Top 10 best destinations to rent a catamaran

Going on a catamaran cruise is one of the most sought-after travel experiences today for exploring unique seascapes. Between turquoise lagoons, secluded coves, and gentle sailing, certain destinations stand out as particularly ideal for catamaran charters.

 

In this article, discover the best destinations for chartering a catamaran around the world and enjoy an unforgettable cruise, whether in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, or the Pacific.

1. The best destinations for a catamaran cruise

Here is a selection of the most popular and suitable destinations for catamaran sailing, whether for a cruise of a few days or several weeks.

French Polynesia : The most spectacular catamaran experience 🇵🇫

French Polynesia comprises 118 islands spread across five archipelagos: the Society Islands, the Tuamotu Islands, the Gambier Islands, the Marquesas Islands, and the Austral Islands.

Set sail on a catamaran to discover the idyllic landscapes of Bora Bora, Tahiti, or Moorea, without even leaving the territory. Over 15,000 kilometers from mainland France, we recommend a minimum of two weeks to fully enjoy your trip without worrying about the weather.

👉 Highlights include:

exceptional turquoise lagoons

isolated volcanic islands

calm and immersive sailing

📅 Best time of year: April, May, June, July, August, September, and October

🌡️ Water temperature during this period: between 27°C and 29°C

 

2. Corsica/Sardinia – France 🇫🇷 x Italy 🇮🇹 

If you have a bit less time and/or a slightly tighter budget, consider Corsica and Sardinia instead of French Polynesia. Just a short distance from home, these two Mediterranean islands are full of spectacular landscapes and will captivate you throughout your journey.

Set sail for a one-week getaway aboard a catamaran, departing from the cliffs of Bonifacio in Corsica. You can then continue your trip by exploring the Lavezzi Islands, the Costa Smeralda, the La Maddalena archipelago, and finish on the island of Tavolara.

📅 Best time of year: May, June, July, August, and September
🌡️ Water temperature during this period: between 22°C and 27°C

 

👉 Blue Valet tip: If a catamaran trip in this region (or anywhere else in the world) appeals to you but you don’t own a boat, we recommend renting a catamaran through the SamBoat platform. Operating on a similar model to Airbnb, this French website connects you with private boat owners, allowing you to enjoy the best rates!

3. Equal Islands - Italy 🇮🇹

Now let’s head fully into Italy to discover the Egadi Islands. Located off the west coast of Sicily, this small archipelago is made up of three main islands: Levanzo, Marettimo, and Favignana. All are easily accessible by catamaran. Departing from Marsala, you’ll experience the unspoiled natural beauty of these fascinating islands, rich in both charm and history.

If you have a bit more time, we also recommend extending your boat trip to the Stagnone Islands and their group of six islets. Their hidden coves and bays truly shine under the sun, with crystal-clear turquoise waters creating breathtaking scenery.

📅 Best time to visit: June, July, August, and September
🌡️ Average water temperature during this period: 25.5°C

4. Balearic Islands - Spain 🇪🇸

Known for their white sandy beaches, breathtaking coastlines, and turquoise waters, the Balearic Islands are made up of five main islands: Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca, Formentera, and Cabrera. The latter is almost uninhabited.

Once you’ve rented your catamaran, set off to explore these five wonders one by one, starting from the island where you land. Don’t miss visiting Ibiza, this exceptional island will surprise you with its pleasant, mild, and sunny climate all year round. Ibiza also stands out for its rich cultural heritage and wide range of activities. You can even stop there to enjoy its famous nightlife with friends before heading to the next island.

In addition, a steady northern breeze blows daily, making navigation easier. However, be aware of the strong Tramontane and Mistral winds, which can arise in less than 15 minutes. They usually last around three days but can persist for up to a week.

📅 Best time to visit: May, June, July, August, and September
🌡️ Water temperature during this period: between 23°C and 26°C

5. Ionian Islands - Greece 🇬🇷

Discover Greece by catamaran as you explore the roughly 50 islands that make up the Ionian archipelago. Once you arrive in Corfu or Lefkada (the two must-see islands), rent a boat and set off on a cruise with friends, family, or as a couple.

For a one-week trip, head to Parga, where you can explore the picturesque village with its narrow, charming streets. Continue your cruise towards the Paxos Islands, where you can enjoy the stunning beaches of Voutoumi, Bella Vista, and Vrika. This is also a great opportunity to taste the local wine, highly renowned in the region.

Spend the afternoon in Gaios, the main town of Paxos. You can also visit the village of Lakka on the same island, an ideal spot to anchor your catamaran. End your journey by heading to Preveza to discover traditional tavernas where you can sample local specialties.

Depending on the time you spend in the area, many other islands—more or less touristy—are easily accessible by boat, such as Zakynthos, Ithaca, or Kefalonia.

📅 Best time to visit: May, June, July, August, September
🌡️ Average water temperature during this period: 25°C

6. Islands near Slipt - Croatia 🇭🇷

Located along the Adriatic coast near the city of Split in Croatia, this group of around ten islands offers friends, families, and couples an unforgettable sunny adventure. You’ll enjoy white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, impressive cliffs, and breathtaking landscapes.

Here are the islands recommended by Blue Valet: Hvar, Vis, Brač, Korčula, Biševo, Mljet, Šolta, and Čiovo.

📅 Best time to visit: May, June, July, August, and September
🌡️ Average water temperature during this period: 25°C

7. Canarreos Archipelago - Cuba 🇨🇺

Let’s fly across the Atlantic to Cuba, this small gem in the Caribbean known for its white sandy beaches and tobacco fields. This truly unique, timeless destination attracts thousands of visitors every year who flood the streets of Havana, the country’s capital.

Beyond its cultural appeal, Cuba is also ideal for exploring its coastline, hidden coves, and smaller islands by boat, especially by catamaran. Sailing through Cuban waters is the perfect opportunity for a getaway in the Canarreos Archipelago, located south of the main island.

For a one-week trip, depart from Cienfuegos (around a 3-hour drive from Havana) and make your first stop at Cayo Guano del Este. Continue towards Cayo Largo to enjoy its turquoise waters. On day four, head to Cayo Rico, an ideal spot for scuba diving and fishing. Get back on board and stop at Cayo Rosario to taste local specialties at the market. Finally, sail to your last stop before returning to Cienfuegos: Isla de la Juventud, the largest island in the archipelago, where you’ll discover stunning landscapes.

📅 Best time to visit: December, January, February, March, April
🌡️ Average water temperature during this period: 26.4°C

8. The Seychelles 🇸🇨

Rich in spectacular bays and paradise-like beaches, the 115 islands of the Seychelles archipelago, located east of the African continent, welcome thousands of tourists every year. Its many nature reserves allow visitors to observe a wide variety of wildlife such as turtles, colorful fish, birds, and more.

The islands of the archipelago are perfectly suited for a catamaran trip of at least one week. Here is a selection of the best islands to visit: Mahé, La Digue, Praslin, North Island, Bird Island, Curieuse, Denis Island, Frégate Island, and Grande Soeur.

📅 Best time to visit: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
🌡️ Water temperature during this period: between 26°C and 29°C

 

👉 Blue Valet tip: If you are flying soon, to the Seychelles or any other destination, but don’t want to waste time looking for a parking spot at the airport, we recommend booking a valet parking service. On average, you can save 30% on your vehicle parking costs!

9. Philippines 🇵🇭

With more than 7,000 islands, the Philippines is the 7th country in the world with the most islands, offering a wide variety of landscapes. Enjoy a unique experience on each of them by visiting them one after the other on a catamaran. Despite everything, you will have to make a choice (unless you are very motivated). Blue Valet has selected the 10 best islands to visit:

➡️ Malapascua: a unique diving experience

➡️ Siargao: a lively little island with beautiful beaches

➡️ Palawan: UNESCO World Heritage Site

➡️ Cebu: ideal place for holidays with many activities

➡️ Coron: the most memorable natural island

➡️ Luzon: for a hike on the Pico de Loro volcano

➡️ Guimaras: splendid white sandy beaches for sunbathing

➡️ Siquijor: many waterfalls, lakes and water points

➡️ Corregidor: former battlefield during the Second World War

📅 Best time of year: December, January, February, March, April, May

🌡️ Water temperature at this time: between 25°C and 30°C

10. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (Lesser Antilles) 🇻🇨

Located in the southern Caribbean, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines consists of one main island and 31 smaller islands. Only about a third of these islands are inhabited, including the main island as well as Petit Saint Vincent, Canouan, Mustique, Mayreau, Young Island, Union Island, Bequia, and Prune Island.

The country is known for its beaches, waterfalls, jungles, and tropical forests, along with well-marked hiking trails. In the capital, Kingstown, you can stroll through colonial streets, browse the local market, or visit the Black Point Tunnel.

The layout of the islands makes it ideal for a catamaran trip, combining both inhabited and uninhabited islands to create truly unique experiences. We recommend visiting the inhabited islands mentioned above. As for the uninhabited ones, Blue Valet recommends stopping at: Morpion Island, Petit Tabac, Happy Island, Petit Rameau, Carriacou, and Jamesby.

📅 Best time to visit: February, March, April, and May
🌡️ Average water temperature during this period: 26.5°C

2. How do you choose the right destination for a catamaran cruise?

 

Some regions are particularly suitable for beginners, such as Greece or the Balearic Islands, while others, like Polynesia or the Caribbean, require more sailing experience.

Destination	Level	Ideal Duration	Budget	Experience
French Polynesia 🇵🇫	Advanced	10–15 days	$$$$	Lagoons + full immersion
Corsica / Sardinia 🇫🇷🇮🇹	Beginner	5–7 days	$$	Wild Mediterranean
Egadi Islands 🇮🇹	Beginner	4–7 days	$$	Nature + authenticity
Balearic Islands 🇪🇸	Beginner	3–7 days	$$	Festive + easy
Ionian Islands 🇬🇷	Beginner	5–10 days	$$	Culture + smooth sailing
Croatia 🇭🇷	Intermediate	7–10 days	$$	Islands + clear waters
Cuba 🇨🇺	Intermediate	7–10 days	$$$	Authentic Caribbean
Seychelles 🇸🇨	Intermediate	7–10 days	$$$$	Natural luxury
Philippines 🇵🇭	Advanced	10–15 days	$$$	Adventure + diversity
Saint Vincent 🇻🇨	Intermediate	7–10 days	$$$	Wild Caribbean

Trip duration

• 3 to 5 days → Balearic Islands, Corsica

• 7 to 10 days → Croatia, Greece

• 10+ days → Polynesia, Philippines

Type of experience (luxury, adventure, relaxation)

Each destination offers a different atmosphere depending on your expectations.

Average budget

Long-haul destinations (Polynesia, Seychelles) are generally more expensive than Mediterranean ones.

3. Why travel by catamaran?

Freedom of navigation

A catamaran allows you to sail in complete autonomy and easily adjust your itinerary.

Access to secluded coves

You can reach beaches that are only accessible by sea.

Comfort and stability

Catamarans offer a more stable sailing experience compared to a traditional monohull.

Immersive sea experience

Sleeping at anchor and living to the rhythm of the islands creates a truly unique experience.

4. Tips to prepare your catamaran cruise

When should you book your catamaran?

It is recommended to book several months in advance, especially during high season.

Do you need a skipper?

It depends on your experience level: a skipper is recommended for beginners.

What is the best season?

Each destination has its ideal season (summer in the Mediterranean, winter in the Caribbean).

How should you plan your itinerary?

It is best to keep a flexible itinerary to adapt to weather conditions.

Travel stress-free from the airport with Blue Valet

Organising your departure is a key step to fully enjoy your catamaran cruise, especially when you need to fly to reach your destination.
👉 Between traffic, parking searches, and time constraints, this stage can quickly become stressful.

To simplify your journey, practical solutions exist such as airport valet services like Blue Valet.

How it works is simple:

• You book your parking spot online before your trip

• You drop off your car directly at the terminal drop-off area

• A valet parks your vehicle in a secure car park

• On your return, your car is handed back to you at the same location

👉 This type of service allows you to:

• Save time at the airport

• Avoid searching for parking

• Simplify your departure logistics

• Travel with more peace of mind, especially during busy travel periods

 

✔ A particularly suitable solution before departing on a cruise, where every minute counts to catch your flight without stress.

 

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