Sailing in the waters around Delos means threading between some of the most visited and most historically significant islands in the Aegean on a consistent northerly breeze. The meltemi that defines summer in the Cyclades runs straight down the channel between Delos and Mykonos, giving sailing yachts an exhilarating reach from the northern islands to the south. A crewed sailing charter with Delos in the itinerary combines the intellectual reward of one of antiquity greatest sanctuaries with the physical pleasure of real blue-water sailing in warm conditions. Arriving at Delos by sailing yacht rather than by ferry changes the experience entirely. You anchor in the bay to the west as the sun rises over the ruins, swim off the bow in crystal water, and tender ashore before the crowds arrive. The archaeological site covers the entire island and includes the Avenue of Lions, the Sacred Lake, the theatre, and mosaic floors of extraordinary refinement. Back on board by noon, the yacht falls off on a broad reach toward Paros or Naxos in the afternoon breeze. Sailing charter rates for vessels operating in the Greek islands range from around 49,000 to 245,000 euros per week, plus an advance provisioning allowance of roughly 30 percent. The breeze that fills in by midday makes sailing passages fast and fuel costs low, which can ease the provisioning budget relative to a motor charter covering similar ground.
