Skippered Charters in Greece
For those without a valid certificate for bareboat sailing or just want to relax a little bit more on your sailing holiday - a yacht charter with a professional skipper on board is the perfect choice!
Skippered charters as the name implies means the yacht rental comes with a qualified freelance skipper who will handle the main tasks of sailing the boat, navigating and mooring when visiting the islands.
This allows you to fully enjoy your time at sea and explore new destinations with confidence.
A network of experienced freelance skippers is available, comprising highly skilled professionals with extensive knowledge of the sailing area, local conditions and hidden gems off the beaten track. Professional and easy-going, they help you make the most of your sailing holiday and enjoy the unforgettable beauty of each destination.
For added comfort and convenience, the services of a freelance hostess or cook can also be arranged.
Istion maintains a wide range of sailing yachts, sailing catamarans and motor yachts up to 60 feet available for rent to any island chain in Greece.
Skippered Charters from a Wide Range of Charter Bases
We are pleased to provide skippered charters from all of our bases throughout Greece.
Skippered charters give you the flexibility of deciding your own sailing route with the comfort of knowing an experienced captain is on board to guide you through your charter and to recommend the little known spots that make sailing in Greece such an amazing experience!
No matter which charter base you set off from, you can rest assured that the experienced freelance skipper has all the local knowledge to ensure your sailing holiday in Greece will be simply unforgettable!
Skippered Charters - Frequently Asked Questions
Founded in 1992, Istion Yachting has grown from a single base on the island of Kos into the highest-rated yacht charter company in Greece, with an outstanding reputation built over more than three decades. Today, we proudly manage one of the Mediterranean’s largest and most diverse fleets, operating from 12 charter bases across Greece and Croatia.
At the heart of Istion is a complete range of yachting experiences designed to match every style of travel:
Istion Yachting - Our core service, offering bareboat and skippered charters on sailing yachts and catamarans. Whether you are an experienced sailor seeking independence or prefer the ease of a skipper-led holiday, Istion combines seamless service with local expertise to create unforgettable journeys.
Istion Luxury Yachts - A dedicated division for fully crewed luxury charters on sailing yachts, catamarans, and exclusive motor yachts. With professional crews, world-class hospitality, and the comfort of a floating five-star hotel, our crewed charters are perfect for milestone celebrations, multi-generational holidays, and exclusive escapes at sea.
Yachthop by Istion – Flexible private and small group day cruises and short island-hopping tours from Athens and many of Greece’s most popular islands. Ideal for travellers who want to experience the Greek islands by sea, even with limited time, Yachthop makes sailing accessible to all.
What sets Istion apart is not only the breadth of our services, but also our dedication to excellence. Our fleet is maintained to the highest standards, our suggested itineraries are shaped with deep local insight, and our hospitality reflects our Greek roots - warm, authentic, and personal. With thousands of five-star reviews, Istion Yachting is by far the top-rated yacht charter company in Greece, and we take pride in turning every journey into a lasting memory.
From the freedom of bareboat sailing to the refinement of a fully crewed motor yacht, and from extended voyages to carefree day cruises, Istion is your trusted partner for bespoke journeys across Greece, Croatia, and beyond.
Skippered charters are required for charter groups who have no qualified sailors in their party and are recommended for those who do not have enough experience to feel confident handling a yacht themselves. In such cases, we are happy to suggest the right yacht type and provide an experienced freelance skipper who will handle the yacht for you.
The experienced freelance skippers combine professional expertise with extensive local knowledge, guiding you to exceptional destinations along the most rewarding routes for an unforgettable sailing holiday. Every skippered charter starts with a briefing between you and the professional skipper to discuss your preferences and plan the best itinerary together, always keeping safety as the number one priority.
The freelance skipper is responsible for the navigation, mooring, anchoring and maneuvering of the yacht. The skipper is also responsible for maintaining the cockpit in a clean and functional condition, monitoring and arranging the refilling of water and fuel for the yacht and outboard engine and handling any port formalities, all at the Charterer's expense.
The freelance hostess shall do the daily shopping and prepare and serve each day breakfast and a light meal (lunch). In addition, the hostess will assist the skipper in all of his/her duties under his/her instructions and shall take care of cleaning of communal areas of the yacht daily.
The freelance cook prepares and serves up to three meals per day, from breakfast and lunch to dinner. In addition to meal preparation, the cook may also assist the skipper with onboard duties when needed.
The freelance crew will be accommodated in a separate dedicated cabin (which may be a bow cabin, when available) and will share a WC.
That all depends on you! Istion's experts are always happy to recommend the best choice for your needs. Skippered charters typically use larger boats including both sailing yachts and catamarans. Catamarans are a favourite choice for many skippered charters due to their comfortable and spacious layout and smooth handling while sailing. Your sailing holiday can be tailored to fit your party and your preferences. We have a wide selection of yachts suitable for smaller and larger groups, simply contact us for our recommendations based on how many people will be in your party.
It's worth noting that, regardless of the yacht's size, the maximum number of people permitted on board is 12, including any freelance crew members.
A pleasure craft in Greece that carries more than 12 people is considered a ‘passenger ship’ and must comply with different safety regulations which are not compatible with bareboat charters.
Skippered charters are usually offered Saturday to Saturday. Depending on the yacht’s booking plan however, there may be a chance we could accommodate flexible embarking/disembarking dates, so feel free to ask!
Charters typically start on Saturday at 17:00. In some cases an early check-in process (fast track) is available for an additional fee. If it is available, fast tracking allows you to check in at 14:00. If you wish to start your charter earlier than 17:00 please notify us so we can advise on availability.
Charters end on Saturday at 09:00 (disembarkation from the boat). You will need to be back at your designated finishing base by Friday at 18:00.
The key for sailing charters is simplicity and a minimum of unneeded extras. Casual and breezy beach attire is certainly the order of the day on deck, though for evenings ashore, slacks or a sundress are more appropriate. Rubber soled shoes as opposed to hard soles are recommended aboard our yachts, so bring boat shoes or tennis shoes. For cool or windy evenings, a windbreaker comes in handy and depending on the time of year you are sailing a long sleeved shirt or two just in case you feel chilly is a good idea.
Above all, protection from the sun is vital – lots of suntan lotion, wide-brimmed hats or sailing caps, and loose-fitting cotton cover-ups. Don't forget to pack it all in soft-shell baggage for easy onboard storage.
During check-in, you will meet our base team (and of course the freelance skipper) who will conduct the yacht familiarization briefing and join you in thoroughly inspecting the yacht so as to have an overview on all the yacht's systems and safety equipment on board.
During check-out, the base team will inspect the yacht as part of the return procedure. After settling any remaining expenses, such as fuel, you will be invited to complete a short online evaluation form and share your comments on the yacht and your overall sailing experience. This will conclude the handover procedure.
When you charter a yacht with us, you can relax knowing that every yacht is fully insured with:
-Third Party Liability Insurance: covering accidental damage or injury caused to other people or boats during your trip.
-Hull & Machinery Insurance: covering accidental damage to the yacht itself.
Just like car rentals, yacht insurance comes with a deductible (an amount not covered by insurance). To cover this, a refundable security deposit is normally required.
-The deposit amount depends on the size and type of yacht.
-The deposit is only used if there’s damage or loss not fully covered by insurance.
-If everything is fine, you’ll get your full deposit back after the yacht is inspected at the end of your trip.
If damage does occur, any costs not covered by insurance will be deducted from your deposit, and you will get back the unused balance. In most cases, your liability is limited to the deposit amount - even if repairs cost more. The only exceptions are certain items such as the outboard motor or dinghy, where replacement costs may apply if they’re not covered by insurance.
Replenishing your deposit: If an incident happens during your trip that uses a significant part of your deposit (for example, more than 20%), you will need to top up the deposit so that you remain covered for the rest of your charter.
Refund of your deposit: the unused balance of your deposit is refunded on the first working day after your check-out (or after any damage claim is settled). Depending on your bank, it may take a little longer for the funds to show back on your card.
Important to know:
-Insurance does not cover deliberate or reckless damage, illegal acts or any fines from local authorities. In these rare cases, the charterer may be responsible for the full cost of damage.
-Insurance Policy Details: Insurance policy exceptions may vary depending on the yacht. You are always entitled to request and receive the full details of the exact insurance coverage for the yacht you have chosen to charter.
-Yacht insurance is not the same as travel, medical, or personal accident insurance.
For complete peace of mind, we strongly recommend that all guests arrange independent travel insurance before their trip. This should ideally include cover for:
-Trip cancellation or curtailment
-Medical or personal accident expenses
-Personal belongings and valuables
Yes! For all yacht charters in Greece, the Security Deposit Waiver applies instead.
Rather than paying a large upfront sum, you pay a much smaller one-time fee and enjoy:
-Same full insurance coverage for accidental damage
-Zero deposit required
-A smoother, faster check-out at the end of your trip
Security Deposit Waiver for Skippered charters in Greece: €400 waiver
Important: The waiver removes the need for a large upfront deposit, but it doesn’t remove your responsibility to return the yacht in good condition. It covers normal wear and accidental damage, but not losses not covered by the yacht insurance policy as in the case of reckless behaviour, intentional harm, or illegal actions.
For charters in Greece, the Security Deposit Waiver is the standard policy.
The reason is simple: the vast majority of our guests prefer the waiver over a traditional refundable deposit, and their feedback helped us make it the norm for all charters. Here’s why:
Refundable Security Deposit:
-While your liability may be limited to the deposit amount, deposits usually range from €2,000 to €5,000 depending on the yacht. That’s a big amount of money tied up on your card for the duration of your holiday.
-Deposit refund timing: Your bank may take some time to process the refund, which could keep the funds tied up longer than the duration of your holiday.
-Additional downside: Because the deposit is applied per insurable event, you may be asked to top up the deposit if more than one incident occurs during your trip.
Security Deposit Waiver:
For just a small one-time fee - only a fraction of a normal deposit - you enjoy:
-Zero deposit required
-Full insurance coverage for accidental damage
-A smoother and faster check-out process, even if there is damage or loss
In short: the waiver gives you peace of mind, convenience, and extra value, which is why it has become the standard for yacht charters in Greece.
Please note that we still recommend arranging independent travel insurance to cover trip cancellations, medical needs, or personal belongings, so you’re fully protected.
