Private vs Skippered Charter: Which Is Right for You?

If you’ve never chartered a yacht before, the menu of options can feel intimidating. Here’s the short version.

Bareboat charter

You captain the boat yourself. You’ll need a valid recreational boating licence (or to charter a category that doesn’t legally require one). You set the route, the pace and the daily anchorages. It’s the most flexible option, and usually the cheapest per day — but you’re also the one watching the weather, the depth and the fuel gauge.

Skippered charter

You get the boat and an experienced local skipper who handles everything operational. You still set the tone — sunbathe day, party night, sleepy lunch in a hidden cove — but the navigation, the legal paperwork and the local know-how come included. Most first-time visitors to the Dodecanese choose this option, because the islands are easier to enjoy when someone else is keeping an eye on the meltemi.

So which one?

If you’ve sailed in the Aegean before and you have your licence, bareboat is liberating. If you want to fully switch off and let someone else take care of the small stuff, go skippered. Either way, our team can walk you through what’s possible for your dates — just ask.