When it comes to sailing, there is no better place to enjoy a summer holiday than in and around the countries and islands of the Mediterranean. With a multitude of wind streams to enjoy, beautiful sunny weather, pristine sandy beaches and an abundance of historical landmarks, cruising the Mediterranean offers guests a range of things to see and do, whether it’s kicking back and relaxing on the azure waters or heading ashore to immerse yourself in the local culture.
With so many gorgeous places to choose from, we take a look at our favourite Mediterranean destinations available for charter in 2023 to help you plan the perfect sailing holiday.
Sailing in Greece
Sailing the Greek Islands is like discovering a whole world in one country. To the north, enjoy the calm seas and line of sight navigation from one of our bases in the Ionian islands located in Corfu and Lefkas. Here, you can visit the islands of Paxos and Antipaxos, Kefalonia and Corfu, as well as exploring the historical mainland areas of Preveza and Lefkas themselves.
For a slightly more exhilarating adventure, a bareboat yacht charter around the Argosaronic and Peloponnesian Islands during July and August will offer you a chance to example the famous Meltemi winds. Or for beautiful islands, calm seas and stunning history and scenery, head to our base in Kos where you can sail the Dodecanese, visiting the cute little islands including Symi. with its colourful houses and tasty Symi shrimp
When thinking about Greece, visions of bright white domes and clear cobalt seas are often the first thing to pop into people’s minds and these can be found on a yacht charter from our base in Lavrion where you can discover the islands of Santorini and Mykonos, a real treat for a honeymoon.
Related article: Explore the Ionian Islands from our base in Greece
Sailing in Italy
Discover the south coast of Italy on a yacht charter from our base in Naples and explore the Phlegraean Islands, Pontine Islands, Amalfi Coast and Capri as you sail on the waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Head ashore at the Bay of Naples and visit the historical town of Pompeii, decimated by Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, enjoy fresh Italian cuisine on the stunning island of Capri, snorkel and dive the calm waters surrounding the Phelgraean Islands and enjoy a walk through the nature reserve on the island of Vivara, where visitors will see colourful and rare species of birds and flowers. A bareboat yacht charter to Naples will most certainly not disappoint.
We also have a bases in Sardinia and Sicily, which provide excellent sailing conditions, a beautiful climate, gorgeous beaches and delicious local cuisine, mainly consisting of freshly caught seafood.
Related article: Three reasons why Naples is the place to sail this year
Sailing in Spain
Enjoy a bareboat yacht charter from the former Greek colony of Rosas, located on the Costa Brava, where you can explore the surrounding area with its hundreds of tiny caves and sandy beaches,
Head further south to the Balearic Islands where those without sailing experience can enjoy a seven day by the cabin charter around the ancient island of Mallorca, where guests can soak up hours of sun and adventure surrounded by the world’s largest swimming pool. Your itinerary will take you to historic Palma, where you can wander the old cobblestone streets and visit the gothic Palma Cathedral, Cala Pi, ideal for swimming and snorkelling in the clear turquoise waters and Cabrera, rich in maritime history and full of rare species of bird.
Related article: Exploring Mallorca or Corsica from the water’s edge
Sailing in Turkey
Our base in Fethiye is located on the west coast of Turkey, and offers beautiful sailing around the Aegean Seas surrounding this part of the country. The area is full of historical intrigue and a visit to the Lycian tombs is a must. The breathtaking cliffs that have tombs carved into the rock face are an eerie reminder of area’s significance during the Ottoman era and are situated as such so that angels could reach those buried within them.
The surrounding waters make for an excellent place to enjoy snorkelling and diving, where visitors will see an array of marine life including colourful fish, small sharks and monk seal. Mooring in Turkey is fairly easy and free of charge if visiting one of the restaurants or bars located on the jetty, where you can enjoy traditional Turkish cuisine including lamb dishes, stuffed vine leaves and delicious colourful salads.
Sailing in France
Join the celebrities on a bareboat yacht charter around the French Riviera from our bases in the Cote d’Azur where you can enjoy days relaxing on the long sandy beaches of St Tropez and exploring nearby Marseille. Discover some of the protected aquatic wildlife while snorkelling and diving in the warm azure waters where you can also take part in watersports such as jet skiing and kayaking.
Head to Toulon and visit the world renowned Toulon Opera House and the fountains surrounding it or venture further inland and marvel at the bright purple lavender fields of Provence where you can also visit the wine region and sample some of the greatest French wines available. For a touch of class, take some time out in Cannes where the streets are lined with designer shops and boutiques and you can enjoy lunch al fresco underneath the gorgeous southern France sun.
For those looking for a week of total relaxation, why not opt for a by the cabin cruise around the island of Corsica, with 385 miles of stunning coastline, rocky mountainous terrain and mesmerising scents that come from the huge amount of fragrant flora and fauna that line the island.
Related article: A perfect week sailing the idyllic Cote d’Azur in the French Riviera
Find out more
As well as those in the Mediterranean, we have bases in 50+ destinations around the globe for year round sailing, including the Caribbean, Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean that offer bareboat, crewed and by the cabin charter options. View our fleet to take a look. To find out more or for a tailored quote, contact our specialist team today on [email protected] or call 02380 455527
