A yacht delivery involves a valuable asset, a crew, the weather and often several countries. Before any yacht leaves the dock, owner and delivery company should agree in writing on how the job will be done. This guide explains the points a delivery agreement should cover, so you know what to look for when comparing quotes. It is general information, not legal advice.

1. The parties and the yacht

• The owner, or the person authorised by the owner, and the delivery company, with full company details.
• The yacht: name, flag, registration number, make and model, length and engine.
• Confirmation that the person signing is the owner or has written authority from the owner — this is also needed at borders and in marinas.

2. The route and the timing

• The departure and arrival ports, and any planned stops.
• A departure window rather than a fixed date, because the skipper must be free to wait for safe weather.
• How the yacht is handed over at both ends — keys, documents and a condition report.

3. The price: fixed fee or daily rate

Deliveries are usually priced as a fixed fee for the route or as a daily rate per crew member. The agreement should state clearly which applies, and exactly what is included and what is extra:

• Skipper and crew fees.
• Crew travel to and from the yacht.
• Food and provisions on board.
• Fuel, marina and lock fees, canal and cruising taxes.
• Agents and clearance costs.

Read our guide to what a yacht delivery costs for typical price levels and what drives them.

4. Weather delays and standby days

Every honest delivery quote includes some allowance for weather. The contract should say how many weather days are included in the price, and what happens if the crew has to wait longer — for example, a reduced daily standby rate. It should also be clear that the decision to sail or wait belongs to the skipper.

5. The skipper’s authority

The skipper must have full authority over the yacht and crew during the delivery, including the right to change the route, to seek shelter, to refuse to sail an unseaworthy yacht and to end the delivery if the yacht cannot be made safe. This protects the yacht, the crew and the owner. If the owner joins the trip, he or she sails as crew under the skipper’s command — see our guide to joining your own delivery.

6. The owner’s obligations

• A seaworthy yacht with the required safety equipment, in good working order.
• Valid registration, ownership documents, VAT documents and radio licence on board.
• Insurance covering the yacht and third-party liability for the route, the dates and the delivery crew.

Our preparation checklist lists what owners typically need to arrange.

7. Insurance and liability

The owner’s yacht insurance normally covers the hull and third-party liability during the delivery, and the insurer should be told about it in advance. A professional delivery company should also carry its own insurance for its skippers and its work. The contract should state who is responsible for what, and any limits of liability. Read our yacht delivery insurance guide.

8. Inspection and repairs

The agreement should allow for a pre-departure inspection and say what happens if problems are found: how the owner is informed, the amount the skipper may spend on urgent repairs without asking first, and how those costs are paid.

9. Payment and cancellation

• A deposit on booking and the timing of the remaining payments.
• How expenses are documented and settled — usually with receipts.
• What happens if the owner cancels or postpones, or if the delivery has to stop because the yacht is not seaworthy.

10. Communication and handover

A good agreement also covers how the owner is kept informed — daily position reports or online tracking — and what the handover includes: a condition report, the logbook and a list of any faults found on the way. Our handover checklist shows what we hand over.

Clear agreements with Nordic Crew Worldwide

Every delivery we take on is confirmed in a written agreement that covers the route, the price and what it includes, weather days, insurance, repairs and handover. Nordic Crew Worldwide S.L. is registered in Spain, and all deliveries are covered by our own professional skipper insurance. Request a quote and we will send you a clear proposal.

Related guides

• How to choose a delivery skipper
• Deliver it yourself or hire a crew?
• How long a delivery takes

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• RYA — Delivery skippers and crew
• Simpson Marine — A buyer’s guide to yacht contracts
• World Sailing — Offshore Special Regulations

Norway has one of the longest and most beautiful coastlines in Europe, a strong boating culture and a large market for both sailing and motor yachts. Many Norwegian owners buy yachts in Sweden, Denmark, Germany or the Mediterranean and need them brought home — and many yachts leave Norway each year for the south. With our Scandinavian background, Norwegian waters are home ground for us.

Routes to Norway

Across the Skagerrak from Denmark

The most common route. From Skagen or Hirtshals at the northern tip of Denmark to Kristiansand is around 70–80 nautical miles; to the Oslofjord it is around 100–120. It is usually a day or a night at sea. The Skagerrak can build a short, steep sea in strong westerlies, so the crossing is timed with the forecast.

Along the Swedish west coast

From Gothenburg, the route follows the sheltered Bohuslän archipelago north to Strömstad and crosses into the Oslofjord. This is a good option for yachts coming from the Baltic or through the Göta Canal. Read our Baltic and Scandinavia guide.

Across the North Sea to the west coast

Yachts heading for Bergen, Stavanger or the fjords sometimes cross directly from Scotland or the Shetlands — Lerwick to Bergen is around 180 nautical miles. This is an open-sea passage and needs a good weather window.

From the Mediterranean or Germany

Yachts coming from further south usually reach Denmark through the Kiel Canal or around Skagen, then cross the Skagerrak. Our Scandinavia–Mediterranean guide covers the full route in the other direction.

Sailing along the Norwegian coast

Inside the skerries, the Norwegian coast offers long stretches of sheltered water, but the open sections — such as around Lindesnes in the far south and the Stad peninsula on the west coast — can be rough, with steep seas where the current meets the wind. Tidal streams are generally weak in the south, but the water is cold all year and the days are very short in winter. We plan deliveries for May to September and use the sheltered inner leads where possible.

Customs: visiting yachts and imports

• Visiting yachts: a foreign yacht used privately by a person who does not live in Norway can usually be used in Norwegian waters without paying tax, and does not need to report to customs on arrival if the conditions are met.
• Norwegian residents: a foreign-registered yacht may not be used by someone permanently resident in Norway. A yacht bought abroad by a Norwegian resident must be declared to Norwegian Customs and imported, and Norwegian VAT is normally due.
• Leaving a yacht in Norway: foreign owners who want to store a yacht in Norway for a longer period may need to apply to Norwegian Customs.
• Alcohol and tobacco: Norway has strict duty-free allowances, which also apply to stores on board.
• Leaving Norway for the EU: the yacht re-enters the EU customs area at her first EU port, and her VAT status must be documented.

Our guide to buying a yacht abroad and bringing her home covers the steps for a purchase.

Skipper qualifications

Foreign-flagged yachts follow the rules of their flag state for the skipper’s qualifications, and the ICC is widely accepted in Norway. Norway also has strict rules on alcohol for anyone in charge of a boat — another reason to leave the delivery to a professional crew.

Yacht delivery to Norway with Nordic Crew Worldwide

Our Scandinavian captains know the Skagerrak, the Oslofjord and the Norwegian coast well. We deliver sailing yachts, motor yachts and catamarans to and from Norway, plan the crossing around the forecast and help you with the customs paperwork for an import. All deliveries are covered by our own professional skipper insurance. Request a quote for a delivery to or from Norway — or read about our services på norsk.

Related guides

• Sailboat transport in Europe
• Yacht delivery in winter
• Yacht delivery across Europe

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• Norwegian Customs — Import of recreational boats
• RYA — Country-specific advice: Norway
• Norwegian Coastal Administration (Kystverket)

Every year, hundreds of British yachts head south to spend a season — or several — in the Mediterranean, and many British buyers purchase yachts that are already there. A delivery from the UK to Spain, France, Italy or Greece is one of the most common long-distance jobs we do. This guide covers the route, the timing, the Brexit rules and the alternatives.

The route step by step

1. The Channel and the jump-off

Most deliveries start from the Solent, Plymouth or Falmouth. From the south coast, the yacht either crosses to Brittany and rounds Ushant, or leaves from Falmouth for a direct passage across the Bay of Biscay. See our English Channel and North Sea guide for the tides and traffic separation schemes.

2. The Bay of Biscay

The crossing from Falmouth or Brest to A Coruña in north-west Spain is around 350–450 nautical miles — two to three days at sea. It is the most exposed part of the trip, and the weather window is the single most important decision of the delivery. Read our Bay of Biscay crossing guide.

3. Spain and Portugal

From Galicia, the route runs south along the Portuguese coast, usually with the summer northerlies behind it, to Lisbon and around Cape St Vincent to the Algarve. Read our guide to yacht delivery along Portugal, and our orca guide for this stretch of coast.

4. Gibraltar and into the Mediterranean

The Strait of Gibraltar is timed with the tide and the wind — a strong levante or poniente makes a big difference. From there it is a day’s sail to Málaga, our home base, and on to the rest of the Mediterranean.

How long does it take?

• Solent to Gibraltar: roughly 1,300–1,500 nautical miles; around 10–14 days under way, plus weather days.
• On to the Balearics or the French Riviera: add three to six days.
• On to Italy, Croatia or Greece: add one to two weeks.

See our guide to how long a yacht delivery takes for more detail.

When to go

From late May to early September, the Biscay weather is at its most settled and the northerlies off Portugal help the yacht south. Spring and autumn are possible, but Atlantic lows pass more often, and a delivery may need to wait in Brittany or Falmouth for a safe window. Winter departures are best avoided unless the schedule is very flexible. Our delivery calendar shows the best months for each leg.

Brexit: VAT, temporary admission and Schengen days

• VAT status: a UK yacht is a non-EU yacht in the EU. If the owner lives outside the EU, the yacht can usually stay under temporary admission for up to 18 months without paying EU VAT. If the owner is EU-resident, or the yacht is to stay longer, EU VAT may become due.
• Crew time in Schengen: British crew and owners can usually spend up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen area. A delivery and a season in the Med can use these days quickly, so plan them.
• Clearance: the yacht clears into the EU at her first port, for example in France or Spain.

Our guide to UK–EU yacht deliveries after Brexit covers the paperwork in detail.

The alternatives

Motor yachts with a low air draught, or sailing yachts that can lower the mast, can take the inland route through the French canals to the Mediterranean — see our French canals guide. Larger yachts or owners in a hurry can also ship the yacht by road or sea; our comparison of delivery versus transport explains the trade-offs.

UK to Mediterranean delivery with Nordic Crew Worldwide

Our Scandinavian captains sail the route from the Channel to the Mediterranean every year, and our base in Málaga means we know the southern end of the trip as well as the northern. We plan the weather windows, the stops and the clearance with you, and all deliveries are covered by our own professional skipper insurance. Request a quote for a delivery from the UK to the Med.

Related guides

• Scandinavia to the Mediterranean
• What a yacht delivery costs
• What we check before departure

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• RYA — Boating abroad
• European Commission — Taxation and Customs Union
• GOV.UK — Foreign travel advice

Most problems on a delivery do not come from the sea itself, but from a part of the yacht that was already worn, blocked or badly fitted before departure. A careful inspection in port is the cheapest and safest way to avoid a breakdown offshore. This guide explains what we check, why it matters and what happens if we find a problem. If you are the owner, our checklist for preparing your yacht for delivery shows what you can do before we arrive.

Hull, deck and through-hulls

• Every seacock opens and closes freely, and hoses and hose clamps are sound — double clamps below the waterline.
• No signs of water ingress from the keel bolts, the rudder stock or the propeller shaft seal.
• Bilge pumps, both electric and manual, work and their float switches trigger.
• Hatches, portlights and lockers close properly and are watertight.

Rig and sails

• Standing rigging, terminals and chainplates are checked for cracks, corrosion and broken strands — from deck level, and aloft on longer passages.
• Split pins and rigging screws are secured, and the furling systems run smoothly.
• Sails, reefing lines and sheets are in good condition, and the reefing system has been tested before departure.

Engine and fuel system

• Oil and coolant levels, drive belts and the raw-water impeller — with spares on board.
• Fuel filters, and a check for water and diesel bug in the tank, especially after a long lay-up.
• Engine alarms, the exhaust and the cooling water flow, and the gearbox in forward and reverse.
• Fuel consumption and range for the legs ahead — critical on motor yachts. See our guide to fuel range planning for motor yachts.

Steering

• Steering cables or hydraulics, the quadrant and the autopilot drive.
• The emergency tiller is on board, fits and has been tried.
• The rudder bearings have no excessive play.

Electrics, navigation and communication

• Battery condition and charging from the engine, shore power and any solar panels.
• Navigation lights, chartplotter, compass, AIS and autopilot.
• VHF radio with DSC, the MMSI registration and a handheld backup.
• Up-to-date charts — electronic and paper backups — for the whole route.

Safety equipment

• The liferaft is serviced and in date, and the EPIRB is registered to the yacht and in date.
• Lifejackets, harnesses, jacklines, flares, fire extinguishers, the fire blanket and the first aid kit.
• Man-overboard equipment, and a grab bag ready by the companionway.

Our offshore safety equipment checklist lists everything we expect on board for an offshore passage.

Documents

Registration, proof of ownership or the owner’s authorisation, insurance valid for the route and the crew, VAT documents and the radio licence. Missing papers can stop a yacht at the first border or port. Read our delivery insurance guide for the insurance points.

The sea trial

After the checks in port, we take the yacht out for a short sea trial: engine under load, steering and autopilot, sails up and reefed, and the bilges checked afterwards. Many problems only show up under way, and it is much better to find them within sight of the marina than two days out.

What if we find a problem?

We report every finding to the owner with photos and a clear recommendation. Small issues are often fixed on the spot by our crew; larger ones are handled by a local yard. If something makes the yacht unsafe for the planned passage, we will not leave until it is fixed — it is the skipper’s responsibility, and the reason owners hire a professional crew. Afterwards, the same points are the starting point for our handover report.

Professional inspection with Nordic Crew Worldwide

Every delivery we do starts with a full inspection and a sea trial, carried out by our Scandinavian captains and, where needed, our engineer. You get a clear report before departure, and all deliveries are covered by our own professional skipper insurance. Request a quote for your yacht delivery.

Related guides

• How to choose a delivery skipper
• Weather routing for deliveries
• Yacht delivery in winter

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• World Sailing — Offshore Special Regulations
• RYA — Royal Yachting Association
• Cospas-Sarsat — Beacon registration

Many owners like to be on board when their yacht is delivered, especially after buying a new or second-hand yacht. Others prefer to hand over the keys and meet the yacht at her new home port. Both are fine. This guide explains what it means to join a delivery as the owner, what the benefits are, and what to think about before you sign on.

Why owners join a delivery

• Learn the yacht: a delivery is often the first real passage on a new yacht. Sailing her day and night, in different conditions, teaches you more than months of short day trips.
• Learn from professionals: you see how an experienced skipper plans a passage, reads the weather, runs the watches and handles problems — knowledge you take with you on your own trips.
• Find the faults early: issues that only show up after several days at sea are found while a professional crew is on board, and can be fixed under warranty or before the season starts.
• A better handover: you already know how the systems work when the yacht arrives. See our handover checklist.
• The experience: for many owners, an offshore passage on their own yacht is simply a great trip.

The skipper is in command

When the owner joins a professional delivery, the skipper is responsible for the yacht and the crew, and has the final say on routing, weather, watches and safety. This is essential: the skipper is accountable for the delivery and must be able to make decisions — including to wait for better weather or change the route — without negotiating them. We discuss this openly before departure. In practice, most owners find it a relief to let someone else carry the responsibility for a while.

What the owner does on board

An owner on board is a full member of the crew. That usually means standing watches with one of our crew members, helping with sail handling, cooking and keeping the yacht tidy, and following the safety routines — lifejacket and harness at night and in bad weather, clipping on when leaving the cockpit, and so on. Owners with offshore experience can take a larger role; those with less experience are paired with a crew member. Read more about crew size and watch systems.

Things to agree before departure

• Crew list and insurance: the owner must be on the crew list, and the yacht’s insurance and our skipper insurance must cover the owner as crew. Check your own personal accident and health cover as well. See our delivery insurance guide.
• Experience and fitness: a delivery can mean several days and nights at sea, sometimes in rough weather. Be honest about your experience and any health issues or seasickness.
• Dates and flexibility: the departure date depends on the weather, so leave some flexibility in your plans, or join for a leg with easy flights at both ends.
• Cabins and provisions: we agree on berths, food and how costs on board are shared.
• Which legs to join: many owners join a short, easy leg or the final leg into the home port, rather than a long offshore passage such as the Bay of Biscay.

Does it change the price?

Usually not much. The delivery is still planned and crewed by our professional team, so the main costs stay the same. On some yachts, an experienced owner can replace one crew member on certain legs, which can reduce the cost slightly — but safety and watch rotation always come first. See our guide to what a yacht delivery costs for the main price factors.

Join your delivery with Nordic Crew Worldwide

Owners are always welcome on board our deliveries. Our Scandinavian captains enjoy sharing what they know, and we plan the trip so that you get the most out of it — whether you join for the whole passage or for a single leg. All deliveries are covered by our own professional skipper insurance. Tell us about your yacht and when you would like to sail. If you are still deciding, read our comparison of delivering the yacht yourself or hiring a crew.

Related guides

• How to choose a delivery skipper
• Preparing your yacht for delivery
• Buying a yacht abroad

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• RYA — Royal Yachting Association
• World Sailing — Offshore Special Regulations
• Watchkeeping

Malta sits in the middle of the Mediterranean, between Sicily and North Africa, which makes it a natural stopover on long east–west passages and a common home port. The Maltese flag is one of the largest yacht registers in Europe, the marinas around Valletta and in Gozo are busy all year, and the island’s yards carry out a lot of refit and maintenance work. As a result, yachts are delivered to Malta for registration, winter berths, refits and sales — and leave again for Greece, Italy, Croatia or the western Mediterranean.

Routes to Malta

From Sicily

The crossing from Pozzallo, Licata or Marina di Ragusa on Sicily’s south coast is around 50–60 nautical miles — a day’s sail. Yachts coming down the Italian coast and through the Strait of Messina usually take this route.

From Greece and the eastern Mediterranean

From the Ionian islands, the passage across the open Ionian Sea to Malta is around 330 nautical miles — two to three days at sea. Yachts coming from Turkey or the Aegean usually pass south of the Peloponnese first. See our guides to Greece and Turkey.

From Spain and the western Mediterranean

From Gibraltar or our base in Málaga, the route runs along the North African or Spanish coast and past Sardinia or south of it to Malta — roughly 1,000 nautical miles. With fuel and weather stops, plan on about a week to ten days. Our overview of Mediterranean routes covers the legs.

Weather: the gregale and the best season

Malta’s main weather hazard is the gregale, a strong north-easterly that blows mostly in winter. It sends a heavy swell straight into the harbours on Malta’s east coast, including Grand Harbour and Marsamxett, and has historically caused damage to boats moored there. In summer, the prevailing north-westerlies are usually moderate. April–June and September–November are the best months for a delivery, but because Malta is a popular winter base, many deliveries arrive in October and November and leave in spring.

Arriving in Malta: clearance and paperwork

• From an EU port: no customs clearance is required unless you have something to declare. Some marinas, such as Msida, may still ask to see the crew list and passports.
• From outside the EU: fly the Q flag, go straight to a port of entry without stopping, and contact customs immediately on arrival with a crew list. Third-country nationals also show their passports to immigration.
• Harbour entry: yachts entering Grand Harbour or Marsamxett must contact Valletta VTS on VHF before entering.
• Departure: before clearing out to a non-EU country, you need a receipt for the marina fees and crew lists for customs and immigration.
• Insurance and documents: registration, proof of ownership or authorisation to operate the yacht, VAT documents and insurance. See our delivery insurance checklist.

Malta has no cruising tax for visiting yachts, but marina rates are higher in the main harbours around Valletta than in Gozo.

Wintering a yacht in Malta

Malta’s mild winters, year-round flights and large marinas make it a popular place to leave a yacht from October to April. Winter berths in the best-protected marinas fill early, so book in good time, and ask the marina how well the berth is sheltered from the gregale. Read our guide to choosing a winter berth in the Mediterranean.

Yacht delivery to Malta with Nordic Crew Worldwide

Our Scandinavian captains deliver sailing yachts, motor yachts and catamarans to and from Malta, from Northern Europe, Spain, Italy, Greece and Turkey. We plan the route and the arrival around the weather, handle the clearance with you and hand the yacht over in her new berth. All deliveries are covered by our own professional skipper insurance. Request a quote for a delivery to or from Malta.

Related guides

• Charter yacht repositioning
• Yacht delivery in winter
• What a yacht delivery costs

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• Noonsite — Malta
• Transport Malta — Maritime
• Gregale

Most owners think of yacht deliveries as a spring and autumn job. In practice, many yachts move in the winter months: to reach a yard for a refit, to be in place for the first charters, to follow a new owner after a sale or to cross the Atlantic with the trade winds. This guide explains when a winter delivery is a good idea, which routes work, and how a professional crew plans one.

Why deliver a yacht in winter?

• Ready for the season: a yacht moved in winter arrives in time for spring maintenance and is ready to use as soon as the season starts.
• Yard and refit schedules: many yards have their best availability, and their best prices, between November and March.
• After a sale: yachts are often bought in autumn, and the new owner wants her in the home port before spring.
• Quiet marinas: berths are easier to find and often cheaper along the way.
• Trade-wind season: the classic Atlantic crossing from the Canaries to the Caribbean runs from late November to January.

Which routes work in winter?

Within the Mediterranean

The Mediterranean is the most common winter delivery area. Weather systems pass through more often than in summer and the mistral, tramontane, bora and levante can blow hard, but most passages are short enough to fit between two systems. With a flexible start date, deliveries along the Spanish, French and Italian coasts and out to the islands are routine. See our overview of Mediterranean routes.

To and from the Canaries and across the Atlantic

From Gibraltar or Portugal, the route south to the Canary Islands is often pleasant in late autumn, and from late November the trade winds carry yachts from the Canaries to the Caribbean. See our guide to delivering a yacht from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean.

Northern Europe and the Bay of Biscay

The North Sea, the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay see frequent Atlantic gales from October to April. A winter crossing of Biscay is possible, but it may mean waiting days or weeks for a safe window, so it suits owners with a flexible timeline. In the Baltic and Scandinavia, ice, frozen harbours and very short days make deliveries from December to March difficult, and many marinas close their facilities.

How we plan a winter delivery

• Flexible start date: we agree a departure window rather than a fixed day, and leave when a reliable weather window opens. Our weather routing guide explains how we choose it.
• Shorter legs: we plan the route with more stops and a safe harbour for every leg, so the crew can wait out a gale in port rather than at sea.
• Experienced crew: long, cold nights are tiring, so we often add a crew member and plan a watch system that keeps everyone rested. See our guide to crew size and watch systems.
• Yacht preparation: heating, good lighting, charged batteries, fresh fuel filters, and a check for diesel bug in fuel that has stood since the summer. Our preparation checklist covers the details.
• Safety equipment: immersion suits or drysuits for cold water, lifejackets with lights and personal AIS beacons, and jacklines rigged before departure. Read our offshore safety checklist.
• Fuel and marina hours: many fuel docks and marina offices have shorter hours in winter, so we confirm them before each leg.

Check the insurance before a winter delivery

Many yacht insurance policies have seasonal navigation limits or a laid-up period in winter, especially in Northern Europe. If the yacht is to move during that period, the owner must ask the insurer to extend the cover for the delivery. We check this with you before every winter trip — see our delivery insurance guide.

Winter yacht delivery with Nordic Crew Worldwide

Our Scandinavian captains have grown up sailing in cold, demanding waters and deliver yachts all year round. From our base in Málaga we cover the Mediterranean, the Atlantic coast and Northern Europe, plan every winter delivery around safe weather windows and stopovers, and keep you updated from the dock to the handover. All deliveries are covered by our own professional skipper insurance. Plan your winter delivery with us.

Related guides

• The best season for each route
• How long a delivery takes
• Deliver it yourself or hire a crew?

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• RYA — Royal Yachting Association
• Met Office — Coast and sea forecasts
• Trade winds

The Côte d’Azur — from Saint-Tropez and Cannes to Antibes, Nice and the border with Monaco — is the centre of European yachting. Antibes and Cannes are home to some of the Mediterranean’s best-known marinas and yacht services, and La Ciotat, Toulon and the yards around them handle a large share of the region’s refits. Yachts arrive here for the season, for the autumn boat shows, for refits and for sale, so the Riviera is one of the busiest destinations for deliveries in Europe.

Routes to the Côte d’Azur

From Spain and the Balearics

From Barcelona or the Balearics, the route crosses the Gulf of Lion — from Palma to Toulon or Antibes is roughly 250–300 nautical miles, around two days at sea. From our base in Málaga, the full route along the Spanish coast is roughly 750–800 nautical miles. The Gulf of Lion is exposed to the mistral and tramontane, so this crossing is always planned around a weather window. See our Balearics delivery guide for the Spanish side.

From Italy

Coming from Italy, the route follows the Ligurian coast from Genoa past Sanremo and Monaco. Marinas are close together, so this route works well in short day legs. Read our guide to delivering a yacht in Italy.

From Northern Europe

Sailing yachts from Northern Europe usually come via the Atlantic, the Bay of Biscay and the Strait of Gibraltar. Motor yachts and yachts that can lower their mast can take the inland route through the French canals and down the Rhône to Port-Saint-Louis — see our guide to the French canals.

Weather: the mistral

The mistral is a strong, cold north-westerly that blows down the Rhône valley into the Gulf of Lion and along the coast towards Toulon and the Îles d’Hyères. It can reach gale force on a clear, sunny day and often lasts several days, with a short, steep sea offshore. East of Toulon the coast is more sheltered, but easterly winds and swell can make some harbour entrances uncomfortable. April–June and September–October are the best months for a delivery; in July and August the problem is less the weather than finding a berth. Read more in our guide to Mediterranean winds.

Anchoring rules along the French coast

Large meadows of protected posidonia seagrass grow along the Riviera between the shore and around 25 metres depth. Under rules from the Préfecture maritime de la Méditerranée, yachts over 24 metres may not anchor in the designated seagrass zones, and smaller yachts are also expected to anchor on sand. Several areas have official mooring buoys. On a delivery, we plan overnight stops in marinas or on confirmed moorings.

Berths, boat shows and timing

Berths along the Riviera are in high demand from June to August and during the September boat shows in Cannes and Monaco. A delivery arriving in this period needs a confirmed berth — ideally booked well before departure. Arriving in May or after the shows usually makes things easier and cheaper.

Paperwork in France

• EU and Monaco: no customs clearance is needed for yachts arriving from another EU country. Monaco is not in the EU but is part of the EU customs territory through France.
• Non-EU yachts: yachts arriving from outside the EU, such as from the UK or Turkey, clear customs at their first French port.
• Skipper licence: the skipper must hold a licence recognised in France for the yacht; for many flags, the ICC is accepted.
• Insurance and documents: registration, proof of ownership or authorisation, VAT status and insurance. See our delivery insurance checklist.

Yacht delivery to the Côte d’Azur with Nordic Crew Worldwide

Our Scandinavian captains deliver sailing yachts, motor yachts and catamarans to and from Antibes, Cannes, Saint-Tropez, Nice, Monaco and the refit yards around Toulon and La Ciotat. We time the crossing around the mistral and arrange the berth with you before departure. All deliveries are covered by our own professional skipper insurance. Request a quote for a delivery to the French Riviera — or read about our services en français.

Related guides

• Mediterranean yacht delivery routes
• New yacht delivery from the shipyard
• What a yacht delivery costs

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• SuperyachtNews — Superyachts no longer able to anchor in seagrass
• Préfecture maritime de la Méditerranée
• Mistral (wind)

Turkey’s south-west coast — from Bodrum and Marmaris to Göcek, Fethiye and Antalya — is one of the Mediterranean’s great cruising grounds, with large marinas, competitive yard prices and a long season. Many European owners keep their yachts there, and many yachts are bought, built or refitted there. That makes Turkey a frequent start and end point for deliveries to Greece, the rest of the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.

Routes to and from Turkey

Via the Greek islands

The shortest route between Turkey and the rest of Europe runs through the Dodecanese and the Aegean. Greek islands such as Rhodes, Kos and Symi are only a few miles off the Turkish coast. Every crossing between the two countries is an international border crossing, so the yacht clears out of one country and into the other each time. Our Greece delivery guide covers the Greek side, including the TEPAI cruising tax.

To the western Mediterranean

Westbound yachts usually cross the Aegean, pass south of the Peloponnese or through the Corinth Canal, cross the Ionian Sea to Sicily and continue through the Strait of Messina or south of Sicily towards Sardinia, the Balearics and Gibraltar. From Marmaris to Málaga is roughly 1,700 nautical miles — about two to three weeks with stops.

To Northern Europe

A delivery from Turkey to Scandinavia, Germany or the UK continues from Gibraltar up the Atlantic coast and across the Bay of Biscay. See our Scandinavia–Mediterranean route guide for the northern legs.

Weather: the meltemi

In July and August, the meltemi blows from the north across the Aegean, often at 25–35 knots for days at a time. It makes northbound and westbound passages through the Aegean hard work, so we plan deliveries for May–June or September–October where possible. Along Turkey’s southern coast, summer winds are usually lighter, with afternoon sea breezes. Winter brings southerly gales and rain, but deliveries are possible with a flexible schedule. Read more in our guide to Mediterranean winds.

Entering Turkey: ports of entry and the transit log

• Port of entry: a foreign yacht must enter and leave Turkey only through an official port of entry. On the south-west coast these include Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye and Antalya.
• Transit log: the yacht registration form (transit log) is issued on arrival, usually electronically and often through a local agent. It records the yacht, the crew and the captain.
• Passport entry: customs records the yacht in the owner’s or captain’s passport, and the record is cancelled when the yacht leaves Turkey or is laid up in a marina.
• Visas: crew must meet Turkey’s visa rules for their nationality.
• Blue Card: in many areas, yachts must use the Blue Card system to record the pump-out of black water at approved stations. Discharging waste at sea brings heavy fines.

Leaving Turkey: VAT and EU customs

Because Turkey is outside the EU, VAT is the most important question for any delivery from Turkey into the EU. A yacht with EU VAT paid can normally return under returned goods relief if she has been outside the EU for less than three years. A yacht without EU VAT paid, or bought in Turkey, may have to pay import VAT on arrival or be placed under temporary admission if the owner lives outside the EU. We make sure the documents are in order before departure and clear customs at the first EU port. Our guide to buying a yacht abroad explains the VAT points to check.

Leaving a yacht in Turkey

A foreign owner can leave a yacht in a licensed Turkish marina while away, for maintenance or storage, under customs supervision. Rules on how long she can stay and how often she must be used apply, so check the current requirements with the marina before planning a longer stay. Read about choosing a winter berth in our guide to wintering in the Med.

Yacht delivery to and from Turkey with Nordic Crew Worldwide

Our Scandinavian captains deliver sailing yachts, motor yachts and catamarans between Turkey, Greece, the rest of the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. We plan the route around the meltemi, work with local agents on the clearance and check the VAT position with you before departure. All deliveries are covered by our own professional skipper insurance. Request a quote for a delivery to or from Turkey.

Related guides

• Charter yacht repositioning
• Yacht delivery handover checklist
• How long a delivery takes

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism — Entry and exit of foreign-flagged yachts
• Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism — Leaving yachts in Turkish marinas
• European Commission — Taxation and Customs Union

Italy is the world’s largest builder of superyachts and one of the biggest builders of production yachts, with yards from Liguria and Tuscany to the Marche and Emilia-Romagna. That makes it a very common starting point for new-yacht deliveries from the shipyard. With more than 7,000 kilometres of coastline, Sardinia, Sicily and hundreds of marinas, it is also one of the busiest cruising and charter areas in the Mediterranean.

The main delivery routes

The Ligurian and Tyrrhenian coast

From the French Riviera, the route runs past Sanremo, Genoa and La Spezia to Viareggio, the Tuscan islands and Rome, then on to Naples, the Amalfi coast and Calabria. There are marinas every 20–40 miles for most of the way, which makes this coast well suited to deliveries in shorter legs.

Across to Sardinia and Corsica

Yachts heading to Sardinia usually cross from the Tuscan coast or from the south of France. The Strait of Bonifacio between Corsica and Sardinia is a marine reserve, and the wind is funnelled through it — a strong westerly there can be much stronger than in the open sea on either side.

Through the Strait of Messina

The Strait of Messina links the Tyrrhenian and Ionian seas and is the key passage for yachts heading to Greece, Croatia or the Adriatic. It is less than two miles wide at its narrowest, with tidal currents that can run at several knots, local whirlpools and a constant stream of ferries between Messina and Villa San Giovanni. Ship traffic is monitored by a vessel traffic service, so we listen on VHF throughout the passage and time it with the current. The alternative, sailing around Sicily, adds well over a day.

The Adriatic coast

The Italian Adriatic coast, from Venice and the yards around Ravenna, Ancona and Pesaro down to Bari and Brindisi, is long and straight with fewer natural harbours. Many yachts built here cross directly to Croatia or Greece — see our guides to Croatia and Greece.

Weather around Italy

The mistral (maestrale) blows from the north-west down to Sardinia and the Strait of Bonifacio. The scirocco brings warm, humid south-easterlies and swell, the libeccio raises a heavy sea on the Ligurian and Tuscan coast, and in the Adriatic the bora can blow hard from the north-east. Summer brings thunderstorms and afternoon sea breezes, and July and August make marina berths hard to find. Read more in our guide to Mediterranean winds.

Paperwork for a yacht in Italy

• Skipper qualifications: the skipper must hold a licence recognised in Italy for the size and type of yacht.
• Third-party insurance: mandatory for motor yachts and most other recreational craft. Our delivery insurance checklist shows what to check.
• Foreign-flagged yachts of Italian residents: under a new rule in the Italian recreational boating code, foreign-flagged yachts up to 24 metres owned by Italian residents must carry proof of navigability — either a certificate from the flag state or an attestation from an Italian notified body.
• Marine protected areas: Italy has many marine reserves where anchoring, speed and navigation are restricted. We check the zones on the route before departure.

Yacht delivery in Italy with Nordic Crew Worldwide

Our Scandinavian captains deliver new and used sailing yachts, motor yachts and catamarans from Italian yards and marinas to the rest of the Mediterranean and Northern Europe — and from Northern Europe to Italy. All deliveries are covered by our own professional skipper insurance. Request a quote for a delivery to or from Italy — or read about our services in italiano.

Related guides

• Mediterranean yacht delivery routes
• Charter yacht repositioning
• How long a delivery takes
• Delivering a yacht to the Côte d’Azur
• Yacht delivery to Malta

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• Noonsite — Italy
• SuperyachtNews — Italy’s new foreign-flag rule
• Strait of Messina