10 Alternative Yacht Charter Destinations for Shoulder Season Travel

Chartering a yacht is usually seen as seasonal. Ideally, you’re looking for the best weather conditions for your sail, balanced with uncrowded beaches, available berths at marinas, and fewer people at attractions. Yachting in the shoulder season gives you these advantages. It’s that sweet spot during the year, between the high and low seasons. In the Caribbean, shoulder periods are generally around late spring. For the Mediterranean, it’s spring and early autumn. In both cases, it’s a perfect time to embark on a seafaring yacht journey, where the water temperatures are still warm, the rain is few and far between, and the popular beaches aren’t packed with people. This article invites you to discover alternative yacht charter destinations, where the shoulder season still feels amazing.

Symi, Greece

A jewel of the Dodecanese island group, Symi is a destination straight from the tourist brochures. Look in any direction here, and the panoramas are uber-photogenic. It’s also one of the best-kept secrets of Mediterranean yachting. Symi harbor is among the most scenic in Greece—the Neo-Classical houses and old churches climb the hills as the azure sea glistens in the sun. May and September are perfect for chartering here. No scorching summer heat, plenty of space in the marina, and numerous unspoilt beaches to sail to. Symi is a tiny island, so you won’t spend much time cruising to its stunning attractions, such as the breathtaking Saint George Bay and the epic coves of Nanou and Lapathos. The island is also a perfect base for exploring other Dodecanese stunners. You’re under an hour away from Rhodes, Nisiros, and Kos.

Fethiye, Turkey

The Turquoise Coast is calling. Located between Antalya and Bodrum, Fethiye is an alternative yacht charter destination to immerse yourself in one of the most enchanting corners of the Mediterranean. Great sunny weather is a guarantee in the shoulder season, making exploring the region’s many beaches easy. Fethiye is a classic Turkish seaside resort with all-inclusive hotels and a long gravel beach. Ancient history lovers will have a blast at Amyntas Rock Tombs, the unique burial complex sewn into the rock above the city. Set sail outside the town for the beaches. Begin with Ölüdeniz, a stunning pebbly beach with a lagoon and crystal-clear waters. It is easily one of Turkey’s most scenic. Backed by the high cliffs, Kaputaş is another strip to check out. Close by are Kalkan and Kaş, two picture-perfect beach towns with atmospheric historical cores. If you’re looking for Saint-Tropez vibes, Göcek is the closest you can get to the French yacht-friendly gem in Turkey. With a whopping six marinas, it’s the ultimate yachting center in the region.

Calabria, Italy

The tip of Italy‘s geographical “boot,” Calabria, is a dreamy yachting destination. Here, you have the Amalfi Coast-reminiscent perched seaside villages, Sardinia-like white-sand beaches, but no mass tourism. In spring and autumn, you can even have all the beauty to yourself. Calabria is the perfect alternative. Tropea is Calabria’s yachting center and its most dramatic town. Here, the rock-perched Old Town overlooks the cyan Tyrrhenian waters. Right under the cliff is the Spiaggia della Rotonda, one of Italy’s most divine urban beaches. Tropea’s Porto Turistico is the starting point for yacht charters. The journey will take you along the Costa degli Dei—or the Coast of Gods—home to stunning turquoise beaches. The must-visits are Spiaggia di Riaci, Marinella Di Zambrone, and Capo Vaticano. For more cinematic beauty, take a longer sail to Scilla, a painting-ready fishing town with a hilltop castle, spacious beach, and winding streets.

Northern Costa Brava, Spain

Shoulder season in the Costa Brava brings calm seas and predictable winds. In other words, it’s a perfect time to explore this beautiful region in the Catalonia province of Spain on a yacht. While the resort towns like Tossa de Mar and Lloret de Mar are busy even during late spring and early autumn, it’s the northern coast (or Alt Empordà) that allows you to discover the unspoiled Mediterranean allure of the region. Stretching from the French border to the Gulf of Roses, it’s the land of dramatic rocky coast, pretty seaside towns, and luxurious marinas. Some of the sights are world-renowned here, such as the Salvador Dalí House Museum in the whitewashed Cadaqués. Anchor in this charming town to have seafood at its beautiful promenade restaurants and admire the late Gothic Santa Maria church. Cadaqués is a gateway to the turquoise calas (or coves) of the Cap de Creus, such as Cala Culip, Cala Taballera, and Cala Tamariua. Also, don’t miss Empuriabrava, a unique yacht-focused town in the Gulf of Roses with canals instead of streets.

St Vincent and the Grenadines

The shoulder season in St Vincent and the Grenadines is between May and June. That’s a great time to charter a yacht and explore the SVG’s 32 islands. A visit here gets you to the heart of the Caribbean: the sapphire-blue bays, the volcanic mountains, centuries-old port towns, and eco-friendly resorts. Some landscapes may be familiar, like the “Pirates of the Caribbean” filmed around the SVG. Base yourself in Port Elizabeth on Bequia, the nation’s second-biggest island. It offers a well-sheltered bay and a convenient position for sailing to the beautiful Grenadines. The island is also home to Princess Margaret Beach, a paradise-looking sandy stretch with picture-perfect vistas. Mustique is another popular chartering destination, known for its sumptuous lifestyle, gorgeous sandy bays, and celebrity mansions (David Bowie, Mick Jagger, and Bryan Adams have villas here). A longer sail will take you to Tobago Cays, a protected marina area with exceptional reef snorkeling.

Southern Sardinia

Landscapes in Southern Sardinia are among the dreamiest in the Mediterranean. Chartering a yacht here takes you to the untouched mountainous coast, the milky-white bays, hidden coves, and snorkeling hotspots. Proximity to the island’s capital, Cagliari, makes the logistics even easier. You’ve got two major sailing routes, which are both spectacular. Go to the west for Baia di Chia, a coastal area with some of the most enchanting white-sand beaches in Europe. Relax on the long sandy stretches of Sa Colonia, Campana Dune, and Su Giudeu, backed by pine forests and rocky hills. There’s also a pink flamingo lagoon behind Su Giudeu, adding to the magic. Admire the striking uninhabited coast at two capes—Capo Spartivento and Capo Malfatano. The eastern sailing route from Cagliari takes you to Villasimius, home to the protected maritime area of Capo Carbonara. The showstopper here is the vast, sandy Porto Giunco beach, guarded by the ancient watchtower.

Central Dalmatia

Spectacular straits, medieval towns, underrated island escapes and pristine beaches—Central Dalmatia is made for exploring on a yacht. Away from the busy Dubrovnik and Split, this region offers the same breathtaking Adriatic landscapes, minus the crowds. Šibenik is the main port of Central Dalmatia. It greets you with one of Croatia‘s most striking Old Towns, famous for the Gothic-Renaissance Saint James’ Cathedral and the hilltop St. Michael’s Fortress. The city was featured in HBO’s Game of Thrones as fictional Braavos, the Iron Bank town. Chartering during the shoulder season here means enjoying the calm waters of the St. Anthony’s Canal, island-hopping in the green Šibenik archipelago, and dropping anchor at untouched coves with turquoise waters. The most popular sailing stop is Kornati National Park, a collection of 89 big and small islands, where you can experience some of the country’s most beautiful marine landscapes.

Angulla

Those who’d like to experience the Caribbean at its wildest and most undisturbed should embark on an Anguilla yacht charter. This British Overseas Territory, east of Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands, offers crystalline waters, dreamy milky beaches, and one-of-a-kind snorkeling. The shoulder season, typically May to July, is when prices drop, tourist crowds leave, and the weather is perfect for sailing. Anguilla is ideal for a laid-back yacht charter. The main island is just 16 miles long, so you won’t have to endure long sails. The tiny size is an advantage in this case. The nation is a well-regarded destination for all things water sports. You will spend days exploring the sea caves on Scrub Island, marveling at the underwater world on a glass-bottomed kayak, meeting with turtles at the Shoal Bay, and scuba diving at the Sandy Grounds. An Anguilla charter is often paired with a trip to St Martin, another paradisiac Caribbean island, divided between France and the Netherlands.

Spanish Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico

Isolated beaches, coconut palm trees, and vast wildlife areas await you in the Spanish Virgin Islands, an underrated yachting destination to the east of Puerto Rico. It’s comprised of the islands of Culebra and Vieques, with both offering a great diversity of chartering itineraries. Visiting in April and May is the ideal time to have many natural attractions on the islands just for you, and enjoy lower prices. Culebra, a smaller of the two, is for those looking to escape it all. The island is a piece of the Caribbean as it once was, so expect lush tropical forest, wild white-sand bays, and the atmosphere of solitude. It’s a go-to spot for turtle-watching and untouched beaches. The most famous local stretch is Flamenco Beach, a turquoise stunner, surrounded by palm trees. Vieques is a larger island, with more beaches and a huge (70% of its territory) Wildlife Refuge. Mosquito Bioluminescent Bay is a unique attraction to visit, where the sea literally shines, thanks to the light-emitting marine algae.

Western Mallorca, Spain

The Balearic island of Mallorca is rightfully Europe’s top yachting charter destination. Its coastline is made for scenic cruising. You’ll experience hidden coves, exclusive marinas, quaint fishing villages, and dramatic mountain panoramas. The West Coast is a laid-back alternative trip during the shoulder season. Port Adriano, one of Spain’s most sumptuous marinas, will be a superb starting point for this beauty-filled journey. The sail will take you to the picturesque towns like Port d’Andratx and Sant Elm. You can explore the sublime Mediterranean landscapes of uninhabited Dragonera Natural Park. Or pass by the stunning Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, and stop for a swim in gorgeous coves, such as Cala Estellencs, Cala Banyalbufar, and Platja Port des Canonge.