What people ask when plan a charter trip in Greece

How can I get to Paros?

Paros is connected with the mainland with many ferries every day. Also, fast ferries operate in the area.

The timetables in the last years are very accurate. When we talk about the mainland of Greece we mostly refer to the port of Piraeus, very close to Athens. Also, Rafina at the east coast of Athens has a port from where you can reach our island. Rafina is closer to Athens’ airport.

A normal ferry from Piraeus needs about 4,5-5 hours for Paros, but a fast catamaran can make it in less than 3 hours. Most of the ferries dock just outside of the metro station at Piraeus port. To get to the port from the airport you have three choices.

• The easiest and the fastest is the sub. The ticket costs 8 euros and you need about an hour.
• You can also get on a bus, paying 8 euros, but your journey will be longer about one and a half hours.
• Finally, a taxi will cost you around 50 euros.

To go to Rafina port we recommend a taxi or a local bus. It takes about 20 minutes. Ferry tickets start from 30 euros up to 60, if you choose a fast one. Attention is required during high season because you have to make a reservation in advance. The rest of the time tickets might be bought just outside the ships.
Paros also has an airport, but only for domestic flights. In the summertime, it might be challenging to find last-minute tickets. Your last choice to reach the island, are the international airports of Mykonos, Santorini, and Heraklion (Creta). Charter flights operate every day from most European cities. One of the local ferries would be your next step to take you to the final destination.

How can I get from Paros airport or the port to the marina where my yacht is?

The marina of Paros is located at Parikia bay, exactly at the same place where the big ferries dock.

As soon as you disembark on the island, turn left following the seaside street. After 200 meters you will be at the marina.

The masts of the yachts are visible even from the ferry. So it’s only a 5-minute walk.

At that point, on your right hand is the Kondilis rent a car and on your left hand on the dock, the yacht is waiting for her new guests. One of us will be waiting for you.

If your boat is located in Piso Livadi the best way from Paros port to Piso Livadi is by taxi. Cost around 50€

The airport of Paros is about 10km from the port. For those who are going to visit the island by plane, a taxi is the only way to come to Parikia. The price is about 20 euros and is not longer than 15 minutes away.

What do I have to do on my arrival and what is my check-in procedure?

The meeting point is straight to your boat. Your skipper is going to wait for you there. The first acquaintance with your skipper and a short briefing about the weather and the itinerary is going to follow and soon after you will all head for the yacht. Find your way around the boat while we will prepare the paperwork with the authorities and get ready for your first day out at sea . For late arrivals head directly to the yacht where your skipper will be waiting for you.

What is my check-out procedure?

On some of the boats , you will expect to arrive in Paros around 15:00(or earlier if you wish). The check out is at 17:00 (or earlier if you wish) at the same place. No special procedure is needed.

For some other boats, you will expect to arrive in Paros around 17:00 a day before the check out day(or earlier if you wish). The official check out is at 09:00 the last day (or earlier if you wish) at the same place. No special procedure is needed.

What is the everyday schedule onboard?

Usually, we have breakfast on board. After that, we set sail for our next island.
The sailing time depends on the chosen itinerary and might be from 2 up to 5 hours.
On our way, we make a stop at a nice anchorage for swimming. At this place, we usually have a light meal of snacks for lunch and then we continue to our final destination where we get early in the afternoon, at about 3-4 pm, in order to have time to explore the island.
Our skippers will give you directions and also they can arrange for a rental in case that you wish to drive around. Dinners are taken ashore because Greek food is a part of the Greek lifestyle experience.
Recommendations about restaurants are going to be given, as well as reservations are going to be done by us for the busy days. For those who would like to continue with a drink, nightlife at the islands is always a challenge.

With what conditions do we sail?

Theoretically, our yachts are certified by their designers to sail in all the weather conditions, but because we have customized our activities in cruising, the insurance companies, as well as the authorities, have adjusted their terms in this direction.
So we cannot sail when the wind is equal or stronger to 7bfts(you will have to stay on a safe port), except that your captain believes that it would be safe to go downwind up to your next destination or if you are in a protected area, without big waves. For example south of Naxos is lying the Archipel of small Cyclades islands, where when the strong Meltemi is blowing the huge island of Naxos to the north doesn’t allow big waves to build up.

Refunds for not sailing due equal or stronger to 7bfts wind(you will have to stay on a safe port) or other unpredictable factors (ex ferries or planes strike) are not applicable. The official weather forecast can be found in the following link. Just check for the area southeast Aegean- Ikario, at the east bulletin.

Finally, night sailing is not allowed except if it’s a matter of safety.

How provisions work?

The provisions and food are an easy part of your vacations. You don’t have to bother a lot.

You can buy groceries on your own after the check-in and the briefing with your skipper(the best option).

The supermarket from the Paros, Paroikia marina is only 300 ft from the marina.

The supermarket from Piso Livadi Marina is 3200ft from the marina. There is also a small market in the Piso Livadi port

You have to buy provisions for a day or so because on every island you visit there are supermarkets where you can buy more. In every place, there are bakeries where you can buy provisions for breakfast and excellent taverns and restaurants.

Usually, we have breakfast on board or breakfast in the bakeries on every island. After that, we set sail for our next island.

The sailing time depends on the chosen itinerary and might be from 2 up to 5 hours.

On our way, we stopped at a nice anchorage for swimming. At this place, we usually have a light meal of snacks for lunch and then we continue to our final destination where we get early in the afternoon, at about 3-4 pm, in order to have time to explore the island.

Our skippers will give you directions and also they can arrange for a rental in case you wish to drive around. Dinners are taken ashore because Greek food is a part of the Greek lifestyle experience.

Recommendations about restaurants are going to be given, as well as reservations are going to be done by us for the busy days. For those who would like to continue with a drink, nightlife at the islands is always a challenge.

It’s very important that you buy some food for your skipper. In case you buy provisions for cooking onboard, keep in mind that one more person is in your company. You are also free to invite your captain ashore for dinner. However, he might decline your invitation simply because he needs rest. For him, a season consists of successive, intense weeks. Compensation of 15€ for skipper dinner is mandatory if you do not invite him on the dinner. Tips (5 – 10% of the boat fee) are not mandatory. They are just a sign of recognition for a good job.

Now if you would like to calculate how much money you are going to spend per day, we can assume that it is not more than 15€ per person if you have breakfast and lunch on board . This is coming out from our experience in the Greek islands, but of course, it might vary and it totally depends on you.

What should I bring with me?”

Apart from the provisions, all of our yachts are fully equipped for charters. So focus only on your personal belongings. Sun protection stuff is mandatory. Keep in mind that the Greek sun is very strong. Beach towels might be useful and are always forgotten. You can check what to pack for a skippered yacht holidays in Greece reading the article what to pack for a skippered yachting holidays in Greece

Do greek island sail boats have showers?

Yes all the sailboats and catamarans have showers for the guests.

Are there hidden costs? How much money will need during our sailing vacations in Greece?

Regarding the charter fee, we are absolutely clear. No hidden fees at all.
Included: the yacht with all her equipment, skipper’s fee, linen, gas bottle, taxes, first and last days marina’s fee on Paros.
Not included: the diesel, the freshwater, the marina’s fees at the islands that you are going to visit and the end cleaning. For one week charter, this amount is  300€ in total for the sailboat and around 550 for the catamarans
Now if you would like to calculate how much money you are going to spend during a week, we can assume that it is not more than 130€ per person if you have breakfast and lunch on board and dinner offshore. This is coming out from our experience in the Greek islands, but of course, it might vary and it totally depends on you.

Why do some charters last 7 days &6 nights?

Because you get more sailing time!
To be specific, most charter companies check their guests in at 17:00 on Saturdays constraining you to stay until the next day. Likewise, the same companies will check you out on Friday afternoon and allow you to spend the last night onboard until your disembarkation on Saturday morning at 09:00. In all, you will get 6 sailing days and 5 islands to visit. On the other hand with us, you embark Fridays at noon and sail as soon as possible. No evening spent waiting. You disembark Thursdays at 17:00 and still make the last ferries back to Athens.
In total, you enjoy 7 sailing days and visiting 6 islands. Thus you also benefit from a hectic free harbor by avoiding weekends. In the meantime, we have the whole evening (and even a night) to sort out maintenance and carry out eventual repairs in order to warrant our guests a hassle-free vacation.

Why do I have to hire a professional crew onboard?

Our professional skippers might solve a lot of your problems on the board and make your life much easier. The reasons to join a skippered charter are obvious. First of all, if you don’t have sailing experience. The idea of being on a yacht, sailing around all these beautiful islands, swimming in the crystal blue waters of the Aegean, and exploring uninhabited paradises alone, is unique. Actually, you have a floating house that can take you to a different setting every day. A floating house, which can offer you all the facilities of a hotel room and much more. Also, it is a good chance to be very close to nature, to enjoy romantic sunsets and become interested in new hobbies, like sailing.

Even if you are familiar with the yachts and you are a good sailor yourself, a captain might be useful to you. The Aegean is a very difficult sea, especially when strong Meltemi is blowing. At most of the islands there are not organized marinas and mooring a yacht might be very risky, even for experienced sailors. Also, a professional crew member knows the area much better than you, can predict the weather from his experience, and takes you to the best shelter for a safe and comfortable stay. On the other hand, if you hire a skipper you will get rid of all the worries about the safety of the boat, especially when you plan to go ashore. It’s very annoying to be on a beautiful island and not to be able to leave the yacht, due to an insecure mooring, inexperienced neighbors, and so on. Our skippers can also guide you to the places you are going to visit and organize some of your activities ashore.

Optionally, a hostess can transform a simple stay onboard into a luxury ministration. She can take care of the yacht’s cleanliness, prepare the meals and give a second deckhand to the skipper if needed. It’s very important that both of your crewmates try to be as discreet as possible, in order to make your stay onboard more pleasant.

Meet your skipper

What about Skipper duties?

At this point, it is very important to mention which are the duties of a skipper on board. First of all, he is responsible for the safety of you and the boat 24 hours a day, for as many days as the charter lasts. Your captain is the guy who is going to navigate and sail the yacht from one island to the other. He is the one who will maneuver at the ports and the one who will take you ashore with the dinghy if you are at an anchorage. He is also the technician who will fix the problems that might arise if it is possible and finally your guide for life ashore with his recommendations. The working hours for a skipper are maximum of eight, out at sea, but after that, he is in charge of the boat’s safety, something that might keep him awake for the whole night, if the circumstances require it. Conclusively he is the hospitable host who will answer all of your questions and even teach you some basics of sailing if you are interested

Where do we live onboard on the Oceanis 40?

From our experience, we have come to the conclusion that the more comfortable cabins for our guests for the Oceanis 40 are the two aft ones. They both have spacious beds comparing with the one in the front cabin, locker, storage space, portholes, and hatches. Our guests share the aft toilet which is spacious in order to be completely independent of the skipper. The starboard (right side) cabin has also direct access to the head without having to pass from the saloon at all.

How about cleaning onboard?

As soon as you will reach the yachts for the first time you will notice that we emphasize cleaning. A basket is located at the cockpit and you will be kindly asked by your skipper to leave your shoes there. Please respect the boat and try to keep it in good condition during the whole charter. It is good for all of us. Although it’s not included in the skipper’s duties, he is going to help in order to have a clean and respectable yacht by cleaning with fresh water the decks, wherever is possible, and also by keeping an eye on the inside condition whenever is needed. Your help would be appreciated as a sign of recognition for a pleasant stay. Don’t forget that the yachts are a special place which needs extra care, perhaps different from what you know by now. Don’t hesitate to ask your captain for every question even if you believe that is so simple. Make sure that on your return from the beach you clean your feet from the sand at the cockpit shower. Sand in the shower means the failure of the electrical pumps.

Important notices regarding your skipper

It’s very important that you buy some food for your skipper. In case you buy provisions for cooking onboard, keep in mind that one more person is in your company. Otherwise, a refund of 15 euros per day, per crew member, is a reasonable amount. You are also free to invite your captain ashore for dinner. However, he might decline your invitation simply because he needs rest. For him, a season consists of successive, intense weeks. Tips are not mandatory. They are just a sign of recognition for a good job.

Greek Water Yachts fleet consists of 2 self-owned yachts and 2 more that are presented in the website from partners with facilitating yacht charters for recreational purposes. It is under these conditions that Greek Water Yachts on its website greekislandssailing.com presents different yachts for charter. The charter agreement is concluded directly between the Boat Owner and the Charterer. 

What about GWY partners?

The company collaborates with other companies or individuals in order to meet the growing demand for skippered sailing holidays in the Greek isles.

The GWY company chooses its partners so that they meet the same standards it has set itself for its operation.

The cooperating businesses are reliable and give attention to detail in order to provide excellent customer service.

The partners team controls the entire process from boarding to disembarkation and guarantee your cruise.

How payment works with the partners?

Payment for the charters from our partners is done to their bank account.

This can be done by bank transfer or if possible through credit card

The payment is done separately for the boat and the skipper.

The remaining fee through bank transfer to the boat owner or credit card if possible.

No commission of any kind is taken from the boat owners for their services.