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Yacht charter Italy, read the way you read a villa
Sardinia, Amalfi Coast and Sicily compared: ports, season, costs and what to check.
A yacht charter Italy is not one destination but six or seven, each with its own season, its own ports and its own rules. Boat International covers Liguria with Cinque Terre and Portofino, Tuscany and its archipelago (Elba, Giglio, Montecristo), Campania with the Amalfi Coast, Capri, Ischia and Naples, Lazio with Rome via Civitavecchia, Sardinia with the Costa Smeralda, and Sicily with the Aeolian Islands. On its Italy page it counts 82 charter listings. This page is the map: it compares the regions on the points that decide a week, and sends you to the detailed guide for each.
ELRE does not own or operate vessels and is not a broker. Availability, prices and contract are confirmed by the operator or broker you deal with. For the mechanics of a charter see our guide to luxury yacht charter.
Season
Boat International describes July and August as the hottest months, with highs around 30°C and crowded coasts in August; June and September are quieter with pleasant temperatures; southern Italy has milder winters, and Sicily often stays in the mid-20s °C into October. Regional guides give slightly different windows: May to October for Sardinia (Boat International), April to October for Sicily (Worth Avenue Yachts).
Main ports and maximum yacht length
Boat International lists, among others, Porto Lotti in La Spezia (up to 180 m), Porto Mirabello in La Spezia (140 m), Porto Cervo in Sardinia (120 m), Rome Marina Yachting in Civitavecchia (100 m), Marina di Riposto in Sicily (80 m) and Porto di Mergellina in Naples (75 m). Always check the length limit of the specific berth with the broker.
The regions compared
| Region | What defines the week | Rule to check | Detailed guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sardinia | Compact north-east: Costa Smeralda, Bonifacio strait, La Maddalena | Park anchoring rules, changed 2024–2026 | Yacht charter Sardinia |
| Amalfi Coast and Gulf of Naples | Capri, Positano, Amalfi, Ischia; day and week charters | Punta Campanella marine park zones | Yacht charter Amalfi Coast |
| Sicily | Circumnavigation, Aeolian Islands, Egadi Islands | Egadi permits and mooring fields | Yacht charter Sicily |
| Liguria and Tuscany | Cinque Terre, Portofino, Elba, Giglio | Not yet covered by our guides | In preparation |
What a yacht charter Italy costs
Boat International’s Italy listings show weekly “from” prices of about 30,000 euro (a 29 m yacht) up to 980,000 euro (a 74 m yacht); some are quoted in dollars and many show no price. As a general benchmark, the broker Denison Yacht Sales reported weekly averages from BOAT International listings (July 2023): about 40,000 euro under 30 m, about 71,000 between 30 and 40 m and about 220,000 between 50 and 60 m. These are averages, not a price list.
On top of the rate expect the APA (usually 30–35% of the fee according to Denison), VAT (22% for Italy in the 2022 figures published by WI Yachts, to be confirmed in writing for your itinerary) and a crew gratuity (10–15% of the weekly fee in the Mediterranean, per WI Yachts).
Three checks before you sign
- Region before yacht. Choose the destination and the month first; the right yacht follows.
- Berth and rules. Length limit of the berth, and who verifies the marine park rules.
- Costs in writing. Rate, APA, VAT, gratuity and cancellation terms before the deposit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best region for a yacht charter in Italy? It depends on the month and on how much you want to sail. Compare the regions in the table above.
When should I book? For July and August, in the winter months before; ask the broker for the lead time of the specific yacht.
Is a yacht charter in Italy subject to VAT? Italy applied 22% in the 2022 figures we cite. Rules change: get the rate in writing.
Thinking of a house by the water?
Federico Cappellina Architects designs contemporary villas in the Triveneto and Lombardy: visit the studio, or request a private consultation.
Sources
- Italy luxury yacht charter — Boat International
- Sardinia luxury yacht charter — Boat International
- Sicily 7-day itinerary — Worth Avenue Yachts
- How much does it cost to charter a yacht — Denison Yacht Sales (July 2023)
- WI Yachts, charter terms (VAT 2022, gratuity) — already cited on /luxury-yacht-charter/
How much does it cost to charter a yacht
The real total, not the base fee
Yacht charter Sardinia
Ports, season and costs
Yacht charter Amalfi Coast
Season, costs and park rules
Yacht charter Sicily
Aeolian and Egadi islands
Luxury yacht charter
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