The Horizon Group
The Horizon Group
Set sail on your own terms. Experience the freedom of the open sea with a Horizon bareboat charter — the ultimate sailing adventure for qualified skippers.
A bareboat charter allows experienced sailors to take the helm of a fully-equipped yacht without a hired crew. You plan your own route, set your own pace, and enjoy complete independence as you explore the Caribbean’s most stunning sailing grounds. Whether you're island-hopping in the BVI or discovering the hidden gems of the Grenadines, our well-maintained fleet and expert support team ensure you have everything you need for a smooth and unforgettable voyage.
Browse our fleet of top-class yachts based in some of the most beautiful sailing destinations around the world. Choose from spacious catamarans or classic monohulls, with a range of sizes, berths and onboard amenities to suit every crew and cruising style. Our fleet is professionally maintained and fully equipped, ensuring you can set sail with confidence and enjoy a comfortable, unforgettable charter experience.
Backed by decades of unforgettable sailing vacations, discover what our guests say about chartering a yacht with us.
Chartering a bareboat yacht should feel effortless from the start. Our team will guide you through each stage of the booking process to ensure you find the perfect yacht for your sailing plans.
Bareboat charters give you the freedom to skipper the yacht yourself, but if it's been a while since you last sailed — or you're new to the cruising area — a checkout skipper can help you get started with confidence.
Joining you on the first day of your charter, they'll walk you through the yacht's systems, share local sailing advice and help you get comfortable handling the boat. Once you're happy to continue on your own, they'll step off, leaving you free to enjoy the independence of your bareboat adventure.
Chartering a yacht should feel effortless from the very beginning. To help you prepare for your journey, we've answered some of the most common questions about bareboat yacht charters, including qualifications, inclusions and how the process works.
Requirements vary by country and charter base, so the qualifications needed can depend on where you plan to sail. The person acting as skipper will usually be asked to provide a sailing résumé outlining their previous experience, allowing us to assess their skippering ability and seamanship skills.
In destinations such as the British Virgin Islands and St Vincent & the Grenadines, a formal sailing qualification is not typically required, provided you can demonstrate sufficient experience on a similar size vessel. However, in most Mediterranean destinations, a recognised sailing license is required.
If you do not meet the necessary qualifications, you can still enjoy a yacht charter by hiring a skipper to sail the yacht for you. Our team will confirm the requirements for your chosen destination at the time of booking.
When you charter a bareboat yacht with Horizon, the yacht is yours for the duration of your booking and comes fully equipped for comfortable sailing and onboard living. Each yacht includes essential equipment such as navigation instruments, safety gear, kitchen equipment, bedding and towels.
Your charter also includes a full yacht briefing and handover at the base, ensuring you're familiar with the vessel before setting sail. Technical support is available throughout your charter should you need assistance.
Items that are often not included in the base price may include fuel, marina fees, provisioning (food and drinks), optional extras such as paddleboards or Wi-Fi and a refundable security deposit. These costs can vary depending on the destination and the yacht that you choose.
Our team will confirm exactly what is included in your charter, along with any available optional extras, at the time of booking.
See What's Included in a BVI Charter See What's included in an SVG Charter
When preparing for your yacht charter, it's worth planning ahead for the food and drinks you'll enjoy on board. There are several convenient ways to provision your yacht before setting sail.
Order your provisions in advance
Many suppliers, particularly in the British Virgin Islands, offer convenient online provisioning services. This allows you to step aboard a fully stocked yacht and start your holiday without delay.
Whether you're looking for fresh local produce, speciality items, or ready-to-serve meals, provisions can be delivered directly to the yacht before your departure. Please note that provisioning for 12:00 noon charter starts can be delivered after 10:00 am, and after 3:00 pm for sleepaboard arrivals.
For all other destinations, our team will be happy to advise you on available provisioning options at the time of booking.
Buy your provisions when you arrive
You may prefer to purchase your own food and drinks once you arrive at the charter base. Most marinas are located close to supermarkets and provisioning stores where you can stock up before departure.
To help you plan ahead, we have created provisioning guides for the following destinations:
For other locations, our team will be happy to recommend nearby stores and provisioning options.
Use our provisioning service if available in your chose destination
Horizon offers a convenient provisioning service for charters in St Vincent & the Grenadines. Simply provide your shopping list in advance and our team will purchase, deliver and stow your provisions onboard ready for your arrival.
For all other destinations, provisioning options may vary depending on the charter base. Our team will be happy to advise you on the available services and help arrange provisioning where possible when confirming your booking.
You'll need to know the following skills, which are all outlined in your Sailing Resume, which you will be required to submit pre-charter:
We welcome any and all ages, group sizes and mobility levels. If you’ve got any special requests, be sure to mention these on your enquiry form and the reservations team will be sure to help accommodate these. We offer a netting round all of our boats for any small kids onboard to provide some additional protection.
For any larger than normal group sizes, we can offer tandem charters with more than one boat at extremely favourable rates.
We strongly recommend that all yacht charter guests take out comprehensive sailing travel insurance to protect against unexpected events. This can provide important cover for things such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies and other unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your charter.
Specialist sailing travel insurance is designed with boating holidays in mind and can offer additional peace of mind while you're on the water. We recommend World Nomads or Yonder (Note: Horizon receives a fee when you purchase a quote using these links).
We always recommend checking that your policy provides suitable cover for sailing activities and the destination you plan to visit.
A great bareboat charter is about more than just the yacht — it's about having the confidence, support and local knowledge you need to enjoy the freedom of sailing on your own terms. At Horizon Yacht Charters, we combine a high-quality fleet with experienced local teams to ensure your bareboat adventure is smooth, safe and unforgettable.
Our yachts are meticulously maintained and fully equipped for comfortable bareboat sailing. With modern navigation equipment, reliable systems and well-prepared vessels, you can set sail knowing your yacht is ready for the journey ahead.
With over two decades of experience and bases throughout the Caribbean and Mediterranean, our teams provide expert advice before you arrive and dedicated support throughout your charter. From local sailing tips to cruising recommendations, we're here to help you make the most of your time on the water.
Bareboat charters give you the freedom to explore at your own pace. Our thorough yacht briefings, optional checkout skippers and responsive base teams ensure you feel confident and supported from the moment you leave the dock.
Horizon Yacht Charters is known for its friendly, professional service and loyal community of returning sailors. Many of our guests return year after year to explore new destinations and enjoy the freedom of sailing with Horizon.
Whether you're looking to learn, wanting the support of an experienced sailor onboard, or the luxury of a fully crewed yacht, we offer flexible, personalized options across the world's most breathtaking cruising grounds.
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