Last updated: November 2026
Italy gives you three very different weeks: the Amalfi Coast and Capri, northern Sardinia with southern Corsica, and Sicily with the Aeolian Islands, plus a softer Tuscan option. This guide takes the decisions in order: when to go, where the week starts, where to cruise, which yacht, what it really costs, the route, and how booking works. Each section links to the longer article on that topic. When you are ready to see boats, our Italy yacht charter page is the place to start.
1. When to go
Italy’s main charter season runs from May to October. June and September are the best balance of weather, yacht availability and lower crowd pressure. July and August bring the buzz, the beach clubs and the most crowds. By October we think Sicily first and Tuscany second. Month by month, and region by region: the best time for an Italy yacht charter.
If privacy matters more than the scene, read Italy yacht charter without the crowds. For high summer without the same crowd pressure, we usually look at north Sardinia with a stretch into southern Corsica, southern Sardinia or Sicily rather than Amalfi. In Capri, Amalfi, Porto Cervo and Bonifacio, book early for July and August.
Broker insight
The real timing question isn't when Italy is best, it's what you want from the week. July and August give you the buzz and the beach clubs, but late June and September give you the same water with far fewer boats and better rates, which is what I book for most repeat clients.
Yanna Pristas
Senior Charter Broker
2. Where the week starts
The start port shapes the whole week, so choose the route first and the airport second. Naples or Salerno suit the classic Amalfi and Capri week. Olbia or Porto Cervo suit north Sardinia, La Maddalena and Bonifacio. Portorosa or Milazzo suit the Aeolian Islands. Tuscany starts such as Portoferraio, Punta Ala or San Vincenzo suit a softer pace and shorter hops. The full comparison is in where to start your Italy yacht charter.
From 27 May 2027, United flies nonstop from Newark to Olbia three times a week, and from 28 May to Catania four times a week. Schedules can change before launch. See the new New York to Sardinia and Sicily flights. Marina nights and anchor nights also shape the week; marina vs anchor nights explains the balance.
Broker insight
Clients pick a region for the postcard and only later ask where the week actually starts.
Yanna Pristas
Senior Charter Broker
3. Where to cruise
Sardinia is the choice for clear water, short hops between beach anchorages and the Costa Smeralda scene, with Corsica close enough to fold into the same route. The Amalfi Coast is iconic scenery, dining and Capri, with more crowds; the whole coastline is around 30 nautical miles. Sicily is culture, volcanoes and food, with fewer yachts around you. Tuscany and the Italian Riviera complete the list on Italy charter destinations.
Head to head: Sardinia vs the Amalfi Coast, Sicily vs Sardinia and combining Sicily and Amalfi. Chartering the La Maddalena archipelago? Read the new La Maddalena boat limits for crewed charters, and for families Italy yacht charter with kids.
4. Which yacht
Choose a motor yacht if you want to cover more coast in a week. A motor yacht cruising at 17 knots covers roughly 2.5 times the ground of a catamaran cruising at 6.5 knots. Choose a catamaran if deck space, stability at anchor and value matter more than distance. Luxury catamarans in Italy generally top out around €90,000 per week. Catamarans and power catamarans are noticeably harder to find in Sardinia, Corsica and around Sicily, so start the search earlier there. The full comparison: catamaran or motor yacht for Italy.
Most crewed charter yachts in Italy are licensed for a maximum of 12 overnight guests. Browse motor yachts, catamarans, power catamarans, luxury yachts and yachts for larger groups. Choosing by builder: Azimut vs Ferretti and Riva vs Pershing.
Broker insight
It comes down to what you value in the week: a motor yacht covers more coast and adds speed and polish, a catamaran gives you deck space and stability at anchor for less. I match the choice to how the group actually wants to spend their days, not to a spec sheet.
Yanna Pristas
Senior Charter Broker
5. What the week really costs
The base charter fee covers the yacht, the professional crew and the standard equipment. Four things sit around it:
- Base fee. Motor yachts of 80 to 100 ft (24 to 30 m) run from €70,000 per week to €150,000 per week, and 100 to 130 ft (30 to 40 m) from €120,000 per week to €350,000 per week. Crewed catamarans of 50 to 60 ft run from €20,000 per week to €90,000 per week.
- APA, the Advance Provisioning Allowance, pays for fuel, food and drinks, marina fees and itinerary costs. The captain keeps receipts, and any unspent APA is returned to you.
- VAT of 22% on the charter fee for every charter that starts in an Italian port. It is quoted on top of the base rate, and the APA carries no VAT. France charges 20%, and Greece and Croatia 13%.
- Crew gratuity is discretionary and paid at the end of the charter; 10% is the common reference point.
Worked example: a typical Italy motor yacht week at €150,000 per week carries €33,000 per week of VAT, so the contract total is €183,000 per week before APA and gratuity.
Read what a yacht charter in Italy costs, VAT on a yacht charter in Italy and APA explained. Starting a larger motor yacht in France can change the VAT: the ECPY advantage for Sardinia. Amalfi runs hot on berths: why an Amalfi charter costs more than you think.
Broker insight
When you tell clients the VAT in Italy or France, their head usually falls off. Our job is to make sure it never surprises you: the number is on your quote in writing before you commit to anything.
Louis Lamprell
Charter Broker
Broker insight
APA isn't a hidden fee or extra profit, it's your working budget for fuel, food, and berths, and whatever isn't spent comes back to you. The clients who relax are the ones who let us set a realistic figure upfront instead of guessing low and topping up mid-week.
Yanna Pristas
Senior Charter Broker
6. The route and how long
Seven days is enough if you keep it to one region. Ten days is usually the sweet spot, and fourteen days is for combining areas properly. If you want Amalfi and Sardinia in the same trip, plan on at least ten days. A route from the Aeolians up to Naples is a two-week itinerary. Read how long an Italy yacht charter should be.
Day by day: the 7-day Amalfi itinerary from Naples to Naples (96 nautical miles in total, built for motor yachts), the Sardinia and Corsica itinerary from Olbia (under 2 hours of cruising per day), the Sicily and Aeolian Islands itinerary and the Bonifacio to Olbia itinerary.
7. How booking works
After you inquire, a broker reviews your dates, group size, budget, cruising area and yacht style, then checks real availability. For the best choice we recommend booking 6 to 12 months ahead; for July and August, 9 to 12 months. The first payment is due when the charter agreement is signed, and payments are normally made by bank transfer. Brokerage is free to you as the charter client. Book flights after the agreement is signed and the deposit is paid, and take travel and cancellation insurance. More in the Italy yacht charter FAQ.
Broker insight
Seven days is where most people start, but Italy's distances quietly punish a packed week. If you want Amalfi and Sardinia in the same trip, ten days is the honest minimum, otherwise you spend the charter moving instead of enjoying it.
Yanna Pristas
Senior Charter Broker
Quick answers
When is the best time? June and September. The main season runs from May to October.
Where should I start? Naples or Salerno for Amalfi, Olbia or Porto Cervo for north Sardinia, Portorosa or Milazzo for the Aeolians.
Motor yacht or catamaran? A motor yacht for distance; a catamaran for space and stability, with luxury catamarans topping out around €90,000 per week.
What is VAT? 22% of the charter fee for charters that start in Italy, and none on the APA.
How long? Seven days in one region, ten days as the sweet spot, fourteen to combine areas.
Tell us your dates and group size on our Italy yacht charters page, and a broker checks real availability for you.
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