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Vela Yachts — Catamaran Charters

Space, stability
and open sea

Catamaran sailing charters across the Mediterranean. Bareboat and skippered. One week in Greece, Croatia, Turkey, Mallorca, Sardinia or Sicily.

Enquire about a catamaran → Why choose a catamaran?
✓ 5,000+ yachts across the Med
✓ Bareboat & skippered
✓ Passage planning included
✓ Independent advice
✓ Personal, expert replies
Why choose a catamaran

More space. More stability.
More of the Med.

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Exceptional stability
Catamarans sail upright — no heeling. They're the preferred choice for anyone who suffers from seasickness, for children, and for first-timers who want to focus on enjoying the experience rather than holding on.
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Vastly more living space
A 45ft catamaran offers roughly twice the interior space of a 45ft monohull. Two hulls mean two private cabin clusters, multiple bathrooms, and a wide saloon that doubles as a social hub. For groups of 6–10 people, the difference is transformative.
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The deck is a destination
The wide, flat trampoline nets between the bows and the expansive cockpit give a catamaran a deck space that a monohull simply can't match. Sunbathing, dining, watching the world go by — the outdoor living space on a cat is genuinely spectacular.
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Shallow draft
Most catamarans draw less than 1.5 metres, compared to 2+ metres for an equivalent monohull. This opens up anchorages that a deeper keelboat can't reach — closer to beaches, into smaller coves, and in shallower bays.
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Speed in light winds
Catamarans are fast downwind and excel in the light thermal conditions common in the Med in summer. In a fresh breeze on a beam reach, a catamaran is genuinely exhilarating — effortless speed with no drama.
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Perfect for families
The stability, the space, the separate cabin clusters for adults and children, the ability to get close to beaches — catamarans are by far the most popular choice for family charters in the Mediterranean.
Making the choice

Catamaran vs monohull —
which is right for you?

Feature Catamaran Monohull
Stability at sea ✓ Sails upright ~ Heels in wind
Living space ✓ Exceptional ~ Good
Deck space ✓ Wide & flat ~ Narrower
Manoeuvring in marina ~ Wider, needs more space ✓ Easier in tight berths
Upwind sailing performance ~ Good ✓ Better upwind
Draft (access to shallow bays) ✓ Shallow draft ~ Deeper keel
Best for families ✓ Ideal ~ Good
Best for experienced sailors ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Availability in the Med ~ Good — book early ✓ Widest choice
Who chooses a catamaran

The right boat for
the right group

Families with children
The combination of stability, separate sleeping areas, shallow draft for getting close to beaches, and the wide flat deck for children to move around safely makes a catamaran the obvious choice for a family sailing holiday. Children love the trampoline nets on the bows.
Larger groups
For groups of 7, 8, 9 or 10 people, a catamaran is often the only sensible option. The separate cabin clusters and multiple bathrooms mean everyone gets privacy — something that's genuinely difficult on a monohull with a large crew.
First-time charter sailors
If the idea of a heeling monohull gives you pause, a catamaran resolves that concern entirely. Sailing upright, with a wide stable platform, dramatically changes the experience for those new to sailing. Many first-timers choose a skippered catamaran as their entry point.
Those who love outdoor living
If the sailing holiday is as much about the deck as the sailing — long lunches at anchor, watching sunsets from the bow nets, dining outdoors every evening — a catamaran's exterior space is simply in a different league to a monohull.
What's available

Catamaran sizes across
our Med fleet

Compact
38–42ft
  • Ideal for 4–6 people
  • 3–4 cabins, 2–3 bathrooms
  • Most accessible entry point
  • Easier to handle for bareboat
  • Good availability across all destinations
Mid-range
44–48ft
  • Ideal for 6–8 people
  • 4 cabins, 4 bathrooms
  • The most popular catamaran size
  • Excellent deck and saloon space
  • Leopard 45, Lagoon 46, Fountaine Pajot 47
Large
50ft+
  • Ideal for 8–10 people
  • 5–6 cabins, multiple bathrooms
  • Optional crew cabin for skippered charters
  • Premium outdoor and saloon space
  • Book well in advance
Common questions

Catamaran charter —
your questions answered

For a bareboat catamaran charter you'll need an RYA Day Skipper certificate or equivalent — the same as for a monohull. We'll advise you on the specific requirements for the yacht and destination you're interested in. For skippered charters, no qualification is needed.
In many ways catamarans are more forgiving — the stability means you're always on a level platform, and the wide deck makes moving around much easier. Where they require more attention is in marinas: a catamaran is wider, which means more care is needed when reversing into berths and more awareness of your beam in tight harbours. Experienced monohull sailors adapt quickly.
Catamarans are in high demand and availability is tighter than for monohulls — particularly in July and August. We recommend enquiring 6–9 months ahead for peak season. June and September are excellent alternatives with better availability and more relaxed harbours. Contact us as early as possible and we'll find you the best options available.
The most common catamaran brands in the Med charter fleet are Lagoon, Fountaine Pajot, Leopard and Bali. All are well-regarded, well-equipped and thoroughly maintained by the charter companies. We'll match you to the right model for your group size and destination.
Yes — skippered catamaran charters are available across all our destinations. A professional local skipper comes with the boat, handles all the sailing and navigation, and shares their knowledge of the best anchorages and restaurants. No sailing experience is required. You can also add a hostess or cook on larger boats.

Find your perfect
catamaran charter

Tell us your destination, dates, group size and whether you're thinking bareboat or skippered. We'll come back to you with the best catamaran options available.

Find available catamarans → Browse sailing guides
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