A couples guide to Sailing Holidays - Flotilla versus Bareboat Charter
by Becky Addison, Sailing Holidays 8 Jul 04:00 PDT
Couples sailing in the Mediterranean © Sailing Holidays
We like to think we know a thing or two about sailing in the Mediterranean. Every year, thousands of our sailors spend their summers sailing from island to island soaking up all that these exciting waters have to offer.
There's a huge amount of people that like travelling in large groups and an equally large proportion that enjoy sailing as a couple. We've found that the latter category is rarely given the attention it deserves when it comes to tips and advice.
For many, the first decision to be made is whether to sail within a flotilla environment or to branch out with an independent yacht charter.
Often couples find that our flotilla yachts are better suited to them as it is sometimes harder to find smaller yachts available for charter. However, this is not always the case. Our Yacht Charter Division are great at hunting out yachts for all eventualities and know the best places to source yachts for two.
To get a feel for what to expect from an Independent Yacht Charter, take a look at our Saronic Islands video below...
When making the decision between flotilla and yacht charter there are a few things that you can weigh up to help you:
1. Do you hold a formal qualification? - in order to charter a yacht independently one person on board will need to hold a (minimum) of an RYA Day Skipper Practical certificate or an ICC (International Certificate of Competence).
2. Do you enjoy having a helping hand now and then? - on of the benefits of sailing as part of a flotilla is that the lead crew are on hand to help you should you need them. They will find mooring spots for you and also fix anything should it break. On an Independent Yacht Charter, you are very much the master of your own destiny, so you will be responsible for planning your route etc.
3. Would you like the chance to socialise in the evenings? - although are flotillas are by no means a "forced fun" environment, there is the opportunity socialise with fellow flotilla sailors in the evenings, should you wish. If you are craving some alone time with your other half, then an Independent Yacht Charter could be just what the doctor ordered.
4. Where would you like to sail? - our flotillas are based in Greece so if you are looking to explore other areas of the Mediterranean then a yacht charter is the one for you. We work with carefully selected suppliers across Croatia, Greece, Italy, Turkey and Spain to ensure that we provide a high-quality choice of yachts.
To read more about couples sailing in the Mediterranean and to see our top picks of yachts and sailing areas, click below!
