The best places to charter a yacht are the Mediterranean in summer and the Caribbean in winter. Greece and Croatia offer the widest choice of bareboat yachts and the best value; the Balearic Islands mix beaches and short crossings; the French Riviera and Monaco are the home of luxury crewed charters; and the Virgin Islands and the Bahamas are the classic winter escape, with steady trade winds.
This page compares our five destinations side by side: seasons, typical prices, sailing conditions and who each one suits, so you can pick the right one before diving into the detailed guides.
- Map
- Compare destinations
- Which one is right for you?
- When to go
- What it costs
- Destination guides
- Plan your charter
- FAQ
Where to charter a yacht: our destinations on the map
Tap a destination on the map to open its guide, or view the map full size.
Compare yacht charter destinations
Prices are indicative weekly charter fees before extras such as fuel, moorings, cleaning and VAT. They vary with the size and age of the boat and the week you sail.
| Season | Typical week | Sailing conditions | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greece | May–Oct (best: June, September) | €1,800–€6,500 bareboat monohull; €3,500–€11,000 catamaran | Strong meltemi in the Aegean in July–August; calm Ionian | Island hopping, value, first charters in the Ionian |
| Croatia | May–Oct (best: June, September) | About €1,000–€6,000 bareboat sailing yacht; €3,000–€9,500 catamaran | Afternoon maestral breeze; occasional bora | Short hops, more than 1,000 islands, national parks |
| Balearic Islands | May–Oct (best: May, June, September) | About €1,700–€5,100 bareboat monohull; €3,900–€10,200 catamaran; high marina fees | Mostly moderate; tramontana on northern coasts | Beaches, Ibiza nightlife, short crossings |
| French Riviera & Monaco | May–Sept | Crewed motor yachts often from €55,000 a week | Mistral from the north-west | Luxury, events (Monaco Grand Prix, Cannes) |
| Caribbean | Dec–Apr | BVI bareboat: about $3,300–$14,500 monohull, $5,700–$16,000 catamaran | Steady trade winds; hurricane season June–November | Winter sun, easy line-of-sight sailing, crewed catamarans |
Which destination is right for you?
- Your first charter: the Ionian Sea in Greece or central Dalmatia in Croatia. Short legs, sheltered harbours, gentle wind. In winter, the Virgin Islands are just as forgiving.
- Families with children: a catamaran in the Ionian, in Croatia or in the Virgin Islands. Our catamaran vs monohull guide explains why.
- Island hopping and culture: the Greek Cyclades (Mykonos, Paros and Naxos, Santorini) or the Dalmatian coast between Split and Dubrovnik.
- Luxury and glamour: the French Riviera and Monaco, Mykonos, Ibiza. Usually on a crewed motor yacht.
- Winter sun: the Caribbean from December to April, when the Mediterranean season is over.
- Tighter budget: Greece outside Mykonos and Santorini, or Croatia from its northern bases, in June or September.
When to go: yacht charter seasons by destination
The Mediterranean season runs from May to October, with June and September as the sweet spot. The Caribbean season is the mirror image: December to April, outside hurricane season.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greece | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ◐ | ● | ◐ | ◐ | ● | ◐ | ○ | ○ |
| Croatia | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ◐ | ● | ◐ | ◐ | ● | ◐ | ○ | ○ |
| Balearic Islands | ○ | ○ | ○ | ◐ | ● | ● | ◐ | ◐ | ● | ◐ | ○ | ○ |
| French Riviera & Monaco | ○ | ○ | ○ | ◐ | ● | ● | ● | ◐ | ● | ◐ | ○ | ○ |
| Caribbean | ● | ● | ● | ● | ◐ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ● |
● Best months · ◐ Good, but busier, windier or quieter · ○ Off season
For Greece month by month, see our guide to the best time to charter a yacht in Greece.
What a yacht charter costs
The charter fee depends on three things: the boat (a catamaran costs roughly one and a half to two times a monohull of the same length), the season (high season can cost twice the low season) and the format. On top, budget for a security deposit or damage waiver, fuel, moorings, end cleaning and VAT, which varies by country: 12% on most charters in Greece, 20% in France.
| What you get | Licence needed | Typical extra cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bareboat | The boat only; you sail it | Yes, plus a second crew member | None |
| Skippered | A professional skipper | No | About €180–€250 a day in Greece |
| Crewed | Skipper plus hostess or cook | No | Crew fee plus an APA of 25–40% for food, fuel and berths |
For a full worked example, see our Greece yacht charter cost breakdown and our bareboat vs crewed comparison.
Explore our destination guides
How to plan your yacht charter in four steps
- Pick the destination and the month. Use the season table above: Mediterranean from May to October, Caribbean from December to April.
- Choose the format. Bareboat if someone holds a recognised licence, skippered or crewed if not. Our licence guide for Greece shows what is usually accepted.
- Choose the boat. Monohull for value and real sailing, catamaran for space and stability.
- Book early. Six to nine months ahead for July and August in the Mediterranean and for Christmas in the Caribbean; three to four months is usually enough for shoulder season.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to charter a yacht for the first time?
The Ionian Sea in Greece is the easiest place for a first charter: short distances, a gentle afternoon breeze and sheltered harbours. Central Dalmatia in Croatia and, in winter, the British Virgin Islands are good alternatives.
Is it cheaper to charter a yacht in Greece or Croatia?
Prices are broadly comparable for similar boats. Croatia can be cheaper from its northern bases such as Pula and Zadar, and Greece is cheapest outside Mykonos and Santorini, especially in the Ionian. Both are well below the French Riviera.
When is the best time to charter a yacht in the Mediterranean?
June and September are the best months for most crews: warm water, lighter wind and lower prices than in July and August. The season runs from May to October.
When is yacht charter season in the Caribbean?
From December to April. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November, so most charters avoid it, especially August to October.
Do you need a licence to charter a yacht?
Only for a bareboat charter, where you sail the boat yourself. Requirements vary by country: Greece expects a recognised qualification such as the ICC and a second crew member, and Croatia also asks for a VHF radio certificate. Skippered and crewed charters need no licence.
How far in advance should you book a yacht charter?
For July and August in the Mediterranean, or Christmas in the Caribbean, book six to nine months ahead. For May, June, September and October, three to four months is usually enough.
