Destination comparison
Anguilla vs Spain / Balearic Islands
Two distinct sailing grounds — here's how they compare on conditions, cost, season, and who they suit.
Quick Comparison
| Dimension | Anguilla | Spain / Balearic Islands |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Caribbean | Mediterranean |
| Peak season | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr | Jun, Jul, Aug |
| Shoulder | Nov, May | May, Sep, Oct |
| Sailing difficulty | easy to moderate | easy to moderate |
| Recommended level | beginner friendly | beginner friendly |
| Avg wind (winter / summer) | 17 / 13 kn | 13 / 11 kn |
| Hurricane risk | Aug, Sep, Oct | None |
| Currency | XCD (pegged to USD) | EUR |
| Mid-tier price (7 days) | $11,500 | $9,000 |
| Luxury tier price | $45,000 | $36,000 |
| Detail page | View → | View → |
At a Glance
Quiet, family-friendly. Often skipped by American bareboat fleet who focus on BVI. Short hop from St Martin (5nm).
- • 2 base marinas
- • 4 must-visit anchorages
- • 31 boats in our fleet database for this region
Tramontana (N wind) in Mallorca summer. Best value is May and September. Formentera requires ferry hop from Ibiza. Protected north anchorages in Menorca.
- • 3 base marinas
- • 5 must-visit anchorages
- • 27 boats in our fleet database for this region
Sailing Conditions
Anguilla averages 17 knots in winter and 13 knots in summer. Hurricane risk runs Aug, Sep, Oct — outside these months the sailing is generally dependable.
Spain / Balearic Islands averages 13 knots in winter and 11 knots in summer. No hurricane season.
In terms of sailing difficulty, Anguilla is generally rated easy to moderate and Spain / Balearic Islands is easy to moderate. They're at the same level — your decision will hinge on route and vibe, not on whether you can handle the conditions.
Cost Comparison
For a 7-day charter of a typical 45-ft catamaran (4 cabins, sleeps 8):
- Low season: $4,500
- Mid season: $11,500
- High season: $22,000
- Luxury / crewed peak: $45,000+
- Low season: $3,500
- Mid season: $9,000
- High season: $18,000
- Luxury / crewed peak: $36,000+
Bareboat base rates. Crewed typically adds ~$1,500/day (captain + hostess). Prices exclude fuel, provisioning, mooring fees, gratuity.
Anchorages & Must-Do
- Shoal Bay — Often voted world's best beach
- Mead's Bay — Calm; long beach
- Prickly Pear Cays — Day trip; BBQ lunch
- Rendezvous Bay — Anchorage; mellow
- Formentera — Caribbean-of-Med; turquoise water
- Cala Macarelleta, Menorca — Best Menorcan cove
- Es Vedrà, Ibiza — Mythic rock; sunset
- Cala Deià, Mallorca — Tramuntana coast; celeb favorite
- Sa Dragonera Channel — Dramatic scenery
Which Should You Choose?
Both work for first-timers. The default choice for the industry is BVI; choose that unless you have specific reasons to prefer Anguilla or Spain / Balearic Islands.
Choose Anguilla. Warmer water year-round (often 75–85°F), palm-fringed anchorages.
Choose Spain / Balearic Islands. Mediterranean culture, history, cuisine, wines.
Timing and Budget: Anguilla vs Spain / Balearic Islands
Frequently Asked Questions
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