Explorer yachts bring a different dimension to the Ios area of the Cyclades, offering the range, stability and equipment to venture beyond the standard tourist circuit and investigate the coastlines, underwater sites and remote anchorages that a conventional charter yacht would pass by. The southern Cyclades are particularly suited to exploration: the island of Anafi, barely visited by charter yachts, lies an hour south of Santorini and offers extraordinary anchorages beneath a Byzantine monastery. Three explorer yachts currently charter in Greek waters, each with long-range fuel capacity, a large tender garage, and comprehensive diving and water sports equipment. They range from 35 to 65 metres and carry six to twelve guests across four to eight cabins. The independent anchoring capability of an explorer yacht means the itinerary is not constrained by marina availability, which becomes significant in peak Cycladic summer when conventional berths are fully booked weeks in advance. Explorer yacht charter rates in the Cyclades start from 75,000 euros per week for a 35-metre vessel and rise above 350,000 euros for the largest expedition yachts. The provisioning allowance of around 30 percent covers dive gas, water toy use, food and fuel. A Cycladic explorer itinerary from Ios ventures to Anafi for the monastery anchorage, across to the isolated Koufonisia for snorkelling in sea caves, down to the Little Cyclades of Iraklia and Schoinoussa for evenings in fishing villages, and north to Delos for a private dawn visit to the archaeological site before the tour boats arrive.
