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North East Aegean
57
boats available · live
500 € – 200,000 €
500 €200K €
1 – 42 guests
142
0 – 42 berths
042
14.76 – 56 m(48–184 ft)
14.76 m56 m
2000 – 2028
20002028
0 – 20 toilets
020
5 – 7,296 hp(4–5,436 kW)
5 hp7,296 hp
Sailing Yacht charter in the North East Aegean
Sailing Yachts×
57 Sailing Yachts available
Prices shown are each boat's cheapest available 7-night week. Choose your dates for exact prices.
Why charter a yacht in the North East Aegean?
The North East Aegean is born for sailing. Lesvos, Chios, Samos, and Limnos sit in winds that blow honest and reliable. A sailing yacht—from a nimble 35-footer to a robust 50-footer—lets you harness that wind, sail efficiently, and experience the Aegean as sailors have for millennia. The region's 30–50 nautical mile island passages demand seamanship, but reward it with solitude, skill, and the deep satisfaction of canvas and quarter-wave.
Why Sailing Yachts Excel in the North East Aegean
June winds are gentle and variable (8–12 knots), perfect for learning. July–August bring the steady Meltemi (12–20 knots, sometimes more)—reliable and strong, excellent for experienced crews. September softens again (10–15 knots), ideal for autumn sailing before season's end.
A sailing yacht's full-displacement hull and ballast keel provide excellent seakeeping. You can reef and sail in the Meltemi confidently, or heave-to and rest if conditions exceed your appetite. Auxiliary engines provide insurance—you're rarely entirely dependent on wind, but you prioritise sailing.
Island passages (35–50 nm) are achievable under sail. Lesvos to Chios is a full day of strong sailing in July–August. Chios to Samos is a long day or overnight passage. Experienced crews relish these crossings; first-timers hire a skipper and crew to learn.
Bareboat Sailing Yachts
Bareboat sailing requires a boating licence recognised in Greece (the ICC or a national licence is commonly accepted), Aegean familiarity, and crew competence. You navigate, sail, and manage the vessel. A 40-footer typically needs two experienced sailors; a 45-footer, three. Mixed-ability crews (experienced skipper, novice crew) are common.
Cost is 1,600–2,500 EUR per week (off-season) to 2,000–3,500 EUR (July–August).
Skippered Sailing Yachts
A skipper handles navigation and heavy decisions; you crew, sail, and learn. Ideal for mixed-ability groups, corporate events, or those seeking to improve sailing skills. Cost is 2,000–3,500 EUR per week (skipper included).
Crewed Sailing Yachts
Captain, mate, and chef manage all sailing, provisioning, and meal prep. You relax and participate as you wish. Rare in the North East Aegean but available. Cost is 4,000–7,000 EUR per week depending on crew quality.
Top Sailing Yacht Routes
A classic week-long sailing charter loops Lesvos and Chios. Sail northwest from Mytilene to Molyvos (12 nm), anchor below the castle. Continue to Limnos's quieter eastern anchorages (45 nm, full day sail). Cross south to Chios (50 nm, potentially overnight if doing the full passage). Visit medieval mastic villages, then either return to Lesvos or push to Samos (40 nm from Chios).
Ten-day charters reach Ikaria or explore the Turkish coast near Samos in detail, anchoring in remote bays where motorboats dare not venture.
Sailing in Summer Meltemi
July–August Meltemi (12–20 knots) is exhilarating for experienced sailors. Reef your main to a scrap, sheet the jib tight, and heel 20 degrees as you charge between islands. The boat feels alive. Come evening, you anchor in a quiet bay, the sea asleep.
Crew effort increases in strong wind. Tacking through the passages demands focus. Anchoring in gusty bays requires skill. But competent crews thrive on this intensity. Less experienced crews hire a skipper, motor in calm morning hours, sail in afternoon Meltemi, and anchor early—a balanced rhythm.
Comfort and Cabin Facilities
A 40-foot sailing yacht has a master cabin (double berth), two–three guest cabins (single or double), a compact saloon, a galley stove, manual heads, and basic refrigeration. Newer yachts have hot-water heaters and electric systems. Modest by motor yacht standards, but sufficient for sailors who prioritise canvas and passage-making.
Modern charter yachts have autopilot, GPS/chart-plotter, and wind instruments—technology that reduces fatigue and improves safety.
Best Season and Bases
June through September. June: light winds, wildflower season, low rates, perfect for learning. July–August: strong reliable Meltemi, sunshine, higher prices, busier anchorages. September: lighter winds, lower prices, lingering warmth, fewer crowds.
Mytilene (Lesvos) is the primary sailing base. Fleets are mature, local knowledge excellent, support services reliable. Pythagoreion (Samos) is secondary but suitable for sailing charters.
Sample Itinerary: Lesvos and Chios (8 Days)
Day 1: Depart Mytilene. Sail northwest to Molyvos (12 nm), anchor below castle. Explore village.
Day 2: Motor to Sigri (20 nm), visit petrified forest. Swim and relax.
Day 3–4: Sail to Limnos (45 nm, full day sail in Meltemi). Explore Myrina and eastern anchorages. Swim and fish.
Day 5–6: Sail south to Chios (50 nm, potentially overnight). Visit Mesta, the intact medieval mastic village. Explore narrow streets, dine ashore or aboard.
Day 7: Day sail to nearby Psara (30 nm), a quiet island with excellent tavernas.
Day 8: Return to Lesvos (50 nm, mix of sailing and motoring) or extend toward Samos. Final evening ashore before departure.
Provisioning and Local Wine
Mytilene's markets are excellent. Stock up on Greek cheese, fresh fish, bread, and wine before departing. At each island, provisioning is possible but limited. Lesvos offers ouzo from Plomari; Chios, mastic sweets and mastic liqueur; Samos, the famous Muscat wine. Part of the sailing experience is tasting local produce at each port.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need sailing experience?
For bareboat, Day Skipper level (10+ days sailing, Aegean experience preferred) is standard. For skippered, any ability works—your captain teaches. Crewed charters require no sailing knowledge at all.
What if the Meltemi is too strong?
Reef hard and sail, or motor to shelter. Your captain or skipper decides. Strong wind (18–20+ knots) can be managed by experienced crews; less experienced crews will anchor early and wait it out. You're rarely forced into conditions you dislike.
How much sailing versus motoring?
June–September averages 60–80% sailing, 20–40% motoring. June is breezier; July–August steady Meltemi means more sailing; September lighter wind, more tactical. You control the mix.
What's the fuel cost?
A yacht motoring burns 4–6 litres per hour. If you sail 70% of the time, fuel cost is minimal—maybe 200–300 EUR per week. Less if you prioritise sailing.
How many crew do I need?
A 40-footer: two experienced sailors minimum. A 45-footer: three. Mixed crews (experienced skipper, learning crew) are the norm. Many charter companies offer crew placement if you're short-handed.
Is sailing safe in the North East Aegean?
Yes, with proper planning. Modern yachts are seaworthy. Weather forecasting is reliable. Local knowledge (your charter company, nearby fishermen) is typically available. Follow standard seamanship: check forecasts, anchor securely, maintain your boat, and know your limits. Thousands of sailors navigate these waters safely each summer.
Book Your Sailing Yacht
Experience the North East Aegean as sailors have for millennia. Browse Boat4You's collection of bareboat, skippered, and crewed sailing yachts departing from Mytilene and Pythagoreion. Canvas, wind, and island adventure await.
Search sailing yachts in North East Aegean or explore other Greek sailing destinations on Boat4You.
Plan your charter
Start by browsing available boats on the search page, or check the FAQ for common questions. New to chartering? See how the booking works.
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