Bareboat, Skippered or Crewed? Charter Types Explained

Once you've picked a boat and a destination, one question decides the whole shape of your week: who's actually sailing it? There are three answers — bareboat, skippered, and fully crewed — and they run from "you do everything" to "you lift not a finger". Here's what each really means, what it costs, and who it suits.

The three types at a glance

• Bareboat — you charter the yacht alone and are the skipper. Maximum freedom and independence, lowest cost, but you need qualifications and experience.
• Skippered — you add a professional skipper to run the boat. You still cook, provision and relax as a group; they handle the sailing, navigation and safety. No licence needed.
• Crewed — a full crew (skipper plus, typically, a host/cook or more) does everything: sailing, meals, cleaning, planning. A floating holiday with staff.

You can see boats set up for each on our yachts — many are available bareboat or skippered depending on your crew.

Bareboat: you're the captain

Bareboat is the classic sailing holiday: just you and your crew, no strangers aboard, going where you like when you like. It's the cheapest option and the most rewarding if you're competent.

You'll need to prove you can sail. Charter companies require a recognised qualification and often a completed sailing CV. See our guide on whether you need a licence to charter — the short version is that Greece and Croatia are among the stricter countries, typically wanting an ICC, RYA Day Skipper (or equivalent) plus, in Greece, a second qualified crew member and a VHF certificate.

Bareboat suits:

• Experienced sailors confident in the chosen area.
• Groups who want total privacy and flexibility.
• Anyone keeping costs down.

If you're newer, consider a gentle cruising ground first — see the best destinations for beginners.

Skippered: the best of both worlds

Add a professional skipper and everything changes. You get local knowledge — the quiet anchorage, the best konoba, the wind that comes up at four o'clock — plus safety and zero stress. You can sail as much or as little as you want; most skippers happily teach.

This is often the smartest choice for:

• Groups with little or no formal qualification.
• Confident-but-cautious sailors in unfamiliar or tricky waters.
• Anyone who wants to properly switch off.

The skipper needs a cabin (or will "hot bunk" in the saloon on smaller boats), so factor one berth out of your guest count. You provide their meals or a modest daily food allowance, and a tip at the end is customary.

Crewed: fully looked after

A crewed charter adds a host/cook alongside the skipper — sometimes a full crew on larger yachts. Meals are prepared, the boat is kept spotless, the itinerary is planned around you, and you genuinely do nothing but enjoy it. On premium and larger yachts this shades into luxury-yacht territory.

Crewed suits:

• Special occasions, honeymoons, milestone birthdays.
• Groups who want a hotel-at-sea, not a sailing project.
• Larger yachts where crew is effectively required.

What each costs

Roughly, on top of the base boat charter fee:

Add-on	Typical cost	Notes
Bareboat	€0 extra	You are the skipper
Professional skipper	€160–€220 per day	Plus their food and a tip
Host / cook	€150–€200 per day	Usually with a crewed package
Full crew (larger yachts)	Bundled into a higher weekly rate	Often includes provisioning service

Over a week, a skipper adds roughly €1,100–€1,500. Spread across a crew of eight that's under €200 a head — and because our platform lets you book the whole yacht and split the cost per person, the skipper's fee divides just as neatly. For the complete arithmetic, see how much a yacht charter costs.

How to choose — a quick guide

Ask yourself, in order:

1. Does anyone in the crew hold the required licence for this country? No → skippered or crewed. (Greece is strict; see the Greek islands guide for context.)
2. Do you want to sail, or be sailed? Sail → bareboat or skippered. Be sailed → crewed.
3. Is the area unfamiliar or technically demanding? Yes → at least a skipper for the first time.
4. What's the budget per person? Tightest → bareboat; comfortable → skippered; treat → crewed.

Most first-time groups land on skippered — it removes the qualification hurdle and the stress while keeping the intimacy of your own private boat. Once you've done a week or two, bareboat opens up.

Where each shines

Greece's Cyclades and Ionian are wonderful skippered — the meltemi wind in the Cyclades in particular rewards a local hand. Croatia and the gentle, tideless British Virgin Islands are popular bareboat grounds for the qualified. Planning a group trip either way? Our guide to planning a group sailing trip ties it all together.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a licence for a skippered or crewed charter? No. The professional skipper carries the required qualifications, so no one in your group needs a sailing licence. You only need one for bareboat.

How much does adding a skipper cost? Typically €160–€220 per day, plus their meals and a customary end-of-trip tip. Over a week and split across a full crew, it's often under €200 per person.

Where does the skipper sleep? Usually in a dedicated cabin, or in the saloon on smaller boats. Either way, factor them into your berth count so your guest numbers add up.

Which is best for a first charter? Skippered, for most people. You get local knowledge, safety and total relaxation without needing a licence — and you can learn from the skipper along the way.

Whichever way you sail her, the boat is yours to fill: browse our yachts, gather your crew, and split the whole charter per person. Dreaming of Greece? Start with the Greek fleet.