Autumn can be an excellent time to enjoy boating. As the busy summer season starts to wind down, many destinations become quieter while parts of the Mediterranean can continue to offer warm weather and good cruising conditions.
For boat owners, autumn also provides an opportunity to explore popular destinations without the same level of summer crowds.
Whether you are planning your next cruising holiday or considering buying a boat specifically for Mediterranean use, here are some destinations worth considering.
Turkey’s Turquoise Coast
Turkey’s Turquoise Coast is a popular destination for boat owners, offering a combination of sheltered bays, clear waters, historic towns and beautiful coastline.
Areas around Göcek, Fethiye and the wider Turkish Riviera can be particularly appealing during the autumn months.
September and October can provide an opportunity to enjoy the coastline after the busiest part of the summer season. The area also offers plenty of options for cruising between different bays, marinas and coastal towns.
For buyers considering a boat for Mediterranean cruising, Turkey is an area worth keeping in mind when deciding where and how the boat will be used.
Greece
Greece offers an enormous choice of cruising destinations, with hundreds of islands and a wide variety of coastlines to explore.
The Ionian Islands, including Corfu, Lefkada and Kefalonia, are popular with boat owners and provide a mixture of sheltered waters, traditional towns and attractive anchorages.
The Aegean also offers a huge choice of destinations, although conditions can vary significantly depending on the time of year and location.
Autumn can provide a quieter experience than the height of summer, making it an appealing time to explore Greece by boat.
Croatia
Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast is well known for its island-hopping opportunities.
From Split and Dubrovnik to the many islands and smaller coastal towns, the region offers a mixture of historic locations, marinas, restaurants and cruising routes.
September can be particularly attractive for those who want to experience Croatia outside the busiest summer period.
The quieter atmosphere can make it easier to explore some of the destinations that become much busier during July and August.
Italy
Italy has a huge variety of boating destinations, from Sardinia and Sicily to the Amalfi Coast and Liguria.
For boat owners who enjoy combining time on the water with history, food and exploring towns and cities, Italy offers plenty of options.
The Ligurian coast is particularly interesting, with destinations such as Portofino, the Gulf of Poets and the wider Ligurian coastline providing a mixture of scenery and historic locations.
Autumn can also be a good opportunity to explore Italy without the same level of summer crowds.
Malta and Gozo
Malta and Gozo can be worth considering for boaters looking to extend their cruising season.
The islands offer a compact cruising area with historic towns, dramatic coastlines and numerous places to explore.
Their location in the central Mediterranean also makes Malta an interesting base for exploring other parts of the region.
As always, autumn weather can change quickly, so boat owners should check current forecasts and local conditions before setting out.
The Balearic Islands
Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza are among the Mediterranean’s best-known boating destinations.
During the summer months, the islands can become extremely busy. Autumn offers a different experience, with fewer visitors and a more relaxed atmosphere.
Mallorca in particular provides a wide variety of cruising opportunities, from sheltered coves to larger marinas and coastal towns.
For anyone considering buying a boat for Mediterranean cruising, the Balearics are another region worth considering when deciding what type and size of boat will suit their plans.
Choose the Boat Around Your Destination
Where you intend to use your boat should be considered before you buy.
A boat intended for cruising around sheltered Mediterranean bays may have different requirements from one intended for longer passages or extended periods offshore.
Think about the number of people who will regularly use the boat, the distances you expect to travel, the type of accommodation you require and where the boat will be based.
These considerations can help narrow down the type of boat you should be searching for.
Planning Your Next Boat Purchase
Autumn is a good time to start thinking about your next boating season.
If you are considering buying a boat for Mediterranean cruising, Go Earth Boating can help you search the market based on how you intend to use your boat.
We act exclusively for buyers and can assist with finding suitable boats, arranging surveys, negotiating purchases and organising transport.
Instead of starting with a particular listing, start with where you want to go and how you want to use your boat.
Go Earth Boating can then help you find a boat that fits those requirements.
