Caribbean or Mediterranean Yacht Charter
The month decides. From May to October charter the Mediterranean, and from December to April the Caribbean, because that is where the fleet and the weather are. The Mediterranean offers culture, ports and restaurants. The Caribbean offers beaches, reefs and steady trade winds. A typical week costs around €49,000 in the Caribbean and €55,000 to €65,000 in the Mediterranean.
- Mediterranean season
- May to October
- Caribbean season
- December to April
- Typical week, Caribbean
- Around €49,000
- Typical week, Mediterranean
- €55,000 to €65,000
- Yachts listed
- 1,300+
Side by side
The two seas compared
| Caribbean | Mediterranean | |
|---|---|---|
| Season | December to April | May to October |
| Weather | Warm, steady trade winds | Hot, mostly calm, local winds |
| Days are about | Beaches, snorkelling, water toys | Harbour towns, restaurants, culture |
| Typical legs | One to three hours | One to four hours |
| Typical week | €49,000 | €55,000 to €65,000 |
| Tax on the charter | Often none, 14 percent in the Bahamas | 13 to 22 percent VAT, zero in Montenegro |
| Peak weeks | Christmas, New Year, March | July, August, event weeks |
| Start here | Caribbean guide | Mediterranean guide |
Choose the Caribbean if
You want winter sun and water time
The Caribbean is about the sea itself: reefs, turtles, white sand and a steady breeze. The British Virgin Islands are the easiest cruising, St Barths the most glamorous, and the Bahamas the clearest water of all.
It is also the answer to the Northern winter. Christmas and New Year are the most requested weeks of the year and are booked nine to twelve months ahead.
Choose the Mediterranean if
You want places as much as water
In the Mediterranean every evening can be a different town: Saint-Tropez, Portofino, Bonifacio, Hvar, Mykonos. The food, the history and the scene on shore are half the trip.
It also offers the widest choice of yachts in the world in summer, from the French Riviera to Greece and Turkey.
And in between
The shoulder months
In November and late April many yachts are crossing the Atlantic, so choice is thinner in both seas. The Maldives are at their best from November to April and fill the gap well.
FAQ
Questions, answered
Is it better to charter a yacht in the Caribbean or the Mediterranean?
It depends on the month. The Mediterranean is best from May to October and the Caribbean from December to April. In style, the Mediterranean is about ports and culture and the Caribbean about beaches and water.
Which is cheaper?
The Caribbean is slightly cheaper: a typical week costs around €49,000 against €55,000 to €65,000 in the Mediterranean, and many islands charge no VAT on charters.
Do the same yachts work in both?
Many do. A large part of the fleet spends the summer in the Mediterranean and crosses to the Caribbean for the winter.
When should I book a Christmas or New Year charter?
Nine to twelve months ahead. These are the most requested weeks of the year in the Caribbean.
Is there a hurricane season?
Yes, from June to November in the Caribbean, which is why the fleet moves to the Mediterranean for the summer.
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Figures from the Navélia fleet · updated