The Mediterranean offers a great range of yacht charter and this includes; bareboat yacht charter, luxury crewed yacht charter, skippered yacht charter, monohull and catamaran charter and both sail and motor yacht charter. Both Croatia and Turkey offer crewed Gulet charters
The Balearic Islands or Islas Baleares are to be found western Mediterranean several hundred kilometres of the eastern coast of Spain. This island group comprises Mallorca, Minorca, Ibiza, Cabrera and Formentera. There are three airports in the islands making access extremely easy. At Palma de Mallorca on Mallorca, Ibiza on Ibiza and Mahon on Minorca. Access is also possible from the Spanish mainland via ferry from Barcelona, Denia and Valencia.
The Balearic Islands yacht charter season generally runs from April to the end of October. July and August are the hottest and tends to have lighter winds; it is also the most expensive time to charter a yacht. April-May and September-October have a lot of plus points, the temperatures are more comfortable, those sailing are likely to getter better winds, it is not as expensive and while ashore you will avoid crowds of July and August.
Corsica is a French island in the Mediterranean Sea. After Sicily, Sardinia and Cyprus, Corsica is the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean It is located southwest of Italy, southeast of France and to north of the island of Sardinia. Corsica is an exceptional place for a yacht charter holiday. Known for its rugged mountains and towering cliffs, Corsica contains many fishing villages and unspoiled places that make for ideal yacht anchorages.
With six hundred miles of coastline to discover, there is a lot to explore on Corsica. A two week charter is necessary if you aim to completely sail around Corsica, a trip of 330 NM. A popular alternative is to combine Corsica and Sardinia in their charter. The southern part of Corsica is separated form Sardinia by a short strait, only few miles long.
The climate of Corsica is typically Mediterranean and provides sunny warm and dry summers. In the height of summer, the coast of Corsica sees average temperature of 25C but it can rise to 35. As a general rule the north is hotter than the south. The sun shines for an average of 280 days per year, concentrated from April to October, making the Mediterranean summer, the perfect time for a yacht charter in Corsica.
Crete is the largest island in the Aegean Sea and marks the boundary between Europe and Africa. It is 140 miles long (E – W) and around 20 miles wide (N – S). The centre of the island is mountainous and it is rocky and barren in the main. The exceptions being the plains on the north coast and Lasithi Plateau in the mountains.
In the summer the prevailing wind is the infamous Meltemi from the NW – WNW. July and August sees the winds at their strongest, force 5 – 6 on the northern coast but more often a more gentle force 3 to 4. The spring and autumn sees winds form the south, force 2 – 4. The southern coast is notorious for strong squalls the blow down from the mountains. There is little in the way of warning and they can be violent close inshore. It gets very hot on the island during the summer months with the average daily temperature reaching 35 deg C in July and August and temperatures as high as 40 deg C are not uncommon.
Croatia’s beautiful coastline with more than one thousand stunning islands only a short distance from the mainland offers safe easy navigation in clear blue waters. The mainland coast consists of Istria, the Croatian Riviera and Dalmatia and in addition there are an incredible 1,187 islands of which only 67 are inhabited.
Croatia is situated on the Adriatic Sea, opposite Italy, in the Northern Mediterranean Sea. With a history going back over a thousand years, it first appeared on the political map of Europe in 1992, following the break up of Yugoslavia after a bloody civil war.
The climate is typical of the Mediterranean and provides for pleasant holidays throughout the year. The best season for sailing in Croatia is early summer with good winds in May and June mainly from the S/SE. Mornings tend to be calm with the wind increasing later in the afternoon to around 15 – 20 knots. The months of July and August see calmer conditions which is OK for those who don’t mind motoring. Summer temperatures average between 26 to 30C and the sea temperature in summer is about 25C.
The Cyclades is the central group of islands in the Aegean Sea but is still considerd part of the Mediterranean Sea. They can be split into three groups, Northern Cyclades, Central Cyclades and Southern Cyclades. The areas prevailing wind during the summer months is the infamous Meltemi blowing from the N-NW. It is first felt in June and becomes stronger through July, August and September when it can reach force 8. It dies down in October. In the spring and autumn gales are common from the N and the SE. The summer months are hot, average temperatures are 25 deg C and temperatures often reach 35 deg C.
The Dodecanese is a complex of over 163 islands and islets of which only 26 are inhabited. The islands form part of Greece’s eastern border with Turkey. In the summer the prevailing wind is the Meltemi that blows from the N and NW. It blows from June through to October and at its peak may reach a force 7. The spring and autumn sees winds from the SE, usually with strengths between 2 and 4. Summer temperatures can rise to 35 deg C. The winters are mild.
Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean being only slightly smaller the Sicily, the largest. It lies in the western Mediterranean off the western coast of the Italian peninsula and just to the south of the French island of Corsica, separated by the narrow Strait of Bonifacio. Mountains dominate much Sardinia’s interior; the highest point is Monti del Gennargentu at 1,834 metres. The coast boasts some of the most wonderful beaches in the Mediterranean.
The yacht charter season in Sardinia generally runs from April to the end of October. High season is July and August, when the temperatures (around 35C) and prices are at their highest. May and June, September and October are well worth considering. Prices are lower, the temperature more comfortable and for those wanting to sail rather than motor round Sardinia the winds are likely to be more suitable.Turkey is well known for its Gulets. Traditional motor sailors that carry holiday makers around the Turkish coast. The boats are wide beamed and roomy compared with the conventional charter yacht. The Gulets are crewed and hands on sailing will be limited. For those wanting a little more independence there plenty of yacht charter companies in the area offering the more normal bareboat deals.
Turkey is well known for its Gulets. Traditional motor sailors that carry holiday makers around the Turkish coast. The boats are wide beamed and roomy compared with the conventional charter yacht. The Gulets are crewed and hands on sailing will be limited. For those wanting a little more independence there plenty of yacht charter companies in the area offering the more normal bareboat deals.
Mid July through to mid September are the busiest and most expensive months to cruise the Turkish coast. Temperature can exceed 40 deg C. May and late September are a little cooler and cheaper. April and October see some rain but it is still pleasantly warm. From May to October this area experiences the Meltemi wind. It blows from the N and NW and can make sailing in that direction hard work. There is more detailed information on weather for the Aegean Coast of Turkey yacht and gulet charter area.
Bodrum, Marmaris and Fethiye are the chief yacht charter ports.