Lund Group · the Cyclades
Yacht Charter the Cyclades
Monaco · Mediterranean · Caribbean · Worldwide
the Cyclades
The Cyclades by Yacht
The Cyclades are a group of Greek islands in the central Aegean, arranged closely enough that most passages take a few hours. The landscape is dry and rocky, the villages whitewashed, and the summer wind — the meltemi — shapes almost every itinerary.
Guests charter here for short passages between very different islands, Mykonos for nightlife and Paros or Naxos for a slower pace, the sea caves and white cliffs of Milos and swimming in clear, deep Aegean water. A yacht keeps all of it within reach without daily transfers, and the crew shapes each day around the weather, the sea state and how much time you want at anchor rather than under way.
Lund Group arranges private charters in the Cyclades on motor yachts, sailing yachts, catamarans and full superyachts. We present only what genuinely suits your dates, guest numbers and pace, confirm every detail with the central agent before it is proposed, and never describe a yacht, berth or shore arrangement as available until it is held in writing.
Charters run from roughly May to October. July and August are hot and busy, with the strongest meltemi; June and September usually give calmer seas, easier berths and a better chance of following the route as planned.
The fleet
Yachts for Charter in the Cyclades
Explore yachts that may be suitable for a the Cyclades charter. Every specification and rate shown comes from our own listings — nothing is estimated. Exact availability, positioning and eligibility are confirmed privately for your dates.
Private options for the Cyclades
Our public charter listings are being updated. Share your dates and group size and we will present suitable yachts.
Request availabilityCruising
Cruising the Cyclades
Crews plan Cycladic weeks with the wind at their back where possible, which is why the order of islands often changes during the charter. Days combine a passage, an anchorage for swimming and an evening either in port or in a sheltered bay.
Most Cyclades charters begin near Athens and run south-east through the islands, sometimes continuing to the Dodecanese or crossing towards Turkey with the right paperwork.
One archipelago
Several Very Different Charter Routes
We plan the Cyclades in four charter-planning clusters. They are practical groupings for route design, not official or legal subdivisions.
- Athens Gateway: the Athens Riviera, Lavrio where relevant, Kea and Kythnos. Often the first or last days of a week.
- Northern and central Cyclades: Mykonos, Delos, Paros, Antiparos, Naxos, Syros and Tinos. Social energy, sheltered bays and short hops.
- Western Cyclades: Serifos, Sifnos, Kimolos and Milos. Quieter islands, dramatic coastline and swimming coves.
- Southern Cyclades: Ios, Folegandros, Santorini and Thirassia. Cliffs, the caldera and longer passages.
Which itinerary fits me
Signature Cyclades Routes
Sample shapes only. Passage times depend on the yacht and sea state, and the captain has the final say.
- Athens and the Western Cyclades: Kea or Kythnos, Serifos, Sifnos and Milos, returning or finishing in Milos. A calmer, less crowded week.
- Mykonos to Santorini one-way: Mykonos and Delos, Paros or Naxos, Ios, then Santorini.
- Paros and Antiparos: short hops, sheltered anchorages, well suited to families and relaxed weeks.
- Milos and Folegandros: volcanic coastline and remote coves, often paired with Sifnos or Santorini.
- Highlights week: Mykonos, Paros, Milos and Santorini in one charter. Possible, but more hours under way and dependent on the wind.
Embarkation
Start in Athens or Directly on an Island?
Starting in Athens (the Riviera marinas or Lavrio) gives the widest yacht choice and avoids extra flights, but the first passage to the islands takes time. Starting on Mykonos, Paros or Santorini puts you straight into the islands, though the yacht may need to reposition and a delivery fee can apply. One-way routes are often the best balance; the yacht's base and both ends are confirmed before contract.
Wind
How the Meltemi Shapes Route Design
The Meltemi is the strong, dry northerly summer wind of the Aegean, most frequent in July and August. Captains often plan to travel south with the wind rather than against it, choose south-facing anchorages for shelter and keep spare days in the plan. It is why Cyclades itineraries are proposals, not fixed timetables.
Combining islands
Mykonos, Paros, Milos and Santorini in One Charter
It can be done, typically one-way over a week or longer. It means longer passages, more time under way and less flexibility if the wind rises. Many guests choose two clusters and enjoy them more slowly.
Costs
What a Cyclades Charter Actually Costs
The advertised rate covers the yacht and crew. It is not the total charter cost.
- Base rate for the agreed period, as quoted by the yacht.
- APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance) for fuel, food and drink, port fees and extras, accounted for by the captain. Longer island passages usually mean higher fuel use.
- Greek VAT applies to charters in Greek waters; the structure depends on the yacht and itinerary and is set in the contract.
- Delivery or repositioning fees when the yacht starts or ends away from its base.
Compliance
Greek Commercial Permissions to Verify
A yacht chartered in Greek waters must hold the relevant commercial charter documentation and respect its permitted guest capacity and any applicable Greek charter requirements. We verify a yacht's status for your dates before presenting it; nothing on this page claims authorisation for any particular yacht. We do not sell individual places aboard.
Season and yachts
When to Go and Which Yacht
The season runs roughly May to October. June and September are often calmer and quieter; July and August are busiest and windiest.
Motor yachts cover distances most comfortably when the Meltemi blows. Sailing yachts suit guests who enjoy the passage itself, and catamarans offer stability at anchor. Water toys and family set-ups are confirmed per yacht.
Arrivals
Flights and Helicopters
Athens has the widest connections. Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Milos and Santorini have airports of differing size and capability. We arrange jets, helicopters and cars through independent operators and plan transfers rather than promise times.
Questions
Yacht Charter in the Cyclades
Continue exploring
Charter enquiry
Charter a Yacht in the Cyclades
Tell us where you want to go, when you want to travel and how you want to experience it. Our yacht team will curate the right options for you, with a clear breakdown of costs and a draft itinerary.
Monaco · Mediterranean · Caribbean · Worldwide