The Mediterranean concentrates in a single body of water what the rest of the world offers across multiple continents. The event sophistication of the French Riviera, the turquoise waters of the Balearics, the cultural richness of Italy, the island diversity of Greece — and all of it accessible within a few hours of navigation from any charter base.
This guide is the most comprehensive available in English on yacht charter in the Mediterranean. It covers everything — the season and ideal periods, destinations and their specificities, yacht selection, actual pricing, events to integrate into your itinerary, and the complete logistics of a successful charter.
International Yachts Charter and Brokerage XXIII has been operating in the Mediterranean for over 20 years with a superyacht fleet ranging from 30 to 49.8 meters. What we share here — is what we advise our own clients.
Part 1 — The Mediterranean Season
When to Charter a Yacht in the Mediterranean?
The charter season in the Mediterranean runs from May to October — six months during which weather conditions, water temperature, and destination accessibility are optimal.
But not all months of the season are equal. Here is the expert breakdown we recommend to our clients:
May — The Ideal Season for Connoisseurs
May is the favorite month for clients who know the Mediterranean well. Water at 18-20°C, exceptional light, uncrowded destinations, low-season rates — and the two most requested events of the entire season: the Cannes Film Festival (May 13-24) and the Monaco Grand Prix (June 4-7).
June — The Transition
June marks the entry into high season without yet having its prices or crowds. Water at 20-22°C, Cannes Lions (June 22-26), Giraglia Rolex Cup, Datacloud Global Congress. The best value for money of the entire season for those not constrained by school holidays.
July-August — High Season
July and August are the two months of absolute high season — water at 24-26°C, maximum activity in all ports, beach clubs at their best, peak rates. The Mediterranean is at full capacity. This is the most requested period — booking 3 to 4 months in advance is mandatory.
September-October — The Best-Kept Secret
September and October are, by unanimous opinion of our captains, the best weeks of the entire season. Water still warm (22-24°C in September), summer crowds gone, autumn light of incomparable quality — and two of the most prestigious events on the calendar: the Cannes Yachting Festival (Sept 8-13), the Monaco Yacht Show (Sept 23-26), the Voiles de Saint-Tropez (Sept 26 – Oct 4), Paradis Porsche (Oct 9-11), and MIPCOM (Oct 12-15).
The Events Calendar — The Backbone of the Season
The Mediterranean is unique in the luxury yachting world for the density of events that punctuate its season. Building your charter around an event transforms a week of navigation into an unforgettable experience.
| Month | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| May 13-24 | Cannes Film Festival | Cannes |
| June 4-7 | Monaco Grand Prix | Monaco |
| June 22-26 | Cannes Lions | Cannes |
| June | Datacloud Global Congress | Cannes |
| June | Giraglia Rolex Cup | Saint-Tropez |
| Sept 8-13 | Cannes Yachting Festival | Cannes |
| Sept 23-26 | Monaco Yacht Show | Monaco |
| Sept 26-Oct 4 | Sails of Saint-Tropez | Saint-Tropez |
| Oct 9-11 | Porsche Paradise | Saint-Tropez |
| Oct 12-15 | MIPCOM | Cannes |
Part 2 — Mediterranean Destinations
The French Riviera — The Global Benchmark
The French Riviera is the world’s premier luxury charter destination. Cannes, Monaco, and Saint-Tropez have defined luxury yachting for a century. Its impeccable infrastructure, concentration of events, and exceptional gastronomy make it the natural starting point for any Mediterranean itinerary.
Ideal for: corporate events, prestige, gastronomy, first-time clients. Best period: May, June, September, October.
The Balearic Islands — Turquoise Waters and Beach Clubs
The Balearics offer the best value for money in the Western Mediterranean — waters comparable to the Caribbean, accessibility from Europe in 2 hours by flight, and rates 20 to 30% lower than the French Riviera.
Ibiza concentrates the social life and most vibrant beach clubs in the Mediterranean — Blue Marlin, Ushuaïa, Scorpios. Formentera offers the most transparent waters in the entire archipelago from its Ses Illetes beaches accessible only by sea. Mallorca concentrates diversity — cosmopolitan Palma, wild Tramuntana, secluded coves. Menorca — UNESCO-listed — is the most preserved of the archipelago with 75% of its coastline protected.
Ideal for: beaches, beach clubs, social life, families, privacy. Best period: June, July, August, September.
Italy — Culture, Gastronomy, and Diversity
Italy concentrates, along a single coastline, the highest density of cultural and gastronomic heritage in the Mediterranean.
Portofino and the Cinque Terre — Italy’s most photographed village and its colorful villages clinging to cliffs. Capri — the Faraglioni, the Grotta Azzurra, Il Riccio lunch facing the sea. The Amalfi Coast — Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, UNESCO-listed. Sardinia — Porto Cervo, the Maddalena Archipelago, the most spectacular coves in the Mediterranean. Sicily — Aeolian Islands, Stromboli, Panarea, Vulcano.
Ideal for: culture, gastronomy, couples, discovery. Best period: May, June, September, October.
Greece — Rising Fast
Greece is the world’s third luxury charter destination — and the most diverse. Over 6,000 islands, some of the most transparent waters in the Mediterranean, authentic gastronomy, and incomparable freedom of navigation.
The Cyclades — Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, Delos — are the most iconic archipelago. The Dodecanese — Rhodes, Kos, Patmos — concentrate unique medieval heritage. The Ionians — Corfu, Paxos, Kefalonia — offer a green and secluded Greece.
Ideal for: diversity, authenticity, privacy, Greek gastronomy. Best period: June, September, October (strong Meltemi in July-August).
The Caribbean — Winter Season
From December to April, our clients who do not wish to hibernate head to the Caribbean — Saint-Barthélemy, Saint-Martin, Anguilla. The destination of absolute privacy, incomparable turquoise waters, and unique Franco-Creole gastronomy.
Ideal for: winter, beaches, discretion, couples. Season: December to April.
Part 3 — Choosing Your Yacht
Selection Criteria
Size and Number of Passengers
The basic rule — one cabin per couple, one cabin for children sharing. For 8 people — 4 cabins minimum. Our fleet covers all profiles:
| Yacht | LOA | Cabins | Passengers | Low-season rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABELY | 33 m | 4 | 8 | €28,000/wk |
| RAY | 32 m | 4 | 8 | €90,000/wk |
| BASILIC | 30 m | 5 | 12 | €120,000/wk |
| ASCENSION | 37 m | 5 | 10 | €100,000/wk |
| ANNAMIA | 43 m | 5 | 12 | €120,000/wk |
| RILASSATA | 49.8 m | 5 | 12 | €210,000/wk |
Speed
Speed determines itinerary freedom. ASCENSION at 25 knots covers Monaco-Saint-Tropez in 1h30. BASILIC at 28 knots is the fastest in the fleet. RAY at 15 knots is designed for long distances, not inter-port sprints.
Draft
RILASSATA with its 2.25-meter draft accesses the shallow coves of Formentera and the Maddalena Archipelago impossible for classic superyachts. ABELY with its 2.00 meters has the shallowest draft in the fleet — maximum access everywhere.
Range
RAY and RILASSATA with their 4,000 NM range are designed for grand itineraries — Mediterranean Grand Tour, Greece, Caribbean. ASCENSION and ANNAMIA are optimized for weekly itineraries in the Western Mediterranean.
Part 4 — The Real Charter Budget
The Base Rate
The base rate covers exclusively the yacht rental and crew for one week. This is the figure displayed in yacht specifications — but it is not the total budget.
APA — What No One Tells You
The APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance) is an advance on the charter’s operational expenses — fuel, port fees, provisions, communications. It represents 25 to 30% of the base rate.
What the industry does not always say — the APA is refundable on the unconsumed portion. The captain provides you at the end of the charter with a detailed account with all receipts. A group that navigates little and consumes little recovers part of their APA.
The All-Inclusive Budget — The Real Calculation
Budget total = Tarif de base + APA (28%) + Dépôt de garantie
Exemple ASCENSION basse saison — 10 personnes :
Tarif de base : 100 000€
APA (28%) : 28 000€
Dépôt garantie : 20 000€ (restitué)
─────────────────────────────
Total provisionné : 148 000€
Coût réel : 128 000€
Par personne : 12 800€/semaine
= 1 828€/nuit/personneFor a group of 10 people — the superyacht becomes competitive with a 5-star French Riviera hotel as soon as you factor in meals, transfers, and water activities.
Event Surcharges
During major event weeks — Cannes Film Festival, Monaco Grand Prix, Voiles de Saint-Tropez — rates undergo a surcharge of 15 to 40% depending on the units. The best positions are reserved 4 to 6 months in advance.
Part 5 — Itineraries
7 Days — Classic Riviera
Base: Cannes · Recommended yacht: ASCENSION
Cannes → Îles de Lérins → Monaco → Cap Ferrat
→ Saint-Tropez → Pampelonne → retour CannesThe most requested Riviera itinerary — the 3 most iconic addresses of the French Riviera in 7 days.
7 Days — Secluded Balearics
Base: Ibiza · Recommended yacht: RILASSATA
Ibiza → Cala Conta → Es Vedrà → Formentera
→ Ses Illetes → Espalmador → retour Ibiza7 Days — Southern Italy
Base: Naples · Recommended yacht: RAY
Naples → Capri → Positano → Amalfi → Praiano
→ Fiordo di Furore → retour Naples7 Days — Cyclades
Base: Athens · Recommended yacht: ASCENSION
Athènes → Hydra → Paros → Santorin
→ Délos → Mykonos → retour Athènes14 Days — Western Mediterranean Grand Tour
Base: Cannes · Recommended yacht: RILASSATA
Semaine 1 → Cannes · Monaco · Saint-Tropez
Semaine 2 → Ibiza · Formentera · MajorquePart 6 — Charter Organization
The Pre-Charter Brief
The brief is the centerpiece of a successful charter. Completed 3 to 4 weeks before embarkation, it transmits to the crew all the information necessary to personalize every moment on board.
What it covers:
- Gastronomic preferences of each passenger, allergies, favorite wines
- Desired itinerary and priority anchorages
- Priority water activities — snorkeling, Seabobs, fishing
- Key moments to stage — birthdays, marriage proposals
- Logistics — embarkation time, airport transfers
The more precise the brief — the more memorable each day on board will be.
Part 7 — Day Charter and Short Rentals
For those who wish to discover the yacht experience without committing to a full week — we also offer day-based formulas.
Our FIART 39 Seawalker is available for exclusive day charter in Saint-Tropez — 12 passengers, captain included, from €2,950 incl. VAT/day excluding fuel.
A day at sea in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez — Pampelonne, Club 55, secret coves — for €245 per person in a group of 12. The perfect entry into the charter world before considering a week on one of our superyachts.
Part 8 — Mediterranean vs Caribbean
Clients who can choose between the two destinations systematically ask us the question — Mediterranean or Caribbean?
The honest answer — both are exceptional, for radically different reasons.
Choose the Mediterranean if:
- Your vacation is in summer (May-October)
- Events are important in your program
- Gastronomy is central to your experience
- You are departing from Europe
Choose the Caribbean if:
- Your vacation is in winter (December-April)
- Diving and snorkeling are paramount
- Absolute privacy is a priority
- The turquoise color of the water is your #1 criterion
Our most loyal clients do not choose — they do both. Summer in the Mediterranean with our main fleet, winter in the Caribbean with our MANATEA based in Saint-Barthélemy.
Part 9 — Most Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum charter duration? The MYBA standard is one week — 7 nights. Outside high season, some owners accept charters of 3 to 5 days. Our FIART 39 offers day charters by the day in Saint-Tropez.
How far in advance should I book? For major events (Festival, Grand Prix) — 4 to 6 months. High season July-August — 3 to 4 months. Low season — 4 to 8 weeks is sufficient.
Can the itinerary be customized during the charter? Absolutely — the brief itinerary is a baseline that the captain adapts daily according to weather, winds, and the group’s wishes. Freedom of navigation is one of the great advantages of the superyacht.
What happens in case of bad weather? The captain is the sole judge of navigation conditions. In case of unfavorable weather, he adapts the itinerary to find sheltered areas or proposes alternative activities. The charter is never canceled due to weather — it is adapted.
Is the yacht accessible to people with reduced mobility? Some of our yachts have adapted facilities — to be specified during the brief. Our team guides you to the yacht best suited to your situation.
Can ceremonies be organized on board? Birthdays, marriage proposals, bachelorette parties, corporate team building — our crews are trained to organize these moments. The pre-charter brief allows all details to be defined in advance.
Our Commitment — Total Transparency
At International Yachts Charter and Brokerage XXIII, we have chosen total transparency on costs — a practice far from systematic in the luxury yachting industry.
Each charter proposal includes a detailed APA estimate by item, a precise explanation of the MYBA contract, and a dedicated contact reachable 7 days a week throughout your stay on board.
Our team — present in the Mediterranean for over 20 years — has developed trusted relationships with port captains, the best restaurants, and event providers in each destination. This network, invisible in commercial brochures, makes all the difference in organizing a perfect week.
Book Your Charter
Our team responds to any charter request within 48 hours with a personalized selection, a complete budget estimate, and confirmed availability on your dates.
View our complete fleet → View our destinations → View our events →
