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Nautilus Yachting > Yacht Charter > Italian Yacht Charter
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A yacht charter in Italy is the best way to experience the charm of the Italian coastline. The natural scenery is stunning, the modern marinas are well-equipped for all your needs and the Italian food and wine is delicious.
The sandy beaches, beautiful seaside villages and infamous Italian spirit draw visitors to Italy from all over the world each summer and the coastline comes alive with the hustle and bustle of a top Mediterranean holiday destination, but your sailing charter yacht gives you the chance to escape to your own peaceful sanctuary and relax in uncrowded anchorages and smaller traditional harbours.
Sailing holidays in Italy are available in some of Italy's top places to visit, so you can combine fantastic sailing with seeing Italy's top sights. From the volcanic islands off the coast of Sicily to the Caribbean-like waters of the Maddalena National Park in Sardinia, a yacht charter in Italy will no doubt impress.
If you are an experienced sailor, a bareboat yacht charter in Italy gives you the freedom to plot your own course and create the ideal sailing holiday for you and your crew. Individuals looking to experience a fantastic week sailing in Italy in style and comfort can look to our Italy crewed cabin charters for an unforgettable and relaxing holiday. Couple and groups wanting a yacht charter in Italy but without the responsibility of sailing their own yacht can add a skipper to any of our Italy bareboat yacht charters and let the professional do the sailing for you.
Good breezes, great food and a wide choice of itineraries make Italy a perfect destination for your next yacht charter sailing holiday.
Immerse yourself in the undeniable charm of the Amalfi Coast on a yacht charter sailing holiday from Naples. Sail this iconic coastline on a bareboat yacht charter, skippered yacht charter or crewed cabin charter and be amazed by its towering hillside villages and effortlessly chic islands.
Start your yacht charter from Portisco on the jet-set 'Costa Smerelda' or 'Emerald Coast' of Sardinia and sail to the stunning Maddalena Islands and even Bonifacio on the south coast of Corsica. With regular flights from many UK airports, beautiful beaches and friendly locals, it is easy to see why Sardinia is a top destination in Europe for sailing holidays and yacht charters.
A yacht charter in Sicily from Sant'Agata or Portorosa gives you easy access to the Aeolian islands off the north coast of Sicily. A unique sailing ground full of volcanic islands and fantastic sailing. Enjoying an evening drink onboard your yacht whilst watching the light display from active Stromboli makes for a memorable sailing holiday in Italy.
Renowned for its rolling countryside and grand rustic villas, Tuscany has another side to it which is just as beautiful. Tuscany is a fantastic destination for your yacht charter sailing holiday in Italy. Get sucked into Elba's charm and explore her many bays but don't miss out on the smaller islands in the archipelago. Keen sailors may want to venture further afield and visit Corsica too.
We offer an extensive range of sailing yachts and catamarans for bareboat charter from bases throughout Italy - Sardinia, Sicily and Tuscany.
The best time to take a sailing holiday in Italy is between May and October, with peak season being June, July, and August.
High Season
The most popular time to visit Italy is during the summer months of June, July and August. Summer temperatures average 24-30ºC with winds averaging Force 4. Winds are usually strongest in the afternoons and die down in the evenings. Stronger mistral winds can blow during the month of August, lasting 1-2 days. Many top destinations in Italy are very popular in July and August with visitors arriving from overseas as well as other parts of Italy.
Shoulder Season
May, September and October see lower average temperatures and smaller crowds. Flights will often be cheaper during the shoulder season as well as having greater yacht availability.
Low Season
November-April is the low season in Italy but may be suitable for those looking for a quieter sailing holiday in Italy with lower temperatures. Daytime temperatures can still be very pleasant with the nights cooling considerably.
Italy enjoys a wonderful Mediterranean climate with a long summer and mild winters.
May & September
The weather is warm but not too hot with average temperatures ranging from 20ºC to 28ºC (68ºF to 82ºF) and the crowds are lower than the peak summer season. Sea temperatures in September are still very pleasant for swimming and snorkelling. During May sea temperatures will be slowly rising after the cooler winter months.
Late May & June
The crowds are still relatively low but the temperatures have started to rise (average 24-28ºC / 75-82ºF) and the waters begin to get warm enough for swimming.
July and August
This is when the waters are at their warmest and it is also the peak tourist time due to the school summer holidays. The main Italian holiday destinations are a hub of activity with Italians and overseas tourists filling the beaches and piazzas. July and August see the highest temperatures, averaging 28-30ºC.
October
This is the end of the main sailing season and a good opportunity to take advantage of lower prices and lighter crowds. The weather is on average 21 - 23ºC and the waters are still warm enough to enjoy a spot of swimming.
Italy is among the best sailing destinations in the Mediterranean. Several areas are ideal for yacht charters and sailing holidays with excellent sailing conditions, warm summer temperatures and plenty to see and do.
Sardinia
Sailing in Sardinia gives you access to the Maddalena National Park with its beautiful sandy beaches and crystal clear waters that have been likened to the Caribbean. The famous pink beach on Budelli is a must-visit when sailing in Sardinia. You can also take the opportunity to visit neighbouring Corsica and marvel at the impressive entrance to Bonifaccio. Stop off at the Lavezzi islands for fantastic snorkelling.
Sicily
A fascinating location for a sailing holiday in Italy. Yacht charters from Sicily involve snorkelling, sampling delicious local food, exploring seaside villages and encountering live volcanoes! The Aeolian Islands, lying 25 miles off the northeast coast of Sicily are an archipelago of volcanic islands consisting of 7 inhabited islands along with several smaller uninhabited islands.
Amalfi Coast / Gulf of Naples
One of the most celebrated stretches of coastline with dramatic cliffs and pastel coloured villages cascading down the mountainside, a sailing holiday on the Amalfi Coast is a unique experience. Alongside the popular seaside towns of Positano, Amalfi and Sorrento, you also have the chance to visit the nearby islands of Ischia, Procida, Vivara and the achingly stylish Capri.
Tuscany
Start your sailing holiday from Punta Ala or Scarlino on the west coast of Italy and explore the enchanting Tuscan islands. The Tuscan Archipelago National Park covers over 600 square kilometres of sea and includes the 7 main islands of Elba, Capraia, Giannutri, Giglio, Gorgona, Montecristo and Pianosa, along with a range of smaller islands.
In general, the best sailing conditions in Italy are from May to October when you can enjoy warm waters, clear skies and reliable winds.
During the summer months winds from the north-north-west average Force 4 in Sardinia. Stronger mistral winds can blow in August, lasting 1-2 days.
Sicily has ideal conditions for a sailing holiday. The normal summer winds are from the north-west, average Force 4, occasionally from the west. Like Sardinia, stronger mistral winds can blow in August, lasting 1-2 days.
The Gulf of Naples has great sailing conditions for a yacht charter with prevailing wind in the summer from the south-west and averaging Force 2-5. Winds are usually strongest in the afternoon, dying off at sunset. Stronger mistral winds can blow in August, lasting 1-2 days.
Tuscany sees prevailing wind in the summer from the west to north-west. There will frequently be south-east winds around Capraia, Elba and the mainland coast down to Giannutri, and frequent periods of calm. Often there will be a light westerly wind at night.
Whilst on your yacht charter in Italy, you will find many modern marinas with excellent facilities. Marina fees can vary considerably depending on the location, facilities and time of year but during the summer months you can expect to pay between €50 and €150 for a 40 foot yacht in a marina.
There are also many great anchorages in Italy where mooring fees will not apply and combining a few anchorages with marinas is a good way of keeping mooring costs down. Some anchorages will still incur a fee and the use of mooring buoys typically costs between €20-€50 per night.
For bareboat charters in Italy you will need RYA Day Skipper or ICC qualification.
Italy is a top holiday destination with tourists flocking to Italian hot spots year-round in order to get a taste of "la dolce vita". With an abundance of excellent places to visit in Italy, it is hard to pick just a few but if you are considering a sailing holiday in Italy then there are several places which stand out for us here at Nautilus.
There is nothing quite like the impressive backdrop of the Aeolian Islands whilst on a sailing holiday in Italy. This archipelago of volcanic islands consists of 7 inhabited islands along with several smaller uninhabited islands. The islands are stepped in history and make a fascinating location for a sailing holiday in the Mediterranean.
A sailing holiday in Sardinia would not be complete without a visit to the Maddalena National Park - a haven for those looking for peaceful waters and stunning beaches. The marine park is full of beautiful spots including the famous pink beach, "spiaggia rosa", on Budelli and the delightful harbour at La Maddelana, a fishing village with harbourside restaurants which is incredibly popular during the summer months.
The Amalfi Coast is an iconic stretch of coastline that exudes an air of Italian sophistication. Dramatic cliffs and pastel coloured villages cascade down the mountainside towards the sea and the pretty, winding streets are a treat to explore. After a great day sailing and wandering the bougainvillea-lined streets, sit and relax in one of the many excellent trattorias to enjoy a delicious meal and an ice-cold limoncello.
The Tuscan island of Elba is a popular holiday spot for Italians and for very good reason. The indented coastline shelters many attractive harbours and beautiful beaches whilst on land, nature lovers will be in their element exploring the countless hiking and mountain bike trails (including the challenging but worthwhile climb to the top of Mount Capanne), exploring the butterfly sanctuary in the hills surrounding Mount Perone or enjoying a soak in the island's thermal baths.
A 1 - 2 week yacht charter will give you the most relaxed sailing experience when exploring Italy. From encountering active volcanoes to diving into the vast underwater world of the marine parks, we have a range of itineraries to make sure you see the best sailing spots in Italy.
The cost of your yacht charter depends on several factors:
The type and size of the yacht you book will dictate the price. A 1 week charter on a 2 - 3 cabin monohull starts around £1200 in low season whereas 1 week on a luxury catamaran with a skipper in high season could be upwards of £10,000. These are the 2 extremes of the scale for a 1 week yacht charter in Italy and we offer plenty of choices in between.
1 week is a popular choice amongst our sailors and makes the perfect getaway however a longer charter will give you more time to explore all Italy has to offer.
Lower-priced yacht charters are available in the shoulder-season of April, May, September and October with prices starting to rise in June before peaking in July and August.
Don't have any sailing experience? No problem! We offer several skippered and crewed options so you can enjoy the yachting lifestyle without the stress. From a simple skippered yacht to fully crewed options, we can arrange a charter to suit your needs.
For those of you who jetted off at the beginning of the summer or for those who wanted to ‘wait and see’, September and October offer fantastic sailing conditions in many areas and a chance to explore without the intense heat and crowds of summer.
Call our knowledgeable sailing specialists for the latest advice and recommendations on the sailing areas most suited to you.
Arrange a call back from one of our specialists (Mon-Fri: 0900-1730).
