Forget alarms, deadlines, and early commutes; your mornings start with sunlight, not screens. The only thing breaking the silence is the sound of water against the hull and someone making coffee up on deck. No snooze button needed. Each sunrise brings something new: a swim before breakfast in Lefkas, a quiet stroll through Hvar’s harbour, or the smell of fresh bread from a Sicilian bakery. Here, every morning feels earned, and no two wake-ups are ever the same.
A bareboat yacht charter puts you in charge of your sailing holiday. You decide where you sail and when – you can opt to sail one of our suggested itineraries in your sailing destination or strike out on your own in search of adventure. Either way, the choice is all yours. If you’re looking for a quintessential sailing experience, and the freedom of having your own yacht, a bareboat yacht charter is for you.
With 20+ destinations, Sunsail makes it easy to plan the perfect route for families, friends, or couples. Whether you’re exploring the Ionian, the Dalmatian coast, or the Amalfi, every stop delivers history, warmth, and effortless sailing.
Our modern fleet is designed to make bareboat sailing easier than ever – smooth handling, spacious layouts, and everything ready when you arrive. You’ll spend less time figuring things out and more time actually sailing.
Sail one of our 7-day routes or build your own. Our team has done the legwork – mapping the best moorings, beaches, and seaside restaurants – so you can focus on what matters: the moments in between.
Every Sunsail base is staffed by sailors who know their destination inside-out. Expect insider tips on where to anchor, what to see, and which hidden taverna is still run by the same family that served your parents.
Bareboat doesn’t mean alone. We’re always within reach for technical help or local advice, with our 4-Hour Commitment guaranteeing prompt support anywhere in our network.
“My first time on a flotilla holiday and I absolutely loved it. Jesse, Filip and Becky made everything fun whilst making sure we were all safe. They worked so hard so we could relax and enjoy our holiday. I highly recommend Sunsail and if you get Jesse, Filip and Becky as your ‘Team’ then you’ll have an incredible time. We are now planning our next Sunsail holiday for next year!”
“We booked one week on the Sunsail Krka Flotilla and one week bareboat setting off from Agana in September.
The flotilla week was stress free and gave us the confidence to relax and enjoy our sailing before embarking on our bareboat adventure.
The Sunsail lead crew were outstanding. Despite some adverse weather conditions they planned a great route, pre booked moorings, organised events and were always prepared to help when needed.
Thank you Jesse, Becky and Filip for an amazing week.”
“Our 4th great sail trip with Sunsail Agana Marina (learning to sail, flotilla and bareboat charters). We really enjoyed our fun trip on the superbly run Hvar Flotilla. Sunsail Agana is a professional, efficient and extremely well run sail base in a beautiful location. We cannot recommend Sunsail Agana more highly and we have already booked to return.”
“Excellent flotilla made even better by Becky, Jesse and Adam’s humour, experience and good natures. We really enjoyed it and will return (again!). Thanks all. Matthew, Gabrielle, Sonia and Tony”
“A great week of flotilla sailing in Croatia 9n the Hvar flotilla out of Agana marina near Split. Sunsail did not disappoint (again) and the lead crew of Finn, India and Carraig were excellent. Last year we did the Kyrk trip, slightly quieter and more remote but both had excellent island and coastal sailing. This year we had a not-far-off new 42′ yacht that was super spacious and comfy with push button winches and a grill off the back. She didn’t sail quite as fast as the 41′ boat we had last year, but if we come again we’d pay the small amount extra for the 42′ boat. September is a great month for sailing in Croatia – not too hot and good winds. Hopefully we’ll be back!”
“Finn, Carraig and Elle were fantastic. Great service, communication and support.
Great suggestions for places to see. They were fun and well organized. Croatia is amazing!”
“First Flotilla sailing holiday experience for this family with adult children and their friends. We arrived slightly apprehensive that the flotilla model would be too regimented and enforced-bonhomie for our preference, but we need not have worried. The holiday was a great success from start to finish thanks to the excellent lead crew (Jesse, Becky and Filip), the matchless surroundings and weather of Croatia, and the perfectly configured and maintained boat. Thank you Sunsail. Can’t wait to book the next one..”
Bareboat Sailing Holiday Destinations
Croatia: Offers a mix of rich history and spectacular coastal towns.
Greece: Perfect for exploring ancient ruins and crystal-clear waters.
Thailand: Ideal for experiencing exotic cultures and tropical landscapes.
Tahiti: Provides a peaceful escape amidst iconic overwater bungalows and reefs.
Australia: Discover the famous Whitsunday islands and the Great Barrier Reef.
Embark on a bareboat sailing adventure with Sunsail at any of our 20+ stunning destinations across the globe. From the vibrant shores of the Caribbean to the serene waters of the South Pacific, each location offers its own unique sailing experience.Key destinations include:
Book now to secure your ideal yacht and dates for next season and save up to 20%. The best boats go first, especially for peak summer weeks across the Med. Plan ahead, lock in today’s rates, and spend next summer waking up somewhere better.
We are driven to deliver amazing sailing experiences for you and your crew at the best possible price. Below are our special offers and sailing deals currently available in some of the world’s most exciting sailing holiday destinations.
Our upgraded fleet is equipped to guarantee a top-notch sailing experience. You get all the essential yacht gear, plus a few extras for comfort and convenience:
What Is Included in a Bareboat Charter
Charter Generic Equipment
Full cruising area and yacht briefings before departure
Starter cleaning pack (washing up liquid, sponge/cloth, etc.)
Initial ice and water (Caribbean, Tahiti, Seychelles, Australia, Thailand, Tonga)
4-hour service guarantee
Dinghy (or Tender/ RIB) with outboard engine
Battened mainsail with lazy lines and stack packs
Transom barbecue (Caribbean)
Dodger on most Premier yachts 36 foot and over
Autopilots
Wind instruments
Furling genoa sail
FM radio/CD player
Cabin fans
Bimini top and roll down sun screens
Snorkelling fins
GPS chart-plotter
Cockpit cushions
Fully equipped galley
Bed linen and bath towels
Pressurized hot water
Yacht end of stay cleaning
Bean Bags (x2 per yacht except in our Partner bases)
Galley and Cabins
Set of linens (one per passenger/crew member)
Coat hangers
Tea towel
Mugs/coffee cups
Bowls
Chopping/bread board
Wooden spoon
Large and small plates
Containers
Fryer pan
Saucepans
Kitchen knife
Potato peeler
Can opener
Corkscrew/bottle opener
Grill pan or oven tray
Kettle
Set of cutlery
Tray
*Coffee pot
Coffee Onboard
Nothing says “good morning” like a fresh cup of coffee at sea. At Sunsail, our yachts come equipped with a variety of coffee-making options so you can enjoy your favourite brew while anchored in paradise. The type of coffee maker onboard can vary depending on your yacht model and destination, but here’s what you might find:
Electric Drip Coffee Machines: commonly found on catamarans with generators.
Stovetop Percolators: a traditional-style percolator perfect for use on the stove, commonly found on select monohulls in destinations like the BVI (not typically found in Mediterranean fleets).
French Presses (also known as coffee plungers): available on select boats, typically in Mediterranean bases (Croatia, Greece).
Moka Pots: a classic Italian stovetop espresso-style brewer, typically provided on yachts chartered from our Italian bases.
Please note: while coffee-making equipment is included, we can’t guarantee a specific type on a specific yacht. However, many of our bases offer essential extras, like filters or ground coffee (for purchase), so you can always come prepared or pick up what you need when you arrive.
Cockpit and Deck
Bow anchor with chain and warp Kedge anchor with chain and warp Mooring lines (both short and long) Emergency tiller (wheel steering only) Set of cockpit cushions or teak seats Snorkelling fins Bucket with rope Boat hook Water container Deck scrubber Horseshoe lifebuoy Windlass handle (if fitted) Fenders Gas bottles Fuel container Fuel funnel Winch handle Bimini
When you arrive at our base for your bareboat sailing charter, you’ll receive a thorough chart briefing – this will involve familiarising you with your yacht, a talk through safe boating guidelines, and an introduction to the local cruising grounds to enrich your experience. Then the rest is up to you!
Bareboat Charter Requirements
The qualifications you need to set sail with Sunsail all depend on your dream destination – some places, like Greece and Croatia for instance, are easier to sail in than others.
Complete our Sailing CV to find out what sailing holiday you can do with your existing experience.
Lacking any official qualification, or looking to brush up on your skills before setting sail? Our guide on Qualifications for Sailing Charters outlines the official requirements you need to sail a bareboat charter from each of our destinations.
We have Sailing Schools in Portsmouth, Lefkas and Agana where you can learn everything you need to get the most out of your bareboat charter. There are courses for beginners and advanced sailors alike, so you can start your bareboat charter with complete confidence.
Why Not Add a Skipper to Your Charter?
Want more leisure time? There’s nothing like the feeling of power when you’ve mastered the yacht and your journey is in your hands.
That said, if you’re travelling with a partner, friends or family, or simply want more time to sit on deck and take in the sights, you might wish to consider adding a skipper to your bareboat charter. They take some of the responsibility of sailing the yacht, so you can relax with your party and know the yacht is in safe hands.
For over five decades, Sunsail has been leading the way in sailing vacations. Our fleet, destinations, and service have earned us recognition worldwide—but for us, it’s all about the adventure. We know what sailors need because we are sailors.
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