It’s never been a better time to plan your yacht charter to one of the world’s oldest and culturally rich regions – the Mediterranean Sea. If you’ve been considering a yacht charter in the Mediterranean, we’ve got our top 10 recommendations below to help you start planning.
How much does a Mediterranean yacht charter cost?
A yacht charter in the Mediterranean will come in a variety of shapes, sizes and prices. At the very lowest end, you might be able to find a small, crewed catamaran (or even a bare boat charter – where you do the driving) for under $10,000 per week depending on location. While this can grow exponentially into the millions if you’re looking at much larger super yachts with full crew, during high season in some of the most popular destinations. It can be hard to give a general cost, but we’ll examine some of the factors that will affect the price of your Mediterranean yacht charter:
- Yacht size – Perhaps the most important cost to consider, the size of your yacht will reflect the final yacht charter rates. Larger yachts, with a more sizeable crew, will cost more than a smaller yacht with only a few crew members.
- Location – Highly popular destinations (such as the French Riviera, Spain or Greece), will carry a larger price tag due to demand.
- VAT – Although you may not realize it, different countries will have different VAT charges depending on where you go in the Mediterranean. As an example, at the higher end, Greek VAT is 24%, while Montenegro’s VAT is 0%. However, most countries will have caveats such as 50% discount for yachts chartering in international waters, or increased VAT rates if crossing into another country’s waters (ex: if you cross into Croatian waters on your Montenegro yacht charter, the 13% VAT of Croatia will count for those days).
- Advanced Provisioning Allowance – The “APA” is a term you will see a lot when reviewing luxury yacht charter options. This is what the yacht will assume you will spend on food and drinks. There will be a preference sheet for you to fill out in the lead up to your charter, so the yacht crew can review it before you arrive, but they are usually pretty good at providing an estimate and sticking within the budget.
- Crew tip – While this is technically optional, most will tip at least 10% for their yacht charter, with 15-20% more the norm.
When calculating the total cost of your yacht charter, you’ll want to look at the base price of the yacht charter (usually what is advertised on a broker’s website), and then add 50-55% of that price to get the total all-inclusive cost once you factor in APA, crew tip, fuel, and VAT. Working with a reputable charter broker will help explain all of these costs to you.
Top 10 Yacht Charter Destinations in the Mediterranean
The popularity of luxury yacht charters in the Mediterranean continues to grow, as do some of the region’s newest hot spots. As such, this list is not exhaustive and will continue to grow as the industry does. Our current top 10 yacht charter destinations in the Mediterranean are (in alphabetical order):
#1 Amalfi Coast
Heading south from Italy’s capital, you’ll stumble upon the dramatic landscapes only found in the Amalfi Coast. From colorful houses nestled into ancient cliffsides, to stunning swathes of beaches dotting one seaside town after the other, the Amalfi Coast has something for everyone. Take in the towns of Positano, Sorrento and of course, the romantic island of Capri, all located within close proximity to one another for easy cruising between ports. There’s no better way to take in the Amalfi Coast highlights than from the bow of your own private yacht.
#2 Corsica
Stepping onto the rugged island of Corsica will soften even the most hardened traveler. Corsica may be a small island owned by France, lying just off the coast of Italy; however, Corsica is a land all its own. Here you will find ancient cultures and traditions, fiercely proud people, and their own beloved language still thriving. Corsica is for those who enjoy stepping back in time for their Mediterranean yacht charters and want to leave the busier ports of the Mediterranean behind.
#3 Croatia
Croatia has really blossomed into one of the Adriatic’s hottest charter destinations. With an impressive 1,800 km long coastline drenched in history, ancient cities, quiet bays and idyllic islands, Croatia is a dream for your private yacht charter with world class facilities and one of the top yacht destinations to visit at the moment.
#4 French Riviera
Perhaps one of the oldest and most popular destinations for a yacht charter in the Mediterranean is the French Riviera, or the Cote d’Azur. From mixing with the glitterati at the Cannes Film Festival, to pebble-strewn beaches in Nice and of course, the opulence of Monaco, there is no shortage of ports to pull into when on a yacht charter in the French Riviera. When chartering a yacht here, don’t forget to pull into St Tropez, Antibes, or coordinate your private yacht charter to take in the renowned Monaco Grand Prix.
#5 Greece
No yacht charter in the Mediterranean would be complete without taking in the sunny Greek isles. Home to many islands, each unique with its own historical significance, Greece is the perfect choice for those looking to take in a bit of culture and history, alongside the fantastic weather and beautiful beaches. Whether you want to start in the ancient city of Athens or start your yacht charter vacation from one of the famous islands, you can’t go wrong with a private yacht charter in Greece and the Greek islands.
#6 Italy
Italy may be a smaller country, but she is a mighty one when it comes to unique yacht destinations packed into her coastlines. From the charm and old age glamor of Venice and eastern Italy, to the sleepy villages dotted along the coastline of the Italian Riviera, Italy was made for foodies, lovers, and yes, private yacht charters.
#7 Malta
A relatively young contender for your private yacht charter in the Mediterranean, Malta has grown to offer world class amenities, fantastic diving and a plethora of golden sand beaches just waiting to be explored. More than this, Malta offers the perfect blend of history, hiking, water activities and gourmet dining for those looking for something unique when next chartering a yacht on the Mediterranean Sea.
#8 Montenegro
Another burgeoning region for yachts in the Mediterranean, Montenegro has been labeled the new Monaco for chartering a yacht where charter guests can enjoy world class services at new luxury yacht charter marinas including Porto Montenegro and Porto Novi, among others. This region will only continue to gain popularity, so be sure to take in this eastern Mediterranean gem before the crowds descend.
#9 Spain & Balearic Islands
Long loved by many Europeans for the temperate climate and incredible food and wine scene, Spain and the Balearic Islands are no strangers to private yacht charters. Yacht destinations like Barcelona, Ibiza, Palma, and Valencia offer a little something for everyone. Whether you’re after pristine beaches, gourmet tapas, delicious wine or a thriving nightclub scene, you’re sure to find it in Spain and the Balearic Islands on a luxury yacht charter.
#10 Turkey
Turkey offers a unique opportunity to take a private yacht charter in a country with its heart in two places – the contrast between Europe and Asia provides a cultural charter vacation unlike any other. While you can soak up the sunshine and history of the long-gone Byzantine era with the remarkable architecture that remains, you’ll also be able to enjoy the many wonderful beaches found along southern Turkey and its Turquoise Coast.
Yacht charters in the Mediterranean not only offer many yacht destinations within a short cruise of each other, they also offer world class dining, some of the world’s top wineries, pristine beaches and a wealth of history and culture to explore. Start your private yacht charter search here.
Explore the many other destinations you can charter a yacht around the globe here.
