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Sailing Charter FAQ
Everything you need to know before booking a sailing charter vacation.
How It Works
What is a sailing charter?
A sailing charter means renting a yacht — with or without a professional crew — for a period typically ranging from 3 days to several weeks. Unlike a cruise, you set your own itinerary: you decide where to sail each day, where to anchor overnight, and which restaurants to visit. The boat is your floating hotel.
What is a bareboat charter?
A bareboat charter means you rent the yacht without any crew — you are the skipper. The boat is "bare" of crew but fully equipped with safety gear, charts, dinghy, and kitchen equipment. You need a valid sailing certificate to charter bareboat in most countries. It is the most flexible and most affordable type of charter.
What is a crewed charter?
In a crewed charter, a professional skipper (and sometimes a cook and/or hostess) comes with the yacht. You arrive, put down your bags, and the crew handles all the sailing, navigation, and often the cooking. You need no sailing experience. Crewed charters cost 30–60% more than equivalent bareboat charters.
What is the difference between a catamaran and a monohull?
A catamaran has two hulls and sails nearly flat — it doesn't heel (tilt) in the wind. It offers more space, stability, and comfort, and is much better for guests prone to seasickness. It costs 30–60% more than an equivalent monohull to charter.
A monohull (or sailing yacht) has one hull and heels when sailing — traditional sailing feel. Faster upwind, cheaper to charter, and more maneuverable in tight marinas. Ideal for sailors who want a genuine sailing experience.
What is a gulet?
A gulet is a traditional wooden motor-sail vessel, 15–35 meters long, originating from Turkey. Gulets are primarily motored (with sails for gentle breezes) and typically come fully crewed. They are popular in Turkey and Croatia for larger groups (8–16 people) wanting a comfortable, fully-staffed voyage. Prices are quoted per cabin or per vessel.
What does APA mean?
APA stands for Advance Provisioning Allowance. It is a pre-paid budget (typically 30–35% of the charter fee) handed to the skipper at the start of a crewed charter to cover running costs: fuel, marina fees, food, drinks, and port taxes. Any unspent APA is refunded at trip end; any overage is charged additionally.
What does "skipper hire" mean?
You can charter a bareboat (lower price) and then hire a professional skipper separately for $150–$250/day. The skipper handles sailing and navigation while you relax and help. This is the "middle ground" between full bareboat and full crewed charter — you get local knowledge and safety expertise without paying the full crewed charter premium.
Planning Your Charter
How much does a sailing charter cost?
Weekly bareboat charter prices vary enormously by destination, season, and boat type:
- Sailing yacht (monohull): $700–$5,000/week depending on size, age, and destination
- Sailing catamaran: $1,500–$10,000/week
- Peak season vs shoulder season: Peak (July–August in the Mediterranean) costs 40–80% more than May–June or September
Beyond the charter fee, budget for: fuel ($50–$200/week), marina fees ($0–$150/night), provisioning ($100–$200/person/week), and optional skipper ($150–$250/day).
What sailing license do I need?
The most widely accepted international sailing certificate is the ICC (International Certificate of Competence), required in Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Montenegro, and most European sailing countries. In the US and Caribbean, the ASA 104 (Bareboat Cruising) is commonly required.
Most countries also require a VHF Short Range Certificate (SRC) for operating the ship's radio. This is a one-day course.
If you don't hold a certificate, you can hire a professional skipper through the charter company.
What is included in a charter price?
Standard bareboat charter includes: the yacht, safety equipment (life jackets, flares, fire extinguishers, life ring), dinghy with outboard motor, anchor and chain, charts and a cruising guide, VHF radio, GPS chartplotter, and basic kitchen equipment.
Not included: fuel, marina fees, provisioning (food and drink), tourist taxes, skipper hire, damage waiver insurance, and end-of-trip cleaning fee.
How many people can go on a yacht charter?
The number depends on the yacht type and size:
- 38–42ft sailing yacht: 6–8 guests in 3–4 cabins
- 45–50ft catamaran: 8–10 guests in 4–5 cabins
- 50–60ft performance catamaran: 10–12 guests in 5–6 cabins
The rule of thumb: one double cabin per couple. Don't overcrowd — a comfortable boat makes for a much better holiday.
How far in advance should I book?
For July–August in the Mediterranean, book 4–6 months ahead — the best boats and catamarans sell out early. For shoulder season (May–June, September–October), 4–8 weeks is usually sufficient. Last-minute deals exist but are unreliable.
What is a security deposit?
When you collect the boat, you pay a refundable security deposit — typically $1,500–$5,000 held on your credit card. This covers potential damage to the yacht during your charter. You can buy a damage waiver (typically $15–$40/day) to reduce your liability to zero. This insurance is almost always worth buying.
Destinations
What are the best sailing destinations in the Mediterranean?
The top Mediterranean sailing destinations:
- Croatia — best for beginners; 1,200+ islands, excellent marina network, predictable winds
- Greece — most varied; Ionian Islands are calm and lush, Cyclades offer more challenge
- Turkey — most affordable; stunning Turquoise Coast, ancient ruins, great food
- Montenegro — hidden gem; Bay of Kotor is one of Europe's most beautiful sailing grounds
- Sardinia — most spectacular scenery; Maddalena Archipelago and Gulf of Orosei
- Balearics (Spain) — best infrastructure; Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca, Formentera
Browse by destination: Croatia · Greece · Turkey · Montenegro
When is the best time to sail in Croatia?
May, June, and September are the best months: warm weather, manageable Maestral wind, 20–30% below peak prices, and far fewer crowds. July–August is peak season (guaranteed sunshine, reliably warm) but expensive and busy. The sailing season runs April–October.
Is Greece or Croatia better for sailing?
Croatia is better for first-time charterers: shorter distances between islands, calmer seas, more structured marina network, and excellent charter infrastructure. Greece is better for experienced sailors who want more variety: thousands of islands across multiple island groups, deeper culture, and generally lower prices. For beginners, start in Croatia or the Ionian Islands of Greece.
What sailing destinations are best for beginners?
The best destinations for first-time charterers:
- Croatia (Dalmatian coast) — short passages, calm Adriatic, excellent marinas
- BVI (British Virgin Islands) — steady trade winds, sheltered Sir Francis Drake Channel, very well-marked
- Ionian Islands, Greece — light winds, calm seas, easy navigation
- Bahamas — shallow crystal-clear water, easy sailing, excellent snorkeling
What is the best Caribbean sailing destination?
The BVI (British Virgin Islands) is the most popular Caribbean bareboat destination: steady trade winds, the sheltered Sir Francis Drake Channel, short island hops, world-class snorkeling (The Baths at Virgin Gorda), and an excellent charter infrastructure. The season runs November–May (outside hurricane season).
The Bahamas offers a unique experience — sailing across the shallow, crystal-clear Great Bahama Bank is unlike anywhere else. The Exumas chain (Staniel Cay, Compass Cay, Warderick Wells) is the highlight.
Ready to start planning?