Greece is HOT in 2026
Greece is still the number one destination for a sailing holiday, but there is more choice than ever!
Yacht and Catamaran charter holidays are riding another wave of popularity in 2026, with Mediterranean hotspots once again dominating summer bookings. But alongside the familiar favourites, a growing number of travellers are looking further afield for quieter anchorages and new sailing adventures.
Greece still leads the fleet
It’s no surprise that Greece remains one of the world’s most popular yacht charter destinations. With steady summer winds, crystal-clear water and thousands of islands scattered across the Aegean, it offers almost endless itinerary options.
The whitewashed islands of the Cyclades—including famous stops like Paros and Mykonos—continue to draw charter guests seeking iconic scenery and lively harbours. Meanwhile, quieter island groups such as the Dodecanese are increasingly popular with sailors looking to escape peak-season crowds.
Croatia’s island playground
The other Mediterranean standout is Croatia. Its Dalmatian coast has become a charter favourite thanks to short sailing distances and easy line-of-sight sailing, historic towns and hundreds of islands perfect for relaxed island-hopping.
Hotspots such as Hvar and Korčula remain firmly on the charter map, while more remote areas like the Kornati Islands are attracting sailors seeking peaceful anchorages and unspoilt national park scenery.
Italy and Spain still sparkle
Coming in third and fourth in the PlainSailing.com Popularity chart are Italy and Spain. The dramatic coastline of the Amalfi Coast in Italy continues to attract yachts cruising between glamorous ports like Capri and Positano, though we have more bookings than ever for the Costa Smeralda in Sardinia this year.
Further west, Balearic Islands in Spain—especially Mallorca and Ibiza—combine beautiful coves with world-famous nightlife, making them a favourite for younger charter groups.
More choice than ever...
Where do you sail once you've sailed in those four? Winter charters remain strong in the Caribbean, with Antigua and BVI proving to be very popular, but we're also seeing a growing number of clients asking for boats off the beaten track (and not even listed on our website - yet). We have our first ever charters going out of Belize later this year, had bookings in Koh Chang (Thailand) and La Paz (Mexico) and the Seychelles also piqueing our regular client's interest. We can get you a boat practically anywhere in the world - so don't hesitate to get in touch, and we're always happy to see what we can find.
