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For many, the words yacht charter vacation immediately conjure up visions of big sails against Caribbean backdrops with white sand beaches, steel drums at sunset, breezy palms and tropical cocktails. However, if you want to trade the familiar for something that feels fresh, full of culture, and distinctly flavorful, Croatia’s Adriatic Coast is calling your name.

A crewed yacht charter in Croatia isn’t just a vacation — it’s a sea-borne tapestry of culinary delights, ancient towns hugging rugged shorelines, and private anchorages that feel like your own secret coves and can be best experienced from the comfort of a fully crewed yacht where the local knowledge of a Captain and Crew is invaluable.

A crewed yacht is more than transportation. It’s a private, floating hotel that moves at your pace where each day unfolds effortlessly. Breakfast appears on deck as islands drift by. Lunch is served at anchor in a quiet bay with water so clear you can see the seabed. Evenings might be spent dining onboard under the stars or stepping ashore in a centuries-old harbor town, guided by your crew’s local insight.

With a Croatia crewed yacht charter, the itinerary adjusts to your interests. Lively ports or peaceful coves. Wine tastings or national parks. Cultural sightseeing or slow afternoons swimming and sunbathing. Sail into Dubrovnik just after sunrise. Swim beneath cliffs near Vis. Wander Hvar’s historic streets in the early evening. Explore Korčula’s medieval old town, then retreat to a quiet anchorage only reachable by boat.

Croatian cuisine is rooted in fresh seafood, olive oil, herbs, and regional wines, and a skilled onboard chef brings these flavors directly to your table. Expect grilled Adriatic fish, fresh salads, handmade pasta, and local cheeses sourced from island markets. It’s fine dining without reservations, crowds, or fixed schedules.

The Adriatic charter season runs from May through October, with each period offering a distinct feel. May and June bring mild weather, blooming landscapes, and fewer boats. July and August offer warm seas, vibrant island life, and classic summer energy. September and early October combine warm water with a slower pace and excellent food and wine as harvest season begins.

If the Caribbean feels familiar and you’re ready for something richer in history, cuisine, and culture, Croatia may be your perfect next destination.

Take advantage of a 10% discount if you book by January, 15, 2026 and experience Croatia aboard the fully crewed Fontaine Pajot Alegria 67 ‘Floramye’. The crew of three, with extensive local knowledge of the area, will delight guests with their incredible Dalmation lifestyle of comfort, hospitality, storytelling and Mediterranean cuisine. Floramye sleeps 8 guests in 4 cabins (1 master and 3 queens) each with en suite heads and features wide decks, a shaded forward lounge area with a jacuzzi and a comfortable flybridge with 360 degree views.

The crew of four aboard the Sunreef 80 luxury crewed power catamaran, Blessed, knocked it out of the park for our clients’ group of 8 crewed yacht charter vacation in the Virgin Islands. When asked for feedback about their charter, our clients responded with, “We had the time of our lives.”

The guests, a party of four couples, had this to say about the Blessed crew; “Captain Tim’s knowledge of the Virgin Islands and ‘what to do’s’ was a great help. Julie is an exceptional chef. All 8 guests, one with special diet request, are well traveled and could not say enough about the quality and presentation, whether breakfast, lunch or dinner for 7 days. The meals were healthy and truly a culinary delight. Nina made excellent drinks based on individual requests.”

“I would be remiss if I did not mention crew dynamics. Tim, Julie, Lucus and Nina’s  work ethic, professionalism,  demeanor and care for guest comfort was 10 out of 5 stars.  They collectively made the Blessed the Blessed.”

The principal charterer, David, said, “The boat was as described or better. Discussions with Steve McCrea during the planning and selection phase made for a confident decision and ultimately the right choice. Ed Hamilton out worked their competitors. We described our interest, scale and budget. Steve McCrea provided a focused response that allowed us to make the right decision. Your competitors do not put in the same level of effort. You have a good thing going.”

Captain Tim & Chef Julie have been a dynamic charter team for the last 25 years. Hailing from Colorado, Captain Tim Miller has been a SCUBA dive instructor since 1979, teaching SCUBA on his worldwide travels with extensive experience throughout the Caribbean leading safe, relaxed and unforgettable snorkeling and diving adventures. Chef Julie Brown moved to the Virgin Islands from sunny California. Her culinary style specializes in the elegant balance of nutritional foods and fine wines featuring aromatic combinations of the freshest fish & meats, vibrant tropical fruits & vegetables and mouth watering desserts all prepared with an outgoing personality ensuring that every meal aboard Blessed is a delightful adventure in itself. Rounding out the Blessed crew is Nina, who is an experienced stewardess and certified mixologist along with engineer/first mate, Lucas, a licensed yacht master, advanced SCUBA diver and water sports enthusiast. Together, the Blessed crew strive to provide guests the best vacation ever.

Blessed offers a luxurious and modern feel usually experienced on larger, more expensive megayachts. Relax on the plush lounge areas on the foredeck or take in the incredible 360 degree views while enjoying the jacuzzi on the flybridge. Inside Blessed, you’ll find an open concept salon with bar area and 5 spacious, exquisitely designed cabins that include private on-suite heads and can accommodate up to 10 guests on an all-inclusive luxury yacht charter vacation in the Caribbean Virgin Islands.

One of our recent June departures was a tandem charter made up of a the Captain-Only private crewed yacht, the 45′ Lagoon Catamaran Rapscallion, and a Moorings 52.4 Monohull Bareboat which was a perfect combination for this Family of 12.

The Matriarch of the Family, Sue, had been dreaming of doing a BVI charter with her two daughters, their husbands and five grandkids since she last chartered with her Family in 2009. Fast forward 16 years and her dream finally came true.

Yacht charter options that can accommodate 12 people comfortably in the BVI are limited. Originally, Sue reached out to us to charter a bareboat monohull (as she’s a true sailor) which her, her Skipper and her grandkids would stay aboard while her two daughters and their husbands would stay on land at a hotel, hoping to try and meet up with the bareboat around the islands. Because the logistics of that plan involved a lot of moving parts on a daily basis, instead, we were able to find an option that would allow the adult children to enjoy a relaxing vacation somewhat separate but still with the bareboat monohull where their kids spent maximum time with GrandSue. Captain Jamie Still and Rapscallion were the perfect addition and really made this highly anticipated Family vacation something everyone will talk about and remember forever.

One of the daughters said, “Captain Jamie Still and the Rapscallion were absolutely fantastic! Dreams came true when Captain Jamie agreed to tandem with a boat guided by my mom (lifelong sailor at 86), her skipper friend, and 5 grandchildren, all in their 20’s. Captain Jamie’s boat accommodated the daughters and our husbands and we had a deluxe experience. The kids could come over for meals or a break from the tighter quarters of the monohull. We loved all the sails and moorings! We really enjoyed prime snorkeling spots, quiet spots with isolation and beauty, contrasted with lively stops for dinners and drinks out. We really got the best of all worlds. Finally, Jamie’s daily video display of what the itinerary and timing would be, and communicating that information to everyone on WhatsApp, was super effective and allowed the parents to not have to coordinate everything. Jamie’s final thank you complete with maps, itineraries and photos was an unexpected treat! This was truly a dream trip, especially for our Matriarch who had been dreaming of this experience since 2009. Endless thank you’s!”

While this type of tandem charter is a bit unusual, the Captain-Only crewed charter paired really well with the bareboat monohull and allowed this family to make wonderful memories while all being together.

Captain Jamie Still is a highly experienced captain with over 15,000 miles of sea voyaging and sailing experience. He is known for his attention to detail, a commitment to safety, and excellent boat handling skills. Captain Jamie is a strong leader who puts the needs of his guests first, and he takes pride in providing a luxurious and memorable experience for everyone aboard. Operating as a Captain-Only crew, Jamie does provide concierge-type services for things like provision assistance, hassle-free coordination of excursions and reservations along with deep local knowledge of cruising grounds, exclusive snorkel spots and onshore activities. One of the daughters on this trip said this about Captain Jamie: “Though chartering the cat wasn’t in our original plan, thank goodness we found you and the Rapscallion. You’ve been super flexible and accommodating while also leading the way to some of the best spots in the BVI.”

Rapscallion is a Captain-Only crewed sailing catamaran in the British Virgin Islands with ample areas around the deck to enjoy the sun or shade including a u-shaped forward cockpit, large aft cockpit where you can enjoy al fresco dining and a flybridge with bench seating and padded sun beds. Inside, there are 3 fully air-conditioned queen cabins that include private on-suite heads with separate showers and can accommodate up to 6 guests.

While the options for barbeoat monohulls in the BVI are limited, there are still a few companies that charter them and the Moorings is one of them. The Moorings 52.4 Exclusive barbeoat monohull is a Beneteau design that couples comfortable livability with high-end sailing performance. The Exclusive model is 1-3 years old and is equipped with the latest yacht technology and upgrades along with 4 double en-suite cabins comfortably sleeping up to 8 guests with room for two more in the convertible salon.

On a recent crewed yacht charter aboard the Lagoon 620 Luxury Crewed Catamaran Foxy Lady, in the British Virgin Islands, Captain Rob and Chef/Mate Becky Willows proved to be a perfect match for an all adult group of 8 close Friends.

When it comes to a crewed yacht charter, selecting the right crew is often more important than the boat itself. Who you spend your much-anticipated vacation with can make or break it. That’s why matching guests to the right crew is so key to a successful crewed yacht charter vacation.

Our Clients said, “The description of the boat was extremely accurate, but what we appreciated was Steve’s understanding of who we are and what crew we would match with best. The crew worked with us to ensure we got to do every single thing we wanted to do. The meals were unbelievable, exquisite, gorgeous, delicious, colorful, varied – greatly exceeded expectations.”

A successful crew match is no stroke of luck. Our brokers regularly attend Crewed Yacht Charter shows where they personally inspect the yachts and meet the crews and they also spend a lot of time reviewing client feedback from previous charters which are invaluable in matching clients to the right crew.

Captain Rob and Chef/Mate Becky hail from South Africa and are avid travelers but their 8 years of chartering in the BVI makes their deep knowledge and experience of the area invaluable. While Rob is an astute Captain and grew up racing dinghies and sailing bigger yachts, he loves to be in the water too showing guests the incredible beauty that lies beneath he waves. Becky, a food lover her whole life, is adept in the kitchen where she produces varied and exciting cuisine bur is also a quite capable sailor herself. Together, Rob and Becky are a super team.

Foxy Lady is a very spacious and comfortable sailing catamaran with ample areas around the deck to enjoy the sun or shade including a large aft cockpit where you can enjoy al fresco dining. Inside, there is a large salon with luxury seating to relax in the cool A/C along with 4 spacious and comfortable cabins that include private on-suite heads with separate showers and can accommodate up to 8 guests on an all-inclusive luxury yacht charter vacation in the BVI.

BVI Yacht Charters 2024 Lagoon 40 Bareboat Catamaran, Bubbles Up, provided an excellent platform for our Clients’ Family of 4 to explore the British Virgin Islands on their first 10 day bareboat charter.

Our Clients’ post charter note said, “Hi Lynne – just wanted to express our gratitude for your help with our first bareboat charter. We had a fantastic trip with perfect weather. With 10 days, we were able to explore so much of the BVI, but also take our time in a few places, including 2 nights in North Sound (Bitter End Yacht Club and Deep Bay / Oil Nut Marina), 2 nights in Anegada and 2 nights at Jost Van Dyke and Little Jost Van Dyke. I brought my kitesurfing gear and got in 3 excellent sessions, including at a deserted island (Sandy Spit new Green Cay / Little JVD) and some wave riding on a reef break at Cow Wreck Beach, Anegada. Best trip ever! Everyone loved it and we’re already thinking about what’s next”

This Family is hooked on bareboat charters just after their first one as they are already thinking about Croatia in 2026.

Bubbles Up offers 4 cabins, all with on-suite heads. With a spacious aft cockpit and large forward sun deck, there is ample outdoor space to relax on the water. This yacht is ideal for families, couples with guests or a group of Friends. It would be perfect to celebrate a milestone occasion or just a much needed vacation getaway in the BVI.

Celebrate your freedom to explore on a private bareboat charter vacation and enjoy an endless supply of beaches, coves and unique islands and coastlines to visit, in destinations around the world, with no timetable and a crew of just your close Family and Friends.

For a very limited time Sunsail and The Moorings are running their Freedom Flash Sales offering 20% instant savings on bareboat charters booked now through July 11, 2025 for departures dates through June 30, 2026.

Bareboat Charter discounts this large and covering such a wide span of dates are uncommon. So if you’re thinking about getting away on a sailing vacation, now is a great time to take advantage of the best choice in bareboat yachts and pricing.

Another great crewed charter aboard the Foutaine-Pajot Allegria 67 Colibri. Captain Graham, Chef Kristiann, and Stewardess/Dive Instructor Matilda took great care of our many time repeat clients, providing them with an all new view of the British Virgin Islands on a luxury crewed catamaran.

Our Clients said, “We have been to the BVI many, many times, however, somehow you managed to make it a whole new experience. You made every day special, fun, and exciting. Every meal was a beautiful presentation, and 5 star level experience. Getting to know you all has been a real treat. We loved our beach time, playing games, and sharing laughs.” – Ken & Sherree

Captain Graham and Chef Kristiann have lived on four continents and visited over fifty countries. Their experiences have taught them that great vacations are made up of many small details. They find great pleasure in working as a team and creating lasting memories for their guests. Stewardess and Dive Instructor Matilda, is the newest addition to Team Colibri and loves sharing her knowledge of diving and marine life as well as inspiring guests to try new activities.

Colibri is one of the few crewed sailing catamarans that has a small jacuzzi on the foredeck, an expansive covered flybridge area for outdoor lounging with 360 views along with 4 spacious and comfortable cabins that include private on-suite heads and can accommodate up to 8 guests on an all-inclusive luxury yacht charter vacation in the BVI.

One of our customers who recently sailed on ‘Nomada’ for their BVI charter sent in the following letter of praise:

“We just stayed on your amazing catamaran last week – Nomada. Thank you for sharing your beautiful boat. We had one of the best holidays of our lives! As amazing as the boat was – it was the crew that made the trip magical. I want to tell you that Thomas Beesely, Glen Massey and Dani Willows were outstanding in their hospitality, care and planning. I could not believe that they had only been working together for a short time. 

We learned that Dani is applying for a permanent position with Nomada. I want to let you know that she was the ultimate “deck hand” not sure what you call her position – but she was always asking if we needed anything, clearing tables, helping the crew, etc. with a smile and amazing personality. The boat and cabins were always immaculate. Her Painkillers were better than Soggy Dollar’s! PS She is a fantastic singer – made Karaoke night! I know Glenn is new to the team also but it felt like these three had been working together all season. Please hire Dani and keep the “Dream Team” together.”  – Michele E. (May 28 – June 3)

‘Best holidays of our lives’ and a ‘magical trip’ are hard to beat, many thanks to the “Dream Team” for making these folks’ vacation special! If you’re interested in chartering Nomada, you can view her pricing and details here. Nomada has a special offer for charters sailing through July.

If you’re looking for something a bit different, there are myriad other crewed yacht charter options, and we’d be happy to help. Call us at 800 621 7855, email us at info@ed-hamilton.com or ask us to suggest some specific boats that fit your requirements!

As of Friday, July 15, 2022, travelers to the BVI will no longer be required to present a negative covid test to enter the country as part of the BVI covid testing requirements. The government passed an amendment to the regulations on July 13th, announcing the move on July 14th.

Full details of the BVI announcement can be read here: Virgin Islands Dropping Covid Test Entry Requirements

A little background…
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, when travel was severely impacted across the globe and basically shutdown tourism completely, countries around the world have slowly gone from complete border closures (remember those days?) to allowing tourists to return, requiring additional entry requirements including completing online portals, proof of multiple negative Covid tests and instituting mandatory quarantines. All of which have either been frustrating obstacles many people have chosen to endure and take a much needed vacation to a beautiful destination anyway or have just simply decided to forego a vacation outside their own country’s borders and keep it local.

Even though a private yacht charter vacation is one of the most socially distant vacations you could enjoy, traveling to the destination has required more planning, preparation and coordination than pre-pandemic. However, our clients that have braved the travel protocols have made it clear that once you get through the travel on the front end and back end, that precious time in between, where your in the private space of a charter yacht with friends and family, surrounded by clear blue water and beautiful island scenery was well worth the extra steps to get there, especially after being cooped up for so long during the height of the pandemic.

Just in the past few months, many countries have begun to lift their Covid-induced entry protocols, making travel to those beautiful destinations much easier and a more pleasant travel experience for tourists. And finally, the British Virgin Islands, one of the most popular bareboat and crewed yacht charter destinations in the world, has joined those countries by lifting the protocol that requires the most prep and planning and is probably the number one factor when deciding to travel, their BVI covid testing requirements. With this protocol change, the BVI will surely again become the most sought after yacht charter vacation destination, bringing its tourism back to pre-pandemic levels.

Here we are in late February, with spring a mere 3 weeks away, and as the days grow longer thoughts inevitably start turning to warm weather plans, it reminds me of a common misconception about Caribbean sailing seasons: the best time to sail is the winter.

The truth is that it’s not that the Caribbean sailing weather is particularly perfect in winter, it’s just that winter happens to be a great time to evacuate the upper half of North America whenever and however possible! The Caribbean is truly a year-round sailing destination. There are certainly better and worse times to go, but since the summers of 2004 and 2005, with their very active hurricane seasons, the perception that one should not go to the Caribbean in the summer has become more entrenched.

Yes, that’s right, the “H” word – I said it. You don’t often encounter the word hurricane in charter operators’ marketing material. Unfortunately, the risk associated with tropical storm systems has been greatly hyped by the media outlets who are given incentive to do so by way of ratings; and major networks have far, far more penetration into consumers’ attention span than do charter companies, and therefore the bareboat charter companies, and those who operate crewed yacht charters, safest strategy is to hope to avoid the subject altogether.

Hurricane season technically runs June 1 – November 30. So this means don’t book a Caribbean yacht charter then, right? I don’t think so. In fact, if I could pick any time to sail, (notwithstanding any desire I have to escape snow and ice), it would be April – June. While the Hurricane Season is technically on, a quick look at statistics shows you that early season storms typically form in the Caribbean Sea or Gulf of Mexico. Tropical storm systems almost always move east to west, (with the exception of Lenny the contrary, who moved west to east in the late ’90s); thus early season storms stand a very, very slim chance of impacting the majority of the Caribbean cruising grounds. It’s not until mid to late August that sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic rise high enough to be conducive to tropical storm formation.

So why would I choose April to June as my preferred of the Caribbean sailing seasons? Well, in the winter months it’s firstly much windier. Sure, 25 knots is a blast for an afternoon’s sail, but for for a whole week of bouncing around? That starts to become work, and isn’t why I go on vacation. Also, by April the North Atlantic storm activity is greatly reduced, and with it the likelihood of the ground swell it produces which makes north-facing anchorages uncomfortable at best and untenable at worst. The other big benefit? Spring and summer can often be notably less expensive than winter.

So by spring, you have more sunny days than Winter, 12-15 knots instead of 18-25, calmer seas and more anchorages to explore. I often like to charter from late April to the first week in June, as you get all of the aforementioned benefits, plus you’re between seasons so you’ll also find the cruising areas to be far less crowded.

By pointing these features of summer Caribbean sailing out, do I worry that less people might ultimately sail in the winter? Nope. A check of the weather tells me it’s 16 degrees out, and up to a foot of snow predicted for the weekend. The reasons vary, but sailing the Caribbean sounds good to me pretty much any time.

Ready to start planning your charter vacation? Browse Bareboats or Crewed Yachts to get started.