Around the New Year · Christmas and New Year's Eve
Sailing over Christmas and New Year: sailing trips for the turn of the year
Christmas in an anchorage in the Caribbean, New Year's Eve in harbour with fireworks: around the turn of the year there are sailing trips in the Caribbean, the Canary Islands, Madeira and Thailand. Here you will find all the trips taking place between mid-December and early January.
Updated: 9 November 2026 · Editorial team toernfinder.de
from 27 providers compared
The essentials at a glance
Season
Mid-December to early January
Duration
Usually one or two weeks
Most common departure ports
Sukosan, Phuket, Le Marin, Quinta do Lorde and Capo d Orlando
Requirements
No sailing licence required
Week-long trip per person
usually 670–1,350 €
Current sailing trips over Christmas and New Year
Here you can see all trips that start on 17 December at the earliest and end on 8 January at the latest. Your enquiry goes directly to the provider.
Where can you sail over Christmas and New Year?
In winter, people sail mainly where it is warm. Most trips around the New Year take place in the Caribbean and on the Atlantic islands, with a few in the Mediterranean.
Caribbean
around 28 degrees
Martinique, St. Lucia and the Grenadines. The main season begins in December, and the trade wind is often blowing strongly then.
Cabin Charter in the Caribbean →Canary Islands
around 20 degrees
Mild and only a little over four hours' flight away. You sail between Tenerife, La Gomera and Gran Canaria.
Cabin charter in the Canary Islands →Madeira
around 19 degrees
On New Year's Eve, Funchal puts on one of the biggest firework displays in the world. You get the best view from the water.
Cabin charter on Madeira →Thailand
Dry season
In December, the Andaman Sea off Phuket is at its best for sailing, with calm weather and warm water.
Cabin charter in Thailand →Croatia
cool, quiet harbours
In winter there are only a few trips, often sail training. It is cool, but the harbours are empty and prices are lower.
Cabin charter in Croatia →Italy
Sicily and the South
Some sailing trips start over the turn of the year in Sicily. In the south of Italy, winters are milder than in the Adriatic.
Cabin Charter in Italy →How do you celebrate Christmas and New Year's Eve on board?
Each crew plans this for itself. Often the crew cooks together on board on Christmas Eve or goes out for dinner in the harbour. On New Year's Eve, the yacht is usually in a harbour or a bay from which you can watch the fireworks.
- Christmas: Many providers plan a festive meal. Small presents and decorations for the crew also fit easily into your kit bag.
- New Year's Eve: Many harbours put on a fireworks display. From the water you often get the best view, and it's only a short walk to your bunk.
- New Year's Day: The first day of the year is usually a relaxed day of sailing, or a day at anchor with a swim.
It's best to check with the provider in advance exactly what is planned. Some sailing trips are expressly advertised as Christmas or New Year's Eve trips.
What should you look out for on a sailing trip over the turn of the year?
Book early. Bunks over Christmas and New Year's Eve are in demand, and flights to the Caribbean and the Canary Islands are at their most expensive around the holidays.
- Plan your flight so that you arrive the day before the trip starts. Flights are often full around the holidays.
- In the Caribbean, the trade wind often blows more strongly around the turn of the year. Sailors call it the Christmas Winds.
- For sailing trips to the Grenadines, St. Lucia or Thailand, you need a passport.
- The onboard kitty can be higher over the holidays if the crew celebrates in restaurants.
How much does a sailing trip over Christmas and New Year's Eve cost?
Most common are week-long trips, usually 670–1,350 € per person. Prices depend heavily on the sailing area: the Caribbean is the most expensive, the Mediterranean the cheapest.
| Trip duration | Price per person (usually) | per day | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7–9 days, week-long trip | 670–1,350 € | around 100 € | 42 |
| 10–15 days | 1,700–2,650 € | around 140 € | 21 |
| Week-long trip on a traditional vessel | 3,600–4,000 € | around 480 € | 6 |
"Usually" means: the middle half of all offers falls within this range; the cheapest and most expensive quarters are not included. Click on the duration to see the corresponding trips.
On top of the trip price come travel costs and usually the ship's kitty for food, harbour fees and diesel. The box shows what typically belongs in it.
What's included in the price and what goes into the crew kitty
Included in the trip price
- Your bunk on board
- The vessel
- The skipper
Usually via the crew kitty
- Food
- Hafengeld
- Diesel
Usually around 150–300 € per person per week, depending on what the group agrees, for example whether restaurant visits are included. On some boats, meals are already included in the price.
It is best to clarify in advance with the provider exactly what is included.
Countries with the most trips
With the usual weekly price and the next departure. Each card shows the matching trips there.
Martinique
12 trips
next departure 19.12.2026
week from 1,300 € per person
Show trips →Spain
11 trips
next departure 18.12.2026
week usually 770–830 € per person
Show trips →Portugal
9 trips
next departure 18.12.2026
week usually 630–780 € per person
Show trips →Popular trip types
Besides classic crew trips, these trip types are offered most often here.
Sail training
3 trips
Learn to sail on board, from the basics to the exam trip.
next departure 20.12.2026
week from 780 € per person
Show trips →Mileage-building
3 trips
Long passages with night sailing, many miles in a short time.
next departure 19.12.2026
week from 700 € per person
Show trips →Event sailing
1 trip
By ship to Hanse Sail, Kiel Week and other harbour festivals.
next departure 28.12.2026
week from 700 € per person
Show trips →Frequently asked questions about sailing over Christmas and New Year's Eve
Short answers to the questions that come up most often before a sailing trip over the turn of the year.
Where can you sail over New Year's Eve?
Mainly in the Caribbean, the Canary Islands, Madeira and Thailand. In the Mediterranean there are only a few trips at the turn of the year, for example in Croatia and Sicily.
Which trips does this page show?
All sailing trips on Törnfinder that start on 17 December at the earliest and end on 8 January at the latest. You can find longer trips, such as Atlantic crossings over the holidays, in the trip list under the date range.
How do you celebrate New Year's Eve on a sailing boat?
Usually the yacht lies in a harbour or a bay with a view of the fireworks. The crew cooks together or goes ashore for dinner. It is best to check with the provider in advance what is planned.
What does a sailing trip over New Year's Eve cost?
Most common are week-long trips, usually 670–1,350 € per person. On top of that come flights and the onboard kitty. Flights are expensive around the holidays, so it pays to book early.
Is it warm in the Caribbean in December?
Yes. In December the air temperature is around 28 degrees and the water is about 27 degrees. The trade wind blows steadily and often strongly.
Do I need a sailing licence?
No. On a cabin charter, the skipper runs the boat. You book a berth and sail as part of the crew.
Find your sailing trip for the turn of the year
In the trip list you can set the dates yourself and filter by sailing area and duration.