Summer's Feeling The Heat

Are Spring and Autumn taking over from Summer?

Holidays are intended for relaxation, de-stressing, and enjoyment, but achieving this can be near impossible during the peak vacation seasons. The Mediterranean summer is great in theory, but the reality is that it is the hottest, busiest and most expensive time of year in Europe.??

This year, bespoke yacht charter brokerage HELM has seen a massive increase in clients skipping the queues and chartering yachts in the spring rather than later in the season, with 35% more charters departing in June 2024 than August 2024 (at time of writing).???

This is a direct response to clients wanting to avoid increased holiday peak costs, extreme weather, crowded conditions, and the associated stress.??

An eye on spiralling costs?

Flights, yachts, moorings, and activities are all significantly cheaper during off-peak times, which not only allows vacationers to save money but also potentially upgrade their experience.??

A 7-day Saturday to Saturday return flight from London to Athens in May goes for ￡200 less than the same route in early August, due to demand driven largely by due to school summer holidays. Peter Harrison-Hill, Co-founder of HELM, says:?

?“We are noticing a trend of clients who aren't tied to school holidays taking their summer breaks earlier in the season, especially in the Cyclades, to avoid the heat, noise, and extreme winds that area has been experiencing in August.?Charters on shoulder season dates like early June tend to be around 20% less than summer peak, which adds to the attraction, as does the unseasonably good weather the Med has been having during the last few springs. "?

Flexibility & Choice?

Setting sail earlier or later in the season offers a wider variety, giving you more choice and flexibility when planning your vacation.?

Avoiding the scramble of school holidays gives you a greater selection of yachts, with less competition for the midsummer dates meaning you’re not as pressured into booking more than a year in advance to secure the best boat.??

In fact, you can even find great deals much closer to your departure dates – it’s not uncommon for fleet operators to run 30% discounts for last-minute charters.?

Getting Hot in here?

Off-peak seasons typically provide milder and more comfortable weather, making the trip more enjoyable, with a lower chance of extreme conditions.? In the Cyclades, average June temperatures have crept up from 25.8°C (78.4°F) in 2019 to 29.9°C (85.8°F) in 2024.?

?August averages have gone from 28.9°C (84°F) to a 2023 average of 30.7°C (87.3°F), and it’s not unusual for the mercury to top 40-45°C.??

Indeed, daily temperatures across the Athens region are due to top 38°C every day this week. Hot weather can be enjoyable, but when it’s excessively hot and crowded, the fun quickly fades away, and recent booking trends show this to be the case.?

Dodging the crowds?

One of the most appealing aspects of a European spring is that there are fewer crowds around the major tourist spots. This means smaller queues, less packed restaurants, quieter anchorages, and fewer screaming children. The appeal is easy to see!?

With fewer tourists, you can enjoy a more authentic local experience, spend time getting to know a place and immerse yourself within the destination’s true culture.??

Harrison-Hill adds??

“While there is never really a bad time to embark on a yacht charter, we believe that this new trend will gain more traction over the next few years. Holidays are meant to be relaxing, and opting to travel outside of peak season not only saves money but also reduces time and stress, which is after all the purpose of taking a break!”?

Interested in a sailing holiday? Use our intuitive enquiry builder to find the right fit for you and your crew, wherever you may roam. You can choose between bareboat charters, skippered yachts, or fully crewed yachts depending on your preference and experience level.

Get in touch with the HELM team today to enquire:

[email protected] | 020 7632 7567