Top 10 Tips for Mediterranean Bareboat Yacht Charters
by Lauren Zykorie NauticEd Yacht Charter Agent
Chartering in the Mediterranean is certainly one of my favorites with its stunning coastlines, variety of destinations, historic ports, local cuisine and traditions, beautiful waters, and so much more! Whether you’re exploring the volcanoes of the Aeolians, taking in ancient Greek ruins, or discovering the Dalmatian coast, navigating the unique logistics and customs of Mediterranean chartering requires some know-how. Here are 10 essential tips to help you sail smoothly, stay prepared, and make the most of your adventure.
- Be Aware of the Schedule / Embarkation & Disembarkation Times
Most all bareboat Mediterranean yacht charters operate on a Saturday-to-Saturday schedule in 7-day increments. Embark on the first day is generally around 5pm. This means that most often, you will spend the night in the ‘home marina’ that first night. But don’t freak out – most Mediterranean marinas are in amazing locations with plenty to do and restaurants to enjoy – no need for a hurry out that night and besides, sleeping on the boat in the marina that night gives you a chance to discover what needs fixing on the boat before you head out. Almost all Mediterranean companies/destinations require an obligatory return to base Friday by 5pm/6pm with disembarkation early Saturday morning. This means your last night is also spent in the home marina. Essentially this means a one-week bareboat charter is only 5 nights – 6 days ‘out and about.’ Plan your travel, routes, and activities accounting for such. If you can, try for a two-week charter; that’s 12 nights -13 days out and about (more than double). Sometimes, you can opt for “early boarding”, which means you can leave the marina on embark day sometimes around 2pm – but this option is not always available and you need to book that early. It just means that they clean and get your boat ready first out of all the other boats that they need to turn around. There is a fee for this – sometimes around €200. Again – don’t panic – enjoy the marina and local town.
- Provision Lightly; Try to Pre-Provision
Eating out in the Mediterranean is part of the experience—fresh seafood, local wines, and charming waterfront tavernas make provisioning a secondary concern. However, it is necessary to stock up on essentials like snacks, drinks, toilet paper, and more! Absent a hostess—which is highly recommended—try to pre-provision and have provisions delivered if available. In Croatia, Jam Yacht Supply provides provisions for most of the marinas, and for an Athens/Saronic charter, we recommend Balakas. Even still, provision lightly. Most of the ports have markets to restock on that favorite wine you discovered on day 2 or to try some new local cheeses and fruits. Visit the local food markets – for example, Trogir in Croatia has an amazing food market at the back of the township. There you can find the most amazing fruits, veggies, cheeses, cured meats, jams, fig spreads, crackers, and breads. I’m salivating right now just thinking about it.
- Insurance and Security Deposits
There are various types of insurance for a bareboat yacht charter. First, we recommend general travel insurance; look into www.insuremytrip.com for a variety of options (it’s like the Expedia for travel insurance). Additionally, all charter companies require a security deposit authorization due at the base upon check-in, typically authorized via credit card. Some companies offer damage waiver insurance reductions, but not all. That is, for example, if the security deposit is 5000€, you can opt to pay a nonrefundable amount, say 300€, to reduce the security deposit authorization to 2000€. If available, consider whether it makes sense for peace of mind. Keep in mind whether this is something you wish to pursue prior to booking your yacht. Not all companies offer deposit insurance and third-party private insurance companies don’t offer such for Americans/Canadians – huh guess why – we did it to ourselves. Finally, ensure your credit card has a high enough limit and inform your bank in advance to avoid declined transactions. More than likely if you booked you airline fair on the same credit card then the card company knows you are traveling there. But no one is watching, right?
- Competence and Confidence in Mediterranean Moorings
On a bareboat Mediterranean yacht charter, you’ll be doing Mediterranean mooring type docking (aka stern-to docking) with a slime line (sunken mooring lines to a concrete block 30m out in the marina), or you anchor out and back up stern-to a quay or with a long-line to shore. Competence and confidence in doing so is vital…. especially when you’re docking next to a gazillion-dollar super yacht. Be prepared with fenders, stern lines, and clear crew communication. Practice these various moorings in virtual reality. And if you’re not confident, consider hiring a skipper to guide you through these maneuvers. Also, prior to such a trip, learn from a professional NauticEd instructor. Pro-tip, take the NauticEd Maneuvering Under Power course online.
The image below is taken from our online Maneuvering Under Power course on how to do a Mediterranean Mooring.
- Marina Reservations—Essential in High Season; Use Technology
During the Mediterranean high season (June–August), marinas in popular destinations can fill up quickly. In some locations, same-day reservations are possible, but in others, you’ll need to book weeks in advance. Online resources such as www.cruiserswiki.com and/or apps like Navily or MySea can help with reservations and real-time availability. Keep in mind, however, that while some Mediterranean destinations have a marina infrastructure suited to reservations (Croatia), in other destinations (Greece, for example), no real reservations can be made so if you want a marina spot, be sure to arrive mid-afternoon to secure a spot. This means, not sleeping in. Get up early, get going to hit a few swimming spots on the way, and arrive at the marina/township early to explore – rinse and repeat.
- Arrive Early, Stay Late—Luggage, Jet Lag, and Exploring
There is so much to do and see in these Mediterranean destinations. If time permits, arrive several days earlier than your charter and/or stay for several days after your charter. At a minimum, arrive at least the day before embarking. Flying in the day of is risky due to delayed flights or lost luggage. I can’t tell you how many times friends or clients have had to literally purchase clothes at the tourist shop near the base due to lost luggage. Arriving early not only accounts for likely travel mishaps, but you can overcome jetlag and get to explore the culture of the Med. Tell your boat guests the same – you don’t want to be waiting in the marina because their flight was delayed.
- Pick Your Destination Wisely—Based on Skills & Group Desires
With so many Mediterranean destinations (and each Med. country having several sailing areas to explore), how do you choose? Well, according to Grant Headifen, NauticEd’s Global Director, “pick one this year, and do the other one next year – simple!” As a charter agent, I recommend considering several factors including skill level, group interests, and dates for charter. For easygoing sailing, consider the Ionians (Greece) or Croatia. For more experienced sailors looking for longer passages, consider the Cyclades (Greece). For those looking for luxury, consider the French Riveria; if interested in adventure, explore the Aeolians (Italy) and hike volcanoes, and for those wanting some remote anchorages, consider the Sporades (Greece).
- Cash & ATMs—Always Have Local Currency
While credit cards are increasingly the go-to for payments, not all marinas, charter companies, or local village shops/restaurants accept such. Be sure you have sufficient cash on hand. But do not be afraid of Mediterranean ATMs. While there are plenty around, we recommend NOT using those marked “Euronet” as the exchange rate is terrible, and extra fees are tacked on. Rather, find an ATM associated to a local bank and allow your own card (vs the machine) to do the conversion rate. The machine will ask “Do you want this in $US or €?” Select € because then your card will do the conversion at a better rate than the machine. Same for shops, restaurants, and other purchases – select €. Also, most Mediterranean charter companies require cash for extras; that is, while you pre-pay for the boat, upon check-in, you generally have to pay for the extras, both obligatory and optional, and most companies require this payment to be made in cash only – something to do with GST tax savings for them @18% in Europe. SHHHH!
- Optional Extras—Pre-Reserve but Pay in Cash at the Base
There are tons of optional extras to choose from to equip your yacht charter, for logistics, or for having fun on your charter. Most of these optional extras are paid for, in cash, at the base, upon check-in. However, it is best to reserve these in advance, especially for those that are limited such as early boarding. Some recommendations:
- Fishing gear: generally not recommended—fishing is regulated in most Mediterranean countries and is generally in deep-sea open waters. Plus the med has been fished out by humans over the past 2000 years.
- Snorkeling gear: we recommend bringing your own mask and snorkel from home. Rental gear can be expensive and personal equipment ensures fit and comfortability.
- SUP: Stand-Up-Paddleboards are much more common than kayaks in the Mediterranean and we definitely recommend such for exploring hidden coves and anchorages.
- Early boarding: we definitely recommend this option when available. This allows you to get out of the marina the first day/evening if all other logistics are complete.
- Wifi: we generally do not recommend the yacht charter optional wifi unless its unlimited; rather, we’ve often found better service through our local cell carrier international plan. Usually at only $10 per day from your local carrier giving you unlimited flexibility.
- Outboard: recommended. Sometimes an outboard engine for the dinghy is included in the ‘boat price’; other times it is an optional extra that needs to be reserved and paid for upon arrival. Why? Just is!
- Plan for Technological Needs—Power & Charging on Board
Not all yachts have inverters to charge devices when not connected to shore power. If you need to keep phones, tablets, or cameras charged, bring USB battery packs, a 12V car charger adapter, and extra cables. Marinas generally provide shore power, but some islands have limited electricity, so conserve battery power when necessary.
See here for recommended electrical adapters and such for yacht charter
- Sailing License. Ok, this is beyond the 10 tips as promised but it is not a tip – this is a MUST.
YOU MUST HAVE A SAILING LICENSE TO SKIPPER A BOAT IN THE MEDITERRANEAN.
YOU MUST HAVE A SAILING LICENSE TO SKIPPER A BOAT IN THE MEDITERRANEAN.
Not a certification – it won’t work and you’ll have to hire a skipper at the last moment if available or spend the week in the marina.
We recommend the SLC – it is not only an acceptable license by all yacht charter companies and port authorities but it also serves as an acceptable sailing resume. Yes, a resume of appropriate experience is also required – durh logically. This is because some associations produce an international certificate of proficiency for $35 but the holder does not have an acceptable amount of experience to take out such a yacht. They’ve perhaps done a 7-day zero-to-hero program – and been issued a certificate but the charter company (rightly so) refuses to let the skipper take control of the boat. Again, the holder must spend the week in the marina.
Rely on Experts, Stay Flexible, Be a Good Skipper, & Enjoy the Journey
Bareboat chartering in the Mediterranean is about adventure, culture, and fun! In order to have such, rely on experts like the team at NauticEd Sailing Vacations. We’ve been just about everywhere and can advise as to best destination, boats, charter companies, itineraries and more! Be flexible—winds and weather ultimately dictate your itinerary but you also want to be able to stop and enjoy at your own pace. Be a good skipper is more than just sailing; its about being a leader, keeping the crew safe and ensuring that everyone has fun! And finally, enjoy the journey. Ok actually that brings us to TIP NUMBER 12 which is take the Effective Command through Emotional Intelligence online course to learn how to be an amazing leader of your friends and family.
“Blessed are the curious, for they shall have adventures.”
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