What experience & qualifications do I need to charter a yacht in Greece?

The best way to explore the Ionian islands of Greece is on a sailing yacht and whether or not you have sailing experience or qualifications there will be a yacht charter that suits you best. Island Sailing is a British fully accredited Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Training Centre offering a comprehensive range of RYA practical sailing courses from our base on the Greek Ionian island of Lefkas as well as on-line RYA theory courses.

Bareboat yacht charter

For those with previous sailing experience. To charter a yacht bareboat in the Ionian waters of Greece the skipper is required by Greek law to hold:

With previous experience as skipper on a similar size yacht gained by sailing in the UK or abroad the skipper should be assisted by a competent member of crew. The skipper should be competent at handling a yacht in close quarters, anchoring and mooring in varying conditions and be able to use navigation and pilotage skills to plan the day’s sailing and know your position at any time. For more information about the ICC click here For more information about RYA Day Skipper click here

Flotilla sailing holiday

As you sail your own yacht having at least one member of crew (the skipper) with some previous sailing experience is important although he or she will have the support of the flotilla lead crew and security of being within a group.

Whilst you are part of a flotilla group you will still be the skipper of your own yacht and so the skipper should have the same qualifications or certificate as with a bareboat yacht charter such as RYA Day Skipper or above or the International Certificate of Competence (ICC). The skipper should be assisted by at least one competent crew (or first mate!).

Bareboat Refreshers

For less experienced sailors looking to develop or for those a little rusty who would benefit from a confidence boost and allows you to have a dedicated skipper on board for the first days of your holiday and you progress to bareboating when you feel you are ready. Click here for more information about Bareboat Refreshers.

You need to hold a sailing qualification or certificate as with a bareboat yacht charter such as the RYA Day Skipper or above or have an International Certificate of Competence (ICC) for when you are ready for your skipper to leave you to explore the Ionian on a bareboat basis.

Skippered yacht charter

For those with little or no sailing experience or qualifications.

Sailing Experience but no qualification?

There are plenty of options available either before you come to Greece or when you get here.

• Take an Island Sailing RYA Day Skipper course in the Ionian as part of a one or two week bareboat or flotilla holiday.
• Have a short ICC assessment before you come to Greece with an RYA sailing school or affiliated sailing club.
• Take the Day Skipper course with an RYA sailing school before you come to Greece.

Island Sailing is a British fully accredited RYA Training Centre offering a comprehensive range of practical RYA training courses from our base in Lefkas, Greece as well as on-line RYA theory courses.

For a general chat about your experience and qualifications call us on 0330 088 4744 or 07535 792374 or email contact@island-sailing.com  

More about Island Sailing RYA Courses

Other Sailing Qualifications

To sail a yacht bareboat or in a flotilla in the Ionian waters of Greece the skipper should have previous skipper experience on a similar size yacht and a recognised sailing qualification or certificate issued by a recognised sailing organisation or statutory body. Further information about various sailing qualifications from around the world is listed below, however the list is by no means exhaustive so if you have any questions about sailing qualifications/certificates or sailing experience please do not hesitate to call or email us.

• Sailing qualifications Australia: RYA Day Skipper or higher or Yachting Australia Inshore Certificate or higher
• Sailing Qualifications Ireland: ISA Day Skipper or above
• Sailing qualifications New Zealand: RYA Day Skipper or higher
• Sailing qualifications South Africa: SAS Day Skipper or higher or RYA Day Skipper or higher
• Sailing qualifications United Kingdom: RYA Day Skipper or higher
• Sailing qualifications USA: Bareboat Chartering Standard (ASA 104) (Intermediate Coastal Cruising) or higher or US Sailing Bareboat Cruising Certification or higher