Yacht charter itineraries: one week, day by day
Tested one-week routes from real charter bases — where to sleep each night, how far to sail, what to see and eat, and what to watch out for.
Greece
- Lefkas–Meganisi–Ithaca–Fiskardo: a 7-day Ionian loop
Base: Lefkas Marina · 76 nm
The classic Ionian week from Lefkas: Meganisi, quiet Kastos, Kioni on Ithaca, Fiskardo on Kefalonia, Sivota and the bays off Nidri, about 75 nm in total. Legs are short, the water is sheltered and the afternoon breeze is usually moderate, which makes it one of the easiest first weeks in Greece.
- Corfu–Paxos–Antipaxos: a 7-day Ionian loop
Base: Gouvia Marina · 93 nm
A week from Gouvia on Corfu: the green north-east coast and Kassiopi, a positioning stop in the south of the island, then Gaios, the Antipaxos beaches and Lakka on Paxos before an early run home. About 95 nm in total, with one longer return leg, so keep a spare day of weather in hand.
- Lavrio–Kea–Kythnos–Serifos: a 7-day western Cyclades loop
Base: Lavrio (Olympic Marine) · 108 nm
A loop from Lavrio for crews who want real Cycladic islands within one week: Kea, Kythnos and Serifos, with a short first night close to the base. Most legs are 14–20 nm, and the route can be cut back to Kea and Kythnos whenever the meltemi blows.
- Athens–Aegina–Poros–Hydra: a 7-day Saronic Gulf loop
Base: Alimos Marina (Athens) · 106 nm
A gentle loop from Athens through the Saronic Gulf: Aegina and Agistri first, then the Peloponnese coast at Epidavros, Poros and Hydra. Most legs are 5–22 nm, and the plan can be shortened at almost any point, which makes it a good first charter.
Croatia
- Split–Brač–Hvar–Vis–Korčula: a 7-day central Dalmatia loop
Base: ACI Marina Split · 124 nm
The classic central Dalmatia week from Split: Milna on Brač, the Pakleni islands off Hvar, Stari Grad, a full evening on Vis, Vela Luka on the west end of Korčula and Hvar Town on the way back, about 125 nm in total. Short legs at the start leave room for a late handover; the open-water legs to Vis and Korčula come mid-week, and Korčula is the stop to drop first if the forecast turns.
- Dubrovnik–Šipan–Mljet–Korčula: a 7-day southern Dalmatia loop
Base: ACI Marina Dubrovnik · 105 nm
A southern Dalmatia week from ACI Marina Dubrovnik built around Mljet National Park and Korčula Town, with the Elaphiti island of Šipan to split the long first leg and a sheltered Mljet bay for the last night, about 105 nm in total. Lastovo is an optional extension for a stable forecast only — the core of the week is Mljet and Korčula.
- Zadar–Kornati–Dugi Otok: a 7-day island-chain loop
Base: Marina Dalmacija, Sukošan · 75 nm
A week from the Zadar area that spends two nights in Kornati National Park, two on Dugi Otok around Telašćica and Sali, and the last night on Pašman close to the base, about 75 nm in total. Legs are short, but both protected areas have their own tickets and rules, so the route is planned around moorings, daylight and an early return.
Spain
- Palma–Dragonera–Sóller: a 7-day west Mallorca loop
Base: Palma · 90 nm
A week out of Palma that treats the west coast as a chain of safe harbours: Port d'Andratx for Sa Dragonera, Port de Sóller under the Tramuntana mountains, and back to Palma a day before checkout. The one exposed leg, Andratx to Sóller, is sailed in the morning with a hard turnaround time.
- Ibiza–Es Vedrà–Formentera: a 7-day loop from Ibiza Town
Base: Eivissa (Ibiza Town) · 58 nm
A short-hop week planned around legal moorings rather than a beach list: Es Vedrà in daylight, three nights on Formentera, and the last night back on Ibiza. Every leg is under 20 nm, and Ibiza stays the fallback if the crossing forecast turns.
Turkey
- Göcek–Fethiye–Butterfly Valley: a 7-day Lycian coast loop
Base: Göcek · 53 nm
A sheltered week on the Turkish coast: short legs between Göcek's pine-covered bays, the Gemiler coast and two nights in Fethiye. Butterfly Valley is a weather-gated shore visit, not a fixed overnight, and the last night stays close to the base.
- Bodrum–Gökova–Datça: a 7-day loop through the Gökova bays
Base: Bodrum · 86 nm
A Bodrum loop built around the Gökova Gulf: a short first hop to Orak Island, two nights in the sheltered bays at the head of the gulf and a weather-gated leg to a quiet cove on the Datça peninsula. Datça is the decision leg — in fresh wind, stay in Gökova and return to Bodrum early.
Italy
- Portisco–La Maddalena–Costa Smeralda: a 7-day north Sardinia loop
Base: Portisco · 63 nm
A north-east Sardinia week from Portisco: Porto Cervo, the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park with Caprera and the northern islands, and a short return along the Costa Smeralda. Legs are short; the northern islands are the weather-gated part of the week.
France
- Homps–Le Somail–Béziers: a 7-day Canal du Midi houseboat week
Base: Homps · 76 km
A one-way, licence-free week from Homps to Port Cassafières: about 77 km and 18 locks, most of it along the lock-free Grand Bief. The days are short, the villages and vineyards come one after another, and the Fonseranes staircase at Béziers is timed for its morning window.