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ALL AT SEA APRIL 2022
SAIL AWAY Market Uncertainty When the GMBA (Global Marine Business Advisors) held a meeting last month a number of key issues affecting the recreational marine sector were discussed including the charter market. Whilst the charter season bookings look very positive this year, there does appear to be some uncertainty in the market given the negative publicity surrounding yacht seizures, which is creating issues in the market. In Croatia, as an example, it was reported some charter contracts had been cancelled. Clearly the situation in Ukraine is having an impact on some upcoming boating holidays. For example, Sea Cloud Cruises has cancelled this year’s St. Petersburg calls of its new sailing vessel the Sea Cloud Spirit. The cruise company will develop a new itinerary for the voyages in June and July. www.seacloud.com
on your dream holiday this year with the latest news and offers
Grenada Berthing Offer
Grenada continues to grow in popularity amongst the sailing community. Port Louis Marina has launched a 90+ day berthing offer for yachts wishing to stay in the Southern Caribbean this hurricane season. Zara Tremlett, marina manager at Port Louis Marina, said: “The 90 day rate was launched last year as we saw an increase in boats wishing to berth with us for the hurricane season. We are delighted to be able to offer the same opportunity again, as it is our intention for everyone to enjoy the delights of Grenada. It is an island that should not be missed! “We have links with diving and fishing companies on the island for adventure activities. Our swimming pool provides the ultimate relaxation, and there is a private jet terminal alongside international flights transfers to other Caribbean islands, America and Europe.” Known as the ‘Island of Spice’ with links to aromatic spices and cocoa, Grenada offers an authentic Caribbean experience away from the hustle and bustle of many other Caribbean islands. en.cnmarinas.com/book-a-berth
Diving in Grenada
Grenadian-Canadian marine biologist Christine Finney runs and owns Eco Dive Grenada, a full service 5-Star PADI 100 per cent AWARE scuba diving and freediving centre on the world-famous Grand Anse Beach. Christine runs various diving and snorkelling trips around the shores of Grenada, and its neighbouring island of Carriacou. The Carriacou free dive day trip, for example, sees guests board a specialised 38ft luxury dive and snorkel boat to sail between the main island of Grenada, Carriacou and a handful of other uninhabited Grenadine islands. This excursion allows free divers to experience all that Grenada’s rich and diverse coastline has to offer. www.ecodiveandtrek.com
New UK Discoveries A Hit With Travellers
Image: Crazy Nook/Shutterstock
Your Own Expedition
Diving in Belize
Following the discovery of one of the world’s most famous shipwrecks, The Endurance, in March a growth in expedition sailing will no doubt follow. Kraken Travel, for example, has a number of interesting expeditions available which could see you travelling to amazing destinations all over the world. With two dates in July, the Spitsbergen Ice Edge Adventure, from £4,090 per person, is a nine-night trip through a magical ice kingdom that will see you explore glaciers, fjords and polar ice with the opportunity to see polar bears, whales and seals. No previous experience required. Or, still available at the time of writing, how about following in the footsteps of Roald Amundsen crossing the Barents Sea to Svalbard. Taking place from 25 April – 2 May, this trip is a working passage where you will be expected to take turns doing jobs on board throughout the trip. Novice sailors are welcome on this adventure. £2,520 per person. Kraken.travel
Now here is somewhere you might not have considered visiting for a sailing holiday. Home to the second largest barrier reef in the world, Belize is considered one of the best diving destinations for marine exploration. To preserve natural reef habitats, the Belize Tourism Board has worked with the Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association and Blackbird Caye Resort to submerge a 375ft concrete ship, The Wit Concrete, to become Belize’s largest wreck dive and reef enhancement project. The ship has been submerged in the Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve with the aim of relieving stress on the natural reef habitats, to increase marine biodiversity and to provide further revenue for the marine reserve. For more information about travelling to Belize visit www.travelbelize.org. www.turneffeatollmarinereserve.org
With many of us choosing to holiday in the UK, the joy of discovering a new corner of the UK appears to be high on the priority list for many staycationers. Mintel’s Report on Domestic Tourism found that 89 per cent of UK holidaymakers said they enjoyed discovering a new part of the UK during their holiday, while Mintel’s Report on Family Holidays revealed that more than 22 per cent of family holidaymakers said they had discovered a new place in the UK for a holiday as a result of Covid-19. Graham Donoghue, CEO of Sykes Holiday Cottages, said: “A holiday does not have to mean flying abroad or driving hundreds of miles. Our research shows that Brits are now much more open to exploring what lies closer to home. With beautiful countryside and award-winning beaches, the UK is a wonderful location for a staycation and it is great to see that lots of people are planning to make the most of what the country has to offer.”
Sabbatical Charters If you would like to take on a completely new challenge this year, then Dream Yacht Charter’s Sabbatical Charters could be the perfect choice. They can help you explore further and sail for longer with a choice of long-term yacht charter destinations. They can even provide itineraries to help you build your dream route. www.dreamyachtcharter.co.uk
FURTHER INFORMATION
■ Nautilus Yachting: www.nautilusyachting.com ■ Nisos Yacht Charter: www.nisosyachtcharter.com ■ Seafarer: www.seafarersailing.co.uk ■ BVI Charters: www.bviyachtcharters.com ■ Ocean Elements: www.ocean-elements.co.uk ■ The Moorings: www.moorings.co.uk ■ Dream Yacht Charter: www.dreamyachtcharter.co.uk ■ Mallorca Yacht Charter: www.mallorcayachtcharter.eu ■ Tall Ships Youth Trust: tallships.org
• 50+ Stunning sailing grounds to explore orld s largest, most diverse sailing eet • Latest models from the leading brands • Bareboat, skippered, crewed or by the cabin • Excellent customer service BOOK A CHARTER 02380 455527 sales@dreamyachtcharter.co.uk dreamyachtcharter.co.uk
