The Best Greek Islands to Visit By Yacht

I’ve enjoyed some of my favorite memories while sailing through the Greek Islands. From the Dodecanese near the Turkish coast to the popular Cyclades and the lush Ionians, there are hundreds to choose from, 227 of which are inhabited. Each offers something unique of its own, with some better for those looking for a party, and others ideal for a relaxed visit, soaking up the sun on secluded beaches.

Exploring multiple captivating islands by yacht, enjoying the salty sea breeze, Mediterranean sun, and endless cobalt waters of the sea along the way makes for an especially unforgettable getaway. Of course, you’ll still have to narrow down your itinerary, so to make it easier, you’ll find some of the very best Greek Islands to visit by yacht grouped by archipelago.

The Cyclades: Whitewashed Architecture, Volcanic Landscapes, and Cosmopolitan Vibes

Santorini

An island on the bucket lists of many travelers, Santorini shouldn’t be missed on any yacht excursion through the Cyclades. Sailing around it is the perfect way to admire the stunning caldera and explore coastal gems without the crowds, from hot springs to famous beaches like the Red Beach that gets its hue from the fiery colored cliffs. It’s best accessed from the water due to the danger of falling rocks. 

Of course, you’ll want to anchor to explore further, with the chance to visit the Pompeii-like site of Akrotiri. It provides a glimpse at life here some 3,700 years ago when a volcanic eruption blanketed the ancient settlement in ash. There are also unique vineyards for touring and tasting, and picturesque villages like popular Oia and less-visited Megalochori with a more tranquil atmosphere. 

Mykonos

Mykonos is a top spot for cruisers who want to enjoy trendy beach clubs and upscale beach bars on beautiful powdery sands. This cosmopolitan island is renowned as a place to see and be seen, attracting supermodels and all sorts of international jetsetters who come to party day and night. Super Paradise is one of the most famous beaches for partying, but you’ll find more tranquil beaches a bit farther from Mykonos Town, like Panoromos and Kalo Livadi, ideal for laid-back relaxation and swimming.

There are historic landmarks too, including the windmills overlooking “Little Venice” with its colorful mansions that once belonged to sea captains, providing an ideal vantage point for sunsets too. Just a few miles offshore is tiny Delos island with ancient monuments dating at least as far back as the 5th century BC too. 

Andros

The second largest island in the Cyclades, Andros is a haven for nature lovers, with soaring mountains, rugged gorges, lush greenery, and an extensive network of hiking trails across the island. Mountainscapes meet hidden coves and remote bays that are ideal for secluded swimming. In fact, some of the island’s best places to swim can only be reached by boat or by joining a Jeep tour, which means visiting by yacht will provide privileged access. 

Just a few of the other highlights here include the landmark Tourlitis Lighthouse across from the Venetian Castle at the entrance to Chora, the main town. It’s unique in that it sits precariously atop a rock rising from the sea as the only one of its kind in all of Europe. In Chora itself, you’ll find enticing cobbled alleyways lined with cozy tavernas, spectacular neoclassical mansions, and museums, including the Archaeological Museum of Andros.

Folegandros

Folegandros is a small island with just three villages, but it’s one of the most unspoiled in the Cyclades. There are no huge cruise ships or thick tourist crowds here, and you won’t find any Michelin-starred restaurants or high-end resorts either. It’s a place to relax on a beautiful beach with only a few others around, watch the goats that scurry up the hills, and historic windmills that spin in the breeze. There are remote trails to hike leading to panoramic views, but the most popular trek is the paved path from Pounda Square leading to the Church of Panagia. From its elevated position, you can see everything from the surrounding cliffs and Chora’s whitewashed houses to the endless blue of the sea. 

Chora itself offers cobbled streets that are enjoyable to wander with no motor vehicles permitted. There are thousand-year-old homes in Kastro, its oldest area, along with cozy cafes and tavernas for unwinding with a drink or dining on traditional island fare like fresh fish or souotenia, the famous local pie, filled with souroto cheese and onions. 

Paros

Paros is tucked into the heart of the Cyclades, legendary for its prized marble used in everything from the Venus de Milo statue to the interiors of some of the island’s most luxurious resorts. It also boasts long sandy beaches with crystal-clear turquoise water, whitewashed villages with winding streets fun to get “lost” in that are draped in red, purple, and pink bougainvillea, while the scent of jasmine and thyme wafts through the air. 

The island’s historic sites can take you back in time, including the 4th-century Church of 100 Doors. The mountain village of Lefkes is the former capital of Paros, but today it’s a hidden gem. It’s the perfect place to immerse yourself in the local daily life and discover a panoramic view stretching all the way to Naxos Island at its edge.

Naxos

The largest island in the Cyclades, Naxos offers diverse terrain with everything from Mount Zeus, that can be climate for a jaw-dropping view over the island, its neighbors, and the sea, to some of the most spectacular beaches in the country. There are miles and miles of soft white sands with turquoise water that’s so clear it looks like a vast natural swimming pool. You’ll find a mix of lively and secluded stretches – some filled with umbrellas, loungers, beachside bars, and facilities for renting water sports gear, while others are secluded and ideal for tossing down a towel and soaking up the sun in peace. 

Naxos is also the perfect stop on your yacht trip if you want to indulge in one of the best food scenes in Greece. It’s renowned for its sea- and farm-to-table fare, from lobster pasta and the grilled catch of the day to Patoudo (stuffed lamb), Naxian potatoes, and local Graviera cheese dipped in thyme honey.

Milos

One of the main reasons to visit Milos is its over 75 beaches, some of which can only be easily accessed from the water. Its most famous is Sarakiniko, renowned for its lunar-like appearance, made up of smooth, white rock formations that are stunningly contrasted against the sea, ranging in color from deep emerald to brilliant aquamarine. You can also reach natural hot springs right along the shore, but you might want to explore beyond the shore. 

The picturesque hilltop town of Plaka offers several attractions, including the outstanding Archaeological Museum, the Folk and Historic Museum, and a Venetian Castle. Overlooking the village of Klima, you’ll find an ancient theater made of marble that sits atop a mountain and was originally built in the 3rd century BC.

The Ionians: Lush Greenery, Idyllic Sands, & Venetian Influence

Corfu

The Ionians are known for their lush greenery, and Corfu is no exception. Here, there are bird-filled lagoons and emerald mountains laced with waterfalls that dip down pristine sandy beaches and a cobalt sea. If you want to stretch those sea legs, you can hike a section of the 93-mile-long Corfu Trail that spans the length of the island. You’ll also find enticing cities like Corfu Town, a thriving metropolis with many influences from its past, including Venetian, French, and British. History lovers can visit Paleokastritsa, a working monastery dating back to the 13th century, where visitors can watch monks at work. It also offers an ideal vantage point for a breathtaking view. 

Corfu’s diverse coastline with magnificent bays, hidden beaches, and small islands nearby also makes it idyllic for sailing around.

Zakynthos

Shipwreck Beach (officially called Navagio) is what’s made Zakynthos so famous. You’ve probably at least seen it in online images, featuring the rusted skeleton of a shipwreck lying on the white sands, sandwiched between two towering limestone cliffs with Easter egg blue water at its edge. You might think it was AI-created, but it’s just as breathtaking in person. The best view (and photos) can be enjoyed from an easily accessible overlook point, but with a private boat, you can explore the wreck up close and swim while avoiding the crowds. 

There are beautiful beaches throughout the island’s shores, many with umbrellas, loungers, and gear for water sports like paddleboarding and kayaking, like Banana Beach. The East Coast is known for its more secluded stretches for tranquil sunbathing and swimming. In Lagunas Bay, you’ll find the chance to snorkel or swim alongside loggerhead turtles. There are attractions for history enthusiasts too, like the hilltop castle above Zakynthos Town, the Solomos Museum displaying archaeological finds, and the Venetian Castle of Bohali that includes ruins of churches, gates, walls, and more.

Keflonia

Perfect for honeymooning sailors and anyone seeking a romantic island, Kefalonia is a treasure, home to one of the most breathtaking beaches in the country: Myrtos. It’s tucked between forest-covered mountains and water that’s a surreal shade of electric blue. There are many beaches with soft white sands and brilliant blue-green waters ideal for swimming or snorkeling with remarkable clarity. It’s also possible to hike the trails in Mount Ainos National Park while watching for deer and wild horses that roam free. If you watched the 2001’s “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin,” you might recall the island’s beauty as the island was a significant filming site. 

Fiskardo, in the northern part of the island, is the most well-preserved village offering the chance to marvel at  Venetian architecture, a Venetian lighthouse, and the ruins of an ancient 6th-century basilica, as well as dine on fresh fish at seaside. 

Ithaca

If you sail the Ionians, you can’t miss Ithaca. Just a short distance from Ithaca, it’s a small island, but it’s jam-packed with beauty. As you cruise around, you’ll discover secluded coves backed by lush green hills and rugged mountains. Of course, it enjoys the vibrant aquamarine and deep emerald waters, the Ionian Sea is known for making it another island popular for swimming and snorkeling. Anogi, a medieval village, is home to the Katharon Monastery, a 17th-century site of pilgrimage on the southeast peak of Nirito Mountain is well worth a visit. Just stopping here for lunch is as well, with delicious traditional cuisine reflecting a mix of Venetian and British influences. You’ll find the usual fish and seafood along with local specialties like chicken cherepa and onion pie.

The Dodecanese: Medieval Buildings, Rich Culture, & Diverse Beaches

Rhodes

Navigating the crystal-clear blue waters around Rhodes, less than 20 miles from the Turkish coast, will bring you to pretty harbors, enticing bays, and nearby islands, making it ideal to explore by yacht. Afterward, visit Old Town Rhodes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s home to one of the island’s top attractions, the medieval Palace of the Grand Masters. A rare example of Gothic-style architecture found in Greece, the castle has more than 150 rooms, and they’re all open to visitors. You can also take a stroll right atop the section of the 15th-century walls that lead from it.

Rhodes also boasts many sandy beaches for swimming and sunbathing, and the Seven Springs freshwater lake that’s also ideal for a dip. Nearby is Butterfly Valley, an oasis with trees and meandering streams.

Symi

Only 25 miles northwest of Rhodes, Symi is known for its rugged mountains and wide variety of beaches with both sandy and pebbly stretches framed by a crystal-clear aquamarine sea. It boasts a postcard-perfect harbor with vibrantly painted neoclassical mansions lining the waterfront. One of the main reasons to visit by yacht is the serene atmosphere and the opportunity to purchase famous Symi sponges and handcrafted goods made right on the island. It’s well worth a stop for lunch too, with Symi shrimp featured heavily on restaurant menus, enjoyed everywhere from casual tavernas along the harborside to fine dining eateries. 

Patmos

Patmos has become a pilgrimage island, home to the Cave of the Apocalypse where Saint John penned the Book of Revelations. It’s located in the hilltop Chora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside another UNESCO-listed site, the monastery that displays an intriguing collection of 11th-century objects. The significance of these sites has led to the banning of loud music at beach bars and clubs to preserve a more tranquil ambiance. Combined with the lack of crowds, even in the peak of the tourist season, it makes for a peaceful stop, whether you want to explore the attractions, enjoy the beaches, or even hike the forested mountains.

Kos

Patmos has become a pilgrimage island, home to the Cave of the Apocalypse where Saint John penned the Book of Revelations. It’s located in the hilltop Chora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside another UNESCO-listed site, the monastery that displays an intriguing collection of 11th-century objects. The significance of these sites has led to the banning of loud music at beach bars and clubs to preserve a more tranquil ambiance. Combined with the lack of crowds, even in the peak of the tourist season, it makes for a peaceful stop, whether you want to explore the attractions, enjoy the beaches, or even hike the forested mountains.