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
Italian builder Extra Yachts has launched the first 28-meter X90 Fast motor yacht, with plans to display the vessel at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2025. The GRP-built yacht, sold through broker Kristina Falkone of Aberton Yachts, features exterior and interior design by Hot Lab with naval engineering by the shipyard.The X90 Fast offers 86 square meters of exterior deck space across three cockpit levels - a dining area for 8-10 guests, lounge seating, and a waterside sunbathing platform. Interior spaces include four guest cabins with the master suite positioned amidships to utilize the 7.1-meter beam. Crew accommodations consist of two cabins forward.Powered by triple Volvo Penta IPS1350 engines (1,000hp each), the yacht reaches a top speed of 30 knots with a cruising speed of 24 knots. At 12 knots, the range extends to 1,000 nautical miles. Design features include concealed hull windows, an open galley with retractable windows separating the salon from the aft deck, and dedicated crew passageways to minimize guest area disruptions.The X90 Fast will be shown alongside other Extra Yachts models at Cannes from September 9-14, 2025. The launch marks the shipyard's continued expansion of its performance-oriented X Series, which currently ranges from 76 to 130 feet. Extra Yachts specializes in the development of yachts with a strong personality. Its distinctive lines are combined in a variety of motor yacht models ranging from 76' to 130' and a 30-meter motor catamaran. Developed thanks to the advanced technical experience of ISA Yachts, Extra offers customers all the advantages of being part of the Palumbo Superyachts network.Credits: Extra Yachts
July 15, 2025
Wally has completed construction of the second wallywind110 sailing yacht, scheduled for its world premiere in late August in Costa Smeralda. The 33.5-meter vessel shares the same judel/vrolijk & co-designed performance hull and carbon construction as its sistership Galma, while introducing several custom modifications.Key updates include a sand-grey hull color scheme, lighter interior finishes, and a reconfigured lower salon with a multifunctional workspace replacing the bar area. The VIP cabin now features a sliding bed system converting between single and double configurations. Studio Santa Maria Magnolfi maintained the exterior and interior design continuity with the first unit, preserving the wallywind series' signature elements: dedicated helm stations, integrated swim platform, and expansive guest areas.Performance features include a telescopic keel (adjustable from 4.5 to 6.95 meters), twin rudders, and a carbon rigging system from Hall Spars with North Sails. The yacht's construction benefited from lessons learned during the first hull's production, allowing Wally to optimize the build process.No charter or ownership details have been disclosed for the new vessel, which joins Wally's growing fleet of performance sailing yachts. The Monaco-based brand, now part of Ferretti Group, continues production of its wallywind series alongside motoryacht projects at its facilities in Forlì, Italy.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
July 15, 2025
The 70-meter full-custom superyacht Project Thunderball is progressing through construction at CRN's Ancona facility, with delivery scheduled for 2026. Designed by Vripack with naval architecture focused on sailing yacht-inspired efficiency, the aluminum and steel vessel will serve as both a luxury yacht and support vessel for the owner's existing sailing yacht.With an 11-meter beam and 1,100 gross tonnage, Project Thunderball features five decks accommodating 12 guests and 15 crew. The design departs from conventional motor yacht aesthetics, incorporating a sharp bow entry and curved bilges reminiscent of sailing yachts - a direct request from the owner, an experienced regatta competitor. Vripack's co-creative director Marnix Hoekstra noted the hull's efficiency eliminated the need for a bulbous bow, with tank testing confirming unusually low resistance.The exterior design centers on a continuous shear line creating streamlined proportions, complemented by a top-deck winter garden enclosure. Custom elements include an oversized swim platform and vertically aligned window mullions influencing interior layouts. Project management firm Y.CO reports the build has progressed efficiently through collaboration between Vripack, CRN, and Nauta Design, the latter responsible for interior and exterior furniture."Seeing the project advance through key milestones demonstrates the effectiveness of this technical partnership," stated Donna Green, Y.CO's Head of New Build Projects. The yacht's construction began following the owner's 2018 commission, with Vripack describing the design process as an intensive collaboration with the highly involved client.Upon completion, Project Thunderball will join CRN's portfolio of 70-90 meter custom superyachts. The Ancona shipyard currently has four additional projects in construction, ranging from 60 to 85 meters. No exact delivery date or projected cruising itinerary has been disclosed for the Thunderball project.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: Vripack
July 15, 2025
Columbus Yachts has delivered the 47-meter Atlantique series superyacht M/Y Acqua Chiara, now available for charter through Fraser Yachts. The steel-hulled vessel with aluminum superstructure measures 9.1 meters in beam with a 2.4-meter draft and 499 gross tonnage. Designed by Hot Lab with naval architecture by Columbus Yachts, the yacht features twin 1,350hp engines delivering a maximum speed of 15.5 knots and transatlantic range of 3,400 nautical miles at 12 knots.The exterior profile showcases Columbus' signature explorer styling with three-tiered stern areas including a covered dining space, pool lounge with fold-out balconies, and swim platform positioned just 50cm above water level. Interior spaces blend classic and contemporary elements with white parquet flooring, natural oak ceilings, and specialized finishes including Vetrite glass panels and geometric Sicis mosaics. The main salon features custom white upholstered sofas with blue accents, Fendi armchairs, and a 75-inch TV integrated into Stopsol glass.Owner accommodations on the main deck include a full-beam suite with Galaxy blue glass walls, leather-clad furnishings, and Bonaldo lighting. The en-suite bathroom combines white marble with silver mosaic detailing and includes both a tub and hammam shower system. Four additional guest cabins comprise two king-size and two twin cabins, all with private marble bathrooms featuring Sicis mosaic work. Crew quarters accommodate eight staff in four cabins forward, with the captain's cabin adjacent to the wheelhouse.Upper deck spaces include a swimming pool area convertible to an open-air cinema, formal dining for twelve with Viabizzuno chandelier, and a forward lounge with full-height windows creating terrace-like sea views. The sundeck offers a central relaxation area with console seating aft and sunpad with bar forward. Storage solutions include a starboard garage for the 5-meter tender and portside garage housing a rescue tender and two jet skis.M/Y Acqua Chiara represents the third delivery in Columbus' Atlantique series, following previous 40m and 43m models. The yacht is currently available for Mediterranean charters through Fraser Yachts, though specific rates remain undisclosed. Specializing in semi-custom and full-custom builds (37m–120m), Columbus offers four lines: Atlantique, Crossover, Sport, and Classic. Its flagship 80m Dragon exemplifies its craftsmanship. As part of Palumbo Superyachts, the brand provides end-to-end owner support alongside sister yards ISA Yachts, Mondomarine, and Extra Yachts.Credits: Columbus Yachts
July 14, 2025
Monaco-based Dynamiq presented five new superyacht concepts ranging from 41 to 55 meters during a private event at Maison Moghadam on July 3, 2025. The showcase, titled "Five Senses. Five Superyachts," featured designs from three studios: Mark Berryman Design, H2 Yacht Design, and Sturge & Toth.Global 550Mark Berryman Design introduced three interior concepts:GTT 135 (41m): A Mediterranean/Bahamas cruiser with natural oak, stone flooring, and seagrass panelingGlobal 450 (45m): An explorer yacht featuring light oak joinery and transformable furnitureGlobal 550 (55m): A long-range explorer with smoked oak, marble finishes, and bronze accentsGlobal 450H2 Yacht Design previewed interiors for the GTT 180 Heritage, a 55-meter aluminum neo-classic superyacht scheduled for full debut at the 2025 Monaco Yacht Show. The design incorporates calacatta gold marble, shagreen leather, and custom bronze detailing, with furnishings from American brands Baker and Holly Hunt.GTT 180 HeritageSturge & Toth presented a new 45-meter exterior concept under Dynamiq's GST line, featuring a double-balcony master suite and convertible pool area. The design evolves Dynamiq's existing platform with what the designers describe as "timeless elegance."Sturge & Toth delivered a compelling presentation that invited guests into their creative processConstruction will occur at Dynamiq's Antalya facility, which features a 2,000-ton syncrolift and collaborates with European subcontractors. The yard specializes in builds up to 65 meters with hybrid propulsion options.Event attendees received a private tour of Maison Moghadam's material collections, highlighting Dynamiq's partnership with Monaco-based luxury suppliers. No construction timelines or pricing were disclosed for the new concepts.Mark Berryman, Ben-Julian Toth, Gianluca Sist, Toby Sturge and Dynamiq Founder Sergey DobroserdovDynamiq CEO Sergei Dobroserdov noted the presentations demonstrate the shipyard's "expanding design capabilities across multiple yachting segments." The company currently has four superyachts under construction at its Turkish facility.Dynamiq was founded in 2014 by experienced yacht broker and designer Sergei Dobroserdov. Dynamiq is the first company in the superyacht industry to introduce an online configurator, allowing the yacht to be easily and transparently customized down to the last detail. Dynamiq unveiled its first launch at the 2016 Monaco Yacht Show.Credits: Dynamiq
July 14, 2025