Two Very Different Holidays
The Caribbean and the Mediterranean are the world's two biggest yacht charter markets. Between them, they account for roughly 80 percent of all charter bookings. But they offer completely different experiences, and choosing the wrong one for your group can mean a disappointing trip.
Here is an honest comparison to help you decide.
The Sailing
Caribbean: Consistent trade winds of 15 to 20 knots, mostly from the east. Sailing is predominantly downwind or beam reach, which is comfortable and fast. Swells can be larger in the open channels between islands (2 to 3 metres is common in the Windward Islands). The BVI and the Grenadines are the main charter areas, with short island hops of 5 to 15 nautical miles.
Mediterranean: Wind is less predictable. You might get a perfect 12-knot breeze one day and dead calm the next. The meltemi in the Greek Cyclades is the exception, blowing a steady 20 to 30 knots from July to September. Seas are generally calmer than the Caribbean because the Med is enclosed. Distances between anchorages are short, often just 5 to 10 nautical miles.
If you want reliable, strong wind sailing, the Caribbean wins. If you want variety and calmer conditions, the Mediterranean is more forgiving.
The Water and Beaches
Caribbean: The water is warm year-round (26 to 29°C). Coral reefs mean excellent snorkelling and diving. Beaches are white sand with palm trees. The postcard image is accurate. Visibility underwater regularly exceeds 30 metres.
Mediterranean: The water is warm from June to October (22 to 27°C) and cooler in shoulder season. There are no coral reefs, so snorkelling is less dramatic, but the rocky coastlines, sea caves, and underwater visibility are still impressive. Beaches vary wildly. Turkey has turquoise bays. Greece has volcanic black sand and hidden coves. Croatia has pebble beaches backed by pine forests.
For pure beach and water quality, the Caribbean has the edge. For variety of coastline and scenery, the Med wins.
Culture and Food
This is where the Mediterranean pulls ahead decisively.
Mediterranean: Every island and coastal town has its own identity. Greek tavernas, Croatian konoba restaurants, Turkish fish markets, Italian trattorias. You can eat extraordinarily well for very little money. Ancient ruins, medieval towns, vineyards, and local festivals are part of the experience. A week in Croatia or Greece is as much a cultural trip as a sailing holiday.
Caribbean: Island culture is vibrant (music, rum, local festivals), but the restaurant scene is less varied. Many anchorages in the BVI and Grenadines have beach bars rather than towns. If you want nightlife, St. Barths and the USVI deliver. If you want history and architecture, the Caribbean has less to offer than the Med.
For food-focused travellers, the Mediterranean is the clear choice.
When to Go
Caribbean season: November to May. This is the dry season with the best sailing conditions. June to November is hurricane season, and most charter companies do not operate during those months (or offer reduced fleets). The peak is December to April, with Christmas and New Year being the most expensive weeks of the year.
Mediterranean season: May to October. Peak is July and August. Shoulder months (May, June, September) offer better value and fewer crowds. The Med season aligns with European summer holidays, which is convenient for European travellers.
The two seasons barely overlap, which means you can theoretically charter in the Caribbean in winter and the Med in summer.
What It Costs
Bareboat charter (42-foot catamaran, one week):
- Caribbean (BVI): $5,000 to $9,000 (roughly €4,500 to €8,000)
- Mediterranean (Croatia): €4,000 to €8,000
- Mediterranean (Greece): €3,000 to €6,500
- Mediterranean (Turkey): €2,500 to €5,000
Base charter prices are roughly similar between the Caribbean and mid-range Mediterranean destinations. Turkey is significantly cheaper.
Crewed charter (50-55 foot catamaran, one week):
- Caribbean (BVI/USVI): $25,000 to $35,000 all-inclusive
- Mediterranean (Greece): €22,000 to €32,000 base (then add extras below)
The all-inclusive difference: This is the biggest pricing distinction. Caribbean crewed charters are almost always all-inclusive. Food, drinks, fuel, and crew wages are bundled into one number. The BVI, St Martin, St Barths, and the Grenadines charge no charter tax at all.
Mediterranean charters work differently. You pay the base fee, then add APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance) of 20 to 35 percent, VAT (12 percent in Greece, 13 percent in Croatia, up to 22 percent in Italy), and crew tips (10 to 15 percent). When you add all of that up, the total Mediterranean cost can exceed the Caribbean all-inclusive rate by a significant margin. A €25,000 base in Greece could reach €38,000 to €40,000 all in.
Flights from the UK: Mediterranean flights are short and cheap. London to Split, Athens, or Bodrum costs £50 to £200 return in shoulder season. Caribbean flights are expensive. London to Tortola (BVI) or St. Vincent (Grenadines) costs £600 to £1,200 return and involves a layover.
For UK-based travellers, the Mediterranean is significantly cheaper when you factor in flights.
The Anchorages
Caribbean: Mooring balls are common. In the BVI, the national parks department maintains mooring buoys at popular sites (€25 to €30 per night). Anchoring is also possible, but many popular bays are coral-bottomed, and anchoring on coral is both difficult and environmentally damaging. Marina berths are available but expensive.
Mediterranean: Anchoring is the norm. Most bays have sandy or muddy bottoms that hold well. Town quays offer stern-to mooring (you back up to the quay and tie off) which is the classic Med experience. Marina fees vary from €30 per night in Turkey to €150 or more in Saint-Tropez. See our charter cost guide for marina fee comparisons.
Provisioning
Caribbean: Supermarkets on the islands are limited and expensive. Most provisions are imported. A week of groceries for eight people might cost $800 to $1,200, compared to €400 to €600 in the Mediterranean. If you are on a bareboat charter, provision at the main base before heading out to smaller islands.
Mediterranean: Fresh produce is abundant, local, and affordable. Markets in Greece, Turkey, and Croatia sell excellent fruit, vegetables, cheese, and seafood at reasonable prices. Even provisioning from a supermarket in Split or Athens costs a fraction of the Caribbean equivalent.
For First-Time Charterers
The BVI is often recommended as the best place for a first charter. Short distances, line-of-sight navigation, consistent winds, and the infrastructure is set up for charter tourism. It is hard to go wrong.
In the Mediterranean, the Ionian islands in Greece and the Dalmatian coast in Croatia are the first-timer equivalents. Calm waters, short hops, and plenty of safe harbours.
The Verdict
Choose the Caribbean if: You want warm water year-round, reliable trade winds, world-class snorkelling, and a relaxed beach-bar atmosphere. You are comfortable with higher flight costs from Europe and limited dining variety.
Choose the Mediterranean if: You want cultural diversity, exceptional food, variety of destinations (Greece, Croatia, Turkey, Italy, France), cheaper flights from Europe, and the ability to do a different country every year without repeating yourself.
Most people who try both end up with a preference. Neither is wrong. It depends on what you want from a week on the water.
Not Sure? Ask Us
Tell us what matters most to you, and we will recommend the right destination. We arrange yacht charters in both the Caribbean and the Mediterranean and can compare options side by side.
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