Weekly yacht charter in the Balearics
A week-long yacht charter in the Balearics turns the islands into a sequence of mornings at anchor: a swim before breakfast, a passage along the coast, an evening in a new bay or harbour. You unpack once, your crew looks after the yacht and the details, and your captain shapes each day around the forecast, so the week follows the best of the weather rather than a fixed timetable.
A crewed yacht charter in Mallorca for a week usually starts in Palma, Puerto Portals or Port Adriano and takes one of two shapes. The first stays close to Mallorca: the west coast past Sa Dragonera and Port d'Andratx, the calas of the south-east, and a night in Cabrera National Park, where overnight stays use the park's mooring buoys and must be reserved in advance. The second crosses to the Pitiusas. The open-sea passage to Ibiza is usually the longest of the week, so it is timed for a settled day, and it opens up Ibiza's west coast, the cliffs facing Es Vedrà and the clear shallows of Formentera.
Much of the sea between Ibiza and Formentera lies within the Ibiza, Biodiversity and Culture World Heritage Site, listed by UNESCO in 1999 for its culture and for its Posidonia oceanica meadows, and across the Balearics the seagrass is protected by law. Yachts anchor on sand or use low-impact buoy fields, such as those Ports IB runs at s'Espalmador and Sant Elm, while in Cabrera free anchoring is not allowed at all.
The yacht sets the character of the week. A motor yacht with cabins, such as the Sunseeker 76 or the long-range Sirena 58, keeps the group small and the pace easy, while a superyacht such as the Admiral 44 or the Technema 85 covers more ground with a larger crew. On many weekly charters, fuel, food, drinks and port fees are paid from an Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) that the captain manages with receipts, and Spanish VAT generally applies to charters that begin in Spain. Your quote sets out every item in writing, with prices on request.
- 01
Plan the week
We agree a draft route, the yacht and cabin plan, and your preferences for food, drinks and pace, with the charter terms and the APA set out in writing.
- 02
Embarkation
Board in Palma or at the yacht's home marina, settle into your cabin and go through the plan and the safety briefing with your captain.
- 03
Island days
Cruise, swim and explore ashore, with nights at anchor, on a buoy or in a marina, and the route adjusted day by day to the wind and sea.
- 04
Final evening and farewell
A last night at anchor or in port, the APA account settled with receipts, and an easy disembarkation at the marina.
Usually included
- Private use of the yacht for the full charter period
- Professional captain and crew, according to the yacht
- Cabins and bathrooms as listed for each yacht
- Route planning with your captain, adjusted to the forecast
- A written quote that sets out every item, including APA and VAT
On request
- Chef and full board, or a mix of meals on board and ashore
- Provisioning to your preference sheet before you board
- Marina nights in chosen ports, such as Port de Sóller or Ibiza
- Mooring reservations in Cabrera National Park, where availability allows
- Water toys such as paddleboards and snorkelling gear, depending on the yacht
- A car through SERMAN RENT, or help with a villa stay through SERMAN Properties, before or after the charter
Questions Week charter
/ 01How long is a week charter, and which day does it start?
It usually means seven nights on board. Many Mediterranean charters run Saturday to Saturday, but the start day depends on the yacht's calendar and is agreed when you book. Shorter multi-day charters are also possible on many yachts.
/ 02Which islands can we visit in one week?
Most weeks pair Mallorca with either Cabrera or Ibiza and Formentera. Menorca is reached from Mallorca's north-east coast and suits a separate route. Choosing one direction leaves more time at anchor and less under way, and your captain confirms the plan against the forecast.
/ 03What is an APA and how does it work?
The Advance Provisioning Allowance is a sum paid before the charter to cover variable costs such as fuel, food, drinks and port fees. The captain manages it, keeps receipts and shares the account with you, and any unspent balance is usually returned at the end. Your contract sets out exactly how it applies to your yacht.
/ 04Can we change the route during the week?
Yes, within what the weather, the yacht and local rules allow. Some stops, such as overnight buoys in Cabrera National Park or summer marina berths, are reserved in advance, so your captain will tell you which parts of the plan are fixed and which can move.
/ 05Do we need a boat licence or sailing experience?
No. Every Serman Yacht Charter week runs with a professional captain, plus further crew depending on the yacht, so nobody in your group needs a licence or any experience. You are welcome to take an interest in the navigation, or simply relax.
Let's plan your day at sea
Tell us your dates, your group and the kind of day you have in mind. We reply with yacht options and a route idea.