Three crewed yachts of 25–28.5 m that list Santorini departures publish €34,000–€45,000 a week, before APA, VAT, tip and a delivery charge, on rates read 29 October 2026. Most are based in Athens, so starting in Santorini usually adds that delivery charge. A week from Santorini usually explores the quieter southern Cyclades, with the captain setting the route and where you spend each night.
At a glance
| Published rates we read | €34,000–€45,000 a week for three 25–28.5 m yachts that list Santorini departures, before extras |
| Extras on top | APA (30% to 40% in these listings), VAT, a discretionary tip, and a delivery charge to start in Santorini |
| Where most yachts are based | Athens, with Santorini as an optional start |
| The islands within reach | The southern Cyclades: Thirasia, Ios, the Small Cyclades, Amorgos, Anafi, Folegandros |
| Who decides the plan | The captain: where you embark, where you spend each night, distances and timings |
| The one thing to check | Where and how you board, and the delivery charge |
What a week costs
Few large crewed yachts are based on Santorini itself. Most are based in Athens and list Santorini as an optional start, with a delivery charge (the cost of bringing the yacht to your start port and back) on top. Three published examples that list Santorini departures, read on 29 October 2026:
| Yacht | Type and length | Guests and cabins | Published weekly rate | Base |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milgauss | Motor yacht, 25 m | 9 guests, 4 cabins | €34,000–€39,000 | Athens; Santorini start possible |
| Nommo | Sailing yacht, 28.5 m | 6 guests, 3 cabins | €37,000–€40,000 | Athens and Santorini |
| Star Link | Motor yacht (Falcon 90), 27.6 m | 8 guests, 4 cabins | €40,000–€45,000 | Athens; Santorini start possible |
Each range runs from the listing's low-season to its high-season rate. The listings do not state which year the rates are for, so ask for the rate for your dates. All three are on MYBA terms, a standard Mediterranean charter contract under which the fee covers the yacht and crew, and running costs are paid separately. For the wider Greek range, see how much a crewed yacht charter costs in Greece.
What is extra
- APA: an advance paid before the charter for fuel, food, drinks and port costs, reconciled with receipts at the end. These listings give 30% to 40% of the fee. See what APA is.
- VAT on the charter fee. The rate depends on the yacht, the contract and the itinerary; ask for it, and its basis, in writing.
- The crew tip, at your discretion.
- The delivery charge to start in Santorini rather than Athens. It is not published; ask.
Illustration: eight guests on Star Link in July
| Line | Assumption | € |
|---|---|---|
| Charter fee | High-season rate | 45,000 |
| APA | 30% of the fee | 13,500 |
| Crew tip | 10% to 15% of the fee | 4,500–6,750 |
| Illustrative funding before VAT and delivery | 63,000–65,250 |
That is before VAT and the delivery charge. A motor yacht that moves every day uses more fuel than a sailing yacht, so on a busy week the APA may need topping up; unused APA is returned.
Where a week from Santorini can go
The islands nearest Santorini are the quieter southern Cyclades. This is an illustrative choice of islands, not a sailing plan: the captain sets the order, the distances, the timings and the weather alternatives.
| Island | Why go |
|---|---|
| Thirasia | Caldera views without the Fira crowds |
| Ios | Manganari beach and a lively harbour town |
| Iraklia and Koufonisia (the Small Cyclades) | Quiet coves, shallow clear water, sea caves |
| Amorgos | The Monastery of Hozoviotissa and walking |
| Anafi | Long empty beaches and very few visitors |
| Folegandros | A clifftop Chora and clear-water bays |
The meltemi, the strong northerly summer wind, usually blows hardest in July and August in the afternoons (Sailing Issues). The captain may change the order of islands or the time of day you move.
A one-way week, from Athens or Paros to Santorini or the reverse, may reduce the delivery charge, though it does not always remove it. Ask the broker how it is priced.
Santorini's harbours
- Vlychada, on the south coast, is the main small-boat harbour. Cruiser reports describe it as crowded with day-cruise boats and shallow, with little room for visiting yachts (Noonsite).
- The caldera is very deep close to shore, so anchoring is mostly impossible around the main island. Yachts use moorings at Thirasia or anchor off the south end, as the captain judges (Noonsite).
- Access to the old port at Fira and to Ammoudi below Oia was restricted for a time after the 2025 earthquakes (Noonsite). Check the current position before relying on either.
A day cruise round the caldera is a different product from an overnight charter: shorter, cheaper and run by local operators.
What to ask your broker
- Is the yacht based in Santorini, and if not, what is the delivery charge?
- Where exactly do we board, and where do we spend the nights?
- Which VAT rate applies to this yacht and route, and on what basis?
- What is the plan if the meltemi blocks a crossing?
- Can we start in Athens or Paros and finish in Santorini, and how is that priced?
When this is not the right choice
- You want a small catamaran at the lowest price. Starting from Athens or Paros is usually cheaper.
- You mainly want to see Santorini itself. A day cruise round the caldera and a hotel cost far less than a week aboard.
- Anyone gets seasick. August crossings in the southern Cyclades can be rough.
Questions people ask
How much does a yacht charter in Santorini cost per week?
Three 25–28.5 m crewed yachts that list Santorini starts publish €34,000 to €45,000 a week, before APA, VAT, tip and any delivery charge. Ask for the rate for your dates, as the listings do not state the year.
Can you anchor in the Santorini caldera?
Mostly not, because the water is very deep right up to the cliffs. Yachts use moorings at Thirasia or anchor off the south end of the island, as the captain judges, according to Noonsite cruiser reports.
Which islands can you reach from Santorini?
The southern Cyclades: Thirasia, Ios, the Small Cyclades such as Iraklia and Koufonisia, Amorgos, Anafi and Folegandros. The captain chooses the order and the timing for the yacht and the weather.
Is it cheaper to start in Athens than in Santorini?
Usually, because most crewed yachts are based in Athens and charge a delivery charge to start elsewhere. A one-way week may reduce that charge, though it does not always remove it; ask the broker how it is priced.
Sources
- Boatbookings, Milgauss (25 m, Athens; Santorini departures with transfer fee), read 29 Oct 2026
- Boatbookings, Nommo (Jongert 28 m crewed sailing yacht, Athens and Santorini), read 29 Oct 2026
- Boatbookings, Star Link (Falcon 90, 27.6 m; APA, gratuity, departures), read 29 Oct 2026
- Noonsite, Thira (Santorini): anchoring, Thirasia moorings, Vlychada, port access, read 29 Oct 2026
- Sailing Issues, Meltemi winds explained, read 29 Oct 2026
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