Have you ever considered going on a sailing vacation? With the right preparations, a sailing vacation can be an amazing experience and a trip you will remember for the rest of your life. And you don’t even need any sailing experience! Just imagine gliding over clear blue waters on a sunny day, the many opportunities for swimming and sunbathing, seeing marine life up close, and the freedom to visit any place you like. Before we dive in, let’s discuss some of the practicalities and who this type of vacation is suitable for.
With a bareboat charter, you rent only the boat, with the option to hire a skipper. If you or someone in your party already has the sailing experience, you’d do the sailing with your own crew. When you figure out the total bareboat price, be sure to account for the yacht insurance and final cleaning; all of this is included in the Navigare Carefree pack when you charter with Navigare Yachting, and the yacht comes equipped with everything you need from bed linens and kitchenware to sailing and safety equipment. If you have experience but want some help to familiarize yourself with the boat, you may hire a checkout skipper – a professional skipper for only a day. The checkout skipper can also give you tips on docking and going in and out of the marina.
There are also other options for those without sailing experience or those who prefer a hands-off yacht charter where no work is required! You may rent a fully crewed yacht or try a cabin charter. With a fully crewed yacht, the duo captain/chef means you won’t have to lift a finger and will enjoy a luxurious experience. The captain will take care of the boat and its systems at all times, so you never have to work, and it’s a great way to learn sailing at your own pace. If you go on a cabin charter, you only rent a cabin and stay on a yacht with other people. Both options are usually “all-inclusive” for those who don’t want to worry about meals and itinerary. Everything is taken care of; all you have to do is sit back and relax!
Whether you have sailing experience or not, a yacht charter can be a vacation suitable for anyone open to spending some time on the water. Maybe you are ready to try something new? In that case, keep on reading. Below are ten reasons why your next vacation should be a sailing vacation.
1. A way to avoid crowded beaches.
With a yacht, you have the possibility to anchor in hidden coves and travel to the beaches and beautiful spots that most tourists don’t know about or cannot reach. Fewer crowds mean you’ll have the chance to really enjoy a relaxing day swimming in the best places.
2. You are not restricted to one town or village.
Instead, you have the ability to move around easily to visit a variety of places and see more than you ever thought possible during your trip. Unlike staying in a hotel, where you need to return to the same place every night, with a yacht, you can see a new island or town every day (if you want to) and you don’t have to rent a car to do so.
3. You have a lot of freedom in the choices you make (along with your captain, of course).
Your itinerary can change depending on what you and your group feel like doing during your vacation. Perhaps you decide to stay one extra day on the island you like so much or make a detour to visit a town that a local recommended to you? A yacht vacation gives you the most flexibility.
4. You’ll learn a lot!
If you are interested in learning to sail, this is your golden ticket! Whether you choose a skippered bareboat, a fully crewed charter, or a cabin charter, you will be accompanied by a skipper all day long who can share their skills. From working the lines and tying knots to navigation, trimming sails, and steering and docking, there is a lot to learn when it comes to sailing.
5. You can tailor your vacation to your wishes.
Is your goal to unwind from everyday stresses and focus on leisure activities like reading, socializing, and swimming? Or are you looking to explore, go on a real adventure, and visit party islands and bar streets? The choice is yours! A yacht charter vacation can be anything you want it to be. The boat will give you access to so many places you would otherwise never see and is a wonderful place to relax at the same time.
6. Fall asleep easily.
Can you imagine a better way to fall asleep than on a boat that’s gently rocking on the water with the rhythmic sound of the waves against the hull? With a hired crew, you don’t have to worry about the anchor watch either and can comfortably sleep through the whole night.
7. See marine life, such as fish and corals.
Regardless of your charter destination, you are likely to experience at least some marine life up close. Whether you sail in the Mediterranean or in, the Caribbean or somewhere else entirely, prepare for some amazing encounters with schools of fish. If you’re lucky, you may even see bioluminescent plankton lighting up the shores at night. In the Caribbean, you have the chance to spot corals, sea turtles, and small sharks and even visit shipwrecks teeming with rich marine life.
8. You are always close to the water.
If you love to swim, the yacht vacation is the way to go. On a boat, you can go for a swim (almost) whenever you want. If the weather is hot, you have a way to cool off quickly, whether by swimming or enjoying the breeze on deck.
9. Enjoy a brilliant sunset and/or sunrise!
There is a reason why people flock to the beaches around the time of sunset. The water is a fantastic place to watch the sky turn from blue to a fiery burst of red and gold. There are even specific boat tours, known as sunset cruises, that take people out on the water to watch the sunset. Well, on a yacht charter, you will enjoy your very own private platform to watch the sun rise and set every single day!
10. Certain activities are more accessible.
There are a lot of things to do on the water, such as snorkeling, diving, stand-up paddle boarding, water-skiing, wakeboarding, and kayaking. Without a boat, these activities may not end up on your itinerary.
A yacht charter doesn’t have to be more expensive than a cruise, and for the reasons mentioned above and many more, it is well worth the money. If you are interested in learning more about renting a sailing yacht, visit Navigare Yachting. On their website, you can read about the different types of charters offered, the destinations to choose from, and get help from a charter agent to book your trip.
Wherever your next adventure takes you, we hope it’s smooth sailing!
