Destinations guides
Where the fleet sails, what each area costs, and when to go.
Same boat, different weekly bill
Charter pricing is regional. The same 47 ft bareboat catamaran books for roughly $5,000–$7,500/week in Croatia shoulder season, $7,000–$12,000 in the BVIs in winter, and $12,000+ in Tahiti where logistics push every input up. Crewed superyachts follow the same spread: the Med and the Caribbean dominate the high-season calendar, and the same 30 m hull can quote 40% higher in Antigua over Christmas than in the Ionian in June.
Three variables explain almost all of the difference: the length of the season (a 20-week season has to carry a year of costs), the cost of getting provisions and crew to the base, and the VAT regime the charter falls under.
What each area costs (chart high season)
| Region | 40–47 ft bareboat | Crewed superyacht | Peak window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greece (Ionian/Aegean) | $3,500–$7,000 | $2,000–$4,000/guest | Jul–Aug |
| Croatia | $3,000–$6,500 | $2,200–$4,000/guest | Jul–Aug |
| British Virgin Islands | $5,000–$12,000 | $2,000–$4,500/guest | Dec–Apr |
| French Polynesia | $7,000–$15,000 | $3,000–$5,000/guest | May–Oct |
| Thailand | $3,000–$8,000 | $2,500–$4,000/guest | Nov–Apr |
| Amalfi / Italy | $4,000–$9,000 | $2,500–$5,000/guest | May–Sep |
Beyond base rate, destinations differ in VAT, repositioning fees, provisioning cost, and how far the best anchorages sit from the marina you start in. Croatia's 13% VAT differs materially from Greece's tiered system, and France applies 10% on the charter fee with different treatment for commercial versus private use.
Five questions that decide the region
Most buyers choose a destination in the wrong order: they pick a coastline from photographs, then discover the season, the flights or the VAT do not fit. Work through these five first; the postcard usually survives the filter.
| Question | What it rules out | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Which weeks can you travel? | Anywhere outside its season window — a July Caribbean week sits in hurricane season | Season table below |
| How much flying is acceptable? | Two-stop destinations when you only have seven nights | Flight time vs charter length |
| Do you need to swim every day? | Cold-water coasts in shoulder months | Sea temperature by month |
| Is the VAT already in the quote? | Comparing a net quote with a gross one | Contract, not the brochure |
| How far between anchorages? | Short-tacking routes on a one-week itinerary | Distance tables per destination |
Season windows, month by month
The Mediterranean runs roughly May to October, with July and August at peak rates and June and September offering the best weather-to-price ratio. The Caribbean splits into a dry season from December to April and a summer season with lower rates and a real hurricane risk from June to November. French Polynesia and Thailand invert the pattern: their dry, expensive months are the northern-hemisphere winter.
| Month | Mediterranean | Caribbean | Indian Ocean / Pacific |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan–Mar | Closed or cold; a few winter bases | Peak rates, best trade winds | Cyclone season; limited fleets |
| Apr–Jun | Shoulder, 20–35% below August | Late season, thinning fleet | Season opens, best value |
| Jul–Aug | Peak rates, busiest marinas | Low rates, hurricane risk | Dry season, high rates |
| Sep–Oct | Warm sea, shoulder pricing | Storm peak; many fleets relocate | Shoulder, good value |
| Nov–Dec | Closing; Christmas premium in the Caribbean | Season opens; Christmas and New Year at a premium | Wet season begins |
VAT, fees and the small print
VAT is charged where the charter starts, not where you sail. Greece applies a reduced rate for qualifying charters and a higher one otherwise; Croatia charges 13%; France 10%; Italy varies by contract structure; the Caribbean mostly has no VAT but adds cruising permits, customs fees and national-park charges. A 13% VAT on a $60,000 week is $7,800 — enough to erase the difference between two destinations that looked $5,000 apart.
Ask every operator for the same four numbers before comparing: base rate, APA percentage, VAT rate and whether the quote includes both, and the delivery or one-way fee if you start and finish in different ports.
Which yachts actually sail each region
Destination pricing assumes a yacht that is already there. The fleet index lists the named charter yachts in this guide with their summer and winter cruising areas, published rates and guest capacity — worth checking before asking an operator to reposition a hull for a week. The cost hub carries the line-item structure that applies in every region, and the logistics hub covers the paperwork that changes by country.
Which destination is cheapest for a first charter?
Croatia in June or September: dense marina infrastructure, short passages, a large bareboat fleet and shoulder-season pricing roughly 25% below August.
When is the Caribbean cheapest?
September–November quotes often land 20–35% below the December–April high season. That discount is payment for hurricane risk, and contracts in those months usually carry named-storm clauses — read them before paying.
Do I need a different licence by country?
Bareboat requirements vary: Greece and Croatia accept an ICC or RYA Day Skipper, Italy is stricter about documented experience, and some Caribbean fleets accept a sailing resume. Crewed charters need no licence from you at all.
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