Ios has a well-deserved reputation as a lively island, but the waters around it and the neighbouring Cyclades deliver an exceptional family yacht charter experience quite separate from the nightlife scene of the town. The sheltered coves south of the island, the clear blue water at Magganari beach and the archaeological sites on Santorini and Naxos give a family charter a natural structure of beach days, cultural afternoons and evening swims at anchor. Children who have sailed the Cyclades tend to want to come back. Family-oriented yachts in the Greek charter fleet number 43 in the waters surrounding Ios, ranging from comfortable 30-metre motor yachts with four cabins to 55-metre superyachts with seven cabins, a pool and a cinema. Most carry a full water toy inventory including seabobs, paddleboards, kayaks and an inflatable for the younger guests. Crew experienced in family charter organise the programme to suit the group, accommodating different activity levels within the same day. Charter rates for family yachts cruising from Ios start from around 55,000 euros per week for a 30-metre motor yacht in May or early June, rising above 200,000 euros for larger vessels in high season. The provisioning allowance, roughly 30 percent, covers all food for the group, water toy use, berthing and fuel. An Ios family charter works best as a loop: Ios beaches to start, then south to Santorini for the cable car and Akrotiri excavations, across to Folegandros for uncrowded beaches, north to Paros for watersports at Golden Beach, and finishing on Naxos for the old town and the Portara at sunset.
