Yacht charter Italy

Enjoy everything Italy has to offer: art, culture, history, fabulous food and wine in spectacular settings from the comfort and convenience of your private yacht.

• For sailors and non-sailors alike: Italy is best approached from the sea
• More convenient and comfortable than traditional onshore tours
• Charter industry is small in comparison to onshore tourism
• Yacht charters in Italy very demanded by Europeans
• Crowds in the summer months are overwhelming
• Nautical license requirements vary by region
• Each region offers distinct experiences: Tuscany, Amalfi Coast, Sardinia and Sicily

A yacht charter to Italy is the most fulfilling way to experience this magnificent country. Although the yacht charter industry is smaller than one would expect for this incredibly popular tourist destination, there are many reasons to choose a yacht over a more conventional onshore approach. The Italian coast, like the French coast, attracts luxury yacht charters of the highest standards. Touring Italy abroad a private yacht is very comfortable and convenient. Enjoy the charming scenery, rich history and the unrivaled Italian lifestyle just like local Italians do when they are on their vacations. Italy's dramatic coastline is best appreciated from the sea and the Italians know it! In between visiting the numerous cultural destinations for which Italy is renown, there is always time to take a refreshing swim. Most enjoyable is relishing the fact that from a private yacht you have a certain relief from the crowds and traffic that are traditionally unavoidable in Italy's most popular destinations.

There are several distinct nautical regions of Italy. Each has its own flavor and focus. Be sure to plan your itinerary carefully as each region is rewarding in its own particular way.

TUSCANY

Tuscany offers superb cruising among beautiful unspoiled islands in addition to its extraordinary coastal cultural destinations. All aspects of Tuscany can be experienced from a yacht charter including restaurants, art, history, and gorgeous landscapes. The Tuscan archipelago is comprised of seven idyllic islands. Elba is a popular destination for many tourists. But it is Montecristo, which allows only a maximum of a 100 people on the island per day. That is truly a privilege for the yacht charterer, who at the very least can cruise by this secluded and magnificent protected island. At the same time, be sure not to miss the coastal cliff-side towns of the spectacular Cinque Terre. There is no better way to arrive and explore the five lively and historic towns than by yacht.   

Car access is extremely limited and, speaking from experience, can be absolutely disastrous due to traffic, parking and carsickness from the inevitable twists and turns of impossible roads. Trust me, arrive by boat!

It is pretty much next to impossible to charter catamarans in Tuscany as monohulls are the predominant choice everywhere. The prevailing summer wind is from the West to Northwest. Southeasterly winds are common around Elba and the mainland coast, combined with frequent periods of calm. Often there is a light West or southwesterly wind at night, making for pleasant anchoring conditions.

SICILY

Sicily is the ideal destination from which to embark on a charter rich in history and natural beauty with its imposing coastline and Etna's towering volcanic peak. Located approximately 35 miles from the coast are the Aeolian Islands, which are protected by UNESCO. Each island is, in fact, the peak of a volcano. Two of the islands are still active. The most demanding sailor will not be disappointed by the astonishing natural beauty of the Aeolian Islands. The islands have harbors and anchorages protected from the prevailing northwesterly winds. Occasionally there are gusty days blowing over 25 knots. Sicily is home to an abundance of citrus fruits like the famous blood oranges. It also produces olive oil and good quality of wine. Exotic plants and luxuriant gardens abound in the semi-tropical landscape of lemon groves and pine forests. Highlights of a yacht charter in Sicily will include impressive monuments of the past set against spectacular natural backgrounds. The cuisine of Sicily also reflects its rich past of invasions and occupations and is just delicious as it makes the most of its fresh local products

SARDINA

Sardinia is a place truly unto itself. With its very special striking landscapes, history, food, and culture, Sardinia is not your typical Italian destination. Its climate is even particular and not quite as hot as the rest of the Mediterranean. Sea breezes average 10 - 15 knots from the northwest, providing some great sailing. Be aware that in spring and autumn there are frequent local squalls. Recently Sardinia has become quite the hot spot with many mega yachts competing for the limited number of berths in Porto Cervo. Although the most popular ports are packed in the summer, Sardinia also offers less glamorous but still stunning ports and bays. The "Emerald Coast" which is located in the North is widely popular for its radiant blue water, breathtaking beaches, and rugged cliffs. This is an excellent base from which to explore the very famous Maddalena islands on the way up to the French island of Corsica. This spectacular cruising area combines the flavors of Italy and France. In fact, we often advised sailors planning trips to Corsica to start in Sardinia in order to take advantage of this very special itinerary. Everyone who had incorporated Sardinia and Corsica in the sailing itinerary found the experience deeply rewarding.

 AMALFI COAST & NAPLES

The Naples region is often a starting point to attractive cruising both on the mainland and to nearby islands. As opposed to Tuscany, the classic itineraries are comprised of shorter more relaxed sails and highlight beaches, glamorous cities and nightlife. One can sail very quickly from the endearing chaos of Naples to the Isle of Capri or to the spectacular Amalfi Coast. Normal summer winds are from the Northwest occasionally going around to West or Northeast. This region is best known for the Blue Lagoon on Capri, the famous archaeological site of Pompeii, the volcanic island of Ischia and the amazing resorts of the Amalfi coast. However, be prepared for serious crowds in this region. Capri with all its glamour, in particular, is packed in the summer with hundreds of yachts, each one bigger than the next. Don't count on having a berth, as they are almost all reserved well ahead of time by the mega yachts. Nonetheless, time after time, we hear that the only way to truly appreciate the stunning beauty of the Amalfi is by an approach from the sea.

General Tips on Sailing Italy

The yacht charter season generally runs from April to the end of October. The summer season in July and August is the hottest and tends to have lighter winds.

As Italy is extremely crowded at the height of the summer season, hiring a skipper may be useful even for the seasoned sailor. Having a local skipper on board will ensure that your charter experience will be more carefree. A local skipper will know how to negotiate the often overcrowded, small and tricky harbors. He will also know the best beaches and the best restaurants and markets. At the same time, a hostess/chef may or may not be necessary. If you are planning on docking in a port and exploring fabulous trattorias and restaurants, a hostess/cook may just be useful for serving drinks and making beds. Extra crew can take up valuable room on a tight ship. However, if you are planning on more long-distance sails, a local cook could be responsible for your favorite memories. Provisioning needs more planning on the longer sails. However, our crewed charters in many parts of Italy often made due without a cook and used the local markets that they discovered to stock up on the Italian delicacies, which often do not need any preparation whatsoever.

For the non-sailor who may still be daydreaming about a farmhouse in Chianti or a villa on the Amalfi coast, having been there and done that may I remind you that the villa or farmhouse can be very isolated and down a long unpaved driveway. These picturesque dwellings don't come equipped with air conditioning but do come with scorpions, snakes and wild boar roaming outside (venturing in on occasion). A private yacht on the water will be cooler and will certainly make the most of your time by providing you access to different destinations without the daily chore of packing. From the water, you will enjoy all that Italy has to offer!