What is yacht charter?
Yacht charter is the private rental of a sailing yacht, catamaran, or motor yacht for a set period — typically one or two weeks. Unlike a cruise ship, you choose the route, the stops, and the pace. It is the most flexible way to explore coastlines, islands, and harbours that are inaccessible by land.
The market has grown significantly since 2020, driven by demand for private, outdoor travel. In 2026, an estimated 50,000 yachts are available for charter worldwide, from simple bareboat sailboats in Greece to 100-metre superyachts in the Caribbean.
Types of yacht charter
| Type | What you get | Experience needed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bareboat | Yacht only — you skipper | RYA Day Skipper or equivalent | Experienced sailors who want freedom |
| Skippered | Yacht + professional captain | None | Groups who want to sail but not navigate |
| Crewed | Yacht + full crew (captain, chef, steward) | None | Families and couples wanting luxury |
| Superyacht | 40m+ yacht, 8–20 crew, full amenities | None | Ultimate luxury — corporate or celebration |
Yacht charter costs by size
Charter pricing is driven by yacht size, type, age, crew, and season. Below are indicative weekly rates for peak Mediterranean summer (July–August). Off-peak rates are typically 20–40% lower.
| Yacht size | Type | Weekly cost (peak) | Guests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30–36ft sailboat | Bareboat | £2,000–£4,000 | 4–6 |
| 38–42ft catamaran | Bareboat or skippered | £5,000–£10,000 | 6–10 |
| 50–65ft sailing yacht | Crewed | £10,000–£25,000 | 6–8 |
| 24–30m motor yacht | Crewed | £25,000–£60,000 | 8–10 |
| 40–60m superyacht | Crewed (10–15 crew) | £80,000–£200,000 | 10–12 |
| 60m+ megayacht | Crewed (15–30 crew) | £200,000–£1,000,000+ | 12–36 |
Note: The Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) — covering fuel, food, drinks, marina fees, and tips — typically adds 30–50% on top of the base charter fee. All-inclusive charters bundle this into one price.
Best yacht charter destinations
| Destination | Best months | Known for | Starting from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greek Islands | May–October | Island-hopping, crystal waters, tavernas | £2,500/week |
| Croatia | May–October | Medieval ports, sheltered sailing, Hvar | £3,000/week |
| French Riviera | June–September | St Tropez, Cannes, glamour, superyachts | £10,000/week |
| Caribbean | November–April | BVIs, St Barts, trade winds, warm water | £4,000/week |
| Turkey | May–October | Turquoise coast, value, traditional gulets | £2,000/week |
How to book through Stirling Access
Stirling Access is a free AI luxury concierge. You tell us what you want — destination, dates, group size, budget — and our AI searches the charter market to find the best options. No call centres, no brochures, no back-and-forth emails.
- Message us — via WhatsApp, web chat, or voice. Tell us your dates, destination preferences, group size, and budget range.
- We find options — our AI searches charter fleets across the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and beyond. You receive a curated shortlist within minutes.
- You pick — review options, ask questions, refine. We handle all communication with the charter company.
- We handle logistics — flights (private or commercial), airport transfers, marina transfers, provisioning preferences, and special requests.
Private jet + yacht packages
The ultimate combination. Fly private to the nearest airport — Nice for the Riviera, Split or Dubrovnik for Croatia, Mykonos or Athens for Greece — then transfer directly to your yacht by helicopter or car. No terminals, no queues, no lost luggage.
Stirling Access arranges both sides. A typical London to Mediterranean private jet charter starts from around £8,000 one way for a light jet (6 seats), or from £3,000 per seat on an empty-leg flight. We monitor empty legs on your preferred routes and alert you when prices drop.