Yacht charter holidays have never been more popular. Last year’s industry figures showing that more first-time clients than ever embarked on exotic charters across the globe in 2019. Expectations are that the number of newcomers will increase even further over the next few years, but where should they choose to go on their yacht charter vacations, and when?
For those of you contemplating your first yacht charter, we have compiled a month-by-month guide to yacht charter seasons. This will help you navigate the many wonderful options of yacht holidays.
The simplest way to steer your way through the complexities of the yacht charter calendar is to remember that the cruising year can be divided in two: one half traditionally belonging to Caribbean yacht charters and the other, to Mediterranean yacht charters.
The Caribbean yacht charter season runs from November, peaking in mid-December for Christmas and lasting all the way through to April.
And just as the Caribbean yacht charter season ends, the Mediterranean yacht charter season comes to life. The first yacht charters in the Mediterranean tend to begin in mid-May when the high profile events such as the Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix take place.
Your Guide to the Yacht Charter Seasons
Contemplating your first luxury charter this year? Here’s our month-by-month guide to yacht charter seasons and destinations, starting with…
September:
September signals the beginning of the end of the Mediterranean yacht charter season, yet is a favourite month for many. The weather remains in the mid 20°Cs, and the bars and restaurants are much less crowded after the summer rush. Many of the industry’s biggest superyachts will be still available for charter in the South of France. This is thanks to the necessity of being in the area at the end of the month for the Monaco Yacht Show.
October:
By now the weather has normally turned in much of the Med. Except perhaps, in southern countries such as Greece and Turkey. Here it is still possible to pick up some great end of season charters. Many superyachts now head over to the Caribbean to be ready for the beginning of the Caribbean season.
November:
The weather in the Caribbean from November to April is pretty much the same wherever you go with wonderful, warm temperatures and little rain. Many yachts and yachties congregate near Florida in November. This is where the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (the world’s largest in-water boat show) takes place. An ideal first stop on a maiden Caribbean yacht charter would be the Bahamas. It’s just southeast of Florida and with more than 7,000 islands and islets to explore.
December:
December brings the Annual Antigua Charter Yacht Show, which is known as the unofficial start of the winter yacht charter season in the Caribbean. If you are hoping to spend a once-in-a-lifetime Christmas in the Caribbean there are many places from which to choose. How about partying in St Vincent at the popular Nine Morning Celebration? This includes swimming, street parades, singing and dancing, or seeing in the New Year in Mustique, at a legendary party at Basil’s Bar. The possibilities are endless…
January:
After a hectic Christmas in some of the most popular party destinations in the Caribbean many guests hanker after the secluded bays of Windward islands. This archipelago is located on the eastern edge of the Caribbean Sea and includes the islands of Martinique, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada.
February:
Another idyllic destination to head to on yacht charter? The Greater Antilles, a chain of islands in the northern Caribbean Sea. Cuba is currently hugely popular with yacht charter guests while Jamaica is also becoming a must-visit destination.
March:
Before making your way back to Europe for the summer months, why not discover the delights of the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Haiti, also part of the Greater Antilles.
April:
The weather in much of the Med is still pretty unpredictable in April, with a tendency for rain in the South of France and parts of Spain. So, it is best to head south to southern Italy, Greece and Turkey.
May:
Many large superyachts head to the ports of Cannes, Antibes and Monaco on the French Riviera in May. Here, they welcome the great and good of Hollywood, sports stars and celebrities attending the Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix.
June:
After partying the latter part of May away, the majority of superyachts remain in the South of France. It’s great for taking trips into Italy and discovering parts of the Italian Riviera such as Portofino, a breathtakingly pretty port on the Liguria Coast.
July:
This is peak time in the Mediterranean yacht charter season. The most popular destinations are the French Riviera, the Italian Riviera, Corsica and Sardinia, and more latterly, Croatia.
August:
August is another extremely busy month in the Mediterranean! The Balearic islands of Ibiza, Majorca and Menorca are another favourite hot spot for yacht charter clients looking for an unforgettable summer holiday.
That’s a really huge and informative guide.