Long revered by locals, the Balearic Islands are now starting to develop as a mainstream yacht charter destination. Bespoke Yacht Charter looks at the best way to plan a charter across the Spanish islands and what to look out for whilst in the Balearics.
Located east from mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands are accessible via flights to Palma de Mallorca Airport on Mallorca, Menorca Airport just southwest of Mahón on Menorca or Ibiza Airport on Ibiza. Due to the proximity of the Balearics to mainland Spain, many yacht charter guests also opt to begin their yacht charter in Barcelona, Valencia or Denia.
The Balearic Islands themselves include Mallorca (Majorca), Menorca (Minorca), Cabrera, Ibiza, Formentera and S’Espalmador, with the three most popular islands being Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca. The high season stretches from May to September with July and August being the busiest moments thanks to average temperatures of 27 to 30 degrees.
Spring is a lovely time to visit the Balearics when the fiestas are starting and the weather is warm. Autumn still hovers around 18 to 25 degrees Celsius and you’ll find off-peak seasons still have mild and pleasant weather, making the Balearics an appealing yacht charter destination in any season.
Alexander Coles, Charter Broker, Bespoke Yacht Charter
The Balearic Islands have been ruled by Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Moors, and Spaniards, all of whom have left their mark with impressive architecture, diverse cuisine and lasting traditions contributing to the unhurried culture. There are bustling coastal resorts as well as sleepy bohemian villages; you can find pumping nightclubs as well as quiet tapas bars. The clear turquoise waters are ideal for trying out your charter yacht’s water toys – spend a morning paddle boarding, go diving, or snorkel at a treasure chest of beautiful beaches and coves.
The diversity on offer is excellent for all yacht charter guests – whether you prefer to lounge onboard your private yacht during the day and party at night, go shopping, head inland for outdoor activities such as hiking or indulge in a yoga retreat or spa day ashore.
Menorca, located northeast of Mallorca is a quieter alternative to Mallorca or Ibiza. It is a fantastic island to begin your Balearics yacht charter, after which you can visit Mallorca then Ibiza. Mahón, also known as Maó, is the capital of Menorca and a port town with a leisurely pace – the ideal yacht charter base. We recommend Café Mirador with a terrace overlooking Mahón Port to enjoy a pomada (local gin and lemonade) or platter of sobrasada sausage before embarking on your private yacht charter.
First stop for many yacht charters is Palma de Mallorca, known as Palma. Palma de Mallorca is the island version of Barcelona with funky wine bars, stunning architecture and great shopping. It is the perfect jumping off point for any yacht charter to explore the rest of Mallorca. Other towns to visit include Port d’Andratx, Sóller, Alcúdia, Deià or Valldemossa.
Mallorca has over 300 beaches with diverse surroundings such as pine groves, coastal rocks or dunes. Renting a yacht to explore Mallorca is an excellent option to find the best deserted coves and beaches away from the crowds.
Known as the ‘White Isle’, Ibiza is famous for its hedonistic nightlife however it is a fantastic yacht charter destination for relaxation too. Away from the busier southeast coastline, you can find quieter sandy beaches and white washed villages with idyllic settings.
The west coast of Ibiza is sheltered from the prevailing winds from the east and from San Antonio to Es Vedra you’ll have a hard time picking a beach or cove more perfect than the next. Enjoy a romantic meal ashore at Ses Roques restaurant admiring the beautiful view over Cala Conta, anchor in picturesque Cala Porroig with fisherman’s huts fringing the tranquil cove or spend a leisurely afternoon on land at El Chiringuito at Playa Es Cavallet, a chic beachside restaurant with an excellent wine list, mouth-watering cocktails and superb food.
Ibiza’s sister island is just half an hour south by boat and the perks of having your own private yacht charter means you don’t have to abide by the ferry timetables back to Ibiza. With no airport servicing Formentera, there’s generally less crowds and the island exudes a chilled-out vibe with plenty of opportunities to relax on your luxury yacht charter and decompress from daily life once the day trippers leave Es Pujols and return to Ibiza.
Known for its amazing azure waters, there’s no shortage of breath-taking beaches on Formentera including Playa Migjorn in the south and Cala Saona on the west coast of the island. Playa de Ses Illetes will make you think you’re in the Caribbean with fine white sand and transparent turquoise water. Popular with visiting charter yachts and A-listers it is a fantastic place to relax for a few hours, though best visited outside of peak summer when the crowds are busiest.
Regardless of your itinerary when arriving to the Balearics, booking early is key in Spain as few yachts are in the region during peak months, leading to last minute requests, often finding no suitable yachts in the region.
Author: Rebecca Whitlocke
Prestige Yachts has revealed its new M7 catamaran, a 17.7-meter model offering interior space comparable to larger 21-meter yachts. The French-Italian builder has already sold two units ahead of the model's official debut at September's Cannes Yachting Festival.The M7 fills a gap between Prestige's existing M8 and M48 catamarans, featuring a more manageable 7.5-meter beam compared to the M8's 9.1-meter width. Naval architect Marc Lombard designed the hull, while Garroni Design handled the exterior styling to maintain consistency with Prestige's M-series.The catamaran's layout includes four guest cabins with a forward primary suite featuring residential-style elements like translucent wardrobes and designer lighting. The main salon offers panoramic views through full-height windows, with a secondary helm station discreetly positioned for all-weather navigation. Outdoor spaces focus on the beach club with its transformer swim platform and an expansive flybridge with multiple seating areas.Twin Volvo Penta D8-550 engines power the M7, with various horsepower options available. The design prioritizes comfortable cruising over high-speed performance. Crew accommodations for three staff members allow for reduced operational requirements compared to larger vessels.Jean-François Lair, Groupe Beneteau's Chief Sales Officer, commented: "The M7 is much more human-sized. You feel like you can handle it on your own." The company expects the model to attract both experienced owners downsizing from larger yachts and first-time buyers seeking manageable dimensions.Prestige continues production at its French facilities, maintaining its hybrid French-Italian design and construction approach. The M7 joins the successful M48, which has sold 70 units since its 2022 launch, in Prestige's expanding multihull range.Credits: Prestige Yachts
August 5, 2025
Turkish yacht builder VisionF Yachts has launched the second hull of its 23.97-meter E-Cat 80 solar-electric catamaran series from its Tuzla shipyard. The carbon fiber vessel features design updates including an expanded solar array now producing 24.8 kW per hour through 62 panels, increased from the original configuration.The latest model incorporates several owner-requested modifications, adding a Jacuzzi on the flybridge and converting one of five guest cabins into dedicated children's quarters. The catamaran's 10.92-meter beam provides substantial interior volume, accommodating 12 guests and 4 crew members.Power comes from twin 180 kW Danfoss electric motors with bow and stern thrusters, enabling 6-8 knot cruising speeds under electric propulsion. The hybrid system combines solar charging with backup generators, offering over 1,000 nautical miles of extended range when required.Entertainment areas include multiple flybridge seating zones with cinema capabilities and massage chairs. The 15 square-meter tender garage features hydraulic launch systems for watercraft storage. Owners can select between open or enclosed flybridge configurations during the build process.VisionF's current production lineup includes seven catamaran models ranging from 14 to 36.5 meters, with the E-Cat series representing their fully electric offerings. The shipyard continues construction on additional units at its Istanbul facility, maintaining focus on sustainable marine technologies.VisionF Yachts in Turkey was set up by Coşkun Bayraktar in Istanbul in 2019, but despite the shipyard’s relative youth it is a brand that is going places in the power catamaran world. In November 2020, VisionF Yachts debuted its first vessel, the VisionF 80. Credits: VisionF Yachts
August 5, 2025
Nautor Swan has announced the ClubSwan 28 American Series, a new one-design racing circuit developed in partnership with American Magic. The eight-event schedule will commence in Pensacola, Florida in February 2026, concluding with a World Championship event.The 8.5-meter ClubSwan 28, designed with Juan Yacht Design, will serve as the series' platform boat. Terry Hutchinson of American Magic noted: "Nautor Swan has such a history of being a great boatbuilder. But with the new ClubSwan 28, they've evolved their timeless design into something that speaks directly to today's high-performance sailors."The racing calendar includes three winter events in Pensacola, followed by summer competitions in Newport, Rhode Island, and fall races returning to Florida. Federico Michetti, Nautor Swan's Head of Sport Activities, stated: "Our goal was to create a fun, fast, and safe entry point for sportsboat enthusiasts."Production of the ClubSwan 28 will occur in Pensacola through a collaboration between Nautor Swan and American Magic. Giovanni Pomati, Nautor Swan CEO, confirmed: "We'll base the fleet there, build boats there, and drive technical innovation."The initiative aims to combine professional racing with amateur participation while establishing Pensacola as a sailing development hub. Hutchinson added: "It's a platform for performance, growth, and a new chapter in U.S. sailing."The series represents Nautor Swan's continued expansion into competitive sailing markets, following the success of its larger ClubSwan racing yachts.Nautor Swan was founded in 1966 in Pietarsaari, Finland. The builder entered the superyacht market in 1999. Since then, the yard has continued building high-performance sailing yachts in three different lines; ClubSwan, Swan Yachts and Maxi Swan Yachts. Credits: Nautor Swan
August 5, 2025
Ferretti Group has launched the first Itama 54 unit from its new Marina di Ravenna production facility on July 11, 2025. The 16.44-meter open cruiser marks Itama's return to the 50-59 foot segment, featuring redesigned living spaces and improved onboard accessibility.Developed by the Ferretti Group Product Strategy Committee and Engineering Department, with design by Tommaso De Luca, the model introduces several functional innovations while maintaining Itama's signature styling. Key exterior features include a flush foredeck sunpad, extended side windows, and a starboard-side bow access point - a departure from previous models that improves circulation.The deck layout presents a dual-cockpit configuration: a main aft seating area with height-adjustable table and a forward wind-protected lounge. Both areas connect to a portside bar unit. The helm station incorporates a floating dashboard design. Below deck, accommodations include a forward master cabin, midship guest cabin, two bathrooms, galley and dinette.Power options include twin MAN i6-730 engines (730 HP) as standard, delivering 33-knot top speed, or optional MAN i6-850 engines (850 HP) for 37-knot maximum speed. The raked transom and revised hull lines contribute to the model's performance characteristics.The Ravenna-built Itama 54 represents the brand's contemporary interpretation of Mediterranean open cruiser concepts, emphasizing outdoor living and simplified deck circulation. Production continues at Ferretti Group's specialized facility for the Itama range.The Ferretti Group, led by Chief Executive Officer Alberto Galassi, is now one of the world’s leaders in the construction and sale of luxury yachts and pleasure vessels, with a unique portfolio of brands: Ferretti Yachts, Riva, Pershing, Itama, Mochi Craft, CRN, Custom Line and Wally.Credits: Ferretti Group
August 4, 2025
ISA Yachts has moved its new 37.7-meter Viper 130 into the outfitting phase at its Ancona shipyard. The planing yacht, designed to deliver high performance and spacious accommodations, is scheduled for delivery in 2026 to an American client introduced by Zarpo Yachts.The Viper 130 features exterior and interior design by Fulvio De Simoni, with naval engineering developed in-house by ISA Yachts. Powered by three 2,200 hp MAN engines, the yacht will achieve a top speed of 33 knots.The aft cockpit is divided into three distinct areas: a beach club at sea level with a transformer platform, a sunbathing and lounge area, and an outdoor dining space seating eight. Side balconies can be opened to expand the living area. The aft galley includes a retractable privacy glass and connects to a bar, serving both as a functional kitchen and an entertainment space.The main deck features a portside walkway leading to the salon, which includes floor-to-ceiling windows and a second bar. A circular pool with sunbeds and seating dominates the bow area. The helm station is positioned forward, with access to the lower deck housing four guest cabins and an owner’s suite with dual bathrooms.The sun deck, with a carbon fiber hardtop, includes a secondary helm station, sunbeds, an L-shaped bar, and a dining table for 12. Crew quarters for five are discreetly accessed via the galley. A 5-meter tender is stored in the starboard garage.The Viper 130’s design emphasizes open living spaces, with multiple indoor-outdoor connections and functional layouts tailored for both entertainment and privacy. The yacht is currently in the final stages of construction ahead of its 2026 delivery.Palumbo Superyachts took root in 2008, when the Columbus Yachts brand was established, and in 2011 it launched its first 54m superyacht, emblematically christened Prima (the First). Currently, Palumbo Superyachts comprises a representative office in Monaco and a logistics network of five shipyards in the Mediterranean (Ancona, Malta, Marseille, Naples, and Savona); it also operates the following brands: ISA Yachts, Columbus Yachts, Mondomarine and Palumbo SY Refit.Credits: ISA Yachts
August 4, 2025