Ferretti Infynito 9088' 5" (26.95 m)
View Specs & ReviewHarbor-hopping the meltemi islands — Mykonos to the caldera
Yachting in Mykonos & the Cyclades
A Minted Location · Mykonos & the Cyclades, Greece
If your summer plan is a chain of short Aegean hops — Psarou by lunch, Naousa by dinner, the caldera before the week is out — the Cyclades reward an owner who knows how these harbors actually work. No large private marina operates in this island group: berthing is municipal, run by port funds on Mykonos, Paros–Antiparos, Naxos and Thira. Mykonos splits its traffic by size — motor yachts over 82 ft (25 m) take the Old Port quay in Chora, everything under 82 ft berths at the New Port in Tourlos 2 miles (3.5 km) north, and sailing yachts of any kind are barred from the Old Port. Naxos runs a regulated 49-berth tourist anchorage with published euro tariffs and free water and electricity, and Santorini's only all-weather basin is the fishing shelter at Vlychada, capped at 66 ft (20 m).
Minted Yachts is the American buyer's broker in these waters, and every figure below comes from the port funds', ministries' and venues' own published pages — the same sourcing standard behind every yacht review on this site.
The organizing fact of the season is the meltemi. The Hellenic National Meteorological Service describes Greece's warm, rainless season as April to October, its heat moderated by the seasonal northerlies of the Aegean, "well known as Etesian." Plan around the wind and the windows — Mykonos accepts yacht arrivals only between noon and sunset — and the islands line up.
Where to keep a yacht in Mykonos & the Cyclades
Cyclades dockage is one municipal story told four ways. The Municipal Port Fund of Mykonos runs the island's two-port split — the over-82 ft (25 m) motor-yacht quay at the Old Port in Chora, the under-82 ft berths at Tourlos — plus the Ornos mooring area and the ancient port of Delos. The Municipal Port Fund of Paros–Antiparos books Parikia, Naousa and Antiparos through a single reservation service seated in Parikia. The Municipal Port Fund of Naxos publishes the island group's best-documented yacht berthing: a 49-berth tourist anchorage with its tariffs in black and white and water and electricity free. And the Municipal Port Fund of Thira manages Santorini's eleven port zones, of which exactly one — Vlychada — is built for leaving a boat. The figures below are what each fund publishes about its own harbors.
Marinas
| Name | Where | Max yacht | Slips | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mykonos New Port (Tourlos)The under-82 ft (25 m) half of the Mykonos split — motor yachts, sailing yachts and RIBs all berth here. Payment is due within 24 hours of approval or the reservation cancels, fees are strictly non-refundable, and yacht movements pause 09:30–10:30 daily for ferry traffic. Water €15/m³, electricity €1/kWh; annual rates €30–200 per meter plus taxes. | Tourlos Bay, Mykonos — 2 miles (3.5 km) north of Chora | 82 ft | — | Refueling by prior telephone approval from the Port Fund |
| Mykonos Old Port yacht quay (Chora)The big-boat quay in the heart of Chora: the Port Fund reserves it for motor yachts over 82 ft (25 m), arrivals noon to sunset. The split is the story — serious motor tonnage in the postcard harbor, everything else 2 miles north at Tourlos, and sailboats never here. | Chora, Mykonos — the town harbor | — | — | Limited — telephone approval from the Port Fund required |
| Parikia Central Port of ParosThe Cyclades' working crossroads: a 22 ft (6.8 m) approach channel, vessels serviced to 656 ft (200 m), and 27.5 ferry approaches a day in July. The fund's own read on shelter: the bay is closed to northerly winds and experiences issues only during strong westerlies. Slipway, water and electric hookups, waste, WiFi, first aid; no published fee schedule — contact the fund for rates. | Parikia, Paros — the island's main harbor | — | — | — |
| Naousa HarborA small safe harbor in the eastern recess of Naousa bay at the island's northern tip — still Paros's traditional fishing village, home to the largest fishing fleet in the Cyclades, with the old-port dinner quay as the draw. Slipway, showers, electricity, waste management, first aid and WiFi. | Naousa Bay, north Paros — 6 miles (10 km) north of Parikia | — | — | — |
| Antiparos Port0.8 nm southwest of Pounta and 4.8 nm from Parikia central port. The strait is the planning number: 0.3–0.5 nm wide (500–1,000 m) with 15 ft (4.5 m) of depth — real arithmetic for deeper-draft yachts approaching from the north. Slipway, electricity, waste, first aid, WiFi and parking. | Antiparos town — 0.8 nm off Paros at Pounta | — | — | — |
| Naxos Tourist Vessel Anchorage (Port of Naxos)The best-documented yacht berthing in the island group — 49 berths: 11 at 26–33 ft (8–10 m), 18 at 33–39 ft (10–12 m), 17 at 39–49 ft (12–15 m) and 3 at 49–59 ft (15–18 m). The published tariff table prices beyond the berth plan's top band — €14–16/day at the 12 m class up to €43–51/day at the 24 m class — so confirm anything over 59 ft with the fund. Side-mooring +80%, multihulls +50%; fees payable before departure; annual rates €845–4,570. | Naxos town port — 37°06.4'N, 25°22.0'E | 59 ft | 49 | Fuel provisioning available |
| Vlychada Marina (fishing shelter)In the Thira Port Fund's own words, 'the only well-protected anchorage in Thira where one can anchor safely during storms or leave the boat unattended.' Boats to 66 ft (20 m), a 13 ft (4 m) central basin, 2,300 ft (700 m) of usable pier — and the island's only documented boat lifting and launching. No fee schedule published; contact the fund. | South coast of Santorini — 6 miles (10 km) from Fira, 3.7 miles (6 km) from the airport | 66 ft | — | — |
Fuel docks
| Name | Where | Max yacht | Slips | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mykonos ports refueling serviceNo fixed public fuel quay is documented by any of the four port funds. The sourced fuel access in this market: Mykonos by prior phone approval, and fuel provisioning at the Naxos tourist anchorage — plan fuel stops accordingly. | Tourlos New Port & Old Port, Mykonos | — | — | — |
Figures are as each facility publishes them on its own site; blank cells mean the facility doesn't state a number. Confirm slip availability and current rates directly — or ask us to make the calls.
Cruising from Mykonos & the Cyclades
The meltemi. The Hellenic National Meteorological Service frames the season plainly: a warm, rainless stretch from April to October, hottest in "the last ten days of July and the first of August," with high temperatures moderated by the cool sea breeze on the coasts and by the seasonal northerlies that blow mainly in the Aegean — "well known as Etesian." Those northerlies are the meltemi, and they compound the harbors' own rules: a weather window and an arrival window have to line up.
Mykonos harbor discipline. The Port Fund accepts mooring arrivals exclusively between noon and sunset, and closes yacht entry and exit 09:30–10:30 daily for ferry traffic. Berths book online no more than 30 days ahead, payment is due within 24 hours of approval or the reservation cancels, fees are strictly non-refundable, and the berth sits at the fund's sole discretion — captains may not leave the island during the docking period. Water runs €15 per cubic meter, electricity €1 per kWh, and refueling takes prior telephone approval, limited in the Old Port.
The Delos rule. The entire island of Delos is an archaeological site under the Ministry of Culture, and the Municipality of Mykonos states it without qualification: the mooring of vessels and overnight stays of individuals without special permission are prohibited at Delos and Rhenia. You visit by licensed day excursion from Mykonos — the site and museum open 08:00–20:00 in season, admission €20 — and you route your own boat around it. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990.
Paros, Antiparos and Naxos. Parikia is the working crossroads — a 22 ft (6.8 m) approach channel and 27.5 ferry approaches a day in July, with the fund's own read on shelter: the bay is closed to northerly winds and experiences issues only during strong westerlies. Naousa, 6 miles (10 km) north, is the small safe harbor with the largest fishing fleet in the Cyclades. The Antiparos strait is the planning number: 0.3–0.5 nm wide (500–1,000 m) carrying 15 ft (4.5 m) of depth for the approach from the north, with Antiparos town 0.8 nm off Pounta. Naxos's tourist anchorage takes 49 vessels on published tariffs, from one day to one year, fees payable before departure — side-mooring +80 percent, multihulls +50 percent.
The caldera. Santorini's yacht-relevant zones are Ammoudi under Oia, the small-boat shelters, and Vlychada on the south coast; Athinios and Fira bay are ferry and cruise infrastructure, not yacht berthing. Vlychada is, in the Thira Port Fund's own words, "the only well-protected anchorage in Thira where one can anchor safely during storms or leave the boat unattended" — boats to 66 ft (20 m), a 13 ft (4 m) central basin, 2,300 ft (700 m) of usable pier, and the island's only documented boat lifting and launching, 6 miles (10 km) from Fira and 3.7 miles (6 km) from the airport.
- Ornos mooring area — Ornos Bay, south Mykonos — 2 miles (3.5 km) from Mykonos TownThe south-coast mooring bay under the Mykonos Port Fund's management, 2 miles (3.5 km) from town. The fund sets its mooring zones and fees by regulatory decision — confirm current terms with the fund before you pick up a mooring.
- Delos & Rhenia waters (restricted) — Delos & Rhenia islands, west of MykonosThe entire island is an archaeological site under the Ministry of Culture, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990 — the Municipality of Mykonos states the prohibition on mooring and overnight stays without special permission in as many words. The site and museum open 08:00–20:00 in season, admission €20 (reduced €10). This row is where an owner must not anchor, listed so nobody finds out the hard way.
On the Mykonos & the Cyclades calendar
The Etesian season — the Hellenic National Meteorological Service defines Greece's warm, rainless season as April to October, hottest in "the last ten days of July and the first of August," with Aegean heat tempered by the seasonal northerlies "well known as Etesian" — the meltemi that sets every week's plan here.
The Mykonos booking window — berths at both Mykonos ports open for booking only within the next 30 days, with payment due within 24 hours of approval, arrivals accepted only from noon to sunset, and daily yacht movements paused 09:30–10:30 for the ferries.
Ferry summer at Parikia — the Paros port fund counts 27.5 ferry approaches a day in July and 26.5 in August; time entries and exits around the schedule.
The Delos season — the archaeological site and museum open 08:00–20:00 from April 1 to October 31, admission €20, by licensed day excursion — never by private mooring without special permission.
Yachts we'd shortlist for Mykonos & the Cyclades
Reviewed the same way as everything on this site — specifications verified against the builder's own numbers.
Pershing Yachts 8X83' 10"
View Specs & Review
Sunreef 80 Sail NEXT ( Eco-Option )23.87 m (78 ft 4 in)
View Specs & ReviewFrequently Asked Questions
How does berthing work in Paros and Antiparos?
Through one municipal fund: the Port Fund of Paros–Antiparos books pleasure-boat berths at Parikia, Naousa, Antiparos and its smaller quays via a single online reservation service (dltparou@parosports.gov.gr, +30 22840 28529). Parikia is the working main port — a 22 ft (6.8 m) channel and 27.5 ferry approaches a day in July, with a bay the fund calls closed to northerly winds and troubled only by strong westerlies. Naousa, 6 miles (10 km) north, holds the largest fishing fleet in the Cyclades. Note the Antiparos strait: 15 ft (4.5 m) of depth for the northern approach.
Can I anchor my own boat at Delos?
No — not without special permission. The entire island is an archaeological site under the Ministry of Culture, and the Municipality of Mykonos states that the mooring of vessels and overnight stays of individuals without special permission are prohibited at Delos and Rhenia. Owners visit the way everyone does: by licensed day excursion from Mykonos to the site, open 08:00–20:00 in season with a €20 admission. Delos has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990, and its waters are the one stretch of the Cyclades you route around rather than into.
Which Cyclades restaurants can I reach by boat?
Two publish it in their own words. Nammos on Psarou states berthing services and yacht transfers, with a private mooring deck for yachts and superyachts off the beach and a Riva tender to bring you in. Principote at Panormos states its own moorings in the bay, with service onboard or at the beach club. The rest of the famous rooms — Scorpios, JackieO', Alemagou, Barbarossa on the Naousa quay, and the Ammoudi tavernas under Oia — are landmarks whose sites leave the docking to you: check local dockage options and arrive by tender or the nearest municipal quay.
Where do yachts shelter at Santorini?
Vlychada, on the south coast — the Thira Port Fund calls it 'the only well-protected anchorage in Thira where one can anchor safely during storms or leave the boat unattended.' It takes boats to 66 ft (20 m) over a 13 ft (4 m) central basin, with 2,300 ft (700 m) of pier, water, electricity, WiFi and the island's only documented boat lift, open 24 hours (+30 2286028362). Athinios and Fira bay are ferry and cruise infrastructure, not yacht berthing; Ammoudi under Oia is the fund's port zone for the caldera lunch stop.
Where can I berth a yacht in Mykonos?
It depends on size and type. The Old Port quay in Chora is exclusively for motor yachts over 82 ft (25 m) — sailing yachts of any kind are not permitted there, regardless of size. Everything under 82 ft, motor or sail, berths at the New Port in Tourlos, 2 miles (3.5 km) north. Both ports accept arrivals only between noon and sunset, pause yacht movements 09:30–10:30 for ferry traffic, and book online no more than 30 days ahead — payment within 24 hours of approval, fees non-refundable. Private daily rates run €0.41–0.55 per meter plus taxes; marina@mykonosports.gr.
Where can I berth a yacht in Naxos?
The tourist vessel anchorage inside Naxos town port — the best-documented yacht berthing in the Cyclades. It takes 49 vessels: 11 berths at 26–33 ft (8–10 m), 18 at 33–39 ft (10–12 m), 17 at 39–49 ft (12–15 m) and 3 at 49–59 ft (15–18 m), from one day to one year. The tariffs are published — €8–9 a day at the 8 m class, €14–16 at 12 m, up to €43–51 at the 24 m class, plus taxes — and water and electricity consumption are free, with fuel provisioning available. Side-mooring adds 80 percent, multihulls 50. Contact +30 6946113923 or info@portofnaxos.com.
Is Mykonos a good base for an American yacht owner?
If you want the Aegean's marquee islands within day-hop range of each other, yes — with eyes open. Berthing is municipal and disciplined: Mykonos's 82 ft (25 m) two-port split, a 30-day booking window, noon-to-sunset arrivals, and the meltemi setting the weekly rhythm April to October. The rewards are just as concrete — Naxos's 49-berth anchorage with free water and electricity, Vlychada's all-weather basin, and dinner quays from Naousa to Ammoudi. Tell us how you'd run these islands and we'll match the boat: use the Broker Request form, TS@MintedYachts.com, or +1 (404) 805-9819.
When is the meltemi season in the Cyclades?
The Hellenic National Meteorological Service frames it as the warm season — April to October — when Greece's heat is moderated by the cool sea breeze on the coasts and by the seasonal northerlies that blow mainly in the Aegean, 'well known as Etesian.' Those northerlies are the meltemi, and the hottest stretch is 'the last ten days of July and the first of August.' Practical reading: Mykonos's south-coast bays sit in the island's lee in northerly weather, Parikia bay is closed to northerlies, and your weather window has to line up with Mykonos's noon-to-sunset arrival window.