Boating locations: Spanish Costa Brava

The Costa Brava (italian for "Nice Coast") is a coastal region in the northeast of Catalonia, Spain. Developed by Franco from the 1950's as a holiday resort for visitors from Northern Europe, its warm seas, golden beaches, petite villages and beautiful coastal scape is what so many people have come to recognize as one of the nicest sunny resorts there is.

Although much of the Costa Brava is recognised as a tourist-packed venue, other more secluded regions take the "hidden gem" look, which tends to attract the more steady, camera wielding holidaymakers.

Girona Airport is the Most commonly flown-to base for those who fly to spain, however it can also be reached from Barcelona.

Calm Seas, gentle breezes and beautiful everything make the Costa Brava an ideal yachting resort for everyone! This hub will be providing information regarding this location, along with tips and ideas!

Most towns along the Costa Brava host a Yacht Chartering centre, due to the popularity of yachting in these beautiful waters. Even villages, such as Palamos, rent boats.

The largest resort in the along the Costa Brava is Llorete de Mar, whose population often reaches upwards of 200'000 during the tourist season. It in fact offers just about every kind of water sport imaginable along its 10-kilometre stretch of coastline. Whether you want to be on the water, in it, above it, under it or beside it you'll find a way to do it here!

To the north east of Lloret you'll find Canyelles Beach with its yacht marina and plenty of bars, shops and restaurants. Roller blading and water skiing are available here. Canyelles is, however, a much smaller resort than Lloret de Mar, in some ways a petite bay. The yachting marina is located on the southern side of the beach.

Continue north and you will arrive at the beautiful town of Platja d'Aro, renowned for its golden beaches and unrivalled hotels. It has a enormous natural port, nowadays stuffed with yachts, and is just 35km from Girona Airport.

The beaches along the stunning coast of Catalonia had always served as Sunday leisure spots for locals, and occasional visitors from neighbouring villages, up until after the first world war.

After world tourism kicked off, Costa Brava remained relatively unknown to it.

Around the 1950s more options for tourism became available, with the sea and the sun drawing increasing numbers of people, and together with the overcrowding of other locations such as Cote d’Azur, Costa Brava found appeal with the occaisional holiday maker.

The Spanish government identified the area as an ideal spot fot package holiday resorts from northern Europe. The combination of a wonderful climate, a rich natural surrounding, outstanding beaches and a very favourable exchange rate, fishing was joined by tourism as the area’s main asset.

Small Costa Brava towns such as Cadaques, which closely borders France and at the foothills of the Pyrenees, attracting many artists to paint the area, such as Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso and Joan Miro.

Yacht Chartering companies provide a chartering (renting) service of a sail, motor or hybrid yacht for a journey to harbour destination. These type of companies exist all over the world, most commonly in the kind of locations that you'd love to go on holiday to. Besides.. who wants to hire a yacht in Antarctica, when you can sun bathe out at sea in the sunny Spanish Riviera?

It is important to understand the two different variants of yacht chartering: Bareboat, and Crewed. If a Bareboat charter is chosen, the voyageur must skipper and control the yacht themselves. Crewed is usually the more expensive option, and involves one or more professional sailors controlling the yacht in service of the voyageur. Of course, Bareboat and Crewed holidays are very different: the former being a semi-working holiday, the latter being for those who just want to do nothing but relax.

If you've no clue how to drive and manage a boat out at sea, I'm sure you'd agree that the Crewed service would be more suitable to your needs. However, if you already have your own boat and just fancy a trip on a bigger, better and different boat or yacht - if you can prove it to the chartering companies you can take the helm and operate these excellent water wading, luxury living - glorious water fortress'.

If it's simply weather reasons you want to escape to the Costa Brava region, you'll undoubtedly pick the Summer. With that said, this is Spain - famed for it's glorious warm and pleasant weather. So year round, you'll enjoy some beating sunshine. If you are not bound by school holiday, months such as May, June and September are excellent choices, as you'll enjoy the weather benefits and lower hotel rates - and yacht chartering rates, while avoiding the visitor buzz that comes with the months of July and August!

If you are motivated to get that lovely tan in the sizzling heat, while enjoying a cocktail poolside - summer is your best bet. The peak months are relatively busy but are still not over run - so you can still enjoy relatively quiet beaches. Should you do some exploring for other secluded beaches as mentioned next, you'll have no issues going at Summer time.

February through to April and October and November, the weather is normally pleasant - with the off chance you catch some autumn rains - but usually doesn't last for very long.

If you enjoy the thought of wandering over sandy beaches amidst clear blue Meditteranean waters away from the tousty crowds, head for a stretch of land between Pals beach and Palamos. You'll find the walled town of Begur - a maze like town with cobbled streets, located at the top of a hill with historic roots from the medieval ages. Inside this pleasant town you'll find some divine places to grab some fresh food, pick up some real local souvenirs and experience Spanish culture away from the masses.

From here, you'll see a wonderful scene that sees beaches and seas which when combined with the glazing sun will give you the ultimate holiday vibes. There are a number of similar places that can offer you similar experiences across Costa Brava - and if you have chartered a yacht, you'll be able to explore and find them for yourselves. Who knows, you might find an undiscovered bay that lays completely out of the way of any other tourists.

There is no doubt you'll find some of the most romantic, gorgeous and unspoilt stretches of beach around many corners, with the facilities and restaurants to match - ensuring you have the ultimate holiday!

The combined combination of freedom and accomplishment while cruising through the waters of a beautiful foreign country just doesn't come like this. Those that get a taste for yacht charter holiday then do it time and time again, as a simple hotel room just doesn't cut the mustard.

People often worry that they'll be cramped on a boat, but the word from many friends is that this is the complete opposite. The fact you are out at sea with your loved ones makes this experience magical and brings those on board closer.

Benefits of Yacht Charter on a Holiday

• Change your locations without packing and physically moving yourselves
• Learn brand new skills you'll remember for a lifetime
• See the world from a different point of view (offshore)
• Avoid those holiday crowds at hotels
• Relax knowing you're floating on tranquil Mediterranean waters with use of water toys
• Learn all about the region without a big touristy club tour that drags you round their business partners excursions

As with any fascinating topic, it's always great to share one another experiences when it comes to unique adventures. Yacht and boat holidays are not your typical vacation - and so those with experiences, may it be a whole vacation or just a day or two out on a boat please share your experiences via comment and let us know if you'd recommend it.

Having spent a week yachting around the North West coast of Spain, I'd love to discuss and compare thoughts! I hope you've learnt lots and enjoyed reading this hub all about Costa Brava and yacht charter.