Walk along the Sivota waterfront in summer and you will see three main types of boats bobbing in the harbor: RIBs, speedboats, and sailboats. Each serves a different purpose, suits a different kind of traveler, and comes at a different price point. Choosing the right one can make or break your day on the Ionian Sea. Here is an honest comparison to help you decide.
RIB Boats: The All-Rounder
RIB stands for Rigid Inflatable Boat. These vessels have a solid fiberglass hull with inflatable tubes around the sides, giving them a combination of stability, speed, and buoyancy that few other boat types can match. In Sivota, RIBs are by far the most popular rental choice — and for good reason.
Advantages
- Versatile: RIBs handle everything from calm lagoon waters to the open sea crossing to Paxos. They are stable in moderate waves and can access shallow bays that larger boats cannot enter.
- Fast: With engines typically ranging from 40 to 150 HP, RIBs can cover distances quickly. The trip from Sivota to Paxos takes about an hour — compared to two hours or more in a sailboat.
- Safe: The inflatable tubes make RIBs extremely stable and nearly impossible to capsize in normal conditions. The soft sides also make re-boarding from the water easier, which matters if you are swimming frequently.
- Good capacity: Most RIBs available in Sivota seat 6 to 10 people comfortably, making them ideal for families and groups of friends.
- Easy to drive: Many smaller RIBs (under 30 HP) require no license in Greece, and even the larger ones are straightforward to operate after a brief orientation.
Disadvantages
- Limited shade: Most RIBs come with a basic canopy or bimini top, but they offer less protection from the sun than a speedboat with a full cabin.
- Less comfort on long trips: While fine for day trips, the seating on a RIB is basic. Longer crossings in choppy water can be tiring.
- Wet rides: In anything above calm conditions, expect some spray. This is part of the fun, but bring a dry bag for phones and electronics.
Price range in Sivota
150 to 350 euros per day, depending on size and engine power. A mid-range RIB suitable for 6 people typically costs around 200 to 250 euros.
Speedboats: Comfort and Style
Speedboats in Sivota range from sporty open-deck models to more substantial vessels with cabins, heads (toilets), and proper sun decks. They offer a step up in comfort from RIBs, at a higher price.
Advantages
- More comfort: Proper cushioned seating, walkable decks, and often a cabin where you can change clothes or store belongings out of the sun.
- Better amenities: Many speedboats come with sound systems, freshwater showers, coolers, and sun pads. If you want to spend a long, luxurious day on the water, a speedboat provides the platform.
- Speed: Comparable to or faster than RIBs, with smoother handling at high speeds due to the deeper hull.
- More storage: With built-in compartments and cabin space, you can bring more gear — coolers, snorkeling equipment, towels, and food for a proper onboard picnic.
Disadvantages
- Higher cost: Both the rental and fuel costs are higher than a RIB of similar capacity.
- Less access to shallow areas: Speedboats typically have a deeper draft, meaning they cannot get as close to shore in shallow bays like the Blue Lagoon.
- License required: Most speedboats in Sivota exceed the license-free threshold, so you will need a boating license or must hire a skipper.
Price range in Sivota
250 to 500 euros per day. Larger speedboats with cabins and full amenities can reach 600 euros or more in high season.
Sailboats: The Slow and Beautiful Way
Sivota is well-positioned for sailing, with consistent summer winds and protected waters between the mainland and the Ionian islands. Sailboat and yacht rentals are available for those who prefer the romance of wind power.
Advantages
- The experience: There is nothing quite like sailing. The silence when the engine is off, the feel of the wind, the gentle lean of the boat — it is a fundamentally different (and many would say superior) way to experience the sea.
- Fuel savings: When you are actually sailing, you are using free wind power. A sailboat trip to Paxos can cost a fraction of the fuel a motorboat requires.
- Space and comfort: Sailboats offer more living space than any other option — cabins, a galley (kitchen), a head, and a cockpit. For multi-day trips, there is no better choice.
- Overnight capability: If you want to anchor in a secluded bay and sleep under the stars, a sailboat makes this easy and comfortable.
Disadvantages
- Speed: Sailboats are slow. The trip to Paxos that takes an hour by RIB can take three hours or more under sail, depending on conditions.
- License required: You need a sailing license to charter a sailboat in Greece. Alternatively, you can hire a skipper, which adds to the cost.
- Wind dependent: On calm days, you may end up motoring rather than sailing, which somewhat defeats the purpose.
- Less suited for beach-hopping: Sailboats are harder to anchor and reposition quickly, making them less ideal for a day of jumping between multiple beaches in Sivota.
Price range in Sivota
300 to 600 euros per day for bareboat charter. With a skipper, add 150 to 250 euros per day. Multi-day discounts are common.
Which Should You Choose?
The right boat depends on what you want from your day:
- Beach-hopping around Sivota (Bella Vraka, Blue Lagoon, Pisina): Choose a RIB. It is the most practical, flexible, and affordable option for exploring the nearby coast.
- Day trip to Paxos and Antipaxos: A mid-size RIB or a speedboat. You need something that can handle the open crossing comfortably and still access the shallow beaches of Antipaxos.
- Luxury day out for a group: A speedboat with a cabin. Comfort, amenities, and style for a memorable celebration or special occasion.
- Multi-day sailing adventure: A sailboat, obviously. There is no better way to spend three or four days island-hopping through the Ionian.
- Family with young children: A RIB for short trips, a speedboat with cabin for longer ones. Stability and easy water access are the priorities.
Make Your Choice
Whatever type of boat you choose, the Sivota coastline will not disappoint. The turquoise waters, hidden coves, and nearby islands make every hour on the water worthwhile. The key is matching the vessel to your plans, your group, and your budget.
Compare all available boats — RIBs, speedboats, and sailboats — at boatinsivota.com and find the perfect vessel for your Sivota adventure.
