THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER

Looking beyond the Mediterranean for your next holiday?

Caroline Barbour, UK marketing manager for The Moorings, looks at yacht charter destinations further

NASA estimates there is 372,000 miles of coastline on Earth, which provides plenty of incredible yacht charter destinations. But with so many options, we know it can be difficult to choose!

To begin narrowing down the vast number of choices, we recommend looking at what type of charter is best for you. You can charter a power or sailing yacht and have the choice of hiring a skipper or a professional crew.

If you have the required qualifications and are confident to charter without a skipper, we suggest taking a look at the cruising conditions in your top locations, as some are better suited to beginners whilst others are better suited to experienced skippers.

The Mediterranean is one of the most popular destinations for yachting and is a great choice for all levels of experience, but there are plenty of other exciting places beyond the Med worth considering too. Below is a guide to some of these fantastic sailing destinations, with options for both first-time sailors and experienced explorers.

Beginners

For those new to yacht charter holidays, we recommend looking for somewhere that offers line-of-sight navigation with the opportunity to make short crossings between islands and points of interest.

The British Virgin Islands and the US Virgin Islands are a Caribbean delight for beginners. Steady trade winds provide calm cruising conditions, allowing your crew to enjoy lounging on the sundeck while you island hop between pristine beaches. The wildlife spans the whole spectrum of the rainbow, which you can experience through coral reef snorkelling and hiking through the nature reserves.

Intermediate

There are several locations perfect for sailors with a good foundation in coastal navigation, but do not want their skills tested too much. Tahiti offers calm conditions with opportunities for open water cruising. Situated between Australia and South America, the islands of Tahiti are a vibrant mix of ancient stone temples, artistic chic and nature in all its glory.

Beyond the Virgin Islands, the rest of the Caribbean, including Antigua, Grenada, Saint Lucia and St Martin, all provide a mix of intermediate sailing conditions. Get a true sense of the Caribbean culture and charm as you leave your troubles behind. Many of the crossings between the islands are short, but the steady trade winds and opportunities for open water sailing are the reason that many of the islands host world famous regattas.

Experienced

For the sailors with a taste for more challenging conditions, heading further off coast to an isolated location is a great choice. Not only will you find more opportunities for open water cruising and interesting navigation choices, but you will also get the sense of a true independent adventure at sea.

The Seychelles Islands are 1,000 miles off the east coast of Africa and are densely packed with unique flora and fauna found nowhere else on Earth. Giant tortoises nest on the white sandy beaches and heading further inland reveals the wonders of the tropical forest nature reserves.

Currents and wind speeds change throughout the year and can be swift in narrow channels, meaning crews should be led by an experienced and confident skipper.

for beginners to experts.

group’s preferences, and a personal gourmet chef will delight senses with locally inspired dishes and drinks for every meal.

Choosing A Sail Or Power Charter

It is also worth bearing in mind that your choice of yacht should be dependent on your preferences and experience. A powered charter provides a smoother platform as you glide the crystalclear waters aboard a spacious, high performance power catamaran. The Moorings yachts are designed to be fuelefficient, fast, stable and stylish.

Whether you decide to set sail on a classic monohull or a custom-built sail catamaran with modern features, when under sail, some prior experience is required to understand the limitations and challenges that come with the territory but provides its own sense of accomplishment! Hopefully this guide has provided some insight into destinations outside of the Mediterranean and suitability for different experience levels.

To learn more about these destinations and offers with The Moorings, please visit www.moorings.co.uk.

Thailand is another exotic destination suited to more experienced crews. Wet and dry seasons mean conditions change throughout the year. While there are opportunities for open water sailing, most of the passages between the 130 picturesque islands are short.

The coral reefs are abundant with life but require an experienced skipper to navigate them due to the narrow channels and tidal ranges. Phuket is also well-known for its vibrant nightlife after a good day of cruising.

Skippered Charters

If you are new to chartering a yacht, you can hire an expert skipper for your holiday. They can show you the ropes if you want to learn more, or you can simply sit back and relax as they take the helm. Hiring a skipper gives you access to a full range of destinations as they will expertly navigate you in conditions you might not be confident in. They also double up as a personal tour guide, with excellent local knowledge.

Crewed Power And Sail Options

For the ultimate first-class experience, a crewed charter is suitable for all experience levels, as it means you can put your feet up and relax, knowing everything is taken care of. Your professional captain will handle the navigation, tailoring your itinerary to your