Professional yacht transport Captain for Sailing, Motoryacht, or Superyacht
If your yacht needs to move, the sea is still the cleanest road. What matters is who is on the helm, how the boat is prepared, and how decisions are made when the weather turns. From Halkidiki we run deliveries all over the East Med, and we do it the same way we run charters: calm, methodical, and with respect for the boat.
charterAyacht delivery service will transfer your brand new or older vessel to or from the Mediterranean, on time, professionally and safely to or from anywhere in the world. Some of our team’s skippers will make sure to deliver your yacht (or your customer’s) in excellent condition. As always in this business, the trick is in the crew and the details. That is why we have gathered a team of seamen with a few million miles in their logbooks. We will take professional yachts or private vessels to be transferred for business or your holidays, to the desired destination at a competitive rate.
Experience matters
The safety of your yacht and the crew is the first rule of professionalism. We understand yachting and will respect your property as we would our boat. Before we leave the port, we expect the yacht to be handed over by its maintainer/skipper and its mechanic. We thoroughly inspect the boat systems, rigging, electronics, engine, electrics and fittings.
On deliveries around Greece and the wider Aegean, small things become big things fast. A tired windlass, a weak alternator, an anchor chain with a few bad links, or a chartplotter that reboots when you start the engine — these are the details that decide whether the trip is smooth or turns into a long stop in a marina hunting for parts. We try to catch them before casting off, not after.
- Anything missing from the boat that is necessary to have onboard for the boat to be shipshape will be purchased at the owner’s cost (for example minimum spare parts for the engine, spare lamps, minimum toolbox, etc.).
- All necessary legal documents of the boat must be in order.
- The vessel’s insurance must be in order and cover anyone who will sail it.
- A letter from the owner authorising us to sail his/her yacht, preferably notified by local authorities, is also required.
- Fire extinguishers, liferafts and other safety equipment must be recently inspected and the inspection date must not expire before the delivery date.
- Plenty of mooring lines, a working windlass with a big enough anchor, and chain of reasonable length and condition are required.
- Generally, we need the boat to be in minimum ship-shape condition or to be brought to such condition before leaving port.
A new boat is as difficult to inspect as an old one. Nothing has been tested yet and many times things don’t work out of the box. We are very happy to find that the owner has a shipshape boat ready to go. As professional yacht movers, we aim to deliver the yacht in better condition and better prepared for the sea than it was when we received it for delivery. The survey/testing procedure is done by a comprehensive checklist that has been updated for years from our experiences and usually takes a day. And of course, if anything illegal is found onboard, the proper authorities will be immediately notified with our full cooperation.
Because many deliveries start or end in Northern Greece, we also pay attention to the local reality: summer thermals that build in the afternoons, the early-season chill in the Thermaic Gulf, and the surprise squalls that can come down from the mountains. If you are leaving from Halkidiki, you are usually staging from the area around Nea Moudania, Nikiti, or the wider gulf, and you want a plan that respects the pattern, not fights it.
For weather planning we use the same sources serious skippers use, and we cross-check. You can also follow the official forecasts from the Hellenic National Meteorological Service and keep an eye on broader systems on ECMWF. For local geography and distances, Aegean Sea (Wikipedia) is a handy quick reference for clients planning routes for the first time.
Sea and outdoor activities depend on the weather and your own fitness level. Always follow local safety advice and skipper instructions.
Assisted yacht deliveries for those who don’t yet feel confident in 2026.
Our highly experienced MCA captain and their team of professional skippers love the sea. If you don’t yet feel confident enough you can hire one or more of our team to assist you on your passage. Our delivery skipper rates are very competitive in comparison to the quality of the service you will receive. And don’t forget that all our crew are professional skippers who regularly take completely novice people for a couple of weeks’ holidays, so they know how to interact with guests onboard and take good care of them. Join us on the transfer of your yacht or a part of it if you like. Our skippers will help you become confident with all the skills you need as a skipper.
This option is popular with owners who have just bought a boat in Greece, Italy or Croatia and want to learn it on the way home. You get real miles, real watchkeeping and real docking in unfamiliar ports, not just a weekend lesson. We can run the passage as a proper training trip: route planning, passage notes, night entries when appropriate, and calm instruction during close quarters. You will also see how we manage fuel, water, batteries and the small routines that keep a boat happy for days at sea.
From Halkidiki, many owners prefer to build confidence with shorter legs first. The area is perfect for that because it sits in Northern Greece, east of Thessaloniki, and gives you different conditions depending on where you go. The west side of Sithonia can be more sheltered, while the open water towards the Athos Coast can feel much more exposed when the wind pipes up. If you have family aboard, we plan with comfort in mind, not ego.
Regular reports and logbook
At charterAyacht, we believe in good communication, so we will give you a daily report of our progress by email. We will keep a logbook of the delivery trip. And of course, we can talk on the telephone anytime.
Those reports are not just “we sailed 60 miles”. We include the practical bits: engine hours, fuel and water status, any alarms, sea state, and what we plan for the next day. If we stop due to weather, you will know why and what the options are. It keeps everyone relaxed and it also protects the yacht because decisions are documented and sensible.
What a delivery day looks like in practice
A normal day starts early, before the afternoon breeze and before marinas get busy. We check the engine room, bilges and the deck gear, then we brief the crew. Underway, we run watch rotations that fit the boat and the crew, and we keep the cockpit tidy. At the end of the day we secure the yacht properly and do a quick post-run check. It sounds simple, but consistency is what makes deliveries safe.
If your yacht is coming to Halkidiki for the season, we can also help you think like a local skipper. Summer in the North Aegean can be hot, with clear water and busy weekends. In July and August, popular harbours fill up, and you will want to arrive early if you need a specific berth. In shoulder season the sea is often quieter, the light is beautiful, and the water can be crystal clear, but nights are cooler and the weather can change quicker.
“Every delivery is handled by an MCA Captain or a professional charter Skipper ”
The yacht delivery captain and crew roster
Argyris: An MCA Master (unlimited GT licence) with voyages all over the world at merchant marine vessels as an officer of the watch and Captain. More recently he has skippered large tourist ships (150+ passengers) and private superyachts.
Theodoris: A Merchant Marine First Engineer with more than 25 years of experience in all types and sizes of commercial vessels and private yachts.
Nikos: Greek Air Force high-ranking officer, retired, a meteorologist by profession, who has been an instructor for more than 20 years at yachting clubs and schools of open-water yacht sailing (the equivalent of an RYA Ocean Yachtmaster instructor). A motoryacht owner himself.
Chris: Ex-computers technician, studied Civil Engineering, who decided to be a tourist professional sailboat skipper with his professional sailboat. He has done thousands of days at sea with novice people, taking them on the holidays of a lifetime. He is our electrical and electronics expert who can pinpoint and fix an electrical problem.
Greg: Ex-Hellenic Navy SEAL and tourist professional sailboat skipper with his professional sailboat. He has a master’s degree in economics and has done thousands of days at sea with novice people, taking them on the holidays of a lifetime. Scuba expert in underwater technical works and salvage.
Any one of them can deliver your yacht on their own! But there will always be at least two of them!
Kostis: Our shore counsellor — a highest-ranking officer of the Hellenic Navy, retired, Captain of Destroyers, helicopter pilot and instructor. He is the trip’s strategy master and, with his vast network of contacts all over the Mediterranean, helps us solve any difficult situation.
Our local team of skippers, travel agents and scuba instructors with over 20 years of experience in Halkidiki is here to help you.
Request a quote or information
fill out this information form
call us: +306980700070
send a message via WhatsApp
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Don’t forget to mention:
- Number of persons, possible dates
- The hotel you’ll be staying
- The activity you are interested in
If you prefer, you can also reach us here and we will reply with the exact questions we need to price the delivery correctly and safely.
call us: +306980700070
send a message via WhatsApp
call or text us on Viber
send a message via Messenger
Don’t forget to mention:
- Number of persons, possible dates
- The hotel you’ll be staying
- The activity you are interested in
What we need from you before we accept a delivery
To quote properly, we need the basics (make, model, length, draft), plus the real-world details: engine condition, cruising speed, fuel capacity, generator, autopilot, tender, and which electronics are actually working. We also ask about crew accommodation and whether there are any quirks. Every boat has them, and it is better to say it upfront than pretend it will be fine.
We also like to know your priority. Some owners want the shortest time. Others want the lowest wear and tear. Others want to avoid night passages. There is no “best” choice — only the correct choice for your yacht and your schedule.
Why do we offer our yacht delivery skipper services only from or to the East Mediterranean, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Israel, Turkey, Egypt, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, etc?
Our view is that aeroplane tickets are costly enough. So we make sure our customers will pay for a costly air ticket only one way, for the start or return. Then we will be close to home and transport costs will be lower. After all, there are good skippers everywhere, so we specialise in trips from and to the East Med. And we know the area very well as a result.
This focus also helps when things get complicated. The East Mediterranean is paperwork-heavy in places, weather-driven, and full of local rules that change by port and season. Knowing where to clear, when to move, and when to wait saves time and money. When you are moving a yacht for business, those details are the difference between arriving ready or arriving exhausted.
Typical delivery routes include:
- South of France to Ionian Sea yacht delivery
- Italian Riviera to the Cyclades islands delivery captain
- Black Sea to Halkidiki boat transfer
- Italian Adriatic coast to Cyprus or Israel yacht transport
- Majorca to Malta Motoryacht delivery
- Atlantic coast of France to Saronic Gulf yacht delivery
- and anything else you may imagine
Halkidiki as a starting point or destination
Halkidiki sits southeast of Thessaloniki, with three peninsulas reaching into the North Aegean. For yacht owners, it is a practical base because you can provision easily, get technicians from Thessaloniki when needed, and then choose your direction. Heading south opens the Aegean routes. Heading west takes you towards the Thermaic Gulf and beyond. It is also a great place for sea trials after a refit because you can find sheltered water and open water within the same day.
How to reach it is straightforward. Most owners fly into Thessaloniki Airport and drive to the marina or port where the yacht is lying. Driving times depend on traffic and season, but it is usually about an hour or a bit more to many parts of Central Halkidiki and the start of Sithonia. In high summer, weekends can get busy on the roads, so it is sensible to arrive a little earlier than you think you need.
What to do here if you are combining delivery with a few days of holiday is simple: swim stops in clear coves, good seafood in the coastal villages, and easy day sails when the weather is kind. Families like the calmer waters and the short hops. Couples love the sunsets and quiet anchorages in shoulder season. Groups that want more action can plan longer legs and open-water sailing when conditions allow.
If you are into diving or need underwater checks after a long passage, keep portoscuba.com in mind. It is useful both for local knowledge and for arranging the right kind of support when you need it.
How much does yacht transport by sea cost
The cost depends on a number of parameters. Most important are the owner’s expectations and the timeframe. Generally, the cost is lower when there is enough time to choose good weather windows rather than forcing last-minute “emergency” trips in poor conditions. In any case, we will refuse to sail your boat if conditions are expected to reach the point where continuing would start damaging the boat or risk the crew’s wellbeing. Another cost parameter, especially for motor yachts, is speed. We normally choose the most economical rpm, which typically translates to about 19–21 knots. If time is a factor and we need to go faster the fuel bill can quickly rise, especially if the weather is against us. In yacht delivery, the boat size is another factor and may mean more crew is required.
There are also hidden cost drivers that owners often forget. A boat that is easy to handle needs fewer hands and less stress in ports. A boat with unreliable systems needs more checks, more stops, and more contingency. And some routes, especially those involving multiple countries, can add time for clearances and formalities. None of this is dramatic, but it changes the final price, so we prefer to be honest from the start.
For all these reasons, we would like to talk with the boat owner and gather all the required information before making an offer. In order for the delivery agreement to be valid, a signed copy of the contract is required and a deposit is paid to us with the projected expenses.
Every delivery has different aspects. That is why a contract is based on the requirements of each owner.
What does the price of yacht delivery include?
Regular delivery expenses:
- Skipper and crew salary
- fuel
- water
- food
- marina and port fees
- customs clearance fees and local taxes (e-ΤΕΠΑΙ in Greece)
- canal passage fees
- bad weather stops
- repair stops up to one day
- pre-delivery survey
- post-delivery cleaning
- aeroplane tickets
- TAXI or other on-land travel to your vessel and back from the final destination
- charts with the latest updates (if not onboard)
- nautical almanac and local pilot books
- post-delivery technical report
Timing, ports, and realistic planning
Owners often ask “how many days will it take”. The honest answer is: it depends on the boat, the weather window, and how strict you are about comfort. We can move fast when we must, but the sea does not care about calendars. If you need to meet a handover date, tell us early so we can plan staging ports and alternates.
Timetables, opening hours and routes can change without notice. Always double-check locally before you travel.
Also keep in mind local holiday periods. Around big travel dates, marinas and services get busier, and even finding a mechanic can take longer. If your delivery is close to Orthodox Easter
Sun, Apr 12 2026
or the Holy Spirit holidayMonday, June 1 2026
, it is sensible to plan with extra buffer. You do not want to be searching for parts when everyone is away for a long weekend.Yacht delivery fuel costs
The owner will need to transfer to us the projected amount of money for the fuel to be purchased during the passage before the start of the journey.
Sometimes we have deliveries in the middle Aegean Meltemi season. The weather windows are short and must be fully used between multi-day forbidding weather conditions, or an alternative route must be chosen. We will use the engine because if we don’t make the necessary distance, the next stop will be days long, waiting for the next weather window. An example illustrates how much other factors affect fuel consumption.
On motor yachts, fuel planning is a whole job by itself. We track rpm, load and sea state, and we keep a conservative reserve. On sailing yachts, the temptation is to “save fuel” by sailing into awkward sea states with too much slamming. That is not saving. Sometimes the kindest thing for the boat is to motor a few hours in smoother water to protect the rig, the interior and the crew’s energy. We make those calls carefully and we explain them.
Necessary repairs and expenses
We can make only small repairs during the passage. If the engine, sails or any other part has to be repaired for safety, the customer will pay for it before the yacht delivery proceeds. Otherwise, we will refuse to continue the delivery home at the owner’s expense and keep the deposit as a cancellation fee. All expenses are approved by the client before being carried out. If a repair cannot be completed within three days, we have the right to terminate the contract.
In real life, the most common “small repairs” are not glamorous: a clogged fuel filter, a loose battery terminal, a bilge pump float switch that sticks, a sea strainer that leaks, or a navigation light that fails. We carry sensible spares and tools, but we do not improvise unsafe fixes. If something affects seaworthiness, we stop and sort it properly.
Superyacht transport
Superyachts are usually transferred by purpose-built, semi-submersible carriers, designed especially for superyacht transportation. However, for many reasons you may need to deliver your vessel a shorter distance, or no company has a route to where you need it to be. In this case, if you have just bought a new yacht and don’t yet have a skipper, we are here to solve your problem, deliver your superyacht, and even provide a professional temporary captain for a few days. This way you can start your holiday immediately even before you hire the permanent Captain.
For larger yachts, we can also assist with the practical handover side: familiarisation runs, crew routines, and setting standards onboard so the next captain steps into an operation that already works. It is not only about moving the yacht. It is about arriving ready to use her.
Combine delivery with real cruising in Halkidiki
Many owners ask if they can turn part of the delivery into a small holiday. Yes, when it makes sense. Halkidiki is ideal for this because distances can be kept short, and you can still get that “Aegean feeling” with clear water and proper anchorages. Water clarity is usually best in calm periods, and outside peak weekends it can feel very private even close to shore.
If you want ideas for relaxed routes, sunset sails, or multi-day island-style hops that stay realistic for the North, use this as a gentle nudge to ask.
If you’d like to explore the coast, ask us about day trips at sea and sailing boat options.
If you are ready to move your yacht, or you just want to talk through the plan and see if it is worth it, send us the details and we will be straight with you.
Not sure where to start? Contact our local travel agency for friendly, personalised advice, seasonal offers and travel options.