At Nautilus Yachting we offer a great choice of sailing holidays on yachts, catamarans and motoryachts throughout the Mediterranean and Caribbean. We also offer yacht charter holidays in the Atlantic, Baltic and Tropics.
Our sailing holidays suit everyone - whether you're an experienced skipper or an eager novice - and great flexibility means your holiday is designed to suit you, not us. To plan the sailing holiday you've always dreamt of, simply click on the type of sailing holiday you'd like, to discover a world of sailing holiday choices.
Bareboat yacht charter
Charter a sailing yacht and set sail on your own voyage of discovery. "Bareboat" means you charter a fully equipped yacht without a skipper or crew and you skipper it yourself. To charter a yacht bareboat you should be RYA Day Skipper standard and be assisted by a competent crew. In some countries you will need an RYA practical certificate. We have an excellent selection of yachts and catamarans for your sailing holiday, including many brand new models.
Join a flotilla sailing holiday in Greece, Turkey or Croatia if you want to skipper your own yacht with the added support of a flotilla lead crew and the social side of sailing in company. It’s a popular sailing holiday for couples, friends and families. During school holidays there are usually other families on the flotillas, so it’s fun for the kids too.
Even if you're a complete novice you can enjoy a sailing holiday in the sunshine and “learn the ropes”. You can start from scratch or brush up your sailing skills or gain a qualification. We offer RYA yacht sailing courses for singles and couples in Greece, Turkey and Gibraltar as well as flotilla sailing courses in Greece for families who want to learn to sail together while enjoying their sailing holiday.
Charter a motor yacht if you prefer a few hundred horsepower to play with. We offer motoryachts for bareboat charter in Greece, Croatia, Mallorca and the British Virgin Islands, including flybridge motoryachts and sportscruisers. To charter a motoryacht you need experience of twin-engine motoryachts and in the Mediterranean you'll need RYA ICC (Motor) certificate.
If you want to relax on your sailing holiday or you do not have the experience to sail your own yacht, choose a crewed yacht with professional skipper and crew onboard. This is a wonderful sailing holiday - perfect for a honeymoon, romantic anniversary or special holiday with friends and family.
A sailing holiday is a perfect vacation but why not add a few days ashore in a hotel afterwards. We offer a selection of beach hotels in Greece, Turkey and throughout the Caribbean. Some of your crew may want to try their hand at watersports. Some of your crew may want time to just relax by the pool, on the beach or in the hotel spa.
"We all had an amazing week and had great support from Helen and Harley. They gave us so many great ideas and recommendations that made the week run smoothly and was more enjoyable. Thanks again for an awesome week!"
Call our knowledgeable sailing specialists for the latest advice and recommendations on the sailing areas most suited to you.
Let's talk later
Arrange a call back from one of our specialists (Mon-Fri: 0900-1730).
Sailing Qualifications
To skipper a bareboat charter or flotilla yacht, you need to hold a practical sailing certificate equivalent to RYA Day Skipper Practical qualification or RYA International Certificate of Competence (ICC). For charters in Greece, you must now have the ICC certificate. You must also be assisted by at least one competent crew member over the age of 18.
The port authorities in Greece are now insisting on one of the following practical certificates: RYA ICC (International Certificate of Competence), RYA Coastal, RYA Yachtmaster, ASA IPC (International Proficiency Certificate) or the IYT (International Yacht Training) Passport. If you hold an RYA Day Skipper or ASA104 it will no longer be accepted and you need to obtain either an ICC or IPC from the corresponding issuing body (RYA or ASA). If your RYA Coastal/Yachtmaster or ASA105/106 certificate is more than 12 years old and does not have a photo ID, then we would also strongly advise applying for an ICC or IPC. If you are a member of the RYA or ASA, you may qualify for a discount or free certificate, otherwise, you will have to pay. The approximate cost is £50. Please use this link - RYA application for the ICC or ASA application for the IPC.
For charters in Croatia, Malta and the Canaries, at least one member of the crew or the skipper will also need a VHF licence.
RYA qualifications can be obtained by RYA sailing schools in the UK or alternatively choose from one of our overseas centres in Gibraltar, Greece or Turkey.
For Seychelles, the local authorities require an ICC for the skipper of a bareboat or flotilla yacht charter.
For Caribbean and Tropical charters, formal qualifications are not compulsory, however, you should be Day Skipper standard and be assisted by at least one competent crew. A brief sailing resume should be provided to outline your experience.
If you don't hold the relevant qualifications then why not add a skipper?
Sailing Levels
Level 1
Winds force 2-3 (4-11 Knots)combined with generally shorter distances. Good for beginner or intermediate sailors. Line-of-sight navigation but basic knowledge of charts and ability to plot your position required.
Level 2
Winds force 3-5 (7-21 Knots) with approximately 15-20nm per day. Intermediate experience required. Predominately line of sight navigation but an understanding of how to sail in open water.
Level 3
Winds force 4-6 (11-27 Knots) with mileage of approximately 20nm+ per day. Ideal for experienced skippers looking to venture out to new destinations. Day skipper standard but with experienced crew would be recommended.
