Ed Hamilton & Co.

Mediterranean

The most popular place in the world for summertime yacht charters. Western Mediterranean countries including France and Italy are well-developed in terms of yacht charter, while Eastern Mediterranean countries such as Croatia, Greece and Turkey continue to grow in popularity for charter yachts of all kinds. Whether you want to cruise among quaint villages, anchor in colorful harbors, tour ancient ruins, or enjoy hotspots bustling with nightlife, there is a Mediterranean charter for you.

Charter rates jump to their highest levels in the world during the premium Mediterranean cruising months of July and August, but there are always good deals to be found, especially if you cruise “off-season” in the usually beautiful months of May, June, September and October. Even better, the crowds dissipate with the heat during those same times of the year, so you can enjoy an even more private, personalized charter experience, too.

Sailboats and powerboats alike are available in the Mediterranean. In places like Turkey, traditional motorsailers called gulets are an option—and are considered to be one of the best charter values in the whole world. In trendier locations like St. Tropez and Monte Carlo, you can charter on board some of the biggest, most luxurious motor yachts in the world.

No matter what kind of yacht you charter, you will be blessed with more places to explore than you could cruise to in an entire year. Outside of Greece, which boasts a nation of island groups unto itself, the majority of Mediterranean cruising is coastal. Your yacht’s itinerary may include destinations such as Spain’s Balearic Isles, France’s Corsica, or Italy’s Sardinia, Elba and Sicily, but for the most part, a Mediterranean charter means hugging the coastline and cruising from city to city, town to town, and village to village. Some of the harbors boast shops and fine dining, some are filled with local fishermen and motorbikes, and still, others house the remains of ancient amphitheaters and villages that you can tour on foot.

Cruising Grounds

Mallorca

Spain

What the Balearic Islands chain lacks in size, it more than makes up for in style. You might think the Balearics look small when compared with, say, Greece’s Dodecanese or Cyclades chains of islands.
st tropez marina

France

The Cote d’Azur or French Riviera, as it is known the world over, is one of the most popular resort-filled destinations for the summertime Mediterranean yacht charter. Many of the charter industry’s largest, most expensive luxury yachts visit the city of Cannes each May so that charter guests can mingle with movie stars during the famous Cannes Film Festival.
amalfi coast

Italy

The part of Italy that connects with the French Riviera is often called the Italian Riviera—a geographic extension of the natural beauty and resort-ready beaches that line France’s Cote d’Azur. Chartering here in northwestern Italy, though, you will see a difference from itineraries in France. This part of Italy is not always as packed with megayachts during the summer months, so you can often find picturesque harbors and villages and enjoy the views from your yacht in absolute solitude.
Sailboat in Croatia

Croatia

The eastern side of Italy is not as popular for yacht charter as its western side, simply because there are not as many marinas to house charter yachts here as there are along the French and Italian Rivieras.
Oia Greece

Greece

The Saronic Gulf Islands are right off the coast of Greece near Athens—which makes them an excellent archipelago to explore if you’re also interested in visiting the world-famous city.
Konyaalti

Turkey

The portion of Turkey’s coast that runs just north of Greece’s Dodecanese Islands is considered one of the best values in crewed yacht charter today.