By Daan & Victoria Brinkers, Explore Yachting
After “which islands?”, the question we hear most is “catamaran or monohull?”. Both are wonderful ways to explore Greece, and both come with your own professional skipper. But they feel very different on board, especially when you travel with children, grandparents or a group of friends. Here is how they compare, and how we help families choose.
The short answer
- Choose a catamaran if space, stability and privacy matter most: families with young children, mixed generations, larger groups, or anyone worried about seasickness.
- Choose a monohull if you love the feeling of real sailing: the boat leaning into the wind, the sound of the water along the hull and a classic yacht that feels alive under sail.
For most of the families who sail with us, we recommend a catamaran.
Catamaran and monohull compared
| Catamaran | Monohull | |
|---|---|---|
| Stability | Sails flat, very little rolling at anchor | Leans (heels) under sail, moves more at anchor |
| Living space | Large saloon and cockpit on one level, big front deck | Cosier, saloon below deck |
| Cabins | Cabins in two separate hulls, more privacy | Cabins closer together |
| Crew cabin | Separate crew cabin in the bow, so all guest cabins stay free | Only from around 50 feet; on smaller yachts the skipper uses one of the guest cabins |
| Guests | Up to 8 guests; from 50 feet up to 10 guests, plus 2 crew | Up to 8 guests, depending on size |
| Sailing feel | Comfortable and relaxed | Classic, sporty and responsive |
| Seasickness | Less likely | More noticeable in waves |
| Shallow bays | Shallow draft, can anchor closer to the beach | Deeper keel, anchors a little further out |
| Price | Higher charter price, fuel roughly double | Lower charter price and fuel costs |
| Best for | Families, groups, first-timers, comfort | Couples, friends, sailing lovers |
Why families love catamarans
Stability. A catamaran sails almost flat. Drinks stay on the table, children can play on the front deck and nobody has to hold on while walking around. At anchor it hardly rolls, so you sleep better and lunch on board is relaxed.
Space. The saloon, galley and cockpit are all on one level, with big windows and an open view of the sea. There is room for everyone to be together, and room to be apart: one person reading on the front deck, the kids in the water, the adults in the shade of the cockpit.
Privacy. The cabins are split over two hulls, often with their own bathrooms. That works beautifully for two families travelling together, or for grandparents who want a quiet corner. The crew have their own cabin right at the front of the bow, so every guest cabin stays yours, even with a skipper and a hostess on board.
Easy swimming. Wide swim platforms and steps at the back of each hull make getting in and out of the water easy for all ages. And because a catamaran needs less depth, your skipper can often anchor closer to the beach.
Why some guests prefer a monohull
A monohull is what most people picture when they think of a sailing yacht. Under sail it leans gently into the wind, and you feel every gust and wave. For guests who want to take the helm, trim the sails and really learn from the skipper, it is the more exciting and rewarding boat.
Monohulls also cope well with the stronger winds of the Cyclades, and a good monohull sails beautifully upwind. For couples, groups of friends and families with older children who love adventure, it can be the perfect choice.
Our premium monohulls of 45 to 50 feet offer spacious interiors and great sailing performance. Good to know: only monohulls from around 50 feet have a separate crew cabin. On smaller monohulls your skipper sleeps in one of the guest cabins, so you have one cabin less for your group. Our luxury monohulls give you a classic sailing yacht with a separate crew cabin and full privacy.
Which is best for your sailing area?
- Ionian: calm water and short hops. Both work well. A catamaran gives the most comfort for young families.
- Saronic Islands: short sailing days close to Athens. A catamaran is ideal for families, and a monohull is lovely for couples and friends.
- Cyclades: the summer meltemi brings stronger wind and more waves. A catamaran is more comfortable for families. Experienced guests who love sailing enjoy a solid monohull.
- Dodecanese: a little more wind as well. We usually recommend a larger yacht, monohull or catamaran, for extra comfort.
Not sure where to sail yet? Read Cyclades, Ionian or Saronic? Where to sail in Greece.
Adding a hostess or cook
On a catamaran especially, many families add a hostess, who takes care of the boat and prepares breakfast and lunch, or a cook, who also prepares dinner on board. It turns the week into a real holiday for the parents too. See what a skippered week in Greece costs for how these all-in charters work.
Frequently asked questions
Is a catamaran safer for children?
Both are safe with a professional skipper on board. A catamaran feels more secure for young children because it stays flat and has large, open deck areas. On any yacht, children wear life jackets on deck while sailing; just tell us their sizes when you book.
Will we get seasick?
Most guests feel fine, especially on short sailing days. A catamaran moves less, so it is the better choice if anyone in your group is sensitive to seasickness. Your skipper also plans the route around the wind and waves.
Where does the skipper sleep?
On our catamarans the crew have their own separate cabin all the way in the bow, so all guest cabins are yours. On monohulls of around 50 feet and larger there is also a separate crew cabin. On smaller monohulls the skipper uses one of the guest cabins, so keep that in mind when you count beds for your group.
How many people fit on board?
Our catamarans take up to 8 guests, and our catamarans of 50 feet and larger up to 10 guests, plus 2 crew in their own cabin. Monohulls take up to 8 guests, depending on their size, and on smaller monohulls one cabin goes to the skipper. For larger groups we can arrange two yachts sailing together.
Can we help sail the boat?
Of course. On both types your skipper is happy to teach you to steer, trim the sails and moor. On a monohull you will feel the sailing more, which many guests love.
Let us match the boat to your group
Tell us who is coming, the ages of your children, where you would like to sail and how much sailing you want. We will suggest the yacht, monohull or catamaran, that fits your group best.
See our yachts · Where to sail in Greece · What a week costs · Send us an enquiry