Boat hire in Ancona with or without a skipper

Ancona is an ideal boat charter base for exploring the central Adriatic, with or without a skipper. The fleet is made up mainly of monohull sailing yachts, starting at around €1,300/week in low season. From this port in the Marche region, you can hug the Riviera del Conero, reach the Tremiti Islands in a day's sailing or cross to Croatian Dalmatia (Split is about 125 nautical miles away). A city of art with a Greco-Roman past, Ancona combines heritage, beaches and unspoilt coves.

The types of boat to charter in Ancona

Depending on your budget and your sailing plan, several types of boat are available to you:

• Chartering a monohull sailing yacht is the most economical option, perfect for experienced sailors. The size of this boat makes it easier to enter coves and anchorages. What's more, the sensations of sailing a monohull, particularly the heel, are unique.
• Chartering a catamaran is the ideal choice for those who favour comfort and living space. Thanks to its great stability and spacious cabins, the catamaran is perfectly suited to a relaxed holiday, provided your budget allows.
• Chartering a motorboat is a practical option for day trips along the Marche coast, available by the half-day or full day.

The services offered for your boat charter in Ancona

Here are the various services we offer to charter a boat in Ancona:

• A bareboat charter: if a member of the crew has sailing experience, they can skipper the yacht. You'll have the boat to yourselves, allowing you to fully enjoy your cruise in Italy with friends or family.
• A skippered charter: this is the ideal solution if no one in your group is able to handle the boat or if you want a worry-free holiday. The professional skipper will take charge of the navigation and, thanks to their knowledge of the region, will guide you to the best spots to drop anchor.
• A crewed charter: this service is generally included for luxury boats over 20 metres. For a catamaran charter in Italy between 10 and 20 metres, it is offered as an option. A typical crew includes a captain, a cook and a hostess. They take care of the navigation, the cooking and the on-board service.
• A cabin charter, such as a catamaran cruise in Italy: you rent a cabin on a high-end, human-scale boat, shared with other passengers. A professional crew handles the navigation, meals and the on-board service. It's the perfect option if you're thinking of travelling as a couple or if you don't have the budget to charter the whole boat.

How much does a boat charter in Ancona cost?

A bareboat sailing yacht in Ancona costs from €1,300/week in low season (April, October) to €5,400/week in high season (July–August), depending on size.

The following table gives you an estimate of average prices for a boat charter in the Ancona area. Note that these rates can vary according to the season, availability, the type of model, the age of the boat and other factors.

For example, chartering a 3-cabin sailing yacht in Ancona costs around €2,300/week in June or September, compared with €3,600 in high season (July and August).

The price includes: the boat charter and the main on-board equipment (the sails, the crockery, the wifi, the dinghy, the bedding and the outboard motor).

The price does not include: insurance, harbour and mooring fees, the skipper, the hostess, cleaning (often included in a compulsory pack), extras (kayak, paddle…) and provisioning.

If you're interested in a yacht charter in Italy, we invite you to contact us directly to access our price list. Prices vary considerably depending on the yacht model, which is why the average price shown at the destination level is significantly higher than the sailing-yacht rates above. Lina, our crew and luxury boat expert, will be delighted to offer you the most attractive deals.

We recommend that you opt for our cancellation insurance when chartering a boat in Ancona. This insurance protects every member of the crew, unlike individual cancellation insurance or the cover offered by your bank card, which only covers the holder.

We also encourage our clients to take out damage waiver insurance. Even the most experienced sailors can encounter damage at sea. Thanks to this insurance, you'll be able to recover a large part of your deposit in the event of navigation-related damage.

Where to sail in Ancona?

Setting out from Ancona, you sail in the heart of the central Adriatic, between the Marche coast, unspoilt coves and towns steeped in history. The immediate proximity of the Riviera del Conero and the closely spaced stops along the coastline make it a versatile base, suitable both for a relaxed coastal cruise and for a more ambitious crossing to Dalmatia.

The must-see spots

Ancona's nearby jewel is the Riviera del Conero. At the foot of Monte Conero, white cliffs plunge into turquoise water. The bay of Portonovo shelters its Romanesque church and its Napoleonic fort, while the wild beach of Mezzavalle has to be earned by swimming or by dinghy.

Further south, the famous Spiaggia delle Due Sorelle, accessible only from the sea, ranks among the finest anchorages of the central Adriatic. Further south still lie the seaside villages of Sirolo and Numana.

Worth knowing before you drop anchor: the Conero coast is protected and the harbour master's order limits anchoring and navigation in summer to 300 metres from the shore in this area, with the surroundings of the Due Sorelle classified as a reserve. Check the order in force before anchoring. In these coves (Mezzavalle, Due Sorelle), also keep an eye on your draught, as the seabed rises quickly near the shore.

Heading north, you skirt the lively resorts of Senigallia and its "velvet beach", then Pesaro and the Romagna coast. To the south, the Marche and Abruzzo coast leads, for longer cruises, all the way to the protected archipelago of the Tremiti Islands, a true marine reserve off the Gargano.

The neighbouring departure ports

• Boat hire with skipper in Tuscany, north of Ancona, a charming town with a rich Roman heritage and a gateway to the Romagna coast.
• Pescara boat hire, further south, a practical starting point towards the Abruzzo coast and the Tremiti Islands.
• Rimini boat hire, on the Romagna riviera, renowned for its seaside atmosphere and its nightlife.

For experienced crews and charters of one to two weeks, Ancona is finally an excellent springboard to Croatia: count on around 125 nautical miles to Split, that is one night's sailing or a long day with a good wind. The crossing opens up access to the islands of Dalmatia. On this subject, discover boat hire in Croatia as well as our sailing itinerary between the Kornati and Dalmatia shared by our clients.

The sailing conditions in Ancona

The Adriatic Sea has three main winds. The Maestrale, from the north-west, is a regular thermal breeze that picks up in the afternoon in summer: it's the ideal wind for sailing along the coast. The Sirocco, from the south-east, is warm and humid and can raise a noticeable swell. Finally the Bora, from the north-east, is a cold and powerful wind, mainly present from autumn to spring; in summer it is rarer but can still appear in strong gusts.

In high season, conditions generally remain manageable, with calm mornings and an afternoon breeze. Ancona's position on a headland nevertheless makes it an area exposed to the wind. Keep an eye on the weather, particularly Bora warnings.

When to sail in Ancona?

In Ancona, the climate is Mediterranean with a continental influence, with hot, sunny summers and cool winters. It's an ideal climate to set off on a cruise from April to October. In summer, the air temperature ranges between 27 °C and 30 °C, and the water temperature is around 25 °C in July and August.

Here is an average of the temperatures recorded in recent years in Ancona:

June and September offer the best sailing conditions from Ancona: sea temperatures of 22–23 °C, reliable afternoon breezes and fewer crowds than the peak July–August season.

The documents required to charter a boat without a skipper in Ancona

In Italy, sailing beyond 6 nautical miles from the coast requires a boating licence. For a bareboat charter, plan for the following documents:

• A valid boating licence, the Italian patente nautica, compulsory beyond 6 nautical miles from the coast or with an engine of more than 40.8 kW (around 55 hp).
• An internationally recognised licence of the ICC type, accepted by charter companies.
• A restricted radiotelephone operator's certificate (SRC, Short Range Certificate) for the use of the VHF.
• A co-skipper on board, able to assist the person in charge (recommended).

As the exact conditions may vary depending on the boat and the sailing area, we invite you to confirm them with the base at the time of booking.

Useful information for your boat charter in Ancona

What language is spoken in Ancona?

The official language is Italian. In tourist areas and within the sailing bases, English is commonly spoken.

What currency should you use in Ancona?

The currency used in Italy is the Euro (€) since 1 January 2002.

How do you get to Ancona?

Ancona has its own airport, Marche Airport (AOI), located about twenty kilometres west of the city, in Falconara Marittima. The city is also very well served by train, on the main Adriatic line linking the north and south of Italy, as well as by the A14 motorway. Out of season, it is also possible to reach Ancona via a stopover in Bologna or Rome, followed by a train journey.

How do I finalise the booking of my boat in Ancona?

As soon as we receive your charter request, one of our advisers will call you to discuss your cruise project. Afterwards, they will send you boat suggestions by email. Once you have chosen the boat that suits you, you can pay a deposit via your client area to confirm the charter and reserve the boat.

What is the best one-week itinerary from Ancona?

A classic one-week itinerary from Ancona covers the Riviera del Conero (Portonovo, Sirolo, Numana), with optional extensions to the Tremiti Islands (approx. 70 NM south) or a crossing to Split, Croatia (125 NM). Allow 5–7 nights for a comfortable cruise.

What sailing licence do you need to charter a boat in Italy?

In Italy, sailing beyond 6 nautical miles from the coast requires the patente nautica (Italian boating licence) or an internationally recognised licence of the ICC type. Below this limit and with an engine of less than 40.8 kW (around 55 hp), the licence is not always compulsory, but charter companies require it in practice for a bareboat charter.

Can you reach Croatia by boat from Ancona?

Yes. Count on around 125 nautical miles to Split, that is one night's sailing or a long day with a good wind. This crossing of the Adriatic to Dalmatia is aimed at experienced sailors.