Sailing holidays for families in Greece 

 

sailing holidays in greece for families

sailing holidays in Greece for families

 

Looking for an unforgettable and affordable family vacation in Greece? A skippered yacht charter is the perfect choice for families with kids seeking a unique and exciting experience. With our sailing Greek isles custom family sailing vacations, you can enjoy a one-of-a-kind adventure without breaking the bank.

Our expert skippers will guide you through the stunning Greek islands, providing a safe and comfortable environment for the whole family. From exploring the crystal-clear waters to experiencing the local culture and cuisine, our family sailing vacations offer an unbeatable combination of adventure and relaxation. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to create memories that will last a lifetime!

In our company, Greek Water Yachts, we offer itineraries in Cyclades Islands Group in the Mediterranean – Greece – Europe, and activities in protected waters, shorter sails plus a wide variety of excellent anchorages and activities to choose from.

That’s why the Cyclades it’s a great pick for yachting holidays around Greek islands Greece for families & beginners.

Both parents and kids are rewarded by choosing a private skippered boat charter in Greece as their family sailing adventure choice:

  • Parents: Enjoy a sense of security with a professional crew involved in your kid’s water-based activities. Be amazed at the amount of quality time you gain with your family during the sailing trip. With the responsibility for the boat, itinerary, daily activities, left up to the skipper –  captain, you can relax and enjoy each moment with your family on a boat in Greece, but also discover the “real” Cyclades island hopping.

  • Children: A kid friendly, family tour with a small sailing boat in the Greek islands, creates a constant source of entertainment because of the island hopping visiting new islands every day. Except swimming in the crystal clear water and discovering the beautiful landscape, your kids are also going to learn sailing, teamwork, and discipline on a ship. Together we head for sandy beaches under the hot sun of the Aegean sea. Discover ancient myths, and bioluminescent bays

  •  Extra safety equipment for family kids is offered in the sailboat during your sailing tour in the Greek islands – Cyclades

    check also at https://greekwateryachts.tumblr.com/post/637647474777112576/family-catamaran-vacations

Sailing Greece Family – Gallery

Charter Prices & info – Family Greek Islands Vacation by Boat

Prices are for the Beneteau40:

Discount available for 7-day charters on certain dates. Contact us!

Total Prices for 7-Day All-Inclusive Charter October May, June, July & Sept August
For 2 people €3805 €4445 €4765
For 3 or 4 people €4055 €4755 €5095
Departure / Arrival Paros / Paros

✓ What is included in this total?

We believe in transparent pricing. The totals above already include:

  • Fixed Essentials: Yacht rental, Professional Skipper, and 24% VAT.
  • Operational Extras: All diesel fuel consumption and Marina/Port fees for the full week.
  • Convenience: Final cleaning of the yacht and high-speed onboard Wi-Fi.
  • Skipper Care: Full food compensation for your skipper is already covered.
  • Peace of Mind: Full yacht insurance and all credit card commission fees.

Note on Experience: Unlike standard charters where you pay for fuel and port fees at the end of the trip, these rates are pre-calculated for your convenience. You won't need to handle a "kitty" for boat expenses or worry about the skipper's meals—just step aboard and sail.

⚠️ What is NOT included: Food & drinks for the clients. You may bring your own provisions for the yacht or enjoy dinner at local tavernas.

*USD prices are approximate based on real-time exchange rates and rounded to the nearest $10.

Table: Prices for 7 days sailing boat rental in Greece with skipper.

 

 

“See one promontory, one mountain, one sea, one river and see all.”

Socrates 

 

 

 

 

A short guide to family life afloat

Are you looking for a fun-filled adventure that the whole family can enjoy? Look no further than our family sailing trips! Whether you’re traveling with young children or elderly family members, we have a flexible itinerary that caters to your specific needs. Our child-friendly routes take you through protected waters and offer easy access to organized towns with all the services you need. Plus, with customized plans, we guarantee that everyone will have a wonderful time. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to create lasting memories with your loved ones on a family sailing adventure that will be talked about for years to come!

Parents should follow some basic rules during their Greek family sailing vacation tour in order to be sure about their children’s safety : – children should wear always life jacket on board. – never leave children without adults supervision around the boat or into water. – teach them to be careful with electric appliances in the boat. – use protecting lifeline netting around the boat if babies are in the boat.
The crew and the skipper always takes care to supply the boat with a medical – first aid course made for sailors. Safety and security on board is an issue that the captain of the boat takes serious so all skippers have knowledge of first – aid if there is an emergency case. Also in all islands there is a doctor, a medical center and a pharmacy store to help the sailors.
Children on boat can swim into the most blue and crystal water in the middle of the sea or can just play their favor board game, electronic game, they can enjoy a movie, surf in the net or meet the new islands and participate in the activities that any place offers (like hiking, water sports, see sighting etc.)
Our experienced skipper and crew would take you in protected waters or they change the route in order to ensure that you will avoid sea sickness or a dangerous or not so pleasant trip.Thats why Cyclades is an ideal destination for beginners and families
Generally you won’t need all that stuff (seats, beds) because you will discover a more simple and natural way of life on deck with your baby that will make stronger your bond with your child. Use a pouch to carry your baby and spend more time into water. Some things that are absolutely necessary like baby nappies you should bring them with you.
There is a big variety of baby food and milk in Greek market, although in the small Greek islands it is not certain that you could find anything you wish.
Greek islands are an ideal destination for children of any age. The route can be planned for little kids or for teens. In any case can offer a calm and safe cruise or an interesting, adventuring, and amusing experience.

More for sailing with babies at blogger

7-Day “Toddler-Friendly” Protected Itinerary

Day 1: Paros (Parikia/Piso Livadi) to Antiparos (The Blue Lagoon)The Route: A very short hop to the south of Antiparos.Why it works: The channel between Paros and Antiparos is extremely sheltered.Highlight: Anchor at Panteronisia (The Blue Lagoon). The water is shallow, crystal clear, and turquoise—perfect for toddlers to splash safely from the swimming platform. Night: Overnight at the Despotiko anchorage or the quiet Antiparos town quay.

Day 2: Antiparos to Southern Naxos (Kalados Bay)The Route: Sailing east, tucked under the “wind shadow” of southern Naxos.Why it works: Naxos has high mountains that block the North wind, creating a “flat water” corridor along its southern coast even when the Meltemi is blowing hard.Highlight: Kalados Bay is a literal playground. It’s a completely enclosed natural harbor with a shallow sandy beach and a single, very welcoming family taverna.

Day 3: Naxos to Iraklia (The Gateway to the Minor Cyclades)The Route: A gentle 1.5-hour sail south to the first of the Minor Cyclades.Why it works: Iraklia is rugged and quiet. There are no “party crowds” here. Highlight: Visit Alimia Bay to see the WWII plane wreck in just 3 meters of water (visible from the surface for kids). Night: Tie up in Agios Georgios, a tiny, sleepy port where the loudest sound is the local donkeys.

Day 4: Iraklia to Schinoussa (The Hidden Gem)The Route: A “micro-sail” of only 3–5 nautical miles.Why it works: Schinoussa is widely considered the most “exclusive yet humble” island in the group. Its deep bays (like Mersini) offer 360° protection from any wind.Highlight: Walk up the gentle slope to the Chora (main village). It’s stroller-friendly compared to other islands, and the view of the sunset over the archipelago is world-class.

Day 5: Schinoussa to Koufonisia (The Caribbean of Greece)The Route: Heading slightly East to the most famous of the Minor Cyclades.Why it works: Pano Koufonisi is small enough to walk across. The beaches (Pori, Italida) are shallow for hundreds of yards—ideal for toddlers who are just learning to swim.Highlight: The “Devil’s Eye” and natural rock pools.Night: The marina at Koufonisia is modern and safe, providing easy access to shore for milk/supplies.

Day 6: Koufonisia to Naxos (Agia Anna/Prokopios)The Route: Northward, but keeping close to the Naxos coastline.Why it works: If the wind picks up, your skipper can “hug” the coast to keep the boat stable.Highlight: Agia Anna beach has soft, golden sand that is perfect for sandcastles. It is lined with tavernas where you can eat with your feet in the sand while the kids play nearby.

Day 7: Return to Paros (Piso Livadi)The Route: A final, easy beam reach back to base.Final Tip: End your trip in Piso Livadi instead of the main port of Parikia. It’s a much smaller, pedestrian-friendly harbor that feels like a village, making the check-out process far less stressful with little ones.

Expert “Toddler-Safe” Checklist

Vessel Choice: Always opt for a Catamaran. As Greekislandssailing.com notes, “size matters” and the stability of two hulls prevents the “rolling” that can make toddlers (and parents) seasick.

The Safety Net: Ensure your charter includes a Child Safety Net around the deck railing. This allows toddlers to move around the cockpit area with much higher safety.

Provisioning: Paros and Naxos have the best supermarkets. Stock up on familiar snacks and extra bottled water here before heading into the Minor Cyclades, where shops are much smaller.

Timing: Aim to be “on the hook” or in port by 1:00 PM. The Meltemi usually reaches its peak strength in the late afternoon; sailing in the calm morning hours keeps the experience “boring” (which is exactly what you want with a toddler on board!).


1. The Catamaran: The “Floating Villa” Perspective

Safety Logic: Stability and Space.

#Zero Heeling: Catamarans do not tilt (heel) while sailing. For a toddler who is just learning to walk, a flat deck is significantly safer for moving between the cockpit and the salon.

#The “Trampoline” Playzone: The front netting is a contained, safe area for kids to play while at anchor (with supervision).

#Shallow Draft: Catamarans can anchor in much shallower water (approx. 1.2m). In the Small Cyclades (like Koufonisia), this means you can park closer to the beach, reducing the time spent in a dinghy with a wiggly toddler.

2. The Monohull: The “Secure Cocoon” Perspective

Safety Logic: Deep Cockpits and Predictability.

#The “Deep” Cockpit: Most monohulls have a much deeper, more enclosed cockpit than modern catamarans. This creates a “natural playpen” where toddlers are physically lower than the deck level, making it nearly impossible for them to fall overboard while in the seating area.

#Motion Predictability: While monohulls heel, they have a “rhythmic” motion. Many skippers argue that children actually adapt to this motion faster than adults, and the constant leaning keeps them seated and secure rather than running around a flat (but moving) catamaran deck.

#The Budget Advantage: You can often rent a premium, newer monohull for the price of an older, basic catamaran. A newer boat means updated safety equipment (EPIRBs, newer life rafts, and modern VHF).

3. The “Skipper” Factor: The Ultimate Safety Entity

Regardless of the boat type, your Skipper is the most important safety feature in the Small Cyclades.

#Local Knowledge (Meltemi Protection): An experienced skipper knows the “lee side” of islands like Schinoussa and Iraklia. They will choose anchorages where the water is like a mirror, regardless of the hull type.

#Hands-on Safety: On a monohull, the skipper is physically closer to the passengers in the cockpit. This allows for better communication and “eyes-on” supervision of toddlers.

#Expert Instruction: A skipper from GreekWaterYachts will typically perform a “Safety Briefing” tailored for kids—showing them the “no-go” zones (like the boom or the windlass) before the anchors are even lifted.

4. The “Safety Net” Mandate

Whether you choose a catamaran or a monohull, the Knowledge Graph highlights one non-negotiable for the Small Cyclades if you sail with very small kids: Safety Netting.

#What it is: A mesh net installed along the guardrails (lifelines) of the boat.

#Why it’s vital: It stops toys, shoes, and—most importantly—toddlers from slipping under the rails.

#Pro Tip: Always request this at least 2 months in advance. It takes a skipper or base crew 2–3 hours to install properly.

Comparison Table for Families in the Small Cyclades

Final Recommendation

#Choose the Catamaran if your budget allows and your main concern is space and seasickness. It feels like a house.

#Choose the Monohull if you want an authentic sailing experience and a deep, secure cockpit. Use the money you save to hire an extremely experienced skipper —this is often a better “safety investment” than an extra hull.

Suggested itineraries for Greek family yacht cruise

Take a look at our suggested islands hopping and charter a yacht for your family holidayYour skipper gives you the best directions according to your interests.

The itineraries for your private family yacht experience in Greece are always flexible and customized in your profile in order for your people to get the maximum pleasure out of them.

 

Hope to arrange your family sailing trip in Greek islands with a skippered private sailboat.

 

 

Testimonial

We came to the Greek islands as first-time visitors and first-time sailors and had no idea what to expect.

With a young family, we were nervous but as soon as we met captain Antonis our fears were allayed and the best holiday we have ever had began.

We loved the sailing trip, the secluded spots we were taken to the swim and snorkel, the unique, traditional towns on the islands, and the raw exposure to the Greek island culture.

Thank you, Antonis for understanding our needs and creating an unforgettable experience for our whole family.

From the Maccanti family – Australia

Adm, Heidi, Jack and Louis.

Maccanti family

Sailing trips through Greece reviews

Take a look in the yacht

 
Length: 40 feet
Crew:skipper
Base: Paros (Cyclades) yacht charter base
Cabins : 3 doubles Shower/Head: 2
Accommodation: 4 guests + skipper

Booking Form

Make your introductory reservation for your family sailing vacationsfilling out the contact – booking form.  Greek Water Yachts team will respond within 24-48 hours.

Faqs – Sailing Holidays Greece

Check out our questions and answers section about tips and deals for your family adventure boat trip on the Greek isles.

 

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