Crete Yacht Charter

North coast, south coast

Crete is about 260 km long. The north coast has the main towns and marinas, including Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos, and is exposed to the summer north wind. The south coast, facing the Libyan Sea, is steep and wild, with villages such as Loutro and Sfakia that are reachable only by sea or on foot, and there are fewer harbours.

Highlights from the sea

Balos and Gramvousa – the lagoon and Venetian fortress at the north-western tip. Chania – the Venetian harbour. Spinalonga – the fortress island in the Gulf of Elounda. Elounda and Mirabello Bay – sheltered water near Agios Nikolaos. Loutro – a car-free village on the south coast.

Sailing from Crete to the Cyclades

Santorini is roughly 60 to 70 nautical miles north of Heraklion, a long day crossing that is only practical in good weather. Most Crete yacht charter trips therefore stay on one stretch of coast. The east, around Agios Nikolaos and Elounda, is often the most sheltered area for a relaxed week.

Sample 7-day route

This sample route is an example of a relaxed week. The real route is always set by the skipper and the weather forecast on the day.

How booking works

Booking a yacht charter in Crete with Astra Yachting follows the same steps every time. You send your preferred dates, the number of guests, the type of charter you want (bareboat, skippered or crewed) and any must-see stops. We check live availability with the yacht owners and charter fleets we work with, and come back with the yachts that are actually free for your dates, their exact specifications and a written quotation.

Once you choose a yacht, you receive the charter agreement and the payment schedule. The booking is confirmed when the agreement is signed and the first payment is received, as set out in our Booking Terms & Conditions. Before departure we collect the crew list required by the Greek port authorities, any sailing licences for bareboat charters, and your provisioning or transfer requests.

On embarkation day you meet the yacht in Heraklion, Chania or Agios Nikolaos, go through the check-in and safety briefing, and set off. During the charter you can reach us by phone or WhatsApp on +30 693 918 6245.

What is included and what is extra

Every quotation for a yacht charter in Crete lists what the charter fee covers, so there are no surprises. As a rule, the fee covers the use of the yacht for the agreed period, its standard equipment and the yacht's insurance. On skippered and crewed charters it also covers the skipper or crew wages.

Items that are usually charged separately include fuel, marina and harbour fees, the final cleaning, optional extras such as a paddleboard, a gennaker or an outboard for the tender, the skipper's or crew's food on board, and a security deposit or damage-waiver option on bareboat charters. On crewed motor yachts, running costs such as fuel, food and drinks are often paid through an advance provisioning allowance that is reconciled at the end of the trip. The exact list depends on the yacht, which is why we confirm it in writing before you book.

We do not publish fixed prices on these pages because rates depend on the yacht, the week of the season and the charter format. Ask for a quotation and you get the real price for your dates.