A luxury yacht charter is one of the most immersing trips you can take on your vacation. With impeccable service, absolute solitude, and the splendour of the open sea in a dreamlike setting, it’s no wonder the industry is experiencing such a surge in popularity. However, charter trips aren’t always available all year round.
A charter season can refer to either the weather pattern of a destination or the peak demand periods for yacht charter. It is crucial to understand the different charter seasons and how they may affect your private yacht charter service planning, whether you want to escape the sharp winter winds or the humid summer climes.
In this article, we will be going over how long a yacht charter season is so you can plan your next getaway!
How long is a yacht charter season?
Seasons for yacht charters are often determined by water and weather conditions in the area where the vessel is based. The onset and duration of a season can be affected by various factors, including natural disasters, regional preferences, and even politics.
Deciphering the seasons can be difficult if you’ve never chartered a yacht before. There are two basic categories of seasons: winter and summer and high and low. Winter/summer seasons both last around six months and refer to both location and time of year; the summer yacht charter season runs from approximately April/May to October, whilst the winter season begins in November and ends in April.
The summer/winter seasons are determined by weather and water conditions. Northern Europe and the Mediterranean are the most popular locations during the summer season, and the Caribbean, Indian Ocean, and Florida are the most popular destinations during the winter season.
In contrast, high/low season (also known as peak/off-peak season) refers to the busier and calmer phases of the yachting calendar, having peaks in both summer and winter. Christmas and New Year’s are the busiest yacht charter months in the winter, whilst July and August are the most active months in the summer. During these times, yacht availability is typically limited, and prices are frequently increased.
If you are planning, it is prudent to reserve a vessel before it fills up. If you choose something at the last minute, you will have fewer options and may be forced to make concessions or settle for something that is not precisely what you’re finding for.
What is a shoulder season?
The season’s midpoint is known as the shoulder season. This includes the time between high and low seasons and the time between low and high seasons. It may occur during a particular season, such as the beginning of summer or the end of spring. Some nations may operate from September to October and April to May.
By then, a significant number of yacht charters may have been reserved, while other businesses may still have availability depending on the operators’ commercial objectives. However, this is true for the opposite end of the season, when the peak season finishes or shortly before it does, and most businesses are attempting to clear out their inventory. This creates a place for new merchandise arriving for the upcoming season.
Depending on your vessel demands, this could be a great time to book a vessel because there are options but not so many that it will be challenging to choose. However, this shoulder season is brief; hence, you must plan ahead, or you may have difficulty securing the appropriate yacht.
Can you charter a yacht off-season?
Given that different regions of the world experience distinct peak seasons, you will find that you may charter a luxury yacht throughout the year. Keep in mind that the summer/winter seasons are primarily a result of the weather; Although many luxury yachts are remarkably resilient and exploration ships are designed to withstand all temperatures, yachting is generally most enjoyable in warmer regions and calmer waters. Even if you want to sail for a long time, finding crew members may be difficult.
In other words, plan ahead of time and be aware of the season to avoid being caught off guard. Nothing is worse than arriving at your location and discovering that no one is available to join your group because they all have other commitments. Remember that seasons exist due to variations in the year-round climate. Weather-wise, the best time to rent a yacht is during the peak summer months, when there is also the most significant demand.
Therefore, although it may be possible to lease a yacht in Northern Europe during the winter, you may be dissatisfied by the much-increased precipitation and lower temperatures. Similarly, even though both the Caribbean and Florida are recognised for having relatively pleasant weather throughout the year, the hurricane season typically runs from June to November.
We suggest conducting research during the off-season and booking in advance to receive the best selections and pricing on the market. Feel free to visit Phuket yacht charter if you’re on the hunt for future trips across the beautiful shores of Thailand!