I get a lot of questions from people planning their first bareboat charter in Mallorca, so I thought I’d put together a guide based on my experience running charters here for six seasons.
Qualifications you need:
- Minimum RYA Day Skipper or ICC for most companies
- Some will accept a detailed sailing CV without formal qualification, but it’s becoming less common
Best time to charter:
- May-June and September-October: best balance of weather, availability and price
- July-August: most expensive, most crowded anchorages, but reliable wind
- April and November: cheapest, quiet, but weather is less predictable
What to budget:
- 40-45ft monohull: €2,500-4,500/week depending on season
- Add fuel (€100-200), provisioning, marina fees (€30-80/night in popular ports), and security deposit insurance (€50-100)
Top tips:
- Book your first night marina berth in advance, especially in high season
- Carry plenty of snorkelling gear — the water clarity is amazing
- Learn to anchor well — most charter boats don’t have a bow thruster
- Check the weather forecast daily and be flexible with your itinerary
- Brief your crew properly before departure — everyone should know the basics
Happy to answer specific questions!
This is so helpful Katrin, thank you! We’re thinking of doing a week-long charter in September before we commit to buying. Do charter companies care if you’ve only recently qualified? We’ll have our Coastal Skipper by then.
What about insurance? I’ve heard stories about people getting huge bills for damage. Is the security deposit insurance worth it?
@tom_lisa With a Coastal Skipper you’ll be absolutely fine — that’s more than most charter clients have. September is a great choice. Book with a reputable company and be honest about your experience level — they can give you a more thorough handover briefing.
@sophie_turner YES. Always buy the deposit reduction/waiver insurance. Typical deposits are €2,000-3,000 and damage can happen to anyone — a gust at the dock, a misjudged anchor, a fender that slips. €50-100 for peace of mind is the best money you’ll spend.
I’d add: do a thorough check of the boat at handover. Take photos of any existing damage. Check the bilges, the engine oil level, the sail condition, and all the safety equipment. A good charter company won’t mind you being thorough — they’ll actually respect you more for it.
One thing to know about Mallorca specifically: marina berths in the popular ports (Sóller, Cala d’Or, Pollença) fill up fast in high season. Some you need to book days in advance. Plan your route around available berths if you don’t want to anchor every night.