Best Bareboat Charter Locations
No experience comes close to sailing your own bareboat charter as a sailor. It’s just you in charge of your itinerary at the helm on the high seas using the skills you’ve developed over the years. Other than some choppy waves from time to time, your biggest problem sailing a bareboat charter is choosing where to go next.
From tropical islands in the Caribbean to ancient cities in the Mediterranean, there’s a never-ending list of places you can sail alone with one of our charters at Sailyachts.com. Let us guide you through some top spots you should consider for your next independent sailing adventure.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Bareboat Charter Location
The Country’s Sailing Rules
Every country has different rules for sailing in their waters on a bareboat charter. Since you’ll be sailing alone without a crew on board, you’ll need to do your research yourself, or you might run into some issues.
Some countries are more lenient than others in their rules. For example, in France, you need a boat license to sail in their waters if the motor power on your vessel is more than six horsepower or 4.5 kilowatts. Whereas in Italy, you don’t need a license if you stay within 6 miles of shore and the boat is less than 24 meters in size, but you’ll need one if you go outside this distance.
Anchoring and Mooring Skills
You should be confident anchoring and mooring if you’re the sole skipper, but some places are easier than others to do this. Quieter marinas along the French Riviera, like the Anse des Fossés and Cap Taillat, tend to be less busy, so they’ll be easier if you’re a bit hesitant about your skills.
While there are times when you’ll be able to tie onto some mooring balls, if you’re in a busy port like Port Vell Marina in Barcelona, you could find yourself in a situation where there aren’t any balls left. Say this happened to you; you must be sure you can anchor properly.
The Weather Conditions
There are high and low sailing seasons for a reason; no popular sailing destination gets great weather all year round.
In the Caribbean, the prime sailing season is from November to April since there’s no hurricane season. But if you move over to Europe and the Mediterranean when May comes along, the summer season starts to kick in and lasts until the end of August, with good conditions remaining until the end of September.
The Sea Difficulty
No ocean is the same; some have a far worse reputation than others for their difficulty. You’ll be fine if you’re sailing a few miles off the mainland or somewhere where you can see land in the distance, but once you start venturing between locations for extended periods, this is where you’ll need to step up to the plate.
Places like the Balearic Islands and the Gulf of Naples are excellent for new sailors, while the Aeolian Islands and off the coast of Croatia will be better suited for skippers with more outings under their belt.
Top Bareboat Charter Destinations
Greek Islands
With over 6,000 islands and islets waiting to be discovered, sailing around the Greek islands with a bareboat charter should be on every sailor’s bucket list.
It’s the ultimate playground for skippers; you’ve got seven dreamy islands in the Ionian Sea, 25 populated Cyclades islands, and that’s before you venture north to the azure Aegean Sea to gorgeous locations like Skopelos.
Eligibility:
If you hire a bareboat charter with us to sail around the Greek islands, you’ll need the following:
- A valid skipper license.
- Be over the age of 18.
- Have the legitimate travel documents for being in Greek territory.
- Insurance to sail the boat you’ve hired through us.
Croatia
Once a lesser-known haven for sailors, Croatia has quickly become a top choice for hiring a bareboat charter with Sailyachts.com. The gem of the Adriatic has more than 1000 islands and some of the most historic cities on the planet, like Dubrovnik and Split, which have port access for skippers like yourself.
Eligibility:
- Anyone hoping to sail in Croatia must have a VHF Radio License that is valid for sailing within Croatian waters.
Italy
Home to over 400 islands, picturesque towns overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, and arguably the most globally renowned coastline, the Amalfi Coast, who wouldn’t want to lease a vessel to sail around Italy? In the Tyrrhenian Sea lies the beautiful Sardinia; down south is ancient Sicily, and famous cities like Venice and Bari take center stage along the Adriatic.
Eligibility:
For sailors who want to go further than 6 miles away from Italy’s shores, they’ll need the following:
- A valid sailing license that was granted in the country of the sailor’s origin.
- The skipper must be over 18 years old.
France
A top sailing location among many bareboaters is France, with over 3,200km of coastline to explore, steady winds coming from the Atlantic, and the stunning French Riviera.
France has something for every skipper. If you like a challenge, the Bay of Biscay will be a super choice for you; you can stop by lovely seaside resorts like Arcachon and La Rochelle. Those who prefer a slower-paced sail with calm waters should head down by the Côte d’Azur in the Mediterranean and stop by iconic points such as Saint-Tropez and Cannes.
Eligibility:
- A valid boat license is needed as a skipper if the engine power of the boat is more than 4.5 kilowatts or 6 horsepower.
The Caribbean
One of the best places to lease a bareboat charter is the Caribbean. This part of the world has more than 700 islands, plenty of sailing routes for different skill sets, fantastic scuba diving opportunities, and some of the finest beaches to exist.
There’s no way you could see all of the Caribbean in one outing unless you spent years at sea, so carefully planning an itinerary is essential to get the most out of your time here. Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic are great starting points as they’re some of the bigger islands. If you go further south and want to see a few of the smaller islands, St. Lucia, Barbados, and Granada are remarkable.
Eligibility:
- Each country/island’s requirements vary.
How to Choose the Best Bareboat Charter Destination?
Choosing the best sailing charter destination can be tricky when there are so many magnificent spots. Do you choose Martinique or Guadeloupe? Or the Amalfi Coast or the Dalmatian Coast? It’s a tough decision, but we’ve listed some pointers below to help you pick the right choice for you:
- Know your skillset: If you don’t consider yourself that much of an experienced sailor, choose a destination with short distances between the marinas. For those who are, you’ll have more options available.
- Yacht charter industry: A place with an established charter industry will make it easier for you to get help if you encounter any issues with your boat.
- Consider the seasons: Timing is everything when you’re a skipper; you should account for seasonal changes wherever you choose. If you only have one month available in December, the Caribbean is a better choice as the weather is at its best. However, the Mediterranean will be more favorable for someone with a few weeks off in August.
- Vessel availability: You should pick a region to sail around with a vessel available that you’re comfortable operating. If you’ve only ever sailed a monohull, but only catamarans are on offer for your 1-month trip, you should think twice unless you’re fully comfortable with that boat type.
Final Words
You’ve reached the end of our picks for the best bareboat charter locations. This is by no means a full list of places to sail alone, but our team at Sailyachts.com included the spots you cannot afford to miss when you hire with us.
If you’re interested in renting your bareboat charter with Sailyachts.com, you can get in touch with us through our Contact Us page to start the booking process. We’ve got a variety of rental packages, including boats of all specs and sizes suitable for your self-skippered voyage.
