crowded as a farmers’ market, and boats have to wait in line for up to an hour just to dock.We went in early September, and the situation was still manageable. Also, the anchorage in Santorini is very windy; even catamarans moored there rock constantly, making it very easy to get seasick. We recommend staying for only half a day—definitely do not stay overnight.
Q: Which is more cost-effective—a catamaran or a hotel?
It depends on the number of people. When there are more than four people, a catamaran is cheaper; if there are only two people, staying at a hotel offers better value for money. We traveled as a group of four on all four of our trips, and on average, we saved 30 to 40 percent compared to staying at a hotel. However, if you’re traveling as a couple, I’d still recommend staying at a bed-and-breakfast on the island—it’s more comfortable and hassle-free.
Q: When is the best time to charter a boat in Greece?
May is one of the best times to go—the weather is great, the winds are moderate, and prices are 20 to 30 percent lower than in July and August. September is another prime time, also featuring good weather and light winds, with prices 20 to 30 percent lower than in July and August. June is barely acceptable, though it’s already starting to get hot. As for July and August, unless you’re not bothered by the sun or crowds, it’s best to avoid them.
Final Note
As for chartering a catamaran, it won’t blow you away to the point where you consider it a “must-do in this lifetime,” but it will give you a rather unique sense of groundedness—.
You’ll live at sea for seven days, eating, drinking, using the restroom, and sleeping all on the boat, waking up each day to explore a different island.
This daily routine is more reassuring than any tourist attraction.
Of course, that’s assuming you don’t fall into any pitfalls.
The tips above should help you avoid half the pitfalls.