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Choose the base before you choose the route
A one-week charter does not leave much room for a long transfer or an ambitious repositioning. Pick a base with an easy arrival, provisioning nearby and an island group you can explore without forcing daily mileage.
Base choice also affects the character of the week. The Ionian often suits relaxed, shorter hops; the Cyclades can be more exposed to summer wind; the Dodecanese feels different again in distance, weather and logistics. Your skipper should adapt the final plan to the forecast.
| Base | Best for | Practical consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Athens / Alimos | Saronic Gulf and flexible arrivals | Strong flight access; city traffic and marina timing matter. |
| Lavrion | Cyclades access | Useful for an earlier Cyclades start; check transfer time from Athens airport. |
| Lefkada | South Ionian | Close islands and many protected options; plan the road transfer. |
| Corfu | North Ionian — Green scenery and a northern Ionian loop | Flights and base availability are seasonal. |
| Kos | Dodecanese — Island-hopping in the southeast Aegean | Check airport links and Meltemi conditions. |
| Rhodes | Dodecanese — Longer southern island routes | Distances can be larger than they look on a map. |
What a good starting marina actually provides
A practical base has a reliable handover point, clear arrival instructions, nearby supermarkets, luggage access and time for a proper yacht briefing. A prestigious marina is not automatically the best choice if it adds hours to the transfer or sends you away from the route you want.
Ask where the yacht will be berthed on embarkation day, when boarding begins and whether you may buy provisions before handover. Marina assignment can change, so use the operator's final instructions rather than an old map pin.
Match the base to your group
For a first family charter, a base with short transfers and sheltered early-day options may be more valuable than reaching the most famous islands. For experienced sailors, the sailing conditions and a planned passage may be the priority.
If you are flying in on the same day, choose a realistic arrival window. Late flights, grocery shopping and briefing time can make a first-night berth near the base more sensible than an immediate departure.
Base-selection checklist
- Which airport and transfer are realistic for your arrival time?
- What sailing area can you enjoy in seven days without rushing?
- Where will the yacht handover and final return take place?
- Are provisioning, parking and luggage drop-off convenient?
- What alternatives are available if wind changes the route?
Questions to send with your enquiry
Tell the charter team your dates, flight airport, group size, sailing experience and whether you want a skipper. Ask them to suggest bases for a realistic one-week loop rather than only sending the nearest marina.
Compare the full logistics: transfer, boarding time, final-night return, cancellation terms and yacht inventory. That is more useful than choosing by a marina name alone.
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