Ravello is one of the most evocative viewpoints on the Amalfi Coast, and arriving below it by sailing yacht, watching the village materialise on the cliffs above Atrani as you round Capo di Conca, is one of the finer coastal approaches in Mediterranean sailing. The Amalfi Coast produces reliable afternoon breezes through the summer months, funnelled by the deep valleys between the limestone headlands. A sailing charter using Ravello as its focal point anchors off Atrani or in the bay at Amalfi, tenders ashore for the road up to the village, then sails on to Positano or Capri. Charter sailing yachts based on the Amalfi Coast range from traditional 15-metre ketches to modern 24-metre sloops built for offshore performance as much as coastal cruising. The key attributes for this coast are a reliable engine for the calms before dawn, a good anchor windlass for the Positano and Amalfi roadsteads, and a crew who know the local anchorage restrictions during peak season. Weekly rates for sailing yacht charters on the Amalfi Coast start around 15,000 euros for a 15-metre vessel and reach 80,000 euros for a larger performance cruiser with modern equipment. Add 30 percent as the APA for berthing, fuel and provisions. June and September are the preferred sailing months.
