Europe Island Hopping: How to See 5–7 Islands in One Week Without a Cruise

If you want to see 5–7 islands in Europe in a single week, you have four main options: shared yacht flotillas, private charters, small-ship cruises, or ferry hopping between islands. Each comes with different costs and flexibility. You also deal with a variety of fellow travellers.

Yacht Week offers yacht flotillas that travel established routes in Croatia, Sicily, and Greece. A licensed skipper sails and you get to experience a week living in a 50 ft yacht. Island hopping, coastal town visits, raft-ups, swim stops, regattas, and parties are planned into your 7-day trip, and, yes, this includes 5-7 European islands. 

Let’s get into this, and your other Europe island hopping options.

Your Island Hopping Options

First of all, if you're island hopping in Europe, the best time to go is between May and September. Solo or group, you can join a yacht flotilla and stay aboard a catamaran or monohull for a week. This costs anywhere between €900–€2,500 per person, depending on the yacht package and route.

Your other options include private charters, small ship cruises, and ferries.

Small Ship Cruise and Private Charter

If you prioritise stability and a fixed schedule, the small-ship cruise and private charter offer two different versions of luxury. 

With small ships (40–150 passengers), you get a sea-stable vessel accommodation that’s comfortable and perfect for couples. This ranges between €1,200–€3,000. The downside is that you only sail set routes and have typically little swim time.

A private charter is more flexible but costs more steeply. Somewhere between €1,800–€4,000+.  For this one, you need to plan ahead and decide where your boat will go.

Land-Based Ferry Companies

On a tight budget, the best option is to stay on land and then just travel around by ferry. This can cost somewhere between  €700 and €1,800. 

Rather than sleeping on the water, you stay in hotels and use local ferries to move between 3–5 islands. There’s freedom here but with significant trade-offs: you will lose more time to transit logistics and miss out on the secluded bays and "off-the-boat" swim stops.

Format	Islands in 7 days	Flexibility	Social vibe	Sea conditions	Typical cost per person	Best for	Trade-offs
Shared-yacht flotilla (skippered)	5–7	High (daily swim stops, small harbors)	High (meet other crews; raft socials)	Calm–moderate (route-dependent)	€900–€2,500	6–12 friends, solos/couples (cabin share)	Smaller cabins; light provisioning chores
Small-ship cruise (40–150 pax)	4–6	Medium (fixed itinerary)	Medium (bigger group, less intimate)	Very stable	€1,200–€3,000	Comfort-first couples/groups	Less swim-time; set schedule
Private charter (with skipper)	5–7	Very high (custom route)	Variable (your group only)	Route-dependent	€1,800–€4,000+	Privacy-seeking groups	Higher total cost; more planning
Land-based ferry hop	3–5	Low–Medium (ferry timings)	Low–Medium (split between hotels)	N/A	€700–€1,800	Budget travelers	Transit time is high; fewer bays

How a Shared-Yacht Flotilla Works

You book either a full yacht (bring your crew) or a cabin share. A licensed skipper handles the yacht, mooring, and safety. 

On a typical day, you have breakfast aboard. A short sail to a swim bay follows. Then lunch and more water time. In the afternoon, you dock at the next harbour. Explore the community then it’s dinner and party time.

Costs at a Glance

Most guests spend €900–€2,500 per person depending on boat type, season week, and how many people share the yacht. 

On-trip “cash-kitty” items are split per yacht guest: 

• fuel (roughly €20–€40 pp)
• moorings/marinas (€40–€90 pp)
• food & drink (€120–€250 pp)
• incidentals (water taxis, ice). 

A full-yacht booking with up to 12 persons reduces per-person cost. Catamarans cost more but offer more space and stability.

Destinations

Yacht flotillas, like Yacht Week’s, travel several routes in Croatia, Greece, and Sicily. 

For instance, if you book the Croatia – Original route, you visit several islands, including Hvar, Brač, and Vis. Alternatively, if you opt for the Croatia – Balance route, you spend a couple days moored in Tisno for the indie techno music fest, before visiting islands within the Kornati National Park, as well as Mala Arta and Šibenik.

Greece routes include explorations of the Saronic Islands. For Sicily, you visit the Aeolian Islands, including Lipari and Stromboli. 

Is This Right For You?

It’s perfect if you want a social, scenic, one-week adventure that mixes bays, towns, and nights out. Solo travelers and couples can cabin-share. Full-yacht crews (6–12) get privacy and cost efficiency. 

Expect compact cabins, shared spaces, and light provisioning teamwork (shopping, simple prep). Basic swimming ability is recommended.

Motion varies by route and weather. If you get seasick, it might be a good idea to choose calmer routes like Greece.

FAQs

Do I need sailing experience? 

No. Your licensed skipper handles all navigation and mooring; you may be asked to help with simple lines/fenders.

How many islands can I see in a week? 

Typically 5–7, balancing 2–4 hours of sailing most days with a swim stop and an evening ashore.

How “party” is it? 

You can choose low-key or lively weeks/routes. Croatia tends to be more party-forward; Greece Saronic leans relaxed.

Will I get seasick? 

Pick calmer routes (shorter hops, more shelter), bring prevention, and sleep amidships if you worry about motion.

What’s included vs extra? 

Yacht, skipper, and planned route are included; fuel, select moorings, food & drink are split by the crew. Check each operator’s inclusion table before booking.