Best Sailing Destinations for 2027

Which are the best sailing destinations for 2027?

The best sailing destinations for 2027 are 1. the Ionian Islands (Greece), 2. the Saronic Gulf (Greece), 3. the Sporades (Greece), 4. the Split Dalmatia area (Croatia), 5. the Biograd and Zadar region (Croatia) and 6. the British Virgin Islands. Each one is easy to sail and gives you somewhere great to swim, eat and step ashore. You can compare and book yachts for all of them on Tubber.

Whether youre a seasoned sailor or a first-time charterer, the right destination makes the trip. We picked these six because they combine easy, reliable sailing with places youll actually want to step ashore: old towns, beach bars, quiet bays and good tables. Sailing is a way to travel, but its also a lifestyle, and these places let you enjoy both.

1. The Ionian Islands, Greece

Greeces Greenest, Gentlest Sailing

Why its a classic: The Ionian Islands are the easiest place in Greece to fall in love with sailing. Tubber describes them as mild winds, charming ports and friendly locals, with easy conditions, minimal tides and well-protected anchorages. Its one of the best sailing destinations in Europe for beginners.

Why its perfect for 2027: Distances are short, so you spend more time swimming and eating than motoring. The archipelago includes Corfu, Lefkada, Ithaca, Paxos, Kefalonia and Zakynthos, each with its own character. Experienced sailors will find plenty of challenge too.

• The Highlight: Corfu, a green island of coves and gravel beaches, with a Venetian old town shaped by centuries of Venetian, French and British rule.
• The Hidden Gem: Paxos, an island with no airport that can only be reached by boat, which is why it has stayed one of the least commercial in the Ionian.
• The Sailors Edge: Lefkada is connected to the mainland, which makes it ideal for hopping between anchorages like Sivota and Vasiliki. You can start from Corfu, Preveza or Lefkada, and many flotillas set off from Lefkada.

Best time to sail: May to October, with warm weather almost guaranteed in high season.

Top-rated places on Tripadvisor: Corfu

• Corfu Old Town: rated 4.4 from more than 3,600 reviews. The Old Fortress and Canal dAmour are also among Corfus top attractions.
• Ampakas Mezedopoleio: the number 1 restaurant in Corfu Town, rated 4.7 from more than 1,500 reviews.
• A Mano Pizzeria: rated 4.8 from more than 1,300 reviews, the number 2 restaurant in Corfu Town.
• Avli and Anthos: two more top-ranked tables, rated 4.4 and 4.7, each with more than 1,700 reviews. The Venetian Well is another favorite at 4.6.

2. The Saronic Gulf, Greece

The Closest Island Hopping to Athens

Why its a classic: The Saronic Gulf sits just southwest of Athens, so you can step off the plane and onto your yacht quickly. Its relaxed, culturally rich and one of the most beginner-friendly sailing areas in Greece.

Why its perfect for 2027: A week covers Aegina, Poros, Hydra and Spetses plus the Peloponnese coast, all within short hops and well-protected waters. Pick up your yacht in Alimos, the largest marina in Athens, and youre sailing the same day.

• The Highlight: Hydra, a car-free island with a stone harbor and mansions, the true gem of the Saronic.
• The Flavor: Aegina is the island of pistachios, and Poros is known for its honey-drizzled loukoumades.
• The Sailors Edge: Short distances and mild winds, with Tubber flotillas leaving from Alimos every Saturday for anyone who prefers to sail in company.

Best time to sail: late April to October.

Top-rated places on Tripadvisor: Aegina and Hydra

• Temple of Aphaia (Aegina): rated 4.6 from more than 1,000 reviews.
• Agios Nektarios Monastery and Moni Island Beach (Aegina): rated 4.5 and 4.2, with Moni a popular swim stop for boats.
• Hydra: Saint Nicholas Beach and Mount Eros are top-listed, along with the Lazaros Koundouriotis Mansion and the Historical Archives Museum.

3. The Sporades, Greece

Quiet Green Islands in the Northern Aegean

Why we love it: The Sporades are where you go to slow down. This northwest Aegean archipelago has 24 islands, and only four are inhabited: Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos and Skyros. That means plenty of empty bays, pine-scented shores and small harbors where the main event is dinner on the quay. You may recognize it too, because Mamma Mia! was filmed here.

Why its perfect for 2027: The hops between the main islands are short. A classic week starts at Volos and goes to Skiathos (25 nautical miles), Skopelos (15) and Alonissos (10), with time left to head on to Skyros before sailing back. As in most of the Aegean, its worth checking the forecast before you set off.

• The Lively One: Skiathos, the smallest yet most vibrant island of the group, with golden beaches and a harbor town full of cafes.
• The Pretty One: Skopelos, with a charming harbor town and the chapel from the film, perched on a rock above the sea.
• The Quiet One: Alonissos, the most tranquil of the three, and the place to go for the marine wonders of the area.
• The Sailors Edge: Volos is the usual starting point, with more than 150 yachts available on Tubber. For a full day-by-day route, read our 7-day Sporades itinerary.

Best time to sail: late April to October.

Top-rated places on Tripadvisor: Skiathos and Skopelos

• Lalaria Beach (Skiathos): rated 4.4 from nearly 1,200 reviews, a cove of white pebbles and sea caves reachable only by boat, which makes it a perfect stop for a sailor.
• Koukounaries Beach (Skiathos): rated 4.1 from more than 3,800 reviews, a sandy family favorite with pine trees behind it.
• Agios Ioannis Chapel (Skopelos): the famous Mamma Mia! church, rated 4.6, with Panormos Beach (4.5, more than 1,200 reviews) and Agios Ioannis Beach (4.5) also top-listed.

4. The Split Dalmatia Area, Croatia

Islands, Palaces and a Perfect Charter Base

Why its a classic: The Split Dalmatia area is among the most popular and diverse yacht charter destinations in the Mediterranean, with mild sailing conditions, rich culture and a long list of islands: Hvar, Brač, Vis and Šolta.

Why its perfect for 2027: The navigation is easy, the marinas are reliable and every day brings a new harbor. Start in Split or the UNESCO-listed town of Trogir, which is only 15 minutes from the airport (Split is about 40).

• The Highlight: Hvar, the "Saint-Tropez of Croatia," with beach clubs such as Hula Hula and Carpe Diem.
• The Quiet Side: Vis, the furthest island on the Dalmatian coast, with unspoiled nature and the Blue Cave on nearby Biševo.
• The Sailors Edge: A classic loop from Trogir to Hvar, Vis and Šolta covers all of it in a week, and you can pick a skipper, a bareboat or a flotilla to match your experience.

Best time to sail: May to October.

Top-rated places on Tripadvisor: Split and Trogir

• Diocletians Palace: the top attraction in Split. Its Peristyle is free to enter and rated 4.6 from more than 1,800 reviews. Marjan Park and Riva Harbor are also top-listed.
• Pizzeria Sette Sorelle (Split): rated 4.9 from more than 3,000 reviews, one of the top restaurants in the county.
• FRANKA (Split) and Tunaholic Fish Bar (Trogir): both rated 4.8 and among the countys top-ranked restaurants.

5. The Biograd and Zadar Region, Croatia

Sheltered Bays and the Kornati Archipelago

Why its a classic: Biograd sits between the Kornati Archipelago and the towns of Zadar and Šibenik, making it a perfect starting point in the central Adriatic. The Zadar region has charter bases in Zadar, Biograd and nearby Preko, so you can pick the start that suits your route.

Why its perfect for 2027: With well-charted waters, gentle summer breezes (typically 3 to 4 Beaufort) and many sheltered anchorages, it suits beginners and families. Youre minutes from Kornati National Park, an unspoiled paradise of more than 100 islands.

• The Highlight: The Kornati Islands and Telašćica Nature Park, with countless hidden coves reachable only by boat.
• The City Stop: Zadar, surrounded by four nature reserves including Kornati and Paklenica, and just 18 nautical miles from Biograd.
• The Sailors Edge: A simple week runs Zadar to Šibenik and back through Biograd, with sailing legs of 3 to 5 hours.

Best time to sail: May to October.

Top-rated places on Tripadvisor: Zadar

• Sea Organ: rated 4.5 from more than 6,600 reviews, the number 1 attraction in Zadar and a "Best of the Best" listing. Waves play music through underwater pipes.
• Greeting to the Sun: the glass light installation beside it, rated 4.1 from more than 2,600 reviews. Come around sunset.
• Kornati and Telašćica: boat excursions to the national park from Zadar are rated 4.6 to 4.8, and a Dugi Otok trip with a sea cave is rated 4.6.

6. The British Virgin Islands

Winter Sun, Beach Bars and Easy Sailing

Why its a classic: With more than 60 islands, the British Virgin Islands are widely considered one of the easiest and safest sailing destinations in the world. Steady trade winds, protected bays and short hops mean youre always minutes from your next anchorage.

Why its perfect for 2027: If you want to trade a cold winter for turquoise water, this is the one. Peak season runs from December to April, with temperatures between 25 and 28 degrees Celsius. Most charters start at Tortola and Road Town.

• The Highlight: Jost Van Dyke, home to beach bars like the Soggy Dollar and Foxys.
• The Adventure: Norman Islands caves, snorkeling at the Indians, and the boulder pools of The Baths on Virgin Gorda. For something remote, Anegada is the only coral island in the group.
• The Sailors Edge: Hurricanes can occur from June to November, so plan your charter for winter and spring. If youre racing-minded, the BVI Spring Regatta runs from 29 March to 4 April 2027.

Best time to sail: December to April.

Getting there: Tubber offers a transfer service for a smooth arrival, and flying into St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands with a ferry to Road Town is a common alternative.

Top-rated places on Tripadvisor: Jost Van Dyke

• Soggy Dollar Bar: the number 1 bar in the British Virgin Islands, rated 4.7 from more than 370 reviews. Travelers swim in from their charter boats for the Painkillers.
• Foxys Bar: rated 4.0 from more than 300 reviews, a legendary beach bar and a staple of the BVI yachting scene.

Planning your sailing trip

If you want:

• Easy, gentle sailing for a first charter - Ionian Islands - because of mild winds, minimal tides and protected anchorages.
• A short, culture-rich week from Athens - Saronic Gulf - because of short hops, beginner-friendly and close to the airport.
• Quiet green islands and small harbors - Sporades - because of Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos within 10 to 25 nautical miles of each other.
• Islands, history and a lively social scene - Split Dalmatia area - because of Hvar, Vis and Trogir within a week.
• Calm bays and nature with the family - Biograd and Zadar region - because of gentle breezes and Kornati National Park next door.
• A sunny winter escape - British Virgin Islands - because of trade winds and short hops from December to April.

Timing

For the Greek and Croatian destinations, May to October is the window, with July and August the busiest. For a calmer trip, aim for late May, June or September. The British Virgin Islands flip the calendar: go from December to April.

Practical tips

• Not sure about sailing on your own? You can charter a yacht with a skipper, join a flotilla or book a cabin.
• Marine protection has stepped up across the Mediterranean, so check local anchoring rules, especially in national parks like Kornati.
• Book restaurant tables and popular harbor spots early in high season. Hvar Towns quay in particular is hard to get.
• Dont over-schedule. The best days usually come from leaving space for an extra night in a harbor you didnt plan on.

Ready to set sail in 2027?

The best yachts for these destinations book up fast, often 6 to 9 months in advance, and the Caribbean winter season fills even earlier. If you want a specific boat for next summer or winter, the time to act is now.

Browse our real-time availability for these destinations and get a custom quote today. Tubber is rated 4.8 out of 5 from more than 35,000 customer reviews.