Yacht delivery from the Solent to the Mediterranean
Taking a boat south to the Med is one of the most popular deliveries we run, and one of the most asked-about routes on our instant estimator. Whether you're moving to a new home berth in Barcelona, Palma or Antibes, or getting the boat ready for a season of Mediterranean cruising, our skippers plan and sail the whole passage for you.
The route runs down the Channel, across the Bay of Biscay, along the Spanish and Portuguese Atlantic coast and in through the Strait of Gibraltar: around 1,350 to 1,900 miles depending on where you're heading.
Price guide
Typical estimates for this route from our instant estimate tool (October 2026). Prices cover your skipper and crew; crew travel, fuel and moorings en route are extra and agreed with you before anything is booked.
| Route | Distance | Sailing yacht | Motor yacht |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamble → Alicante | 1,346 nm | £4,350–£6,050about 12 days | £4,800–£6,700about 6 days |
| Hamble → Palma, Mallorca | 1,531 nm | £4,600–£6,450about 13 days | £5,650–£7,900about 7 days |
| Hamble → Barcelona | 1,579 nm | £4,900–£6,850about 14 days | £5,650–£7,900about 7 days |
| Hamble → Antibes | 1,872 nm | £5,500–£7,700about 16 days | £5,800–£8,100about 8 days |
The route
From the Solent we head west down the Channel, usually leaving from Falmouth or crossing from Ushant once the forecast gives a clear window for the Bay of Biscay. Biscay is the part of the trip that sets the timing: around 300 miles of open water that we only cross in a settled spell.
From Cape Finisterre the route follows the Galician and Portuguese coast south, round Cape St Vincent and along the Algarve to Gibraltar. Inside the Med we continue along the Spanish coast, or cut across to the Balearics or north to France, depending on your destination.
Typical stops
- Falmouth or Brest (waiting for the Biscay window)
- A Coruña or Baiona
- Lisbon / Cascais
- Lagos or Portimão
- Gibraltar (a popular fuel stop)
- Almerimar or Cartagena
When to go
Most owners want the boat in the Med for the start of the season, so April to June is the busiest time to go south. September and early October are also good, with warmer water and fewer gales than late autumn.
We avoid crossing Biscay in winter gales. If the weather isn't right we wait in port rather than push on: your boat and crew's safety come before the timetable, and we keep you updated throughout.
Good to know
- Motor yachts need fuel stops every few hundred miles, depending on range; we plan these in advance.
- We follow the latest guidance on orca interactions off Spain and Portugal and route accordingly.
- Since Brexit, a UK-registered boat staying in the EU is subject to the EU's temporary admission and VAT rules. It's worth checking your boat's VAT status before it leaves.
- You're welcome to join for a leg as an assisted passage, building confidence on your own boat.
Get your instant estimate
Enter your boat type and ports for a price range and passage time, then request a full quote.
Questions about this route
How long does a yacht delivery from the Solent to the Mediterranean take?
A sailing yacht typically takes 12 to 16 days at sea, a motor yacht 6 to 8 days plus fuel stops. Allow extra time for weather, especially the wait for a good window across the Bay of Biscay.
How much does it cost to deliver a yacht to the Med?
As a guide, delivering a yacht from the Solent to Spain, the Balearics or the South of France is around £4,350 to £8,100 in skipper and crew time, depending on the destination and boat. Crew travel, fuel and moorings en route are extra and agreed before we book. Use the instant estimate for your exact ports.
When is the best time to take a boat from the UK to the Med?
April to June is the most popular time, getting the boat to the Med for the season. September is also good. We avoid crossing Biscay in winter.
Can I sail part of the delivery with the skipper?
Yes. Many owners join a leg, for example from Gibraltar into the Med. With our assisted passage service the skipper stays aboard and you learn the boat as you go.
Other popular routes
UK to Gibraltar and southern Spain 
UK to Croatia, Greece and the eastern Med 
Transatlantic: the Med, Canaries and the Caribbean See all our yacht delivery services or browse destinations.