If you are visiting Greece, a country with a lot of history where the tourist is received in the best way and it is pleasant to visit because its Greek islands are a truly incredible place to vacation if you want to experience the essence of Western civilization that will last in the memory of who comes to meet It has a peculiar architecture, it is also well known for its mythology, its crystalline waters, its gastronomy and its hospitality. Each of the islands is a dream. Also, Greece is one of the most requested destinations by lovers of yachts and nautical experiences. The coast of this country is known as the Aegean Islands, one of the most popular areas for yacht charters; For this, there are many tourist ports that offer a wide range of services that include restaurants, bars and shops. You can sail along the west coast of Greece, which offers stunning views of the mountains and a wide variety of secluded and quiet little islands for you to explore.
Renting a yacht in Greece is an incredible decision where you will live a unique experience and it is possible to find options from smaller boats to luxury mega-yachts with the best finishes in their facilities. It is important to note that a valid license is required to operate a yacht in Greece. Although there is no common legislation in Europe regarding sports navigation, each country establishes its own regulations and they generally coincide between countries but not between licenses as such. For example, each license can grant different lengths (the size of the boat) or nautical miles from the coast, among other things.
What you need to know to maneuver a yacht in Greece:
In Greece, renting a boat if you are not Greek, the legislation is extremely flexible and makes the process easy. Although the ideal to carry out port procedures is to have a nautical qualification and sign before the authorities of the local Port Authority (which is the one who issues the documents to be able to set sail) an official affidavit of honor of nautical knowledge by the interested party . It is an official document signed before the officer on duty where they swear to have the knowledge to be able to bring the rental boat to a successful port, as well as to ensure and take care of the safety of the people that are being carried out. board.
For each charter, at least two licenses or two affidavits are required so that the license of our charter can be granted and the captaincy approves the departure. One person appears as Pattern (Skipper) and another as Co-Patron (Co-Skipper). You should know that, however, if we have some type of Spanish nautical license or title, it will not even be necessary to make the official sworn statement, so the administrative procedures in the Captaincy will be easier. If an affidavit of honor has not been made in the Captaincy, it is absolutely essential to be accompanied on this journey by the original licenses and qualifications. So, you cannot venture to maneuver a boat if you are not sufficiently prepared. There is the possibility of reserving your rental with captain and sailor. In fact, you can also take a course so that you can practice and advance your knowledge so that the day you decide in the future, you will be able to maneuver a boat.
The first thing you must have to maneuver a boat is to have a title issued in any country of the European Union and it will be perfectly valid as a navigation license in Greece for the same nautical specifications recognized in the country of origin . In any case, it is best to have the title translated into Greek or at least in English; Likewise, the lessee must make all the documentation of the boat available to the lessor (registration certificate, insurance, etc.).
From 9 meters in length, all boats need a Private Recreational Maritime Traffic Document (called DEKPA), which is a record book that must be stamped by the authorities at each port entry and exit. The document only costs 50 Euros and is valid for 50 stamps and to acquire it, the captain must present a navigation license. Greece accepts as valid the Spanish title PER (Pleasure Boat Skipper) for boats from 8 to 15 meters in length or higher. Although at first it seems simple, the operation around DEKPA has somewhat uncomfortable implications for people who propose a pleasure trip, it is mandatory to present it to the port police is the captain, and the process is not always as fluid as one would like because sometimes the police only stamp the DEKPA on certain days of the week or at very specific times, so to speed up the process, usually the best solution is to buy a new one. To rent boats with radio equipment and license it is mandatory that a crew member have a radio operator certificate (of course, translated into Greek or English).
Yacht charter in Greece
If you do not have the documentation that enables you to maneuver a boat for recreational purposes, you can rent one with crew included. The boat rental with captain is the best recommended alternative; since, the captain will know the most interesting and striking places that you can visit, the sea conditions, the local weather, and will always be familiar with the country's legal procedures , which allows you to save a lot of time and avoid misunderstandings when dealing with with the authorities.
Recommendations before renting a yacht in Greece
You must select the right season to visit Greece. That is, the holiday season in this place mainly covers the months from May to mid-October. If you go to Greece sooner or later, there will be tourists, but not as many as in the months mentioned above and the most popular islands are not going to be as crowded. For example, in Mykonos the nightlife is not as vibrant in May as it is in July or August; however, if you love sunbathing and prefer a quieter vacation, you can go from October to early May.
The weather should be taken into account before going to Greece. In general, these months are more visited in Greece because it is where there is more sun (from May to September) and the sea temperature is a little cooler at the beginning of summer; while in December it is cold and the waters are also cold; so, swimming is not recommended, unless you like it and are aware of it. But, most luxury yacht owners prefer to visit the Greek islands in the course of May to early October. Which, you can investigate so that you choose the one that you would like to visit on board a yacht and later, ask if it is possible to do that tour, or also, visit the ones that the captain recommends. There are historic, sophisticated islands and completely uninhabited islands. The islands of this region are very close to each other.
The main islands that we recommend you visit on board a yacht are:
Santorini: surely you have heard and seen photos of this incredible place, famous for its white cliffs, calderas, impressive sunsets and its colorful architecture.
Mykonos – Known for its lively beaches, trendy shops, and vibrant nightlife.
Crete: It is the largest island in Greece and boasts golden sand beaches, mountains and ancient ruins.
Rhodes: it is one of the islands with the most history with a medieval fortress and a beautiful sandy beach.
Náxos: it is a green island with beaches, mountains and traditional villages.
Corfu: has a vibrant medieval town with beautiful beaches.
Ionian Islands: Each one has its own charm and unique tourist attractions.
Take into account the best season to rent a yacht in Greece , which is the official sailing season that begins in April and ends in November. The best months to take the rental service are from July to September, when temperatures increase, although as they are more requested, prices increase more. If you choose to sail in the months of May to June, or from September to October, you will enjoy a pleasant climate, less crowds and better prices.
Also, you should keep in mind that you can not only rent the boat by the hour, but it can be for days or weeks. In this case, you can buy the food and cook it yourself on board, or if you want, you can set sail in an area where there are restaurants and eat in these establishments; Or another option is to include the service of a chef on board and buy the food that you want to be prepared during your stay and according to your tastes and diets.
Renting a yacht in Greece is an excellent option because it includes the crew and you don't have to worry about anything other than having a good time and having fun with your companions. Just imagine visiting the beaches and islands that have had so much history and preserve their beauty while in the distance you can observe the unique and striking architecture of this region of the planet. You will have a pleasant stay on board while creating memorable memories for a lifetime.