Running on Waves

Boutique Sailing at the Finest Scale

Running on Waves is a small-group sailing operation offering curated voyages for a maximum of twelve guests on a single elegant sailing yacht. The concept is positioned at the intersection of private yacht charter and organised cruise travel: guests share the vessel with a small group of like-minded travellers, with a professional crew handling all navigation, while the itinerary and pace remain genuinely flexible in a way that no larger ship can match.

We offer Running on Waves voyages to guests who want the experience of sailing on a privately staffed vessel without requiring an exclusive charter, and who value a small-group dynamic over the anonymity of a larger fleet.

The Vessel and Sailing Character

The yacht is a purpose-built ocean-going sailing vessel designed for comfort and long-distance passage-making. Guests have full access to the deck at all times: the cockpit, the bow, and the salon are open rather than segregated from the working areas of the ship. When under sail, the boat is felt directly – the heel of the hull, the acceleration in a puff, the quiet that comes when the engine stops and the sails fill. This directness of experience is what defines Running on Waves and cannot be replicated at scale.

The crew sails the boat with guests present and participating at whatever level they choose. Guests who want to take the helm may do so; those who prefer to read in the cockpit or sunbathe on the bow have that option equally. There is no fixed programme.

On-Board Life

With twelve guests and a dedicated crew, the social dynamic on board is that of a small house party rather than a cruise. Meals are prepared on board by the crew and served in the salon or on deck according to conditions and preference. The menu adapts to what is fresh in port and what the group wants to eat. Dietary requirements are accommodated without the structural constraints of a larger catering operation.

Evenings typically unfold at anchor in a quiet bay, with swimming, kayaking, or simply watching the light change on the water. The itinerary adjusts in real time: if a bay is too busy, the anchor comes up and the boat moves on. This flexibility is the operational advantage that small-scale sailing provides and that no larger vessel can match.

Destinations

Running on Waves operates primarily in the Mediterranean – the Greek islands, Turkey’s Aegean and Lycian coast, the Adriatic, and the western Mediterranean from the Balearics to the Ligurian coast. Occasional longer programmes extend to the Atlantic islands and beyond. The precise itinerary within each programme varies with wind, season, and the group’s preferences.

Why We Recommend Running on Waves

Guests who have sailed privately and found they cannot justify a full charter, or who want the freedom of a sailing voyage without the structure of a larger cruise, find Running on Waves occupies exactly the right position. Twelve guests is a number that keeps the experience personal without the cost and exclusivity of a private yacht booking. We recommend it particularly to couples and small groups who want to combine Mediterranean sailing with genuine flexibility and a crew that treats the yacht as a home rather than a product.