Where to Sail in April 2025

22 October 2024 7 min

If you’re looking to book a sailing holiday and happen to have some annual leave in April, we’re happy to let you know that April is a fantastic time to take to the seas. It’s the beginning of spring – the temperature is rising, waters are warming up, and sailing conditions are stabilising. In this blog, we will introduce you to a few of the best places to sail in April.

Where to Sail in April, At a Glance

If you’re looking to take a sailing holiday in April, five of our favourite destinations are:

Grenada
The Bahamas
Croatia
Antigua
Greece

In all five spots, you get the slightly milder weather of off-season sailing but the stable winds and warm waters of on-season sailing. You can also time your holidays perfectly with unmissable seasonal events like Antigua’s April regatta or Greece’s Easter celebrations.

The Best Places to Sail in April

The Caribbean and the Mediterranean are the best places to sail in April.

But why?

April marks the end of sailing season in the Caribbean; you get the best of their sailing conditions (dry sunny weather and stabilised winds) without quite as many crowds. April also signals the beginning of the Mediterranean sailing season – the weather is sunnier, the waters are warming up to temperatures of 20-25°C, and the marinas are coming back to life.

For both the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, April is in the shoulder season, so there are also many discounts available on flights and yacht charters, especially if you avoid half term. What’s not to love?

Read on to learn why our five Caribbean and Mediterranean destinations are so perfectly suited to April sailing.

5. Grenada

Perfect for: Foodies

With a long colonial history of producing spices and chocolate, and an incredible food landscape with dozens of life-changing dishes, Grenada is the perfect place to go in April if you really love food.

Why is Grenada one of the best places to sail in April specifically?

The temperatures are glorious. Grenada sits between 20-30° in April, perfect temperatures for beachgoing, sunbathing and swimming (discover the Best Beaches in Grenada if this sounds right to you).
The April winds are stable. There are plenty of ocean breezes in April to aid you in sailing, blowing consistently in a northeasterly direction. You couldn’t ask for better cruising conditions.
April falls firmly in the dry season. The Caribbean’s rainy season doesn’t start until June – Grenada is still firmly in the dry season in April, so you’re unlikely to get caught in the rain.
The colourful coral reefs are alive and thriving. This is a fantastic time of year to go snorkelling, as the currents are gentle and there is great underwater invisibility. If you enjoy fishing, you can also go deep-sea sport fishing and catch sailfish, tuna, kingfish, mackerel and so much more.

To get the best out of Grenada in April, we recommend experiencing the Spice Isle by taking a culinary tour – discover Traditional Grenada Food and Dishes, from succulent seafood dishes like Turtle Toes, to rich nutmeg ice creams. We also suggest going out to spot local wildlife like armadillos and mona monkeys. Learn more about Things to Do in Grenada.

Does this sound like the perfect April getaway? Build your quote for Grenada now (or call us for pricing), and take a look at our Grenada Sailing Itinerary for more charter inspiration

4. The Bahamas

Perfect for: Unwinders

If you want a leisurely sailing holiday, April is one of the best times to sail in The Bahamas. With plenty of world-famous beaches and resorts to visit if so inclined, you can kick back and relax under incredible April sunshine.

Why are The Bahamas one of the best places for sailing in April?

It’s very affordable in April. We’re bordering on the end of the sailing season now, so the weather is still fantastic but excellent discounts on travel are starting to appear.
The sunny weather is perfect. Temperatures ranging from the early to high 20s, which makes beachgoing or just relaxing on deck an absolute dream.
There is lots of line-of-sight sailing. With stable trade winds blowing in from the East, too, the sailing conditions in The Bahamas are wonderful in April – navigate your way from Abacos to Nassau to Exuma with ease.
The seas are clear and warm. With great visibility, you can experience some of the best diving in the Caribbean here – with fabulous dive sites like Runaway Wall scattered across the islands, you could spend all your time in the water.

To make the most out of The Bahamas in April, there are many great beaches and harbours to stop by – visit the Glass Window Bridge, soak up the sunshine at Windward Point, or swim with pigs in No Name Cay. If you come with children, there are plenty of places to entertain them – drop by Aquaventure on Paradise Island, or Pirates of Nassau. This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Things to Do in Abacos and beyond.

White sand, turquoise waters, and nothing but time – if this sounds like the best April holiday for you, take a closer look at our sailing charter in Abacos and call us up for a personalised quote.

3. Croatia

Perfect for: Sightseers

Croatia is becoming more and more popular as a holiday destination for good reason – between the rich culture, incredible cuisine and gorgeous sweeping landscapes, you will never be bored or wanting in Croatia.

So, why is April one of the best times to sail in Croatia?

The weather is starting to warm up. Temperatures in April reach highs of 20°C in coastal areas, which is still on the cooler side, but with the wonderful Mediterranean sunshine it balances out perfectly.
There are 10 hours of daylight a day in April. You can really make the most of your charter, staying out on the water until late in the evenings, without it ever feeling like a race against the sun.
The stable winds help with sailing. The bora and sirocco winds blow across the Adriatic from October to April, offering pleasant moderate breezes of 9-10 knots to help sailors along. Are you looking to brush up on your sailing skills before taking on a yacht charter? Conveniently, one of our three sailing schools is based right here in Agana – it’s one of the best places to learn to sail, with gentle waters and plenty of line-of-sight navigation, and we recommend booking your space for April.
The best tourist attractions are uncrowded. Tourist attractions, from popular restaurants to sea caves to national parks, are open for business but without the on-season crowds of tourists. You can experience having some of the most beautiful and talked-about places in the world to yourself.

On that note, there are so many great things to do in Croatia in April. Explore the cities, from Dubrovnik to Split, near Agana. Then take the rural areas – with the waterfalls of Krka National Park, the town walls and soaring mountains in Ston, and the remote wineries available for tours and tastings, you can make every moment magical. To learn more, read our Dubrovnik Sailing Itinerary and Agana Sailing Itinerary.

If you’re also convinced that Croatia is one of the best places to sail in April, we offer charters in Dubrovnik and Agana that are bound to delight any sailor! Go island hopping in a state-of-the-art yacht and discover everything Croatia has to offer.

2. Antigua

Perfect for: Adventurers

Do you want a holiday full of excitement and new experiences? Antigua may be the perfect place to go – with all the natural beauty in the world and a rich, spirited culture to explore, this is a great place for thrill-seekers and people looking to get out of their shell.

Why is Antigua so good for sailing in April?

The best to sail in the Caribbean is December-April. Embarking on a spring charter in April allows you to take full advantage of the dry season but the marinas are far less crowded. Even on the off-chance you get caught in a few showers, rest assured that they will be short-lived and refreshing.
Enjoy consistent breezes for sailing. Antigua’s trade winds, which blow from the east or northeast, can reach speeds of 18–20 knots, creating stable weather conditions that are ideal for sailing.
The waters are warm and clear. If you see yourself spending a lot of time swimming in the sea, this is a great place to do it – Antigua features a lot of fantastic snorkelling and dive sites too, so whether you want to explore a pretty coral reef or dive down to a mysterious shipwreck, you’ll be doing in crystal-clear water.

To get the best out of April in Antigua, it’s absolutely essential that you get involved in Antigua Sailing Week – with competitive racing, boat shows, and lavish parties where rum flows like water, visiting this regatta is a rite of passage for sailors. After that, there are plenty of fun things to do in Antigua, from hiking up to Fort Barrington, to taking a Rainforest Canopy Tour, to hiring a kayak or windsurfing equipment and taking to the beach.

If you’re looking for a sailing holiday where the fun never stops, Antigua is your ideal sailing destination. Take a look at Antigua Sailing Itinerary for charter inspiration, or start building your quote now to plan the holiday of your dreams.

1. Greece

Perfect for: Historians

If history and culture are your biggest passions, then naturally a Greece sailing charter is right for you. The birthplace of art, mathematics, democracy and so much more offers a compelling experience for sailors looking to set out in April.

Why sail in Greece in April?

The weather is lovely and warm. Whether you sail off the coast of Corfu or go island hopping in the Aegean, you’ll experience highs of 20-25°, perfect for leisurely sailing or exploring on land.
The nights are cooler. Unlike the peak of summer, the nights are cool and pleasant, perfect for restful sleep.
It’s a great place, and time, for beginners to sail. With line-of-sight navigation and stronger prevailing winds In April than there are later in the season, this is definitely the best time to sail in Greece for easy and efficient sailing. This is also a fantastic place for beginners to learn – our sailing school in Lefkas offers lessons at every level of experience.

With over 6,000 islands to explore, inhabited and uninhabited, how can you get the best out of Greece in April? We suggest visiting sites of interest, like the ruins of the Acropolis of Athens and Aphaia’s Temple. You can also enjoy the wealth of museums in the city, and visit attractions like the Antikythera Mechanism to understand Greece’s deep cultural impact.

And the best reason to visit Greece in April, of course, is to enjoy the Easter celebrations – we recommend doing some research into the Easter events near your charter base. To learn more, take a look at our Greece yacht charters in Lefkas, Corfu, and Athens.

Sunsail have been offering life-changing bareboat, skippered and flotilla charters for over 50 years. Browse our destinations to find your next adventure.