Mykonos Yacht Charter
The beating heart of the Cyclades' vibrant party scene with picture postcard vistas galore.
Mykonos is the ever-glamorous jewel of the stunning Cyclades island chain, famed around the world for it's bohemian charm, lively nightlife, and impressive event calendar.
Mykonos' reputation as a glitzy beach party destination has perhaps overshadowed many of its other qualities. But whether you're interested in windsurfing on Kalafatis Beach, exploring various chic boutiques in Mykonos town, or just glaring at those sublime whitewashed houses dripping down sunbleached hills over the turquoise water, Mykonos is a fantastic stop for a yacht charter in the Cyclades.
Mykonos does sit in a corner of the Cyclades most exposed to the strong Meltemi winds though. This means those looking to bareboat charter here should be experienced sailors, and those looking to stop here as part of a crewed yacht charter should first discuss it with one of our expert brokers, as we can always advise ways to mitigate the risks here.
Mykonos is good for:
High-end boutiques
Beaches
Historic windmills
Wineries
Vibrant nightlife
Beach clubs
Find your ideal yacht to charter in Mykonos
Image Gallery - See & Do
Some of the top stops to make in Mykonos
Matoyianni Street
Elia Beach
Super Paradise Beach
The Windmills (Kato Milli)
Sailing Conditions in Mykonos
Mykonos, with its long hot summers blending into warm autumns, is a superb destination for a yacht charter. The sailing season begins in spring when the weather is perhaps a little cool but not cold and endures through to the end of October. But equally, Greece's diversity of sailing routes makes for varied sailing conditions and flexibility, should the need to flee a storm arise.
Early-season travellers can easily set sail on a Mykonos yacht rental as early as March or April when the weather is genial, pleasantly hovering around 25°C, with water warm enough for swimming. Nature lovers will enjoy the flowers that scent the Cyclades islands, with poppies and wildflowers colouring countryside walks, that fade to a sunkissed yellow once summer arrives.
The high season in the Cyclades begins in July and sails through to September, with scorching summer temperatures ideal for sunseekers in search of 30°C (86°F) + temperatures, wild parties and full foreshores. The one downside is the Meltemi winds which can be treacherous for novice sailors but are more than manageable for experienced captains looking for a thrill between anchorages.
Mild autumns lower the temperatures to a palatable 26°C (79°F) with October lending itself particularly well to sailing as the Meltemi winds are no longer an issue and the crowds have all but left for the season.
When to Visit Mykonos
June to August is the peak sailing season, with trips possible as early as April and as late as October. We like to go over the shoulder months, when temperatures and wind are less aggresive than they can be at their summer peaks!
The summer temperatures and Meltemi winds make July and August popular times for boaters hoping to experience the thrill of summer sailing in Greece. And while the summer months are busy, the Cyclades islands are home to 200 minor islands and islets, each indented with covered coves and rustic beaches, perfect for escaping the crowds that bulge on larger islands like Mykonos and Santorini.
Yachts available from Mykonos
Mykonos highlights
The mere mention of the Cyclades Islands brings to mind the blue-domed, white-washed houses that climb the hills, or the legendary beaches and hedonistic parties held across Mykonos, but the Cyclades are a chain of nearly 200 islands, and a Mykonos yacht charter is the perfect way to see them all.
Mykonos and Santorini are the largest, but the others are just as beautiful, home to unspoiled beaches offering seclusion and romance, charming villages, ideal for slow-paced exploration and unhurried island life, and a good number of dive sites with wrecks and a rainbow of marine life.
Start your vacation in Mykonos's world-famous Little Venice, wandering through the busy streets and up to the iconic windmills and the amazing Panagia Paraportiani. Explore Hora, where you'll find an attractive maze of an old town (designed to confuse and baffle raiders), coloured by torrents bougainvillaea and filled with chic restaurants, designer boutiques and pretty churches.
Sail the island in search of beaches, and you'll find more than 20 Aegean-licked locales to explore, from the curvaceous Psarou Beach and the blissful Ornos Bay to boisterous Paradise Beach and pretty Elia. Nearby Dragonisi Island offers a sultry slither of uninhabited land where with some luck, it's possible to spot the Mediterranean Monk Seal while soaking up the rays on a near-empty beach.
From Mykonos island, sail to the colourful fishing village at Naoussa on the sublimely pretty Paros Island where a vibrant waterfront is stuffed with seafood restaurants. Ios, with its thickets of olive trees and stunning beaches contrasting with a healthy party scene, is another option, but tiny Folegandros delivers a captivating slice of wild Greece, with a small town at Chora that, with its often immense crowds, belies the true nature of the island, that is all idyllic villages, languid hikes to solitary beaches and rock pools full of salty water, all blissfully unaware of the people in the town.
Sail to the northeastern tip of Mykonos and you'll eventually follow the Aegean swells funnelling into a thin ravine, leading to a tiny slither of beach named Vathia Lagada, hard to reach by land (only a 4x4 will do), and home to a small church, an exemplary spot for those adventurers who like their beaches entirely natural and without the crowds.
Close by is Agios Sostis, with a sublime natural cove and stunning views, and the rocky but delightfully remote Merchia Beach. For sailors and sunseekers hoping for a little more pep, Kalafatis Beach offers excellent windsurfing and diving opportunities, while Agios Ioannis is best for snorkelling. Party lovers are spoiled for choice on Mykonos, with Jackie O's and Paradise Beach amongst the best known and Psarou Bay, home to the glamorous Nammos beach club.
Sail to Delos, Mykonos’s sacred little sister to see a 3000-year-old archaeological site that stands as a tangible memory of colourful Cycladic myth. Here, stunningly well-preserved temples, grand theatres and an agora form the last chapters of Ancient Delos' story, a story that began with the births of the twin Gods Apollo and Artemis. Hike to the peak of Kynthos to enjoy the dreamy vistas of the Aegean and then sail onwards to unspoiled Rhenia for slow days sipping wine and enjoying wild anchorages with ancient views.
Mykonos Day Charters
There's no better way to explore the Cyclades island chain than on a private boat trip, with a professional skipper showing you all around Mykonos's famous windmills, clear turquoise waters and the odd beautiful beach. They may even whisk you off to a nearby island like Paros or Naxos. Hire a sailing yacht and feel the freedom of sailing, or go for a motor yacht and cover the Aegean Sea in speed and style.
Board your private yacht and set off from Mykonos Marina or the new port (Tourlos Marina) on an island hopping adventure, visiting nearby Delos island and Rhenia island or further Cyclades islands.
Choose from a catamaran, motorboat or sailboat for your guided tour around this beautiful island.
Mykonos Town has so much going on, which makes it a great starting point for exploring on a daily charter or luxury yacht sunset cruise, visiting Paradise Beach, Kalo Livadi or the wider Cyclades archipelago. Once you're back ashore, go for a stroll through Little Venice, find a restaurant and settle in to enjoy classic Greek cuisine - the perfect way to end your Mykonos yacht charter.
Need some help?
If you are unsure about charter or boat selection, contact us at HELM to help you decide.
We only choose boats that are in excellent condition, and we are here to help you every step of the way and to make sure the whole process is as easy as possible.