How to avoid the sailing crowds

You did it again! You set sail in peak season to the most popular yachting hotspot — and now you’re complaining about the sailing crowds on the water and the even bigger crush of tourists on land. So how do you make sure your next trip is different? Here’s how to avoid the hustle and bustle and enjoy a truly relaxing, peaceful, and uninterrupted sailing holiday.

Perhaps the biggest factor in how many sailors and tourists you’ll encounter on your voyage is your choice of location. Some countries are tried-and-tested sailing favourites, where the sea is busy and the marinas are full. Others are still up-and-coming, with fewer charter boats — which naturally means fewer people. So what are your options, and where can you go for a quieter experience?

Croatia is still the most popular sailing destination in Europe, which means it’s often overcrowded. So try nearby Greece, where the yachting infrastructure isn’t as developed — and you’ll encounter far fewer boats, sailors, and tourists. As a bonus, you can save significantly on moorings, restaurants, and excursions. In Greece, it’s still not the norm for everything to come with a hefty price tag like on the Adriatic.

If you love sailing in Greece but find places like Corfu, Lefkada or Kefalonia too crowded, consider Turkey. With its crystal-clear seas, sun-soaked coastline and incredible food, it offers just as much charm — but with far fewer boats. The warm hospitality of the locals is another reason many sailors return year after year. Want to know more? Read our comprehensive guide to sailing in Turkey or check out our 10 top reasons to sail in Turkey.

Still largely undiscovered, Montenegro offers a stunning coastline that easily rivals Croatia’s. The locals are incredibly welcoming, and the views from both sea and shore are breathtaking. Check out our guide to the best marinas in Montenegro and discover 8 reasons to sail here.

Anyone who’s sailed around Ibiza in summer will tell you — the traffic is wild! The Balearic Islands are always buzzing, which makes peace and quiet hard to come by. So why not try the slightly wilder but far less crowded Canary Islands? Browse boat deals to Tenerife, Gran Canaria or Lanzarote, and see for yourself. You can also read more in our article — Ocean sailing: set course for the Canary Islands!.

The Bahamas feel like an extension of the US — but Mexico offers something different. In the Gulf of California, for example, you can sail for hours without seeing another boat. Expect quiet bays, semi-empty beaches, charming Mexican towns, and fresh, delicious food. The marine life is incredible too — it’s not unusual to spot whale sharks, seals, turtles, rays, or even huge pods of dolphins. Read more in our feature Sailing in Mexico: An unforgettable voyage on the Gulf of California.

Have you always sailed south in search of sun and heat? Why not try heading north for a change? Yachting in the Baltic is a different experience — but no less beautiful. In fact, more and more sailors are choosing destinations like northern Germany (Rostock–Warnemünde), Sweden, Poland (Kołobrzeg or Gdańsk), or even Iceland. Curious what it’s like? Read our guide to sailing in the Baltic or check out the 10 most beautiful Baltic ports for inspiration.

When do most families head out to sea? That’s right — school holidays, July and August. But here’s the secret: spring and autumn sailing can be just as magical, and often far more relaxing.

Nature’s waking up, temperatures are mild, and the cooler nights make for comfortable sleeping. Plus, there’s usually more wind — perfect for stretching the sails. We cover it all in our article Sail into spring: a guide to the best destinations, boats and what to pack.

Late summer on the sea is beautiful. The days are still warm, the crowds are gone, and the sea retains its summer heat after months of sunshine.

Want more? Check out the 12 advantages of sailing in Croatia in autumn.

Who says you have to sail to Trogir, Korčula, Dubrovnik, Corfu, Lefkada or circle around Ibiza? On your next cruise, try picking islands and bays that aren’t as well known. That doesn’t mean they’re any less beautiful — quite the opposite. You’ll often find more peace, authentic local life, and a welcome break from the crowds.

In Croatia, we recommend Zaklopatica Bay on the northern side of Lastovo or Pomena on the island of Mljet. In Greece, Antipaxos is a stunning alternative, and in Spain, Formentera — Ibiza’s quieter sister — is a real hidden gem. And if you take a closer look at the map, you’re sure to spot a few peaceful surprises of your own.

Most charter crews follow the same daily rhythm: a big breakfast, a sail, lunch at anchor, then a sail to a popular bay for dinner. But what if you did the opposite? Try setting off early and arriving in a quiet marina after lunch — or sailing into the evening instead. You might be surprised how empty the sea and bays feel when you’re not following the crowd.

Want a guaranteed way to avoid the crowds? Sail nonstop — skip the ports and head offshore. It’s not for everyone, but if you're comfortable being out of sight of land, it’s an unforgettable experience. For this kind of trip, choose a boat with larger fuel and water tanks, solar panels, or a watermaker, so you can stay self-sufficient at sea.

The standard charter routine is predictable: pick up the boat on Saturday, set sail, and return the following Friday — just like nearly every other crew on the water. Think about it: how far do you sail each day? 20, 30, maybe 40 nautical miles? The result is that most boats stay within the same well-trodden route, and popular bays get crowded fast.

But there’s an easy way around this: book a 14-day charter. You’ll sail further, reach less accessible anchorages, and avoid the rush — especially on Fridays and Saturdays when everyone else is heading back to base. Plus, we often offer discounts for multi-week charters.

Need inspiration? Try a 14-day cruise from Lefkas Marina or a two-week sailing trip from Volos in the Northern Sporades — and discover why it pays to sail longer.

A completely different way to avoid the crowds? Swap the sea for rivers, canals or lakes. Most ports here don’t have thousands of charter boats — which means far fewer vessels overall and a much more peaceful experience.

Why not try one of our houseboats and explore the Dutch tulip fields in spring, the castles along the Loire in France, or Poland’s stunning Masurian Lakes? Hungary, Scandinavia and Brittany also offer incredible freshwater cruising. And did you know you can even sail all the way to Venice by houseboat? Learn more in our houseboat magazine.