Private yacht charter The entire vessel. Exclusively yours.
A private charter means an entire vessel to yourselves — your group, your itinerary, your pace. No shared spaces, no fixed schedules, no strangers at dinner.
ATOL protectedFlight-inclusive holidays- ABTOT memberHolidays without flights
- Independent since 1995A family company
- Rated Excellent650 Feefo reviews
What is a private charter
Private charter, incredibly easy.
A private charter is, at its simplest, the freedom to go where you like, when you like, with whomever you choose. Your vessel, your crew, your itinerary — shaped entirely around your group rather than a published schedule.
Whether you spend the morning swimming off a deserted beach, linger over lunch in a harbour town, or ask the captain to alter course because somewhere on the horizon looks more interesting — that decision is entirely yours. There are no fellow passengers you haven't personally invited, no shared dining rooms, no compromise.
We handle the practicalities — finding the right vessel, arranging flights, transfers and hotel stays — so that by the time you step aboard, everything is already in order.
Who charters with us
A charter for every occasion
Milestone birthdays & anniversaries
A 50th birthday in the Greek Islands. A 25th anniversary in the Seychelles. Some occasions deserve considerably more than a hotel.
Family holidays
Three generations, no compromises. A private vessel gives everyone their own space — and a crew who attend to the details.
Groups of friends
Share the cost, share the experience. A charter with eight friends often works out less than you might expect — and creates memories that last considerably longer.
Corporate & incentive travel
Reward your team or entertain clients somewhere genuinely memorable. A private charter is an experience nobody forgets in a hurry.
Honeymoons & proposals
Complete privacy, beautiful waters and a crew dedicated to making every moment count. The most romantic setting we know.
Special interest voyages
Photography, wine, archaeology, wildlife — a private charter allows you to build an itinerary entirely around what matters to you.
Find your vessel
The right ship for your group
Private charters work for groups of two to fifty or more. The vessel changes — the experience of having it entirely to yourselves does not. From surprisingly affordable to reassuringly expensive, we have the right solution for you.
- Personal2–6guests
Sailing yachts
- Best for
- Couples, small families
- Destinations
- Mediterranean, Caribbean
- Style
- Active, flexible
- From
- £2,800 / week
The most personal charter experience. A sailing yacht puts you close to the water and the destinations — ideal for couples or small groups who want flexibility, the freedom to drop anchor wherever takes their fancy, and the pleasure of sailing under canvas.
- Most popular8–16guests
Catamarans, gulets & larger yachts
- Best for
- Families, friend groups
- Destinations
- Greece, Croatia, Turkey, Seychelles, Caribbean
- Style
- Spacious, sociable
- From
- £4,500 / week
Catamarans offer exceptional deck space and stability — well suited to families with children or groups who value comfort on passage. Gulets bring a distinctly Mediterranean character, with wide wooden decks, shaded lounging areas and a full crew including a private chef.
- Groups & events20–49guests
Private ship charter
- Best for
- Large groups, corporate
- Destinations
- Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, Pacific
- Style
- Full-service onboard
- From
- £25,000 / week
Chartering an entire small ship gives your group the full run of a proper vessel — multiple decks, a dedicated dining room, a professional crew and the kind of itinerary flexibility that simply isn't possible on a scheduled cruise. Ideal for large celebrations, incentive travel or corporate occasions that call for something genuinely extraordinary.
- Bespoke50+guests
Larger vessel charter
- Best for
- Large groups, associations
- Destinations
- Worldwide — we source globally
- Style
- Fully bespoke
- From
- £200,000 / week
For larger groups, including tall ship voyages under real canvas, we can arrange charters on a fully bespoke basis. These tend to be rare and complex to put together — but that is rather the point. Call us to have an honest conversation about what is possible.
Start the conversation
Some of the most memorable charters begin with a single phone call.
Tell us where you want to go and who you're travelling with. We'll come back to you with honest options and straightforward advice — no obligation, no pressure.
Where we sail
The Mediterranean and far beyond
Greek islands
Our most requested charter destination. The Ionian, the Aegean and the Cyclades each offer a distinct character — from the sheltered sailing of Lefkas to the dramatic scenery of the Dodecanese.
Turkey
The Turquoise Coast — ancient Lycian ruins, hidden coves, pine-scented hillsides and superb local food. Gulets were made for these waters and the pace that goes with them.
Croatia
The Dalmatian Coast combines sheltered waters, beautifully preserved island towns, excellent food ashore and well-organised marinas — ideal for a first charter.
Caribbean & Seychelles
Full ATOL-protected packages including flights and transfers. The Seychelles in particular rewards a charter — the islands are best seen from the water.
Italy
Sicily, the Amalfi Coast and the Aeolian Islands offer some of the most dramatic sailing in the Mediterranean, with extraordinary culture and cuisine at every anchorage.
Further afield
French Polynesia, the Pacific and beyond. If you have a destination in mind that isn’t listed here, tell us — some of the most memorable charters we’ve arranged were the ones that required a little more thought.
We know Greece, Croatia, Turkey, Italy, France, the Seychelles and the Caribbean particularly well — our team have travelled to all of these and can advise from genuine first-hand experience. We also arrange charters further afield, and can share examples of popular itineraries to help you plan.
The process
From first conversation to first day at sea
Tell us what you have in mind
Dates, group size, destination, budget — or simply a sense of what you're looking for. We will take it from there.
We find the right vessel
We present options suited to your group and your plans, with full specifications and candid advice on what will and won't work.
We put together your package
Flights, hotel stays and transfers arranged under one roof, with full ATOL protection where flights are included.
You enjoy every moment
On a fully crewed vessel the crew attend to everything — nothing to think about except where you'd like to go next. |
Why book with us
Honest advice. One point of contact. Full protection.
We know the destinations
Our team have travelled in Greece, Croatia, Turkey, Italy, the Seychelles and the Caribbean. When we advise on a destination, it is from genuine first-hand experience, not a brochure.
We arrange as much or as little as you need
Many clients come to us for the vessel alone — others prefer us to handle flights, transfers and hotel stays as well. Where we arrange flights as part of your package, the whole booking carries full ATOL protection.
We are straightforward about what we know
We ask the right questions, ensure all vessels are properly licensed and maintained, and give you our honest assessment of the options available.
The same people, throughout
When you call us, you speak to someone who knows what they are talking about. Available Monday to Friday 9am–7pm and Saturday 9:30am–5pm — the same team from first enquiry to departure.
Good to know
Everything you need to know
Straight answers to the questions we are asked most.
Still have a question?
Speak to our cruise team, or tell us what you have in mind and ask for a quote.
020 8324 3117 Get a quoteHow much does a private charter cost?
Charter costs vary considerably depending on vessel size, destination and time of year. A sailing yacht for two to six guests starts from a few thousand pounds per week. Larger vessels and peak season dates will be higher. Call us for a straightforward estimate based on your specific plans.
Do I need sailing experience?
No. On a fully crewed vessel or with a skipper aboard, no sailing experience is needed at all. You are simply a guest. On a skippered yacht you may be invited to help from time to time, but there is no requirement and no expectation.
What is the minimum group size?
There is no minimum. Charters work equally well for two people as for twenty. The cost of the vessel is fixed regardless of group size, so larger groups naturally share the cost across more people.
What is the difference between skippered and fully crewed?
A skippered charter includes a qualified captain who handles navigation and sailing. A fully crewed vessel includes a captain, chef and deck crew — meals are cooked for you, the boat is maintained and your only role is to enjoy it.
How far in advance should I book?
For peak summer dates in the Mediterranean, six to twelve months ahead is advisable for the best vessel availability. Outside peak season there is more flexibility, but earlier is always better — particularly for larger groups or unusual destinations.
Is a charter more expensive than a normal holiday?
Not necessarily — particularly for larger groups. When the cost of a vessel is shared across eight or ten people, it can compare favourably with equivalent hotel stays and flights. The experience, however, is not comparable at all.
Are children welcome on a charter?
Yes — private charters are particularly well suited to families with children. With the whole vessel to yourselves, children can move freely and safely, and itineraries can be shaped around what works for the family rather than a fixed schedule.
Do you arrange flights and transfers?
Yes, if you'd like us to. We can arrange flights from the UK, airport transfers and hotel stays before and after your charter — all under one roof. Flight-inclusive packages carry full ATOL protection. Equally, if you prefer to arrange your own flights, we are happy to arrange the vessel alone.
Start the conversation
Your charter starts with one call.
Tell us about your group and what you have in mind. We will come back to you with options and honest advice — with no obligation whatsoever.
- Specialists since 1995
- ATOL 9511
- ABTOT 5660
Peace of mind
Book with confidence
Seafarer is licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL 9511) and all air holidays we operate are ATOL protected. We are also members of ABTOT (Membership No. 5660), providing additional protection for bookings without flights.
We have been trading since 1995 — all your deposits and balance payments to us are fully financially secure.
ATOL protected: licence 9511All flight-inclusive holidays are fully ATOL protected
ABTOT member: No. 5660Additional protection for bookings without flights
Guest reviews
Rated Excellent by our cruise guests
4.6 out of 5 from 650 independent reviews collected by Feefo (15 November 2026).
Excellent
4.6out of 5
Based on 650 guest reviews of our service on Feefo
Feefo Platinum Trusted Service AwardFour years in a row
About booking with Seafarer
“Suzie was excellent in helping me organise my cruise, lots of helpful tips and when I had some concerns, she was there with alternatives…”
“Seafarer were excellent at all stages… When there were floods in Dubai leading to cancellation of flights Seafarer were able to re- book for the following week with no extra charges. I would not hesitate to book via Seafarer again.”
“Quick, personalised and professional service! Highly recommended, and the additional ATOL protection provided at very little extra cost has been very welcome!”
“I have booked more than 10 trips through Seafarer… It is like dealing with a friend or family member. Best travel agent ever! I would never want to go anywhere else.”
