Bareboat vs Skippered vs Crewed: Which Yacht Charter Should You Book?

Every charter falls into one of three formats. Choosing the right one is mostly about your sailing experience and how much you want to do yourself versus be looked after.

Bareboat charter

You rent the boat and skipper it yourself. It's the cheapest option and the most freedom — you decide where to go and when. The requirements: at least one person aboard needs a recognised sailing licence (and usually a VHF certificate), plus genuine handling experience for the boat's size. Best for competent sailors who want independence and privacy.

• Cost: lowest — just the boat.
• Need: licence + real experience.
• Best for: qualified sailors, couples and families who want to be self-sufficient.

Skippered charter

You rent the boat and hire a professional skipper who lives aboard (usually in a dedicated cabin or the saloon) and handles navigation, weather and berthing. You still cook and run your own days — the skipper is there to sail the boat safely and, as a bonus, to show you the best anchorages and konobas the locals use. No licence required.

• Cost: boat + skipper (roughly €150–€220/day, plus you cover their food).
• Need: nothing — no licence.
• Best for: first-timers, groups without a qualified skipper, or experienced sailors who just want to relax and learn the area.

Crewed charter

The full-service option: a skipper and a host/cook (and on larger yachts, more crew). Meals are prepared for you, the boat is kept immaculate, and you do nothing but enjoy it. This is the way most people charter a catamaran or larger yacht for a special trip.

• Cost: highest — boat + full crew + provisioning.
• Need: nothing.
• Best for: celebrations, families with young kids, or anyone who wants a hotel-at-sea experience.

How to choose

If you (or someone in your group) hold a licence and have handled a similar boat, bareboat gives the best value and freedom. If not, or if you simply want to switch off, add a skipper — it's a surprisingly small part of the total for a big jump in ease. Go crewed when the trip is the occasion and you want to be fully looked after.

Most charter platforms let you filter the same boat by "bareboat" or "with skipper" — browse boats below and compare.