By their very nature, sailing holidays are the perfect escapism for a romantic break, honeymoon or anniversary.

Are you and your future spouse the adventurous types? If you’re struggling to find the perfect destination to celebrate your love, or an activity that suits both you and your partner, a honeymoon yacht charter might be the solution.

Imagine setting sail on your own yacht, heading to hidden beaches and secluded bays, just the two of you and the open sea. Perhaps you can see a remote Mediterranean village ahead, set against a backdrop of hills and mountains, or maybe you’re approaching a port on a lush Caribbean island.

You reach your destination, anchor in a quiet bay, and sit in the cockpit with a glass of something cool as you watch the sun slowly dip beyond the horizon, water gently lapping against the hull.

A romantic or honeymoon sailing holiday is a magical time for two, so head for the horizon and let time just slip away.

• What is the best sailing honeymoon destination for you?
• Why should you go on a sailing honeymoon?
• What charter options are there for a sailing honeymoon?
• When is the best time to go on a sailing honeymoon?

Why should you go on a sailing honeymoon?

If a trip abroad to a new and exciting place was already on the cards for your honeymoon, then a honeymoon yacht charter is absolutely something you should consider. 

Here are some reasons why you might enjoy a honeymoon yacht charter:

1. Explore your destination in a unique way. A yacht charter that lets you explore at your own pace, from sunbathing on remote beaches to visiting bustling local villages – all while your comfortable floating base waits nearby.
2. An exciting challenge for new and experienced sailors. Whether you only learned how to sail recently (you can take refresher lessons at our Agana, Lefkas or Portsmouth sailing schools) or you’re an experienced sailor, a yacht charter is always a new adventure. If you relish a challenge and unwind with sailing, this is the honeymoon for you!
3. Privacy for you and your partner. If what you really want from your honeymoon is a complete break from society, this is an option – you and your partner can explore uninhabited islands and spend long periods at sea without ever meeting another soul. 
4. Takes you back to nature sustainably. If you’re passionate about nature, a sailing charter is the perfect way to immerse yourself. You can spend your honeymoon exploring everything from vibrant coral reefs to lush national parks, all in the knowledge that your charter is designed to have as little impact on the environment as possible. Learn all about sustainable travel with Sunsail. 

Sailing Honeymoon Charter Options

Bareboat Charter

Choose a bareboat charter to steer your own course – the pace, the course and the itinerary are entirely up to you, perfect if you’re experienced and enjoy sailing. 

Flotilla Charter

If you and your partner thrive around people and love new and exciting social situations, a flotilla charter is a brilliant option. With a flotilla, you will sail in a group – experts will guide the group towards the best sightseeing spots and underrated attractions, filling the itinerary with fun activities.

Skippered Yacht Charter

If you want to just kick back and enjoy dedicated time with the one you love, we recommend hiring a skipper for your yacht charter, even if it’s just for a few days. Your experienced skipper will take the helm, so you can enjoy more time on your own. Just sit back and relax as you slip into the setting sun. Your romantic skippered yacht holiday awaits.

Ready to plan your romantic getaway? Pick your favourite destination and start planning with Sunsail today.

Honeymoon Yacht Charter FAQs

What is a Honeymoon yacht charter?

A honeymoon yacht charter is your private getaway on the sea, tailored to your interests, whether that’s exploring Europe’s coasts or island-hopping in the tropics.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Explore tranquil bays, breath taking scenery and secluded beaches that can only be reached by boat
• Dine at romantic restaurants or enjoy a private meal on the comfort on your yacht
• Discover dventure activities of your choice such as snorkelling or paddle boarding
• Switch off from the hustle & bustle of every day
• Experience a quality, attentive yet unobtrusive service

When should you go on a sailing honeymoon?

When you’re choosing a destination for your sailing honeymoon, consider what season your wedding is in – our yacht charter destinations around the world all have peak seasons and off-seasons, and it’s important that you do your research about the weather and sailing conditions before booking. 

The destinations above, for example, all have different peak seasons.

BVI: The best time to sail the BVI is from December-April – while the Caribbean is stunning all year round, this time of year offers wonderful sailing conditions without the crowds you can expect throughout the summer.

Thailand: The best time to sail in Thailand is in the dry season, November-May – while the monsoon season is pretty spectacular to experience if you’ve never been caught in a warm rain shower, sailing in rainy weather is a little more challenging than in sunny weather.

French Polynesia: The best time to sail in Tahiti is May-October; this is the area’s dry season, so the sailing conditions are perfect and you can expect glorious sunny weather. 

Grenada: The best time to sail in the Caribbean is generally considered to be from November-April, but the weather and sailing conditions are fairly good all year round. 

Corfu: The best time to sail in Greece is April-October, which is the peak sailing season in the Mediterranean where the Aegean and Ionian Sea are calm, warm and beautiful. 

How much sailing experience do I need for a honeymoon yacht charter?

You do need a fair amount of sailing experience for a honeymoon yacht charter – while you may decide to hire a skipper, yacht charters require competency at independent sailing and through knowledge of every facet of the boat. Visit our blog on Yacht Charter Qualifications to learn more, and take a look at our sailing schools if you think you may need a refresher. 

How can I book a honeymoon sailing holiday?

You can book your honeymoon sailing holiday by selecting your destination and begin building your quote where you will be asked to select:

• The type of yacht charter – Flotilla, Bareboat, Skippered
• Dates
• Number of passengers

What are top snorkelling and diving spots for a honeymoon?

If you and your partner just adore scuba diving and snorkelling, you’ll find the best diving spots in the Caribbean. From the unique landscape of the Keyhole Pinnacles in St Lucia, to the completely one-of-a-kind Great Blue Hole in Belize, you’ll never be lacking in fantastic underwater adventures with our Caribbean yacht charters.

Learn more with our Best Diving in the Caribbean blog.

What are the best destinations for a honeymoon or romantic sailing holiday?

1. The British Virgin Islands (BVI)

Perfect for: Sightseers

It’s no wonder that the British Virgin Islands are such a popular destination for sailing holidays – with so much to see and do, it’s impossible to be bored on a honeymoon here. Here are just a handful of activities you can do in the BVI:

• Visit the baths on Virgin Gorda
• Go wreck diving at the RHS Rhone – we talk about this a little more in our Top 8 BVI Diving Spots blog
• Go to the salt ponds in Anegada to see flamingos
• Explore Cam Bay National Park
• Drink painkillers (a signature BVI cocktail) in the beach bars of Jost Van Dyke

If you and your partner are in agreement that your honeymoon has to have a packed itinerary, BVI is one of the best honeymoon destinations. Discover more with our Things to See in the British Virgin Islands and Things to Do in the British Virgin Islands blogs. 

2. Phuket, Thailand

Perfect for: Soul-searchers

Thailand is full of experiences you can’t replicate anywhere else in the world, and Phuket in particular is considered the “pearl of the Andaman Sea”. This is a wonderful place to go if your everyday life feels manic sometimes – there are many activities here that can help centre and relax you.

Here are some examples. You could: 

• Go kayaking along the coast
• Go to a full moon party
• Explore the nearby islands and beaches – we recommend the otherworldly Phi Phi islands, and untouched beaches like Surin Beach or Kata Noi Beach
• Attend a wellness spa or yoga class

We’re only scratching the surface here – to find lots of inspiration for your blissful honeymoon yacht charter in Thailand, take a look at some of our blogs: 

• 4 Places You Must See in Thailand
• Unique and Cool Things to Do in Thailand
• 4 Reasons to Experience Thailand.

3. French Polynesia, Tahiti

Perfect for: The easygoing

If romance, to you, is slowing down to really make the most of every moment, French Polynesia is the place for your honeymoon yacht charter. There are plenty of opportunities here to calm your busy mind and live in the moment. 

Some incredible things to do in French Polynesia include:

• Snorkel in crystal-clear lagoons and turquoise barrier reefs
• Experience traditional fire dancing in Bora Bora
• Visit the Anapa Pearl Farm
• Explore Raiatea, the ‘sacred isle’, for ancient temples and grand historical landmarks 
• Take a kayaking tour through the jungle

French Polynesia also boasts some of the most spectacular sunrises and sunsets in the world – take a look at our research to learn more! With such a romantic atmosphere and so much culture to soak up, this is an incredible sailing honeymoon destination. 

4. Grenada

Perfect for: Foodies

Known as the Spice Isle of the Caribbean, Grenada is the perfect destination for your sailing honeymoon if you and your partner are real foodies. A visit here is always a culinary adventure – with roots in the production of cocoa and many essential spices, there are lots of places to visit (and dishes to taste) to get a sense of the island’s history.

Grenada has many traditional foods and dishes, but it is arguably best known for chocolate – visit the House of Chocolate in St. George’s Market Square to make the most of this – and nutmeg, which you can find in everything from drinks to ice creams. 

You could visit the few operational plantations producing cocoa and nutmeg, or the River Antoine Rum Distillery to learn about the rum-making process (and sample some, of course).

Outside of food tourism, there are plenty of excellent places to visit in Grenada – read our What to Do in Grenada and Best Beaches in Grenada blogs to find some inspiration for your Grenada sailing itinerary.

5. Corfu, Greece

Perfect for: People who want a balance of everything

Corfu is a fantastic place to go for your honeymoon if you and your partner have different ideas of the perfect holiday – while it’s a great place for some rest and relaxation, there’s also a ton of things you can do to immerse yourself in Greece’s storied culture and make your honeymoon as exciting as possible.

Some things to do in Corfu include:

• Explore the Ionian island’s golden beaches, from popular Paleokastritsa Beach to Stellari Beach, which is only accessible by boat
• Indulge in Greek cuisine; dishes like Pastitsada, Bougatsa and Corfu’s signature fish dish, Bourdeto, are must-tries
• Snorkel in pristine reefs in Colovri
• Visit some of Corfu’s ancient ruins, like the Old Fortress of Corfu and the Temple of Artemis Gorgon
• And if your honeymoon falls around Easter time, enjoy one of Corfu’s largest cultural traditions: the smashing of clay pots (botides).

To learn more, explore our blog on Greek Culture in Corfu and find even more charter inspiration in our Corfu sailing itinerary.

Which honeymoon destinations are LGBTQIA+ friendly?

Your honeymoon is a celebration of your love and commitment to each other, so it’s important that you go somewhere that feels safe for you. The absolute best honeymoon yacht charters for LGBTQIA+ couples are Mykonos, Greece and Phuket, Thailand. 

You can reach Mykonos from our Athens yacht charter – this island is well-known to be a very tolerant and friendly destination for queer couples, offering incredible nightlife and plenty of spots across the harbours to sit with a cocktail and watch the sunset.

Thailand is also a famously accommodating place, the first country in Southeast Asia to officially recognise same-sex marriage as of 2024. It has some of the most comprehensive rights for LGBTQIA+ people in Asia, and Phuket makes for a serene destination with plenty of places to dine, sunbathe, swim in and explore.