The best time to charter a yacht in Croatia, Greece, Turkey, the Balearics and the BVI
3 November 2026
The “best” time to charter depends on what your crew wants: the warmest water, the quietest anchorages, or steady wind for real sailing. Here is how the season runs in five popular destinations.
At a glance
| Destination | Main season | Busiest | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Croatia | May to October | July and August | Occasional summer bura |
| Greece | Summer, shaped by the meltemi | July and August | Strong meltemi in the Cyclades |
| Turkey | May to October | July and August | Peak prices in high summer |
| Balearic Islands | June to September | July and August | Tramontana off Menorca in August |
| British Virgin Islands | Outside hurricane season | Hurricane season, 1 June to 30 November |
Croatia
The charter season runs roughly from May to October, according to Navigare Yachting’s season guide. July and August are the busiest and most expensive months. May and June bring fewer crowds and steady breezes, and September and October are quieter again, with cooler evenings.
The same guide describes three winds. The maestral is a north-westerly sea breeze that blows on most summer afternoons and dies at sunset. The bura is a gusty north-easterly, mostly in winter and spring. The jugo is a humid south-easterly, most common in autumn.
Greece
Greek summer sailing revolves around the meltemi, a seasonal northerly wind over the Aegean. According to Kavas Yachting’s meltemi guide, it blows mainly from June to September, is strongest in July and August, and eases in September.
The Cyclades are the most exposed. If your crew prefers calmer water in high summer, the same guide points to the Ionian Sea and the Saronic Gulf as more sheltered alternatives. June and September give you the islands with a gentler wind.
Turkey
Gulet and yacht charter on Turkey’s south-west coast runs from May to October, according to Turkey Travel Planner. It describes June to September as high season and July and August as the peak, with prices rising to match.
Balearic Islands
Boatbookings’ Spain FAQ describes June and September as wonderful months in the Balearics, with July and August as peak season, when demand is high and booking early is wise. On Menorca, June and July are often preferred because the Tramontana can blow strongly in August.
British Virgin Islands
The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from 1 June to 30 November, as reported by NBC Miami. If you charter during those months, ask the company about its storm and cancellation policy before you pay.
Choosing your dates
- Families and first-timers: in Greece, the Ionian or the Saronic Gulf is gentler than the Cyclades in high summer; elsewhere, shoulder months mean quieter harbours.
- Keen sailors: the meltemi months in the Cyclades give strong wind, so plan shorter legs.
- Budget: avoid the peak weeks of July and August.
- Whatever you choose: book early if you want peak weeks, when demand is highest.