Mediterranean Yacht Charter Destinations

Most Mediterranean charters quote the yacht and crew only. Running costs — food, drink, fuel, dockage, and anything else consumed during the week — are paid through an advance provisioning allowance, usually around 30% of the charter fee, lodged with the captain before you board. He accounts for it as the week goes on and returns whatever is left. It is not a second price so much as a running tab held up front.

Yes, and it is worth knowing before you compare quotes. A charter that begins in EU waters is subject to VAT, charged at the rate of the country where the charter starts and calculated on the charter fee. The rate differs from one country to the next, several countries reduce it for time spent outside EU waters, and the rules change — so the figure that matters is the one written into your contract, and we will always show it to you before you commit. Alongside VAT sits the APA, an advance provisioning allowance of roughly 30 to 35% of the rate covering food, drink, fuel and dockage, settled against receipts at the end of the week. A Mediterranean quote is therefore never just the headline number.

Not necessarily, but the two are quoted differently, so comparing headline numbers is misleading. A Caribbean all-inclusive rate already contains food, drink and fuel. A Mediterranean rate usually does not, and APA of roughly 30% sits on top. Ask us for both on the same basis and the comparison becomes honest.

In the Caribbean most yachts have a minimum of four nights. In the Mediterranean during high season most yachts run a full week, typically Friday to Friday, Saturday to Saturday or Sunday to Sunday. Minimums are open to negotiation depending on the yacht’s availability, so tell us your dates and we will ask.

A minimum of around 10% of the charter fee in the Med, against 15 to 20% in the Caribbean, and always at your discretion. Most crews accept cash, cheque, PayPal, Venmo or a wire transfer.

Greece gives you the most islands and the most reliable summer wind — the Cyclades for drama, the Ionian and the Saronic for calmer, shorter passages. Croatia is a coastline rather than an archipelago crossing, with walled towns a short hop apart. Italy runs from the Amalfi Coast to Sicily and Sardinia. The French Riviera is the one to pick when the harbours matter as much as the sailing.

It depends on the yacht. Every boat on our site shows its maximum, and most take between four and ten guests. Group make-up matters as much as the number — four couples and eight friends need different cabin layouts from the same eight berths, and children change which crews we suggest.

A crewed sailing catamaran has a median of about €17,600 a week in Greece, €20,400 in Croatia, €28,000 in Italy and €32,000 on the French Riviera. Motor yachts run roughly two to three times those figures. All of them are base charter fees, before APA and VAT, and the table above breaks them down by type of boat.