For many people, the idea of chartering a boat in the Mediterranean represents the ultimate in dream vacation experiences.
However, since yacht charter in the Mediterranean is generally associated with extremely high costs, most people believe that they will never be in the financial position to pursue their interest.
While it’s true that areas like the Côte d’Azur remain exclusive to all but the rich and famous, there are still many parts of the Mediterranean where sailboat charters remain affordable for those on more limited budgets.
Three ways to charter yachts in the Mediterranean
The first thing to keep in mind when looking for value for money is that there are, in fact, three different methods of securing a yacht charter in the Mediterranean.
Fully Crewed Yachts
The first method is to charter a private yacht with a full crew. These boats tend to be larger and more luxurious than most charter boats, and prices typically include all meals and occasionally drinks as well. Unsurprisingly, this is the most expensive option for yacht charter in the Mediterranean, and even if you try to share the costs by traveling with another family, you’ll find this to be an expensive vacation option.
As an example, a typical cost of renting a crewed catamaran in the Mediterranean with 4 cabins and capacity for 8 passengers is 18,600 euros per week in high season and 15,500 euros per week in low season.
Sailing in the Mediterranean
The second method is to charter a bareboat boat for your Mediterranean cruise. This is undoubtedly the most economical option since you do not have to pay crew, just the cost of renting the boat. However, to qualify to charter a bareboat charter, you must demonstrate that you have the level of experience relevant to the area in which you intend to sail.
Fortunately, there are many Mediterranean destinations with a Tier 1 rating, and you can qualify for this with as little as 5 days or 100 miles of skipper experience.
As an example, a typical cost to rent a bareboat charter boat in the Mediterranean with 3 cabins and a capacity for 8 people, is 2,400 euros per week during high season and 1,800 euros per week during low season.
Sailing without skipper in the Mediterranean
If you are interested in chartering a sailboat in the Mediterranean but do not have the budget for a crew or the experience to charter a bareboat charter, then the third option, chartering a bareboat charter with skipper, may be right for you. Although this option is clearly more expensive than bareboat chartering, it offers the advantage that, under the tutelage of your skipper, you can literally learn the ropes and gain the relevant experience that will enable you to charter bareboat charter in the future. If you wish, you can also enhance your vacation experience by choosing to hire a host/hostess who will take care of cleaning duties.
Typical costs to hire a skipper will start at around €125 per day, while a flight attendant will cost just over €100 per day. Although this seems to offer exceptional value, you should be aware that you will also have to factor in both accommodation and living costs (ie food/drink) while on board the ship. In general, however, this is still a much more affordable option than chartering a fully crewed sailboat.