A private, crewed charter in Santorini is priced by the day, not the week, and the rate typically includes the yacht, a professional skipper and full insurance. That single structural difference is worth understanding before comparing prices, since much of what turns up when researching “yacht charter Greece” is priced for a week-long bareboat rental, a different product entirely from a day or half-day private charter around the caldera.

How Santorini Charter Pricing Works

Santorini’s charter market leans heavily toward day and half-day cruises rather than week-long island-hopping routes, largely because the caldera itself, along with nearby spots like Thirasia and the volcanic hot springs, rewards a shorter, more scenic itinerary. As a result, most crewed operators in Santorini quote a day rate rather than a weekly one, and that rate generally already reflects a skippered, fully crewed experience rather than a bareboat rental requiring a licence.

This differs from the wider Greek charter market, where a large share of listings are bareboat or skippered weekly rentals aimed at self-directed sailing holidays. Both are legitimate ways to charter in Greece, but they are not the same product, and comparing a Santorini day rate directly against a mainland weekly bareboat price rarely gives an accurate picture.

What’s Typically Included in the Day Rate

Across the Maréa fleet, the quoted day rate includes the yacht itself, a professional skipper, and full insurance cover as standard. Nothing further is required from guests in terms of licensing, certification or vessel responsibility.

What Isn’t Included

As with most crewed charters, a handful of costs sit outside the base rate:

• Fuel is generally billed based on the length and nature of the route.
• Food and drink are either provisioned in advance or purchased ashore during the charter.
• Mooring or berthing fees, where relevant to the itinerary.
• A Transit Log, a mandatory administrative fee on select yachts covering final cleaning, licence fees, and documentation, is listed on the individual yacht’s profile where it applies.
• Gratuities, at the guest’s discretion, for the crew.

The Maréa Fleet in Santorini, by Price

Three yachts currently make up the Maréa fleet in Santorini, spanning a meaningful range in size, style, and budget.

Prices shown are starting day rates and vary by season and specific dates. Mandatory extras, where applicable, are listed on each yacht’s profile.

Choosing the Right Yacht for Your Budget

The Lagoon 380 S2 sits at the accessible end of the fleet, a spacious catamaran well suited to families or larger groups wanting stability and room to spread out for the day. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49 offers a more traditional sailing experience for guests who want the feel of a proper sailing yacht without stepping up to a larger vessel. The Highland 35 power catamaran sits at the top of the Santorini range, a flybridge motor catamaran built for guests prioritising speed, comfort and a more elevated day on the water, at a price that reflects its size and specification.

None of the three requires a licence or sailing experience from guests, since all are chartered with a professional skipper as standard.

When Prices Are at Their Best

Across the Santorini charter market generally, demand and pricing follow the same broad pattern as the rest of the Aegean: July and August carry the highest demand and the tightest availability, while late spring and early autumn offer calmer seas, fewer crowds in the caldera, and a more relaxed booking window. Guests with flexible dates typically find both better value and easier availability outside the height of summer.

The Short Version

A private charter in Santorini is priced by the day rather than the week, with the skipper and insurance already built into the rate. Across the Maréa fleet, that starts from €501 a day on a spacious catamaran and rises to €2,900 a day on a flybridge power catamaran, with a traditional sailing yacht in between. The right choice comes down to group size, pace, and how much of the day is spent under sail versus at speed toward the next cove.

FAQ

How much does a private yacht charter cost in Santorini? Across the Maréa fleet in Santorini, day rates start from €501 on a spacious catamaran and range up to €2,900 on a flybridge power catamaran, with a traditional sailing yacht priced in between. Rates vary by season and specific dates.

Is a skipper included in the price? Yes. Every yacht in the Maréa fleet is chartered with a professional skipper included in the day rate, along with full insurance.

What costs extra on a Santorini yacht charter? Fuel, food and drink, mooring fees where relevant, and a Transit Log on select yachts are typically charged separately from the base day rate. Any mandatory extras are listed on the individual yacht’s profile.

Why is Santorini priced by the day rather than the week? Most Santorini itineraries centre on shorter caldera and volcano cruises rather than week-long island-hopping routes, so the local charter market is built primarily around day and half-day rates.

Do I need a sailing licence to charter in Santorini? No. Every yacht in the Maréa fleet is fully crewed, so no licence, certification or prior sailing experience is required from guests.

When is the best time to charter for value in Santorini? Late spring and early autumn generally offer calmer seas, fewer crowds and more availability than the peak of July and August, making them a strong window for both value and comfort.