Yacht charter and sailing holidays offer more variety and adventure than ever. From ski\/sail trips to catamaran learning cruises to wingfoiling, here\u2019s our pick of unforgettable trips to consider in 2026.Photo: Helm.yt.Yacht charter and sailing holidays have moved on.
\nNo longer are your options limited to bareboat or flotilla in a smattering of locations \u2013 you can now sail higher performance or luxurious yachts, on an ever growing range of adventurous itineraries around the world.
\nMore fun, more comfort, more hands-on sailing: what\u2019s not to love?\u00a0Here\u2019s our pick of some incredible trips to consider for 2026.
\nThe rise of the multihull for yacht charter
\nOutremer catamarans now offered crewed charter options for those who want to experience life on a performance cruising multihull. Photo: Robin Christol\/Outremer.
\nThe relentless growth of multihulls for charter shows no signs of abating.
\n\u201cDon\u2019t even think about chartering a monohull in most of the Caribbean,\u201d says Tim Geisler, whose Nautilus Sailing runs onboard courses and flotillas. \u201cMonohulls are disappearing from charter fleets. Most charter companies rely on people buying sailboats to put into charter fleets, but no one is buying monohulls to put into charter fleets in the Caribbean as demand is so low.\u201d
\nAt the top of the market, skippered charter cats are getting bigger.
\n\u201cWhere 50-60ft catamarans were the pinnacle of luxury in 2016, 80ft catamarans are now the flagship vessels of many central agents in the luxury charter sector,\u201d explains Pippa Clover of diYachting, which specialises in luxury crewed yacht charters.
\nWhile monohulls have also increased in size during this same period, the overall number on the market has decreased.
\nBut for those who are bareboat yacht chartering, sailing performance is coming back to the fore.
\n\u201cOne big shift we have seen is that die-hard sailors are asking us to recommend catamaran brands for their charter that sail well, versus being giant floating condos,\u201d says Geisler. \u201cMore and more sailors want to actually enjoy sailing on a catamaran.\u201d
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\nPure sailing
\nWant to really enjoy the actual sailing on your charter holiday?
\nThere are now some really exciting options for higher performance yacht charter and hands-on helming fun.
\nPerformance picks
\nChartering with added thrills \u2013 sailing a Pogo 50 at speed in the Aegean. Photo: Fast Sailing.
\nForget your standard charter yacht. How about renting a Pogo fast cruiser, Outremer catamaran or high-spec Solaris for a week?
\nFast Sailing in Greece has expanded its charter offering to include a mouth-watering selection of performance yachts for double-digit cruising in the Aegean and Ionian.
\n\u201c[These] boats offer a sailing experience that is so much better both in terms of performance as well as in overall quality,\u201d explains founder Michalis Aftias.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s certainly a niche market but more and more customers find it is really worth the extra cost. We steadily grew from one Pogo 12.50 back in 2012 to a fleet of 20 high-end performance sailing yachts in 2026.\u201d
\nTheir listings include Pogo yachts from 36 to the 50, an Outremer 4X, the Italia 14.98, X43 and X46, and Solaris 40 and 44s offered as bareboat charter, while larger Solaris yachts (47-60) are available with a skipper. fastsailing.gr
\nTry before you buy
\nOutremer catamarans now offered crewed charter options for those who want to experience life on a performance cruising multihull. Photo: Robin Christol\/Outremer.
\nIf you\u2019re considering buying new, several manufacturers offer the opportunity to try out their latest models with a charter \u2013 also open to those who just want to enjoy a week or two on a new, high spec yacht.
\nOutremer has just announced a partnership with Vagabonde Adventures \u2013 the yacht charter company founded by Jack Karger, a well known face to followers of the La Vagabonde YouTube channel (and an ASA\/RYA Instructor).
\nThe crewed yacht charters take place on privately owned Outremer 45 and 52 catamarans in the Bahamas, Greece and Croatia and can be tailored to guests\u2019 preferences \u2013 be that gaining multihull experience, or just enjoying dreamy diving, snorkelling and sailing conditions. catamaran-outremer.com.
\nX-Yachts also offer the chance to sail a brand-new model, directly from the yard in Haderslev, Denmark (many guests also take in a tour of the production facility).
\nFor the 2026 season, an X40 and X43 are available from May to October. x-yachts.com
\nFlat water fun
\nVassiliki in Greece offers predictable, reliable sailing conditions at the Wildwind beach club, and is perfect for training and coaching sessions. Photo: Wildwind.
\nVassiliki, Greece, is renowned for its perfect combination of two things: a consistent breeze which is light in the morning but builds to strong in the afternoon, and reliably flat water.
\nThe bay draws watersports lovers including windsurfers and wingfoilers, but for sailing Wildwind is unique. The independent holiday centre has a wide selection of dinghies, from RS500s to F18 catamarans, and superb conditions to enjoy them in.
\nBesides reliable breezes, the big USP of Wildwind is the unrestricted sailing on offer.
\n\u201cUnlike most sailing holiday companies, if it\u2019s blowing 20-22 knots we\u2019re still going to let you go out!\u201d explains founder Simon Morgan. \u201cYou can learn how to handle heavy wind here without having to fuss about waves.\u201d
\nThe centre also hosts dedicated training weeks for ILCA\/Laser dinghy sailors, including women\u2019s-only groups and high performance catamaran coaching sessions. wildwind.co.uk
\nVassiliki in Greece offers predictable, reliable sailing conditions at the Wildwind beach club, and is perfect for training and coaching sessions. Photo: Wildwind.
\nA \u2018Learn-aboard\u2019 yacht charter to become a cat cruiser
\nOne growing trend is for holidays that offer the chance for guests to develop a new skill \u2013 whether that\u2019s getting to grips with a board sport, improving their sailing through coaching, or challenging themselves to learn celestial navigation or advanced skills.
\nThere are an increasing number of \u2018learn-aboard\u2019 options for sailors who want to upskill.
\nmultihull instructional courses on an Excess catamaran in the Caribbean with Nautilus Sailing. Photo: Nautilus Sailing.
\nNautilus Sailing specifically gives novice or less confident sailors a week of intensive \u2018real life\u2019 instruction that can equip them to bareboat charter in future, or even propel them towards a liveaboard cruising dream.
\nThey also specialise in multihull tuition. The programme starts with an online masterclass, followed by a week-long liveaboard course on a 42-50ft multihull, completing ASA (American Sailing Association) courses.
\nAfter that alumni can do their first yacht charter as part of a Nautilus flotilla, under the watchful eye of a fleet captain to build independence.
\nThose who want to make the transition to yacht ownership or full-time cruising may then join a Nautilus offshore trip to dive into more advanced seamanship and sailing skills.
\nGrenada is currently one of their most favoured destinations for building skills. \u201cGrenada is not ideal for a first charter, but for folks that have a little more sailing experience under their belts, it has amazing sailing.
\nWinds are very consistent in the 15-25 knot range and we spend a lot of time with a first reef in the mainsail of our Excess 14,\u201d explains Tim Geisler, lead instructor. nautilussailing.com
\nTry foiling
\nWhy not try your hand at Skeeta foiling in Menorca? Photo: Minorca Sailing.
\nFoiling might dominate in the pro classes, but you don\u2019t have to be a super experienced racer to try your hand at flying.
\n\u201cIn terms of trends, there\u2019s been a marked increase in adults, teenagers, and children wanting to experience sail foiling,\u201d says Ian Aldridge of Minorca Sailing, whose Balearic base is renowned for having one of the biggest and most high performance dinghy fleets around.
\n\u201cThis is an area we\u2019ve been developing, and we now have a fleet of seven Skeetas and three Nikkis with a range of rig sizes to accommodate different skill levels.
\n\u201cAnother area seeing strong growth is wingfoiling, and we plan to continue expanding our equipment for this exciting new sport.\u201d
\nWingfoiling is hugely popular with cruisers for its ease of set up, but getting to grips with it at a base like Minorca with instructors and rescue crew on hand is definitely advised before you pack your wing kit and sail away. minorcasailing.co.uk
\nGet planing
\nPhoto: Mark Warner.
\nIf windsurfing is your board sport of choice, Mark Warner will be holding two specialist windsurf development weeks at its Lesvos resort in Greece this year.
\nRunning in mid-June and September 2026, the weeks are designed for intermediate-level windsurfers and above.
\nHeld at Aeolian Village Beach Resort, the dedicated coaching weeks are offered at no additional charge and are perfect for windsurfers looking to master their planing technique or focus on developing their overall skills.
\nThe week includes five days of morning and afternoon clinics with on-water coaching plus video feedback, and end-of-day debriefs.
\nEach guest will have their own tailored coaching plan, full use of high-quality windsurfing equipment, and a chance to have a go at WingSurfing. markwarner.co.uk
\nMasterclass passages
\nPhoto: Rubicon 3.
\nFor those who want to use annual leave to build some serious skills, Rubicon3 offers \u2018passage making masterclass\u2019 trips.
\nTheir sell-out two week Biscay crossing masterclass includes a pre-departure weather session from Simon Rowell, meteorologist to the British Olympic sailing team, and 10-plus days of hands-on learning in everything from advanced navigation skills, heavy weather sailing, emergency procedures and much more.
\nThe 2026 Biscay masterclass will take place in October. rubicon3adventure.com
\nTop toys
\nPhoto: Neilson.
\nNeilson\u2019s Turkish beach club Adakoy, just outside Marmaris, now offers e-foil boards for a super-stable foil boarding experience \u2013 they can even have handlebars, making them suitable for beginners, and offer a quiet, smooth introduction to stand-up foiling.
\nClub guests can also play with \u2018sea scooters\u2019 for a souped up snorkelling experience. neilson.co.uk
\nYacht charter trips off the beaten track
\nPhoto: Neilson.
\nAdventure travel has exploded in popularity in recent years, and the sailing sector is no exception. A range of single berth trips are available on skippered yachts, for all levels of sailing experience.
\n\u201cOver the last five years we\u2019ve seen a real shift in the way people want to engage with the ocean,\u201d explains Andrew Cowen of WavySail.
\n\u201cThere\u2019s huge interest in \u2018hands-on\u2019 adventures to remote destinations, definitely becoming more actively involved and less \u2018passenger\u2019 in the experience. We\u2019re also bringing new audiences to sailing \u2013 we\u2019re seeing a lot of guests who have an adventurous spirit \u2013 maybe camping, hiking or other outdoor activities \u2013 but have never sailed previously.\u201d
\nThis 5,000-mile expedition passage from Cape Town to St Helena Island and back, across the South Atlantic, is a true bluewater adventure.
\nCrews spend a week hands-on with preparation, passage planning and provisioning before setting sail from Cape Town up the African coast to L\u00fcderitz, Namibia \u2014 a remote town steeped in diamond-mining history.
\nThen it\u2019s off across open ocean to St Helena with 10 days of typically downwind sailing enjoying whales, dolphins and endless horizons before the island\u2019s towering cliffs rise from the sea.
\nThe outbound leg is around four weeks, the return five weeks, or you can complete the whole round trip with five days on St Helena island itself. wavysail.com
\nPacific adventure
\n59\u00b0North\u2019s Farr 65 Falken is in the Pacific for 2026 with limited availability for some adventure-of-a-lifetime passages. Photo: 59\u00b0North Sailing.
\nExpedition sailing company 59\u00b0North is well known to readers of Yachting World, and for 2026 Andy Schell\u2019s team has some rare availability on their Farr 65 Falken in the Pacific.
\nHe explains that, besides the allure of incredible destinations, their trips appeal to sailors wanting to gain experience or get a \u2018fix\u2019 of ocean sailing.
\n\u201cWe teach best practices in seam\u2019nship [Andy\u2019s preferred term] and while we\u2019re not a sailing school, these are real voyages with real stakes: we\u2019ve got to get from A to B, come what may, and the crew run the boat at sea.\u201d
\nHe points out that doing a passage with an expedition sailing company can also be very cost effective, compared to sailing your own yacht.
\n59\u00b0North\u2019s Farr 65 Falken is in the Pacific for 2026 with limited availability for some adventure-of-a-lifetime passages. Photo: Aidan Gray\/59\u00b0North Sailing.
\n\u201cThe scheduling is the other part: we sail to a strict schedule and book two years out sometimes, so it\u2019s easy for people to plan around it and they know it\u2019ll happen. How often do the \u2018best laid plans\u2019 get changed on your own boat?\u201d
\nBut he adds: \u201cWhat people always go away feeling strongest about is the bonds they make with their shipmates, and this is often unexpected. There\u2019s something about collecting a group of like-minded strangers who come together to fulfil a mission that everyone is equally invested in.\u201d 59-north.com
\nSail to ski yacht charter holidays
\nSeilNorge ski-sail expeditions are sailed with two buddy boats. Photo: SeilNorge.
\nA ski-sail trip is a true bucket-list adventure.
\nSeilNorge offers spectacular passages to the Norwegian Alps of Lyngen, Lofoten Islands, an advanced trip to remote Finnmark, and a late season expedition to Svalbard, skiing just below the North Pole.
\nAlthough sailing experience is not a pre-requisite, some back country skiing experience is.
\nMost ski passages are sailed in a pair of yachts, so ski tours can be mixed according to ability, with a long and short tour option each day. seilnorge.no
\nTropical yacht charter holidays
\nPhoto: Aleksei Shipilenko\/Helm.yt.
\nIt\u2019s possible to combine remote tropical islands with a luxe cruising experience.
\n\u201cFor anyone adventurous or looking to try something totally different, French Polynesia is one of the world\u2019s most spectacular sailing areas, and it remains remarkably untroubled by mass tourism,\u201d says James Foot of Helm, which specialises in skippered yacht charters.
\n\u201cThe waters have an ephemeral quality, while reliable tradewinds make for exciting sailing. There\u2019s a satisfying mix of long passages and shorter hops. And thanks to the reefs and lagoons that encircle most of the islands, the anchorages are flat calm, even in a blow.\u201d
\nHelm offers a range of skippered and crewed catamarans from 50ft upwards in French Polynesia. A one week itinerary could include sailing from Raiatea to Bora-Bora, then onto Huahine. helm.yt
\nSeychelles Challenge
\nPhoto: Sunsail.
\nIf you\u2019re guilty of assuming that any two yachts going in the same direction are automatically in a race, then Sunsail\u2019s Seychelles Challenge might appeal.
\nIn June 2026 Sunsail and The Moorings will host a week of relaxed racing on chartered catamarans (both bareboat and skippered) around the stunning islands of the Seychelles.
\nConditions are idyllic with gentle tradewinds averaging 10-15 knots, predictable currents, and sheltered anchorages to drop the hook in each evening. Daily briefings and on-water technical and rigging support are included, as well as daily prizegivings with a final gala evening. sunsail.com
\nSustainable luxury
\nThe eco-luxury trend has made a big impact in the travel sector, and it\u2019s having an increasing influence in yacht charter options: from ecologically-focussed itineraries, to latest low-emissions technology on the yachts themselves.
\nTanzania by cat
\nPhoto: seas4life.
\nFor a truly unique holiday, explore Tanzania on Seas4Life\u2019s 45ft Lagoon. Seas4Life offer \u2018sea safaris\u2019 that combine luxurious skippered catamaran and dhow sailing trips with marine conservation projects in the Indian Ocean.
\nItineraries include exploring the Mafia Island Marine Park, swimming with whale sharks, and exploring with conservation experts. The catamaran comes with a skipper and two crew, making an exclusive charter for a family or group of up to six.
\n\u201cWe have seen a significant increase in impact-based customers,\u201d says founder Julie Church.
\n\u201cWe have also noticed that there are more young professionals eager to make a positive impact, and this is the demographic that tends to have more disposable income and is more focussed on using their funds conscientiously.
\nExclusive charters with Seas4Life in Tanzania include the chance to swim with whale sharks. Photo: Jean Tresfon\/seas4life.
\n\u201cWe let guests immerse themselves in the experience. They can work with local fishermen to get the fingerprint of sea turtles or paddleboard with dolphins. When you are among these creatures you start to learn to value them.
\n\u201cGuests get a real sea adventure; they are not just a tourist.\u201d seas4life.com
\nSolar powered luxury yacht charter
\nThe Idler is a Sunreef 80 Eco catamaran built for silent, emissions-free cruising, with a host of electric and wind-powered water toys to enjoy. Photo: Nicolas Claris\/diYachting.
\nSustainability is also driving the evolution of high-end charter yacht design. Pippa Clover of diYachting explains:
\n\u201cClients are actively seeking environmentally conscious yachts. Over the past decade, the evolution of technology has been groundbreaking; with integrated solar panels, hydro-propulsion, lithium battery storage and sail power working together to harness energy. Eco-yachts are steadily increasing in the charter field and will continue to do so as technology becomes more advanced.\u201d
\nOne of the more remarkable examples is The Idler, a Sunreef 80 Eco electric catamaran with integrated solar panels within the hulls and superstructures generating vast quantities of emissions-free, silent power, and fully electric propulsion.
\nThe 80ft cat is sailed wherever possible between destinations, only using the electric drives to manoeuvre into anchorages and ports.
\nThe Idler is a Sunreef 80 Eco catamaran built for silent, emissions-free cruising, with a host of electric and wind-powered water toys to enjoy. Photo: Nicolas Claris\/diYachting.
\nThe Sunreef also carries a vast array of water toys, including an inflatable sailing dinghy, two Seabobs, an efoil, four SUPS \u2013 with windsurfing rigs, tow toys, and even a hydrophone to listen out for marine life from the silent-running yacht. diyachting.co.uk.
\nClassic favourite yacht charter destinations
\nTrends come and go, but some sailing locations simply never fall out of favour. The British Virgin Islands are one of the all-time iconic places to sail, with tradewind conditions, line of sight navigation, and spectacular islands.
\nHorizon Yacht Charters report that the BVIs remain very popular, though the summer months quieten earlier.
\n\u201cThe BVI charter season starts mid-October and continues through August with the summer months slowing down in July \u2013 a recent shift, when the season had [previously] remained strong through the end of August,\u201d explains Horizon\u2019s Sofia Fay.
\nSeveral industry experts noted that Grenada and the Grenadines look strong for 2026, having recovered from Hurricane Beryl in 2024. \u201cIn St Vincent & the Grenadines, we are seeing a strong increase in sailors looking for adventures off the beaten track.
\nWith direct flights from the USA and the UK, our base in St Vincent & the Grenadines looks set to host its best charter season yet,\u201d Fay added. horizonyachtcharters.com
\nPhoto: Horizon Yacht Charters.
\nThe Bahamas was another venue hotly tipped for 2026. \u201cWith sand shifts and only one metre tidal difference between high and low tide, every centimetre of draught counts,\u201d explains Pippa Clover of diYachting.
\n\u201cSwimming with pigs is an experience but true joy comes from the reefs and dive sites populated with sharks, rays and tropical fish. When it comes to snorkelling, there are not many places home to sunken planes, Bond lairs and national parks!\u201d diyachting.co.uk
\nThailand is a favourite among cruisers looking for year-round warmth, and Solent based Fairview Sailing has recently acquired Simpson Yacht Charter, offering bareboat and crewed cat charters out of Phuket. fairviewsailing.co.uk.
\nIn Europe, while Croatia is increasingly falling out of favour due to increasing costs, the Italian islands are increasing in popularity for charter.
\nMeanwhile Greece holds firm as the world\u2019s favourite yacht charter destination. Sunsail has introduced a new \u2018hidden harbours\u2019 flotilla route for 2026 from its Lefkas base, to help charter guests find some hidden Ionian gems, including the uninhabited islet of Atokos. sunsail.com.<\/p>\n
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The post Where to sail in 2026: the coolest yacht charter holidays on offer appeared first on Yachting World.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Yacht charter and sailing holidays offer more variety and adventure than ever. From ski\/sail trips to catamaran learning cruises to wingfoiling, here\u2019s our pick of unforgettable trips to consider in 2026.Photo: Helm.yt.Yacht charter and sailing holidays have moved on. No … <\/p>\n