If you are into partying and don't mind flying half way around the
world, the British VIrgin Islands are the place.

Pretty crowded though. Perhaps more space and variety - still enough
partying - further south around the Grenadines. Big season between December
and April - more humid after that.

I see a lot of Oz charterers around the Greek islands. A bit of winter sun
for Oz southerners, but the Mediterranean is a long way to travel. They seem
to like the consistent big northerly winds around the Cyclades during July
and August, when you may be hit with two or three days of 35kt winds when
even the ferries stop sailing.

This is not an area rich with sandy beaches
and out of the way anchorages though. You usually tie to a town or village
quay and become part of the local scene. Great variety, from millionaire's
Mykonos to backpacker's Ios, from populations of 4 manning a yotties taverna
to 30,000 (almost tourist free) on Syros. Full season starts mid May, ends
mid Oct.

My favourite for quieter cruising in Greek waters - slightly less wind and
many smaller islands - is north from Kos along the Dodecanese (off the
Turkish coast). Season mid-May to mid Oct, with occasional unsettled weather
in the first and last months. Try Moorings from Kos, internal flights from
Athens.

Saronic (just south of Athens) and Ionian (west of Greece) are lighter wind
areas, very popular, very crowded with flotillas of smaller cruisers.

--
Jim B, Yacht RAPAZ,
Summers in the Med, winters in UK
jim[dot]baerselman[at]ntlworld[dot]com