Guide
A day, a few days or a week on board? How to choose the right length
Day trip, short stay or week: what each length offers, which boat suits it, why many boats run Saturday to Saturday and how to find the right dates.
By Go2Boat · updated October 24, 2026
How long you want to be on board decides more than the budget: it determines the boat, the area and the whole holiday. A day on a motorboat is an outing. A week on a sailboat is a journey. In between there are short dates of two to five days, which many guests underestimate.
The day trip
A day on the water fits well into a holiday on land: cast off in the morning, see bays and islands, swim, back in the evening. Motorboats and RIBs suit this best, because they cover a lot of ground quickly. Typical day destinations are islands off the coast: Tavolara from Golfo Aranci, Capri from Sorrento, the Îles de Lérins from Cannes, the bays west of Palma. Our day-trip ideas show routes and times.
Important for a day trip: it depends on the weather of that one day. Ask the provider what happens if the wind is not right on your day.
Two to five days
Short dates combine the best of both: you sleep on board, wake up in a bay and still have time for the land. They suit couples, a first try on board or areas with short distances. Not every provider offers short dates; many do so mainly in the shoulder season.
The week
The classic length for time on board. In a week you have time for a loop around an area, for a day in harbour in bad weather and for the bays you never reach by car. Many boats are offered Saturday to Saturday, because the provider hands over and takes back all their boats on Saturday.
How to find the right dates
On Go2Boat you choose your dates freely in the calendar: departure, then return. We check them against the providers' real dates. You always book exactly one date as the provider offers it – never assembled from several. If your period does not fit, we tell you why and show suitable alternatives. For longer periods you can send a request to our office.
Which length suits you?
- One day: if you are staying on land and want to see the sea from the water.
- Two to five days: if you want to try life on board or discover a small area.
- A week: if the boat is your holiday.
Frequently asked questions
Why do so many boats run Saturday to Saturday?
Because many providers hand over and take back their boats on a fixed day of the week. Shorter dates are shown in each boat's free dates if the provider offers them.
Can I combine two short dates into a long one?
No, you always book exactly one of the provider's dates. For longer periods send a request to our office.
Do I need a licence for a day trip?
It depends on the boat and the country. Many small boats can be driven near the coast without a licence; what applies is shown on the boat.
Sources
- Route idea: Boat trip from Golfo Aranci: Tavolara and Molara
- Route idea: Boat trip from Sorrento: Capri and Positano
Authorities' rules can change. What the linked body and your provider on site say is what counts.
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