Sail Panama.
The Charter Desk arranges bareboat, skippered and crewed yacht charters across the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, with live availability and a real person on the other end of every enquiry.
Panama · Bareboat.
Panama is two coasts and a canal, but for sailing you want the Caribbean side. The San Blas — Guna Yala to the people who live there — is a scatter of low coral islands off the north-east coast, most of them a few palms wide and ringed by reef. You anchor in clear water, snorkel off the boat, and buy fish and lobster from Guna families who paddle out in dugout ulus. There is no development to speak of, no marinas in the islands, and no phone signal on most cays. That is the appeal.
Sailing it yourself — licences, navigation and anchorages
Bareboat means you skipper. You'll need a recognised licence (ICC + VHF, RYA Day Skipper or ASA 104+) and a confident hand aboard — if no one on the crew is qualified, take the same yacht skippered and our captain drives.
We brief you on the local navigation: the channels and headlands that funnel the wind, where to anchor versus take a mooring, provisioning ports, and the best first-timer route versus the longer run for experienced crews.
Can I bareboat without a licence?
No. ICC, RYA Day Skipper or equivalent + VHF is required. If you don't have one, book skippered — same yacht, our captain drives.
What if something breaks?
Call the base. Minor stuff (a winch, a marker buoy) you fix yourself; major stuff (engine, rig, sail damage) the base handles. Damage deposit covers your-fault; insurance covers everything else.
Do I get a briefing?
Yes — 90-minute walkthrough on Saturday morning. Boat systems, chart pack, local rules. Bring all licensed skippers.
How much should I budget on top of the week-rate?
Plan for +25-40%. Damage deposit (refundable, ~€2,500), fuel (~€250), marina fees if you berth (€80-180/night), tourist tax (€2/person/night), food + drink. Frugal week +20%, luxe week +60%.
Can I one-way?
Sometimes — there's a one-way fee (€200-€600). Croatia and Greece have good one-way options; Caribbean rarely.