The Mediterranean season in the Balearic Islands kicks off in May, and by mid-summer the marinas in Palma are packed to the rafters. The question of price is almost always the first one asked by people planning their first crewed yacht charter in Mallorca. The range of prices is vast: from a thousand euros for a day trip on a ten-metre motorboat to six-figure sums for a week on a superyacht. To make sense of the figures, simply take chartering a private yacht in Mallorca as a baseline scenario and break down the budget into categories. Below are specific prices, a breakdown of costs and proven ways to reduce the final bill without compromising on comfort. All figures are based on current offers from charter operators in the Balearic region.
What factors make up the price of a week’s charter
Charter companies quote a weekly rate – usually from Saturday to Saturday. However, this figure represents only part of the actual budget. The total cost of a charter flight ends up being 40–50% higher than the quoted price, and it is better to be aware of this before requesting a commercial proposal, rather than when the final bill arrives.
A typical budget for a week-long charter includes four key items:
- Base rate: A fixed amount covering the vessel and the crew’s services for the entire charter period. This is the figure listed in the price list.
- APA (Advance Provisional Account): A prepayment for running costs — food, fuel, port charges. This amounts to 25–35% of the base rate.
- VAT (IVA): A rate of 21% is charged when departing from a Spanish port. This is a significant amount, and it is important to factor it into the budget in advance.
- Crew gratuities: Between 5 and 15% of the base rate, at the guests’ discretion. This is standard practice in the Mediterranean.
Any remaining APA funds not spent during the voyage are refunded after the final settlement. There is rarely any overspend if the route is agreed in advance and the captain plans the stops at marinas effectively. Overnight stays at anchorages rather than paid berths are one of the most effective ways of controlling the variable part of the budget.
Actual price ranges by vessel type
The final price depends on the length of the hull, the class of the vessel, the year of construction and the time of year. Motor yachts for hire in Mallorca cost from €800 per day, with prices reaching tens of thousands. In May, June, September and early October, rates are significantly lower, and the difference between peak season and the off-season can sometimes be as much as double.
Approximate weekly rates during the high season (with a crew on board):
- 40–50-foot sailing yachts — from €5,000 to €12,000;
- 42–50-foot catamarans — from €8,000 to €18,000;
- 50–70-foot motor yachts — from €15,000 to €40,000;
- Superyachts over 25 metres in length — from €40,000.
For a day trip to the Puerto Portals area on a motor yacht around 20 metres long, you should budget €1,000–1,500 per boat, depending on the month, plus €350 for the skipper and cleaning. Fuel is paid for separately. For a group of eight to ten people, this is a very affordable option: each person spends around €150–200 for a full day on the water, including a light lunch.
It is worth bearing in mind that anything costing less than €5,000 per week in the summer is usually a bareboat charter. To operate such a boat, you will need an ICC international skipper’s licence or its equivalent, valid in Spain.
The price is based on the length of the hull: every additional foot adds significantly to the cost. A sensible compromise between space and price is a 50–60-foot vessel.
What is included in the charter package and what is charged separately
When you decide to charter a yacht with a crew, the standard package usually includes the vessel, the crew (captain, deckhand, and sometimes a cook), bed linen, towels and basic navigation equipment. If you don’t read the contract carefully, the variable costs can often lead to unpleasant surprises.
Points to consider when planning:
- Fuel — a 50-foot motor yacht consumes 100–200 litres per hour, so a week of active sailing adds up to a significant amount.
- Port charges — overnight mooring for a 15-metre vessel in Palma costs €60–100; marinas charge a surcharge of around 50% for catamarans.
- Provisions and drinks — if there is a chef on board, the food budget is €50–80 per person per day.
- Final cleaning — from €100 to €500 depending on the size and type of vessel.
- Tourist tax — €2–3 per guest per day.
A key point when signing the contract is to clearly specify which services are included in the base rate and which are charged separately. This will prevent any disappointment when settling the bill upon your return to your home port.
How to cut costs without compromising on the quality of your holiday
Chartering a yacht in Mallorca doesn’t necessarily require a five-figure budget. Careful planning can reduce the final bill by a quarter, and sometimes even by a third — without compromising on the experience or the standard of service on board.
Five proven ways to optimise costs:
- Book six to eight months in advance. For the high season (June–September), it is advisable to book 6–12 months in advance, and early bookings offer discounts of up to 10–15%.
- Choose off-peak dates – May, the first half of June, and September. Rates are a third lower, and the weather in the Balearic Islands is already lovely.
- Consider a sailing catamaran instead of a motor yacht. Fuel consumption is significantly lower, and there is considerably more living space on board.
- Alternate between mooring in marinas and spending the night at anchor in sheltered coves — Cala Portals Vels, Cala Lliamp, Porto Colom.
- Buy your groceries at the markets in Palma before setting sail: shops in the harbour are 30–50% more expensive.
The season in the Balearic Islands runs from April to the end of October, but the best value for money is to be found in the second half of May and throughout September. Warm water, steady winds and uncrowded bays – the perfect setting for a relaxing cruise at a reasonable price.
A realistic budget for a week-long trip on a 55–65-foot motor yacht with a crew of two or three comes to between €20,000 and €35,000, including all additional costs. A sailing yacht would cost one and a half to two times less. When the total is split between 6–8 participants, it works out at €350–600 per person per day — comparable to a good hotel on the coast. The difference is that the view changes every morning, and you get to choose your own beach neighbours. The key is to start planning well in advance: the best boats for July and August are snapped up as early as winter.
