Yacht charter experts are committed to finding the best value yacht charter for your group, sourcing the right yacht in the right place, at the right time, and at the right price. So, using industry information, we set out to answer the million-dollar question: How much does a yacht charter cost?

Like all complicated topics, the answer is, “it depends”. There are yachts of various shapes and sizes around to fit every taste and budget, from cosy monohulls to spacious catamarans and from stripped-out racing yachts to incredibly lavish, fully crewed super yachts.

It’s not even as simple as just picking the right boat. The costs can vary enormously and depend on several factors, from where you go, to when and what you get up to. The good news is, if you know where to look, you’ll find some incredible offers. Our friends at HELM have shared with us the key things you should consider, and in doing so, they clear up some of the confusion over the price of a yachting holiday.

Below, we break down the core elements that influence the cost of a yacht charter.

How Many People in Your Group?
Your group size will influence what sort of yacht you should choose and how large it should be. For example, if you’re a small family, then monohulls could be ideal. Larger families and groups of up to 10 might be better off taking a catamaran, while big parties would find a Gulet or a larger yacht better suits them.

When Do You Want To Go?
The yacht charter industry is a highly seasonal one, and prices fluctuate to reflect this. Demand and prices are often higher during school holidays, so if you can avoid these dates, you will likely bag yourself a better deal.

For the eastern Mediterranean, if you can go in June or September, you’re likely to benefit from great weather, dodge the crowds and get a great charter yacht at a reasonable price. If you can avoid the Christmas holidays in the British Virgin Islands, you can enjoy a more relaxed yacht rental with a lower charter fee. If you’re unsure when to go, ask your yacht charter expert to recommend the best place for your charter vacation.

Where Do You Want To Go?
Once you’ve chosen what time of year you want to go, you need to decide where to go, and while, on the whole, the price differences between locations aren’t enormous, they can vary significantly.

In locations like the Amalfi Coast and Italian Riviera, where there are hundreds of charter yacht providers with thousands of yachts, basic economics suggests you should be able to find a better deal than a more remote sailing area like the South Pacific or Indian Ocean, where there are a lot fewer yachts to choose from.

What Do You Want From Your Holiday?
Your tastes and expectations of the trip can also influence your budget. A crewed yacht charter is your cup of tea if you’re looking for a relaxing time on the water in total comfort. You’d enjoy a bareboat or skippered sailing yacht if you’re more hands-on and want to get stuck into the nitty gritty.

Crewed yacht charter generally involves a higher cost, but with that comes the finest quality of luxury yacht and service from the moment you step aboard. Of course, the number of crew will also impact the charter rate as well as the experience – the more crew members, the higher the level of service, and the higher the fee, particularly on a superyacht.

What’s Your Budget Per Person?
One of the most important questions to ask is what you are comfortable spending per head on a warm weather holiday. This will give you a good indication of how much to charter a yacht. Yachting holidays are comparable in price to many other summer holidays, but instead of a villa or resort, you’re staying on a yacht that can move from beautiful anchorage to quaint fishing village to buzzing town, enjoying the sights, sounds and sailing as you go.

The number of charter guests can also influence the yacht charter price – the more of you there are on board, the more cabins you will need. In the first week of June, a skippered private yacht charter on the French Riviera for six people on a 40ft yacht would be in the same sort of price range as a week in a 4-star hotel.

Chartering a larger luxury yacht like Parsifal III or The Wellesley in the east Mediterranean (as seen on Below Deck Sailing Yacht and Below Deck Mediterranean) would be the equivalent of a luxury chalet in Whistler (without Captain Lee!)

All of the above factors feed into the budget setting for the yacht. There are several other things to consider when planning your holiday, too.

Mooring Fees
Mooring fees, effectively parking charges for yachts, can vary enormously depending on where you go. In many places across Greece and Turkey, for instance, you’ll be able to park free of charge on a restaurant pontoon, complete with water and electricity, on the proviso that you dine in their establishment that evening.

The enthusiastic owners can often be found guiding visiting yachters in and are happy to offer mooring help in return for your custom. The larger and newer facilities tend to levy some overnight fees, but they’re generally a handful of euros per night, even for a 50ft motor yacht.

Budget €300 per week for mooring in Croatia and about €400 for Italy (fees can be considerably more for a superyacht but will be covered by the APA).

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