You may think that chartering a yacht whilst on holiday is for the high-flying or the rich and famous, but actually it’s much more popular with regular holidayers than you realise. Whether you fancy chartering a yacht to sail independently or hiring a qualified skipper to take you to and from your destinations, it’s up to you, but there are many beautiful places you can find along the way. Picking the right yacht charter in the Mediterranean for you needs some careful consideration, so grab a map and look at where you want to sail to and go from there.
Here’s just a few yachting destinations in the Mediterranean to whet the appetite!
Italy
Perhaps a slightly more obvious choice, but when you have a coastline to die for, then you really can’t beat Italy. Sailing in Italy can be comfortably split into four different area to explore:
- Tuscan Islands
- Naples and the Amalfi Coast
- Sicily and the Aeolian Islands
- Sardinia
Perhaps the most obvious coastline you’d already know about is the Amalfi Coast, perhaps one of the most famous coastlines in the world and a listed UNESCO site, it’s definitely not to be missed. Expect to visit places like Positano, Salerno and Sorrento to name a few and not forgetting a trip over to islands of Capri whilst you’re at it!
A little less obvious to explore is to head to the Tuscan Islands, a small chain of islands just off the west coast of Tuscany.
“A local legend says that when Venus rose from the waves, seven precious stones fell from her tiara, creating seven islands off the Tuscan coast.”
The Tuscan islands are little known to international tourists so once you venture off your yacht expect to find many locals and soak up the atmosphere as if you were one of them. There are plenty of beaches on each island and lots of recommended walking trails depending on if you want to sit back and relax or explore the local flora and fauna.
That said, the water surrounding these islands is so crystal clear you can often see straight to the bottom and fish that inhabit the area The islands and the surrounding water are actually under the protection of the Parco Nazionale Arcipelago Toscano, the first great marine park in Italy and the largest protected marine area in Europe, for their environmental value.
Sardinia is the place to go if you want to rub shoulders with the likes of Hollywood actors Lindsey Lohan and Bradley Cooper and musician Elton John to name a few that have been spotted docked in their yachts to then venturing out onto the island for daytime excursions.
” Sardinia is lucky enough not to just be a coastal sailing area, as to the north-east tip you’ll find the La Maddalena Islands; beautiful beaches and clear water. It is a national marine park; so while you do have to purchase a permit to visit, it is amazing value for where you’ll sail.”
The La Maddalena Islands are a relatively unspoilt group of islands and whilst you can find plenty of action in the main towns, having a yacht and sailing around these islands will allow you to explore pleasantly untouched parts of Sardinia.
Last but no means least, you can head to Sicily and the Aeolian Islands, perhaps most famous for its active volcano Etna, but don’t let that stop you exploring this amazing island, in fact it’s more of a reason to go!
The Aeolian Islands are a pretty special place with their rugged and volcanic landscapes; the seven islands are linked by a vast 200km ridge from Mt Etna to Mt Vesuvius. As a result of the Aeolian Islands volcanic landscapes, they have been UNESCO listed.
With many coastal towns to dock your yacht, perhaps the best ones to head for are Catania on the East coast and its capital Palermo is worth a visit too.
Vulcano is a small island off the main coast of Sicily, famous for its mud bath and hot springs and if you can face it you can hike up the crater rim of Fossa di Vulcano and take in the views of the island as a reward.
Croatia
This incredible coastline offers clear seas, a gentle summer climate as well as lively breezes to take you from bay to bay which makes Croatia the Mediterranean’s leading yacht charter holiday destination.
Croatia has an abundance of hidden bays, beaches, cliffs, emerald coves and fantastic diving opportunities which makes it the perfect place to explore by yacht.
From the mainland you have the opportunity to sail to:
- Dalmatian Islands
- Kornati Islands
The Dalmatian islands archipelago are made up of 1185 islands!although only 50 of these are populated you can visit also visit the unpopulated too for some desert island role-play!
The Dalmatian islands are easily accessed by the main towns of Split or Dubrovnik, both of which are a must to see whilst in Croatia, especially if you’re a Game of Thrones fan. But for the most part you can spend your days just island hopping between each island and discover what each has to offer. withStari Grad and Hvar Town on Hvar island are well worth a visit along with Milna.
The Kornati islands are situated north of Split, with a suggested starting point of Zadar, Sukosan, Biograd or Sibenik. The Kornati islands consist of 140islands and with most of the islands beinga part of the Kornati National Park –with its natural beauty, numerous coves and crystal clear blue waters.
There are no permanent residents of the islands and most of the area belongs to the people of Murter island who come to tend the olive groves, the vineyards and orchards.
Famous Playwright George Bernard Shaw once said ” “On the last day of Creation God desired to crown His work, and thus created the Kornati islands out of tears, stars and breath.“
With a testament like that, the Kornati islands on Croatia are definitely not to be missed!
To end there are of course so many more yachting destinations in the Mediterranean you can choose from of course, not forgetting the likes of Southern France, Turkey, Greece and Spain.I hope the above few mentioned places was just enough to start planning your next holiday on the water and channel your inner Captain James Cook!
Have you chartered a yacht in the Mediterranean before? If so where did you explore and what tips can you share?
