The World's Finest Destinations
Exciting destinations ready for your booking
We've scoured the globe, meeting every fleet operator, to bring you the best sailing destinations in the world, from familiar Mediterranean summer hubs to warm Caribbean paradises and more exotic far-flung islands in the Indian Ocean and beyond.
Use the Experience Builder or ask a HELM broker if you're not sure where to go!
Charter Types Explained
There are three main types of charter available in destinations all over the world: crewed, skippered and bareboat charter.
But what does each one mean, what are the differences, and how much should you budget for each?
Use our Experience Builder and we will be able to suggest the yacht holiday most suited for you. There are three main categories of yachting holidays:
- Bareboat
- Skippered (bareboat with a professional captain)
- Fully crewed
You can see further explanation on each of these options below. If you don’t have sailing experience, then a skippered or crewed option is for you.
Crewed Charter
The definitive private escape with bespoke service and a new view every day.
Crewed yacht charter destinations cover glamorous locations from St Tropez to Sardinia, as well as laid-back havens like the British Virgin Islands.
The crew takes care of your every need from the moment you arrive, leaving you free to relax and soak up the sun. They are professional and discreet, equally adept at whipping up a feast, shaking a mean margarita or setting up the perfect beach party.
We offer crewed charters across every yacht type, with catamarans, motor yachts and gulets among the most popular.
Skippered Charter
The simplest way to explore any destination under the sun.
Your professional skipper will take the helm and guide you from island to island, sharing some of their local know-how along the way and helping you get the most out of your yachting vacation.
Your skipper is a qualified sailor whose job is to take care of you and the boat, handle the sailing and let you relax and enjoy your time on and off the water.
Bareboat Charter
The purist's choice. A bareboat charter is simplicity itself; you charter the full ‘bare’ boat, with sails and all safety and comfort equipment but without crew - you are the captain and your family and friends are the crew.
You will need considerable sailing experience to charter bareboat, and in most destinations you will need an internationally-recognised sailing licence, such as the International Certificate of Competence (ICC), ASA 104/114 or RYA Coastal Skipper. If you don't have any qualifications, you may need to hire a skipper, or take a course to up your sailing skills.