Fabulous Mediterranean yacht sailing destinations and boat sailing tips 2021 with IntersailClub? Greece offers a wide range of popular sailing destinations, but the Ionian Islands are one of the most extraordinary. Some of the best starting points for a sailing yacht charter are the ports of Corfu, Lefkada and Zante, with the main season running from May to October. Temperatures range from 26 to 35 degrees Celsius and the warm breeze mostly comes from the northwest at 4-20 knots. One of the calmest areas in the Mediterranean thanks to the gentle thermal winds, tidal range is minimal at around 30 to 60cm. Waters between the islands and the mainland are protected, offering calm and relaxed sailing, and the area surrounding the northern Ionians is considered very straightforward with easy navigation and plenty of anchorages found amongst the islands. Although the Meltemi wind can sometimes cause difficult sailing conditions, generally yachts under sail can use this to achieve exhilarating performance. With the pleasant Mediterranean climate, welcoming locals and beautiful scenery, the Ionian provides a sensational location for idyllic sailing.
If you are planning a summer holiday in Europe, then it doesn’t get much better than a sailing trip around the continent’s pristine coastlines. There are plenty of destinations here that offer unspoiled beaches, quiet islands, sparkling blue waters and the prettiest port towns that you could imagine. So pack your sailing gear, pick a destination, and get out there! Sailing around Greece is the kind of holiday that everyone fantasises about – so why not make it a reality? Whichever destination you choose from the list above will be sure to provide an exciting and completely unforgettable experience.
Sailing around Oceania: Just like Europe, Oceania features a huge variety of landscapes that are sure to take any sailor’s breath away. The Whitsundays in Australia is a series of 74 tropical islands nestled in between the coast of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef. Here, charterers can witness the huge diversity of ocean life that call the reef home, as well as the pristine white sand of the islands themselves. Not too far from these islands, Thailand offers untouched beaches replete swaying palm trees that will invigorate anyone sailing through. It is for these reasons that popular culture has tried to capture the beauty of these locations – the renowned Phi Phi islands have notably featured in a Bond film, while Maya Bay was featured in “The Beach.” Although it might seem like a headache to plan these kinds of monumental trips, it’s actually much simpler than you might think – regardless of where you are in the world or where you want to travel, digital charter platforms like Ahoy Club can help connect you with a yacht owner in minutes.
The Best Time for Mediterranean Yacht Cruises? Summer is the best time to visit the Mediterranean, and it is definitely the high travel season in this part of Europe. The millions of people from all around the world flock to the Mediterranean’s beaches during summer months for much-deserved summer break due to the region’s pleasant climate. The summers in the Mediterranean are sunny and hot, and the sea is warm. However, the best time for Mediterranean yacht cruises is late spring (May-June) or early fall (September-October) when the temperatures and the sea are pleasurably warm, days are sunny, and the crowds in popular destinations are far fewer than in summer. Discover more info at yacht charter. Optional COVID-19 Cancellation Insurance. Our direct customers can opt for COVID-19 travel cancellation insurance that includes: Cancellation, Late arrival,Travel interruption, Hotel expenses. Optional COVID-19 cancellation insurance protects you if you or your crew develop coronavirus symptoms, test positive, or are unable to provide a negative PCR test.With the opportunity to cancel or reschedule your yacht cruise to any of the other Mediterranean destinations, you can plan your vacation with confidence.
The type of charter contract applicable to your charter will depend on where in the world you are cruising, as there are various terms within the industry which dictate how the payment structure is determined. For instance, a MYBA (Worldwide Yachting Association, formerly known as Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association) contract operates under Western Mediterranean Terms (WMT) and is arguably the most commonly used, particularly with large yachts embarking on a Mediterranean yacht charter. This contract is often referred to as a “plus all expenses” contract and requires that the charterer pay for fuel, food, beverages and dockage fees as an additional expense outside of the base charter fee. Typically, guests can accumulate an additional 25% to 50% of the base charter fee though this is dependent on what is consumed. These expenses can be tracked through the use of an Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) which we will cover in the next section. The key is to choose your times carefully. A difference of one week (from high season into low season) can make a vast difference in cost, while still providing the same weather as the more expensive period. The yacht itself is a major factor in determining the charter cost, but it’s not just about size. A recently launched charter yacht from a famed builder with an experienced and popular charter crew is going to command top prices for its size range. Yachts with a legendary name, such as a history of celebrity ownership, can also ask higher rates just for the “fame” value. And yachts with special features, such as alfresco movie theaters or exceptional water toys (a submarine, for example) are also pricier.
Sailing tip of the day: After a few honeymoon years, a boat’s fuel gauges, often inaccurate at best, tend to suffer from a high mortality rate. When push comes to shove, you can’t beat an old-fashioned dipstick. Given a sensible allowance for fuel slopping around in the tank at sea, a dipstick is the most reliable measure you’ll get. A threaded hole on top of the tank with a piece of rod welded across the plug so it can be hand-tightened onto a rubber washer makes the ideal access point for the stick. If you can’t arrange this and the filler pipe has a bend, a flexible steel tab like an engine-oil dipstick will usually get you there. You can calibrate the stick in harbor by running the tank almost dry, then topping it right up, marking the stick at every 5 gallons. Nobody did that for your boat’s fuel gauges. If they’re anything like the one on my car, you think there are hundreds of miles left until the needle suddenly hits the stop.
And remember, before or after staying in Ibiza, take the chance and spare some days for a visit to Spain’s mainland cities. Ibiza offers several daily flight connections with Madrid and Barcelona, just 40min away from the latest. Bachelors and singles will enjoy big city life, with good nightlife, shopping, restaurants and fun experiences. Couples and honeymooners may like to extend the trip and immerse in Spanish culture and heritage. Start with Barcelona and continue afterwards to the south, where charming Andalusian cities are waiting with incredible monuments and cosy old towns. Madrid can be the departure city, easily connected from Sevilla, Córdoba and Málaga by fast train. Families may prefer to extend the stay in the fantastic beach resorts and end with a short visit to main capitals before heading back home. If you like a little live music while you sunbathe and swim, head to Cala Benirras, one of the best party beaches on Ibiza. Every Sunday, local musicians set up on this cosy, friendly beach and play all day. A group of drummers are often found performing, which is worth bearing in mind if banging on tubs doesn’t quite fit your definition of music. Weather-beaten wooden shelters for fishing boats are scattered around the crescent-moon shaped beach and some cool chiringuitos can be found a little further inland. Find more info at IntersailClub.
You might not always get the good weather but this part of the UK equals many of its European rivals in beauty. Over 95 miles of uniquely formed ancient coastline stretch all the way from East Devon to Dorset. Otherwise known as the Jurassic Coast, some of the rock formations here are 185 million years old and its England’s first natural World Heritage Site. Set sail from Weymouth Harbour and stop off at all the local beauty spots – Durdle Door, Lulworth cove and countless historic coastal villages.
