The 2026 Greek sailing season marked a turning point for Sail in Greece: all six routes – Ionian, Zante, Rhodes, Mykonos, Harmony, and 18-39s – reached full capacity by mid-summer for the first time in the brand’s history.

From increased demand across the Greek islands to a new vessel joining the fleet, 2026 was a significant year for Sail in Greece. The season also helped shape an expanded 2027 programme, with new cruise options, new destinations and additional gulet experiences planned for travellers looking ahead.

2026 By The Numbers

The 2026 season was one of the busiest in Sail in Greece’s history, with 320 departures scheduled across its cruise programme.

Demand remained particularly strong across the main Greek island routes. Corfu and Zante reached full capacity, while Rhodes, Harmony and 18-39s were newly sold out as demand continued throughout the season.

The strong booking performance reflects the continued interest in small-group sailing holidays around Greece. Rather than simply visiting individual islands, guests can experience multiple destinations during one sailing trip while travelling aboard a traditional-style gulet.

The 2026 season also saw the introduction of Atlantis, a new vessel, adding another option to the Sail in Greece fleet and supporting the company’s growing cruise programme.

Highlights by Route

Ionian Cruise

The Ionian route continued to be an important part of the Sail in Greece programme in 2026, with Corfu among the destinations experiencing particularly strong demand. The combination of turquoise waters, smaller islands and coastal villages makes the Ionian region well suited to a relaxed gulet holiday. Strong bookings contributed to Corfu reaching full capacity during the season.

Zante Cruise

Zante was another route that reached full capacity in 2026, reflecting strong interest in sailing around the Ionian Islands. The route offers travellers the opportunity to explore Zante and surrounding coastal destinations while spending the week aboard a gulet. Its popularity during 2026 also reinforces the importance of booking early for future seasons.

Rhodes Cruise

Rhodes continued to attract travellers looking for a combination of Greek island scenery, swimming spots and historic destinations. During the 2026 season, the Rhodes cruise was newly sold out, adding to the strong demand seen across the Sail in Greece programme. The result demonstrates the growing interest in exploring the Dodecanese islands by sea.

Mykonos Cruise

Mykonos remained one of the most recognisable destinations in the Sail in Greece programme, combining island scenery with its famous atmosphere and nightlife. The cruise offers a different experience from traditional land-based holidays by allowing guests to discover several locations during one sailing itinerary. Strong demand for the 2026 programme contributed to the wider sell-out trend across the company’s routes.

Harmony Cruise

The Harmony cruise was also newly sold out during the 2026 season. Its appeal comes from combining the social experience of a group sailing holiday with time to explore Greek islands and swim in the surrounding waters. The strong response to Harmony is one of the reasons early booking is being encouraged for the 2027 season.

18-39s Cruise

The 18-39s cruise continued to provide a dedicated sailing experience for younger travellers looking for a social Greek island adventure. The route was newly sold out in 2026, showing continued demand for this style of group sailing holiday. With limited departure dates and strong interest, the route remains an important part of the Sail in Greece programme.

What We Improved in 2026

One of the major developments during 2026 was the addition of Atlantis as a new vessel to the Sail in Greece programme.

Adding a new vessel provides additional capacity and gives the company greater flexibility as demand for its cruises continues to grow. It also supports the wider range of sailing experiences available to guests across the different routes.

The 2026 season also demonstrated how quickly popular departures can reach capacity. With Corfu and Zante reaching full capacity and Rhodes, Harmony and 18-39s newly sold out, booking demand became an important consideration for travellers planning future trips.

The experience of the 2026 season has helped shape the company’s approach to the 2027 programme, with new cruise options being introduced alongside established routes.

What’s New for 2027

Sail in Greece is expanding its programme for 2027 with several new options for travellers.

One of the new additions is Entre Cielos, which will be part of the 2027 programme. The introduction of another cruise option gives travellers more choice when selecting their preferred Greek sailing experience.

A new Kos cruise is also planned for 2027. Kos provides access to a different part of the Greek islands and adds another destination to the range of sailing itineraries available through Sail in Greece.

Another new option is a luxury Corfu gulet cruise, giving travellers an additional way to experience the Ionian Islands from the water. The new offering builds on the strong demand seen for Corfu during the 2026 season.

The 2027 programme therefore combines established favourites with new cruise experiences, giving returning and first-time guests more options when planning their Greek sailing holiday.

Early Booking for 2027

The biggest lesson from the 2026 season is that popular Greek gulet cruises can reach capacity well before the season ends. With 320 departures across the programme and several routes already reaching full capacity or selling out during 2026, travellers planning for 2027 should consider their preferred route and departure dates early.

The introduction of Entre Cielos, the new Kos cruise and the luxury Corfu gulet cruise also means that 2027 offers new options alongside the established Sail in Greece routes.

If you are planning a Greek island sailing holiday for 2027, explore the Greek Island Hopping 2027 guide to learn more about the routes, planning considerations and available cruise experiences.

Start planning your 2027 Greek gulet adventure early and find the sailing experience that suits you best.

A gulet is a traditional wooden sailing vessel originating from the Aegean coast of Turkey, now the iconic craft of Greek gulet cruises. Sail in Greece operates a fleet of classic gulets, each 30–35 metres in length, with 10–14 en-suite double or twin cabins, a spacious sundeck, and a dining salon where daily breakfast and lunch are served by the crew.

What is a Gulet?

A gulet is a traditional wooden sailing vessel that originated along the Aegean coast of Turkey. Originally built for fishing and transporting goods, gulets were designed to travel comfortably across the Mediterranean and Aegean seas. Over time, these beautiful vessels evolved into comfortable cruising boats, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern facilities.

Traditionally constructed from wood, gulets are known for their broad decks, spacious interiors and relaxed sailing experience. Their design makes them particularly suitable for island hopping in Greece, where guests can travel between islands without repeatedly changing accommodation. A gulet allows you to wake up in a new destination, swim in secluded bays and enjoy the Greek coastline from the water.

Our Fleet

Sail in Greece operates a diverse fleet of traditional gulets and sailing vessels, offering different sizes and styles for Greek island cruises and private charters.

Aurora is a 22-metre gulet with 6 cabins and accommodation for up to 12 guests. The vessel offers comfortable en-suite cabins and spacious outdoor areas for relaxing and dining.

Eros is one of the larger vessels in the fleet, with 11 cabins and accommodation for up to 22 guests. The vessel is approximately 30–33 metres in length, depending on the fleet specification listed.

Hemera is a 28-metre traditional gulet featuring 9 en-suite cabins and accommodation for up to 18 guests.

Harmonia measures approximately 25 metres and offers 7 cabins for up to 16 guests.

Artemis is a larger gulet with 15 cabins and capacity for up to 42 guests, making it suitable for larger groups.

The Sail in Greece fleet also includes vessels such as Valerie, Aphrodite, Hera, Athena A, Myra, Capricorn, Cosmo, Virtuoso, Matina, Althea and Arctus. Each vessel has its own layout, facilities and guest capacity, allowing travellers to choose a cruise that best suits their group and travel style.

What’s On Board

Life on board a gulet is designed to be comfortable, relaxed and social. Cabins provide a private space to rest after a day of swimming, exploring and discovering the Greek islands. Many vessels feature air-conditioned en-suite cabins with private bathroom facilities.

The spacious sundeck is one of the highlights of the gulet experience. Guests can relax on sun beds, enjoy the Mediterranean sunshine or simply take in the views as the vessel sails between islands.

Dining areas provide a welcoming space for guests to enjoy meals together. Depending on the vessel and cruise, meals are freshly prepared and served on board, creating a relaxed and enjoyable dining experience surrounded by the sea.

When the gulet anchors in a beautiful bay, guests can enjoy easy access to the water from the swim platform or swimming area. A fresh-water shower is also available on many vessels for rinsing off after a swim.

Additional facilities may include Wi-Fi, comfortable lounge areas and outdoor spaces designed for socialising and relaxation. Facilities can vary depending on the vessel selected.

FAQ

Is a gulet stable?

Yes. Gulets are designed for comfortable cruising and their wide structure provides good stability while sailing and when anchored. Sea conditions can vary, but cruises are planned to provide an enjoyable experience around the Greek islands.

Do I need sailing experience?

No. You do not need sailing experience to join a gulet cruise. The vessel is operated by an experienced captain and crew, allowing you to relax and enjoy your Greek island adventure.

Are cabins private?

Yes. Guests have private cabin accommodation on board. Most cabins include private en-suite bathroom facilities, although layouts and cabin types may vary depending on the vessel.

What are the meals like?

Meals are an important part of the experience on board. Guests can enjoy freshly prepared food while dining together and taking in the beautiful surroundings of the Greek islands and coastline.

How many guests are on board?

The number of guests depends on the vessel you choose. Sail in Greece offers smaller gulets for intimate groups as well as larger vessels accommodating more than 40 guests.