Yacht Charters Terms & Conditions

Practical bareboat charter terms for Greece, from a Halkidiki point of view

When guests stay with us in Halkidiki, a fair few ask about taking a bareboat for a week in Greece. It is a brilliant way to see quiet coves and harbours, but the paperwork matters, and a calm read before you pay saves a lot of stress later.

Below you will find the key terms in plain, usable language, keeping to how charters are typically handled in Greece. If anything changes on the ground, always double-check with official sources before you travel, just to be safe.

1. Charter Agreement

All bareboat charters are subject to a written Charter Agreement between the Charterer (you) and the Owner/Operator (us).
The agreement outlines the vessel details, charter dates, total cost, security deposit, and specific responsibilities of both parties.
By signing the Charter Agreement or making payment, the Charterer confirms acceptance of these terms.

From experience, it is worth reading the agreement with your actual itinerary in mind. If you are thinking of long hops, night arrivals, or squeezing in an extra island, check what the contract says about navigation limits and return times. It is also the place where you will see exactly what is on board, so you can pack sensibly and not bring duplicates.

Keep a copy on your phone and one printed, because marinas and port offices do not always have good signal.
Make sure names and passport numbers match your documents, tiny mistakes can slow check-in down.

2. Charter Requirements

To charter a bareboat in Greece, the following conditions must be met:

Sailing License: At least one crew member must hold a valid sailing license recognized by Greek authorities (ICC, RYA Day Skipper, ASA 104, or equivalent).
Crew: A minimum of two competent adults must be on board for safety.
Experience: The skipper must have prior sailing experience handling vessels of a similar size and type.
ID & Documents: Copies of passports, licenses, and crew list must be submitted before embarkation.
Check-In: All charters begin with a technical and safety briefing by our base team. The skipper must sign the check-in form acknowledging the boat’s condition and inventory.

Local tip on paperwork and port formalities

Greek authorities can be quite strict on documentation, especially in busier months when everyone is arriving on the same day. Send your crew list and licence copies in good time, and bring the originals. If you are not sure whether your certificate is accepted, check early with your operator and, if needed, look at the official guidance from the Greek National Tourism Organisation at https://www.visitgreece.gr/.

Also, be honest about experience. If the skipper is rusty, ask for a short familiarisation session at check-in, or consider hiring a professional skipper for a day or two. It can make the whole week feel easier, and you will sleep better at anchor, honest.

3. Charter Period

Embarkation: Saturdays at 17:00 (check-in and overnight stay on board).
Disembarkation: Saturdays at 09:00 (return to base the previous evening by 18:00 for check-out and refueling).
Late check-in/out may be available upon request, depending on scheduling.

That Saturday turnover is very common across Greece, and it affects flights, transfers, and even where you do your first food shop. If you are arriving through Thessaloniki, allow breathing space for traffic, especially in July and August when the ring road and the routes into Halkidiki can get clogged. Parking at marinas can be tight too, so pack in soft bags and keep it simple.

Plan your final night so you are back near the base with time to refuel and tidy up.
If you want a quieter start, do your big supermarket run earlier in the day, then check in and have a relaxed first evening on board.

4. Charter Fee Includes

Fully equipped sailboat (as described in the Charter Agreement).
Bed linen, towels, galley equipment.
Dinghy with outboard engine.
GPS, charts, safety gear as required by law.
Base assistance before and after the charter.

Not Included:

Fuel, water, port/marina fees (outside the base), provisioning, skipper (if hired), and optional extras (SUP, Wi-Fi, etc.).

What guests often forget to budget for

Even when the boat fee looks clear, the week has its own little running costs. Port and marina fees vary by location and season, and water top-ups can be a small surprise if you are showering on board every day. Provisioning is another one. If you are used to hotel breakfasts, you might overbuy at the start, then spend the week trying to use it all up.

Bring reef-safe sunscreen and a light jacket. Even in summer, evenings on deck can feel cool after a swim.
Keep some cash handy for smaller harbours, not every place is card-friendly.

5. Security Deposit

A refundable security deposit is required at embarkation, payable by credit card or cash.
The amount depends on the yacht type (usually €3,000–€4,000 for a Dufour 470).

The deposit covers any damage, loss, or breach of terms not covered by insurance.
It is refunded in full upon safe return of the vessel in the same condition, less any proven damage or missing items.
In case of major damage, the deposit serves as the deductible under the yacht’s insurance policy.

Think of the deposit as a shared incentive to treat the boat like your own. The most common deductions I hear about are not dramatic accidents, but small things: a torn sail from not reefing early, a lost boat hook, a dinghy scrape while landing on a rocky edge. If you spot an issue at check-in, photograph it and tell the base team straight away. Do not leave it until check-out when everyone is tired.

6. Insurance

All yachts are fully insured for:

Third-party liability
Damage to hull, machinery, and equipment (subject to deductible)
Sea and collision risks
Personal accident insurance (limited)

The Charterer is liable for damages up to the security deposit unless proven negligent or in breach of the agreement (e.g., sailing in bad weather, under the influence, or outside permitted areas).

Weather is the big one. In northern Greece you can get lively afternoon breezes in summer, and conditions can change quickly around headlands. Keep an eye on official forecasts and do not rely on one app. The Hellenic National Meteorological Service is the sensible reference point at https://www.hnms.gr/. If the base advises you to stay put, take the hint. A quiet day swimming and eating in a harbour is still a holiday.

7. Use of the Yacht

The Charterer agrees to:

Use the yacht only for pleasure cruising, not for commercial or racing purposes.
Respect Greek maritime laws and navigation limits.
Keep a proper watch and avoid unsafe conditions.
Not sublet or transfer the yacht to third parties.
Return the yacht in clean condition, fully fueled, and within the agreed time.

Failure to comply may result in extra cleaning, refueling, or delay fees.

From a host’s perspective, the best crews are the ones who keep things simple. No risky docking in a crosswind just to be closer to a taverna. No pushing on late when everyone is tired. If you are cruising near Halkidiki, remember the geography: Kassandra and Sithonia are the two peninsulas you will hear about most, and the Athos Coast sits to the east with special rules near Mount Athos. If you are curious about the wider area, the municipality site for Aristotle (which covers parts of eastern Halkidiki) is useful background reading at https://www.dimosaristoteli.gr/.

Keep noise down in small harbours late at night. Families live there, and it travels over water.
Use holding tanks where required and never discharge waste near swimming areas.

8. Cancellations & Refund Policy

By the Charterer:

All cancellations must be made in writing (email) and are subject to the following terms:

More than 90 days before embarkation: 25% of the charter fee is retained.
90–60 days before embarkation: 50% of the charter fee is retained.
Less than 60 days before embarkation: 100% of the charter fee is retained (no refund).

If the yacht is successfully rebooked for the same dates, the client will receive a refund minus €250 administrative fee.

We strongly recommend travel and cancellation insurance to cover unexpected events (illness, flight delays, etc.).

By the Owner/Operator:

If, due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., damage, breakdown, force majeure), the yacht is unavailable, we will:

Offer an equivalent or higher-category yacht, or
Provide a full refund of payments received.
No further compensation shall be due.

For guests travelling into northern Greece, the practical bit is flights and transfers. If you are landing in Thessaloniki and heading straight to the marina, give yourself a buffer day if you can. If not, at least book flights that land well before the afternoon, because one delay can knock the whole plan off. It happens, and it is nobodys fault, but it is still a headache.

9. Force Majeure

The Owner shall not be liable for delays, cancellations, or charter interruptions due to weather conditions, strikes, natural disasters, or acts of God beyond reasonable control.
Unused charter time for these reasons is non-refundable.

Force majeure is basically the part that reminds everyone that the sea is in charge. If you lose a day to weather, treat it like a bonus land day. In Halkidiki, that might mean a long lunch in a village taverna, a walk to a viewpoint, or just a proper rest. The water clarity after a blow can be incredible, so the next swim is often the best one of the week.

10. COVID / Health Policies

In case of official travel restrictions, lockdowns, or port closures that make embarkation impossible, the charter may be:

Rescheduled to a later date within 12 months, or
Credited for a future booking under the same terms.

Proof of restriction may be required.

Health rules can change, even if things feel normal. Keep digital copies of any documents you might need, and check government guidance close to departure. If someone in the group is prone to seasickness, bring what works for you and start early, once you feel rough it is harder to fix.

11. Check-Out & Return Conditions

Before disembarkation, a base technician will inspect:

Hull and deck condition
Sails, rigging, electronics
Equipment and inventory
Fuel and water levels

Any damage, missing items, or fuel shortages will be deducted from the security deposit.

A smooth check-out is mostly about timing. Get back to base the evening before, refuel while it is still light, and do a quick sweep of lockers and cabins. People forget chargers, sunglasses, and kids toys all the time. If you have used spare lines or fenders, put them back where you found them so the inventory check does not drag on.

12. Jurisdiction

All disputes are governed by Greek Law.
Competent jurisdiction: Courts of Polygyros, Greece.