The Caribbean is made up of many different multi-nation (and multi-cultural) islands. There are amazing sailing grounds stretching from Cuba and Jamaica in the west, through the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, The Virgin Islands, The Leeward Islands and the Windward Islands, finishing with Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba and Curacao off the coast of Venezuela. Due to the scale and diversity of the different yacht charter areas of the Caribbean we have covered the major charter locations individually.

The Caribbean is truely the king of yacht charter locations. It is an ocean laden with history and treasures, from tiny beach ridden coral atolls to substantial mountainous islands exuding rich and colorful cultures. You will be sailing over waters once sailed by pirates, buccaneers and Spanish treasure fleets which now offer wonderful locations offering so much choice to sailors and vacationers alike. Thriving bars and Caribbean nightlife; first rate cuisine; spectacular beaches; lush tropical rainforest; cloud-fringed mountain peaks; exotic birdlife; amazing diving and snorkeling and a serene blend of European sophistication and warm Caribbean hospitality. Yes it truely is a wonderful area to sail. From the moment you arrive until you leave you will experience a great mix of color, sound, taste and smells of the Caribbean.

As the most popular charter ground in the world the types of boats available in the Caribbean include all the main types. Motor, sailing, bareboat charter, skippered, crewed yachts, catamaran, luxury yachts and the ever increasing super yacht charter. Both beginner and expert yacht charterers alike are drawn to the Caribbean for its warm winds, protected waterways and beautiful anchorages that lie snug and safe within the tropical island chain. A Caribbean yacht charter is a truely wonderful experience for experienced and novice yacht charterers alike. There are so many islands that you will need several vacations to cover the whole area but you have to start somewhere so please read all the pages featuring the best of the Caribbean sailing areas.

One of the most famous and well established yacht charter locations is the Mediterranean. Some of the most famous locations within the Mediterranean include Monaco, St Tropez, Nice, Cannes, Capri, Portofino, Amalfi, Positano, Porto Cervo, Palma de Mallorca, Valencia, Dalmatians, Corfu, Mykonos, Bodrum and Marmaris, to name a few. And some of the amazing countries bordering the Mediterranean include France, Spain, Italy, Croatia, and Greece have so much history to explore. Mediterranean boating holiday locations are unequaled in their natural beauty, cultural heritage, passion, glamour and style.

A location that is probably even more popular but quite different is the Caribbean. The Caribbean is made up of many different multi-nation (and multi-cultural) volcanic islands. There are amazing sailing grounds stretching from Cuba and Jamaica in the west, through the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, The Virgin Islands, The Leeward Islands and the Windward Islands, finishing with Trinidad and Tobago off the coast of Venezuela. Due to the scale and diversity of the different areas of the Caribbean we have covered the major charter locations individually.The Caribbean owes its popularity to the nearby American market although many people travel from Europe and elsewhere.

Northwest Europe has so much to offer. Anyone chartering a yacht in the British Isles or Europe will experience great cultural and scenic variety. There are excellent sailing areas in England, Scotland, Ireland, Brittany, Holland, Sweden and Norway.

In the Western Americas the largest and most stunningly beautiful cruising ground is undoubtedly the Pacific Northwest. From the buzzing marina hives of the San Juans, the most popular yachting area in the Western United States, to the humble marinas of the Sunshine Coast, charter boats are well catered for. You can find shopping, dining, art and history on the San Juans or serene tranquility in Desolation Sound. From the famous Desolation Sound and the humble Sunshine Coast and Jervis Inlet, to the San Juan Islands in the south and the Gulf Islands in the north, this sailing area has a plenty to offer any charter boat vacation.

The major charter boat locations in the United States of America include New England, Connecticut, New York, Florida, The Florida Keys, and Bahamas on the East Coast right across to the Pacific Northwest, Anacortes and Seattle and down to California, Santa Barbara and San Diego in the south west. It’s hardly surprising that in America you have the choice between charter vacations with incredible diversity, varied identity and character.

Austrlalian and New Zealand have so much to offer for yacht charter and sailing. From the magnificent coral reefs of Queensland, to the historical ports of Tasmania or the ancient green peaks of the Marlborough Sounds or Bay of Islands in New Zealand, a charter boat vacation in Australasia is guaranteed to provide a taste of something rare.

Close to Australasia,the South Pacific Islands is a vast area for chartering; with almost endless things to see and do, including such exotic classics as Tahiti, Tonga, Fiji, New Caledonia, and Vanuatu yacht charters.

Other areas becoming ever more popular is the Indian Ocean including Mauritius, The Seychelles and Phuket in the east. Indonesia, a country of 17000 islands is also becoming more popular.

When considering power yachts and sailing yachts you must realize that there are so many different models and designs of charter yachts. Consequently there will be so many different layouts of the cabins and living quarters on yachts along with the feel and ambiance that different designs generate. It is not possible to cover every option here so it will be better to state the basics that every yacht will have and to familiarize you with the terms that you need to know when booking your vacation to make sure you explain what you want.

What ever the yacht the following terms are the same. The largest and nicest cabin on board is the master cabin, and in most cases has an attached en suite bathroom and will have the largest bed and fittings such as closets and drawers. On larger yachts that might well be a VIP cabin which would be the next nicest cabin. The next level of cabins would be the guest cabins, with double or twin beds. The twin beds might in fact be bunk beds so you must clarify this point when booking to save any disappointments later on. Bunk beds are ideal for kids but may not appeal to adults.

The beds will typically be arranged ‘fore and aft’ in the yacht. It might mean that you will roll around in your bed as the yacht moves in the sea but this is the best arrangement. If the sailing yacht is heeled over under sail then you will gravitate to one side of the bed. This is not uncomfortable, just different to what you are used to. The alternative arrangement is athwart ships which is not so comfortable because as the ship rolls your head is one moment above the level of your feet and the next moment below them. Please keep this in mind when looking at the bed arrangement on any yacht you are thinking of chartering.

Smaller yachts mean smaller cabins and smaller cabins mean smaller beds. The size of yacht that you will charter as a bareboat charter will be at the smaller end of the market and so will have less space and features than a larger crewed charter yacht. The master cabin on a bareboat yacht will often have a three quarter size double bed with two or three sides open to access. The bed could be of a step up island design where it is raised a step up from the cabin floor. This is due to the design of the yacht as the space under the bed is used for other functions of the yacht. The island bed looks grand but can be difficult for taller people who may need to bend more to avoid touching the ceiling when stepping up to get into bed.

The master cabin should have a full length closet, but possibly a half closet and adequate drawers for your clothes and possessions. In the guest cabins with bunk beds be aware the height above each bed may be restricted and more suitable for children than tall adults. The bunks will be quite narrow but you will soon get used to them and infact they will be quite comfortable if the yacht is rolling as it is easy to brace yourself. In some twin cabins such as the ‘vee’ cabin in the bow of the yacht the length of the bed might be restricted and a tall person will be unable to stretch out completely. This might also be the case with the bunk beds. This will not be a problem with the master bed as the bottom of the bed will be open.

The closet and draws in guest cabins will be limited in size so do not pack too many possessions. However there will be enough space if the space is managed sensibly. Some yachts have the facility to convert the dining table and couches into a bunk but it is not a good idea to hire a charter yacht with a view to this bed being used by members of the party. This is inconvenient and can cause tension with late risers or untidy guests. It might seem a good idea in the first instance to save money on your sailing vacation but you really should have a fixed bed for every guest.

Bareboat charter is for the more experienced person who has been sailing before. In fact the boat owner will insist on some type of qualification from a national authority before agreeing on the charter. This qualification will be something like an Offshore Skipper Certificate, depending where you are from. On a bareboat charter you are your own skipper, mate, mechanic, deckhand, chef and dinghy driver. Whilst on charter it is up to you to arrange all the watch keeping, safety, daily routine etc. To be ble to take on a bareboat charter you will be familiar with a yacht routine and know what to do. If you are a little rusty or not familiar with the type of yacht then you may wish to employ a skipper for the whole charter or for just a few days. You will quickly learn from the skipper before taking over on your own but you must realise that the skipper will require a cabin for his time on board so allow for that when planning your vacation.

Yachts offered for bareboat charter are more than likely to be older yachts that have been used as instructional yachts as well as hired by less than accomplished sailors. They are unlikely to be in pristine condition as they have been used and have aquired bumps and scratches from contact with jetties and inside galley spills leaving their mark. However you will still have lots of fun with good value for money a the charter rate will be lower for this type of yacht.

The size of the yacht could be anything up to 60 feet and will be comfortable and easy to handle for you and your party. Single hull sailing yachts, catamarans and power yachts are all available for the same cost or less than the cost per person on a mid range cruise ship. If you wish to employ a skipper or a chef/deckhand then obviously the cost will increase to pay their wages, possibly up to $300 per day for the skipper, who will do most of the work onboard and make life easier for you.

If you are lacking the experience or would feel happy with company nearby then you might choose to take a flotilla charter instead. This allows you to sail your own yacht but have the support of a professional skipper and crew member leading the flotilla on their own yacht. You sail in company with other yachts and the agenda is arranged by the flotilla skipper who has all the local knowledge to make your vacation pleasurable. As you aquire knowledge and become more confident you may wish to sail independently of the flotilla but arrange to meet up with them at the next harbor or anchorage. You will still be able to stay in contact with the flotilla by radio in case you need help.

The other category is that of a crewed yacht. This can be any amount of crew from just a skipper/owner through to a large yacht with captain, mate and full crew. A husband and wife crew on their own yacht is quite common where the wife will do all the cooking and domestic chores and lend a hand crewing as well. You will not be asked to do too much work but of course you can be involved as much as you want. So what is the difference here to the skippered bareboat, it is the fact that the yacht is owned by the husband and wife team and will be in better condition and well maintained. They will take greater pride in their yacht and will see themselves as hosts rather than paid crew.

Fully crewed yachts are the most expensive option but if you can afford it then you will find yourself fully pampered and served by the crew. If you are combining your budget with your friends then possibly your will be able to charter such a yacht. The yachts vary tremendously in size and style but luxury and service are the key words. A 46 foot sailing yacht with four guests will cost around $20000 for a week plus expenses such as food, fuel and berthing fees. At the other end of the scale hiring a 170 foot motor yacht with accommodation for ten guests would be around $250000 plus expenses. So you can see that at this end of the market there is a yacht for every taste as long as you can afford to pay for it.

The real benefits of a yacht charter are the freedom to go where you want, within the cruising area of the yacht, and do what you want and when you want. There are no ‘Ship Sails At’ boards to read before you leave your yacht as on a cruise ship because you, the charterer, will be making the decisions. You will be living in a private world that yacht charter can offer you, even in some crowded areas.

It is fair to say that the world is yours when talking yacht charter. If you are wealthy enough then you can charter a yacht that can travel far and wide while you are aboard. Otherwise you can travel within the area of operation during your two week or so charter period. However charter yachts operate all over the world so once you have been bitten then maybe you will want to fly abroad and join your yacht in Tahiti or Thailand or some other exotic location. The yacht charter industry is growing all the time and new yachts and locations are being added to meet increasing demand.

Unlike cruise ships, yachts are more variable with a lot more choice. There are big players with world wide fleets of yachts but equally there are small operators or even an owner with one yacht who will offer you no less an experience than the big players. So how do you find these yachts and why isn’t your local travel agent offering them. You will need the services of a specialist, a charter broker, to find you the right boat at the right price without any effort on your part or you can spend your time surfing the net to visit all the online sites. The charter broker really is very knowledgeable about this industry and will help you to ensure that you have a perfect vacation. As you read through the pages on this site you will find many links and recommendations to help and guide you to make the right choice for your charter yacht and vacation location.

You can choose to cruise aboard a bareboat yacht with your family and friends if you have the required knowledge. Otherwise you can employ a skipper who will instruct you as you go. If you so wish you can also have a chef to make life that little easier. With a larger budget you can charter a fully crewed yacht to pamper and serve you. Want to be the skipper and have some experience but would feel more confident with other people nearby then a flotilla charter is the way to go.