For many British holidaymakers, travel is not just about escaping incessant rain and grey skies back home, but about enjoying new experiences (preferably in sunny conditions). With the UK’s extensive maritime history and love of the water, it’s no surprise that boating and yachting are favorite pastimes for Brits abroad. Chartering a boat allows British travelers to explore destinations from a unique and luxurious perspective.

Whether it’s basking in Mediterranean sunshine, island-hopping in the Caribbean, or cruising glamorous harbors, boating holidays appeal to the British love of exploration, socializing, and making the most of their time off.

About This Analysis

This article analyzes proprietary booking and demand data from Getmyboat, the world’s largest boat rental marketplace, examining the top destinations for boating experiences booked by travelers coming from the United Kingdom. We ranked the cities based on frequency by analyzing the demand and number of completed rentals. We also included data regarding the most popular style of watercraft, the number of boats available, and information about the local boating culture.

The Top Boating & Yachting Destinations for British Holidaymakers

1) Dubai, UAE

While many Brits are moving to Dubai to enjoy its favorable tax policies, they also love visiting the city in the Emirates for its effortless sunshine, sleek marinas, and big-boat energy. Dubai Harbour anchors the scene with roughly 700 berths and capacity for yachts up to 160 m, with boat-show buzz that regularly draws UK visitors.

The city welcomed 17.15 million overnight visitors in 2023 and 18.7 million in 2024, with the UK among the top international source markets. With pricing for yacht charters starting at a mere £100/hour, finding a luxury yacht, private day charter, or sunset cruise is easy and surprisingly affordable. In Dubai, families often opt for half-day motor yachts, while couples go for romantic and intimate private sunset and dinner sails.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Dubai is during its winter and early spring months—from November through March—when daytime highs are mild (around 20–30°C), skies are clear, and the city hums with events like the Dubai Shopping Festival and outdoor adventures like desert safaris and al-fresco dining. If you’re aiming for fewer crowds and better deals while still enjoying manageable heat, the shoulder seasons of April–May or September–October offer a warm but bearable climate with quieter attractions and lower prices

Yacht Charter Itinerary & Ideas for Dubai Holidays

  • Cruise around Palm Jumeirah and capture the Atlantis & Royal Atlantis skyline.
  • Circle the Burj Al Arab, Dubai’s sail-shaped icon.
  • Sunset or dinner cruises from Dubai Marina or Dubai Harbour.
  • Enjoy swimming stops off Jumeirah Beach or nearby sandbars.
  • Luxury yacht parties and corporate charters on superyachts.

2) Istanbul, Türkiye

A Bosphorus cruise is the signature Istanbul experience—gliding between Europe and Asia past Dolmabahçe and the Maiden’s Tower. Türkiye counted 56.7 million international arrivals in 2024, with Istanbul being a major gateway and the UK a key market for visitors. In Istanbul’s boating scene, you can expect everything from public ferries to private yachts and dinner cruises. Most visitors enjoy 2–3-hour Bosphorus circuits, Golden Horn add-ons, or private skippered boats timed for sunset.

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Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Istanbul is during the shoulder seasons—spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November)—when the weather is comfortably mild, tourist crowds are thinner, and cultural events like the Tulip Festival, Istanbul Biennial, and various arts festivals enrich the experience

Boat Tour Itinerary & Ideas for Istanbul Holidays

  • Bosphorus cruise past Dolmabahçe Palace, Rumeli Fortress, and Maiden’s Tower.
  • Cross between Europe and Asia by boat in a single outing.
  • Private sunset sail with views of mosques silhouetted against the skyline.
  • Excursions up the Golden Horn for quieter waters and historic neighborhoods.
  • Dining cruises with traditional Turkish music and food.

3) Miami, USA

With warm water most of the year, Miami is built for boating. You can explore Biscayne Bay sandbars, skyline loops, and snorkel stops at various islands like Pace Picnic Island or Raccoon Island. Miami-Dade lists 4,579 wet slips across public marinas alone, and Florida remains the US leader in registered vessels. In Miami, half-day (4-hour) captained bowriders and motor yachts are the top choice for groups, while pontoons are also available and often are budget-friendly.

The shoulder season and winter months bring peak demand to Miami and South Florida, with over 150 flights per week departing from London heading to the 305. Getmyboat has hundreds of available boat rentals and charters in Miami, so you’ll have no shortage of options to choose from.

Miami

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Miami is during the warm, dry winter and early spring months—December through April—when the skies are clear, humidity is low, and temperatures comfortably hover around 20°C. If you're aiming to enjoy great weather with fewer crowds and better deals, the shoulder season from March to May offers pleasant conditions and more affordable rates before the summer heat and humidity set in.

Boat Tour Itinerary & Ideas for a Miami Holiday

  • Anchor at Biscayne Bay sandbars (e.g., Nixon Sandbar, Haulover Sandbar).
  • Coastal runs toward Key Biscayne or Stiltsville’s historic stilt houses.
  • Snorkeling trips to nearby reefs and wrecks.
  • Sunset cruises along Miami Beach and the downtown skyline.
  • Celebrity-home spotting tours around Star Island and Millionaire’s Row.

4) Bodrum, Türkiye

Bodrum is the heart of the Turkish Riviera and the classic Blue Cruise on wooden gulets—easy, social, and scenic. It’s the launchpad for island-hopping coves and swim bays along the Gökova and Hisarönü gulfs. Here, daily private gulet charters (swim-lunch-swim), or 3–4-night mini-blue-voyages are ideal boating excursions if you can stretch the time.

Bodrum

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Bodrum is during the shoulder seasons of spring (April through June) and autumn (September through October), when the weather is pleasantly warm, the Aegean waters are inviting, and you’ll enjoy fewer crowds and better prices.

Boat Tour Itinerary & Ideas for Bodrum and the Turkish Riviera

  • Traditional Blue Cruise aboard a wooden gulet.
  • Swim and snorkel in the turquoise bays of the Gökova Gulf.
  • Visit nearby islands like Orak Island for crystal-clear water.
  • Combine sailing with ancient ruins visits along the coast.
  • Multi-day gulet charters with onboard dining and entertainment.

5) Marina del Rey, Los Angeles

North America’s largest man-made small-craft harbor—with about 4,600 slips—sits 15 minutes from LAX, making boat days an easy bolt-on to California trips. Expect dolphins on coastal runs toward Malibu and postcard sunset sails. In Marina del Rey, consider booking a skippered sailboat for golden-hour cruises, or small motor yachts for harbor-to-coast day trips.

Best Time to Visit

The best times to visit Los Angeles are during the spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) shoulder seasons, when the weather is mild, tourist crowds are lighter, and prices are generally more affordable.

Boat Tour Itinerary & Ideas for Marina Del Rey & Los Angeles

  • Harbor tours in North America’s largest man-made small-craft harbor.
  • Coastal cruises toward Santa Monica Pier or Malibu.
  • Dolphin and sea lion spotting in the Pacific.
  • Sunset sailing with Pacific views of the LA skyline.
  • Whale-watching excursions (seasonal).

6) Nassau, The Bahamas

Nassau is the UK’s winter-sun favorite for day trips to the Exumas (think Thunderball Grotto and—yes—those famous swimming pigs). The Bahamas set record visitor totals in 2024, and Nassau’s marinas make it simple to hop on a shared speedboat or private charter. Here, the most popular excursions are full-day fast boats to the Exumas (snorkel + pigs + nurse sharks) or half-day Nassau reef/snorkel loops.

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Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Nassau is during the dry season from mid-December to mid-April, when sunny skies, minimal rainfall, and comfortable temperatures make for perfect beach days, island exploration, and festive events like the vibrant Junkanoo parades.

Boat Tour Itinerary & Ideas for Nassau

  • Full-day speedboat tours to the Exuma Cays (swimming pigs, nurse sharks, Thunderball Grotto).
  • Reef snorkeling trips around Rose Island or Nassau reefs.
  • Beach-hopping boat tours with BBQ stops.
  • Luxury yacht charters to nearby private islands.
  • Fishing charters (tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo).

7) Cancún, Mexico

Calm Caribbean water, predictable weather, and short runs to Isla Mujeres make Cancún a UK crowd-pleaser. The state of Quintana Roo reported record tourism in 2024, which translates into plentiful charter options—from catamarans to snorkeling skiffs. Here, consider a shared or private catamaran to Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres or book a snorkeling trip to MUSA (the underwater sculpture museum) and nearby reefs.

Cancun

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Cancún is between December and April, when warm ocean breezes, minimal rain, and clear skies make for ideal beach conditions. If you're looking to avoid the crowds and enjoy better prices, consider the shoulder seasons in April–May or November, which offer pleasant weather and fewer tourists.

Boat Tour Itinerary & Ideas for Cancún

  • Catamaran trips to Isla Mujeres (Playa Norte beach + snorkeling).
  • Visit the MUSA Underwater Museum of Art by boat.
  • Reef snorkeling at Punta Nizuc and nearby coral systems.
  • Sunset sailing cruises on the Caribbean side.
  • Private yacht charters for day trips along the Riviera Maya coast.

8) Lake Como, Italy

Completely different vibe—alpine scenery, elegant villas, and glassy morning water that’s ideal for self-drive boats or skippered RIBs. The official Navigazione Laghi ferry web of routes makes hop-on, hop-off lake days easy, even before or after a private rental. For independent boats, consider 2-hour self-drive boats (no licence needed for small engines), or for a more guided experience, a classic-style yacht tours with a captain and guide for photo stops at Varenna and Villa del Balbianello.

Lake Como

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Lake Como is from late spring to early fall (May through September), when the weather is warm, the lake is perfect for boating and swimming, and the villages come alive with festivals and outdoor dining. July and August are the busiest months, while May, June, and September offer a more relaxed atmosphere with equally stunning scenery.

Boat Tour Itinerary & Ideas for Lake Como

  • Self-drive boat rentals to explore Varenna, Bellagio, and Menaggio.
  • Skippered luxury runabouts to Villa del Balbianello (film-famous).
  • Scenic morning cruises with alpine views and glassy water.
  • Hop-on, hop-off ferry loops across historic lake villages.
  • Photography-focused charters for villas, gardens, and mountainscapes.

How the UK is Travelling Now

  • Most Brits are still taking holidays—and more of them. In the 12 months to summer 2024, 84% of UK adults took a holiday; the average trips per person hit 3.94, up from 3.42 the prior year (with 1.7 trips abroad on average).
  • Booking with experts is back. 38% booked an overseas holiday with a travel professional (agent/tour operator)—a rise on last year—primarily for support if things go wrong and to save time. This aligns with the resurgence of package holidays amid cost-of-living pressures.
  • Upscaling stays. ABTA reports 35%of people who went abroad stayed in five-star accommodation (up from 30% the year before), with Gen Z leading the shift to luxe. That tallies with the ongoing appetite for “big-ticket” experiences like yacht days.
  • Long-haul is rising. More than a third of UK travellers (34.2%) say they’re planning long-haul trips beyond Europe/North America—supporting choices like Dubai and Miami for winter sun and boat-friendly weather.

For British travellers, yacht charters and boating excursions are becoming the centrepiece, not a side quest. Dubai and Miami deliver winter-sun superyacht vibes; Istanbul and Bodrum layer culture onto coastlines while Nassau and Cancún add warm-water, reef-rich adventure. UK travel patterns—more trips per person, greater use of travel pros, and a shift to five-star—all point to higher demand for curated boating experiences in exactly these places.