With over 6,000 islands and islets scattered across Greece, and each one offering something unique, it can feel overwhelming trying to decide where to explore on a sailing holiday.
To help take the hassle out of planning your next Greek yacht charter, Sunsail, a leader in yacht charter sailing holidays, has created a Greek island travel index to unveil the top 15 must-visit Greek hotspots for beginner sailors that fly under-the-radar and have easy sailing grounds. Analysing a combination of online search data, Tripadvisor reviews, information from official tourism boards, and geological data, Sunsail has ranked islands based on popularity, sailing grounds, moorings options, diversity of activities and beaches.
Based on these factors, each island has been given a score out of 26 – the higher the score, the more ideal the island is for sailors. Any island that received the same score as another has then been ranked according to its population size. The smaller and more secluded the island, the higher the position awarded.
In light of the above, Sunsail has found Lefkada, Meganisi and Ithaca to be the top three must-visit Greek islands for sailors in 2026.
Offering stunning natural beauty, authentic Greek culture and incredible beaches without the overwhelming crowds of more famous Islands, Lefkada has officially been named the must-visit Greek island for sailors in 2026, with a score of 24 out of 26.
Lefkada is a paradise for sailors wanting the full Greek island-hopping experience, as there are so many small islands within a short distance that you can discover, such as Kastos. Home to fewer than 100 permanent residents, Kastos feels like a floating village. With only one small harbour, a cluster of stone houses and a few tavernas, time seems to slow down here.
Meganisi comes in second place, scoring 22 out of 26. It’s an idyllic hidden gem, and a stress-free sailing destination for sailors, with calm moorings, predictable winds and stunning waters. Meganisi is also home to Papanikolis cave, one of the largest and most famous sea caves in Greece, and once used as a hideout by submarines during WWII. One TripAdvisor review says: “What an amazing place. A huge sea cave with a beach inside. Beautiful, clear blue water […] Great story about the Greek submarine hiding there during WW2, you can just imagine it.”
Rounding up the top three on our list of the top 15 Greek islands for sailors is Ithaca, scoring 22 out of 26. A peaceful, quiet and undiscovered island, Ithaca is steeped in historical and mythological significance, and renowned for being the home of Odysseus. With stunning Blue Flag beaches, short sailing distances, calm waters and a tranquil atmosphere, Ithaca is a dream for beginner sailors. To really make the most of your Greek island experience, don’t forget to head to Kioni and taste Ithaca’s local delicacy, Onion Pie.
Other underrated Greek islands making the list include:
- Hydra (4th) – This car-free island transports you back in time and introduces you to a slower pace of life. With exceptionally preserved 18th-century stone architecture and stunning pebble coves, Hydra is one of the most serene, picturesque Greek islands.
- Kefalonia (7th) – Home to the charming harbour town of Fiskardo (spotlighted on the latest episode of the BBC’s Race Across the World), it’s one of the few villages on the island to have retained its traditional Venetian architecture. One traveller who explored Fiskardo by boat, said, “Fiskardo is a stunning blend of classic Greek charm, bright turquoise water and a great scene of shops, bars and dining. It’s also a great place to start coastal hops to the Foki and Afales beaches, some of the best in the Ionian.”
- Corfu (8th) – One of the greenest islands in the Mediterranean, Corfu’s lush landscape is idyllic for nature lovers. It’s also steeped in history, with Old Town Corfu being a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Skopelos (10th) – Do you want to step straight into a film set? Skopelos was the filming location for several iconic scenes in Mamma Mia, including the iconic wedding scene, which took place at the tiny Chapel of Agios Ioannis.
- Skiathos (13th) – If you’re looking for breathtaking beaches, look no further than Skiathos. Out of the 11 beaches in the Sporades to be awarded Blue Flag status, 10 can be found on this wonderful island.
Sunsail has also found that over the last three months, there has been a 122% increase for ‘Greek Island hopping holidays’ and a 192% rise for ‘Lefkada holidays’, while searches for ‘last minute Greek holidays’ have surged by 181%. With more and more people looking to book European getaways this year, Sunsail is encouraging sailors to island hop around magnificent Greece and discover secluded coves only accessible by boat, breathtaking architecture and vibrant local cultures.
Becky Hutton, Holiday Planner at Sunsail, said: “As sailors start to book their summer getaways, we are delighted to reveal the must-visit Greek islands for sailors in 2026. Each island on this list is unique, from car-free hotspots to lunar landscapes, but what they have in common is their unspoiled scenery, calm sailing grounds, fantastic moorings options, abundance of activities and incredible beaches. Whether you are already planning an idyllic Greek adventure this summer, or still looking for inspiration on where to set sail for your yacht charter, we hope our list of the best Greek islands for sailors helps you find somewhere you can explore and create memories for life!”
Information about the individual islands, along with an explanation as to why each one has made the list, can be found here.
