Category Archives: Activities

Greener thrills: How can a yacht have more eco-friendly water toys?

On a crewed charter catamaran, you can have so much fun getting out on the ocean exploring new places, and spending quality time with loved ones. What else would you need? 

Water toys, of course! Watersports and water toys turn a simple day on the water into pure exhilaration. But when it comes to reducing the yacht’s environmental footprint, the toy box has a lot to answer for. Now, with increasingly innovative designs and green technology, a new wave of eco-friendly water toys is on the rise. 

Ones that are equally exciting but without the fossil fuel-guzzling engines and unsustainable materials.

We take a look at these more eco-friendly water toys:

Powered by humans 

Put aside the fuel and diesel needed for fun, and harness the energy you have in yourself! There are so many toys powered by humans, whether paddleboarding or kayaking. These toys offer a fresh alternative to traditional motorized options. They allow you to immerse yourself fully into nature, contribute to a greener playtime, and give you a workout on the side! 

Watts of fun 

Electric is the future! And what’s not to like about virtually silent, emission-free fun? Many innovative electric water toys, such as surfboards, jet skis, and inflatable boats, combine cutting-edge technology with sustainability. By using electric motors, they produce zero emissions and reduce the impact in terms of noise and vibrations. These toys give a thrilling ride without the guilt of fuel. 

If your toys do have to run on fuel, make sure they use 4-stroke, not 2-stroke engines. Without going into the details, 2-stroke engines are incredibly pollutive. A single two-stroke engine produces pollution equivalent to that of 30 to 50 four-stroke automobiles because they mix oil and gas and don’t burn them very efficiently.

Foiling alternatives 

Water toys with foiling technology have taken water-based adventures to the next level. Foiling toys such as hydrofoil surfboards, kite foils, and sailboats use specialized wings or foils beneath the surface to lift them above the waves, enabling the user to glide effortlessly over the ocean. 

Toys made better 

A long-standing issue with many of the current toys on the market is the materials, but today many manufacturers now consider the life cycle of a product and prioritize sustainable materials and production methods. This helps to reduce the carbon footprint and minimizes waste. Many are now made from recycled plastics or biodegradable materials – you can even get golf balls made of fish food! 

We all know that the yachting community must set a path toward sustainability and a circular economy to survive and for the planet’s future. While significant emphasis is being put on the yacht to be more sustainable, it also must extend to everything that comes with it – including the tenders and toys! 

Get onboard with eco-friendly water toys today!

Contact one of the Boatbookings team to learn about the more environmentally crewed charter catamarans and the watersports fun you can have.

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Sustainable Summer: How can you have a greener yacht charter?

The Mediterranean summer season is officially in full swing. Our crewed catamaran charters can offer an unforgettable experience, but the Med is fragile. Here are some suggestions about how you can adopt greener, more sustainable practices while out on the water. 

We all know it is vital to reduce plastic, dispose of waste correctly, eat locally and sustainably, and choose the most energy-efficient vessel, but what else can you do to minimize your impact on a yacht charter?

Here are some of our top tips to embrace a more sustainable summer charter experience:

Leave only footprints 

When exploring islands, coves, bays, and beaches this summer, be sure to follow the leave no trace and only footprints. This is crucial to help preserve our natural beauty for others to enjoy while maintaining an area’s ecological integrity. When you get in the tender and visit a crystal clear bay, ensure you wear reef-friendly suncream, as you don’t want to leave any toxic residue. Or when you have a lunch picnic on a secluded beach, always take your trash away with you. And even when you go for an island hike, keep to the trails and leave as little impact as possible. 

Make your own power 

Whenever you head to land away from the anchorage, be sure to consider greener transport options. If you are visiting a particular designation on land, swap out the diesel-powered vehicle for a bike or electric scooter. Not only will these choices help reduce your overall footprint and emissions, but they also add an extra dose of adventure and fun to your summer journey. 

Get under the water 

Summer isn’t summer without playing in the water on a crewed charter. But while having fun, you can also ensure you are responsible. When you’re embraceing the marine life through snorkeling and scuba diving please avoid touching or standing on coral reefs as they are delicate and can easily be damaged. You should also have correct buoyancy control techniques to prevent accidental contact with the ocean’s fragile habitats. Be aware of any marine park regulations and always follow the guidance of your experienced crew. Replacing fossil-fuel-powered toys with time under the water will enrich your charter experience and help you minimize your impact. 

Support local projects 

Summer is a peak time for conservation projects and initiatives to protect marine ecosystems. Before you go, research local conservation organizations and volunteer opportunities in the destination. Examples include beach clean-ups, coral reef restoration efforts, or turtle nesting projects. If you don’t find specific projects, then be sure to support the local economy in any way you can. Choose eco-friendly tour operators and participate in nature walks, eco-hiking, and bird-watching activities. Supporting local companies will also ensure you have a more authentic experience.

Share and Inspire 

It may seem like a simple tip, but being an advocate for our oceans this summer can be powerful. You can inspire others to do the same when you make greener and more responsible choices on a yacht charter this summer. Sharing your journey to help preserve our oceans can raise awareness among others and catalyze change. 

At Boatbookings, we pride ourselves in offering greener crewed catamaran charters. If you want further information on how to tread a little lighter when chartering with us, please contact the Boatbookings team today. 

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Caring for the captivating Caribbean coral reefs

Coral Reefs are worth caring for!

The pleasure of exploring the underwater marine seascape is a wonderful experience during your Caribbean yacht charter. There are so many fabulous coral reefs to explore, you’re spoilt for choice. Among the best are the incredible reefs of Virgin Gorda and Anegada. To continue to enjoy these magical underwater worlds and help preserve them for others to visit, there are a few simple guidelines to help care for coral reefs.

Coral reefs are the largest living structures on the planet and amazingly the only living structure visible from space! The operative word here being ‘living’. Unbelievably, corals are classified in the same grouping as jellyfish and anemones. They are living creatures, needing nourishment to grow and reproduce.

Whichever catamaran you choose for your charter, our captains and crew are committed to preserving this marine equilibrium and caring for coral reefs, and none more so than the crew of ALTESSE who have introduced biodegradable soaps, banned single-use plastics, and even insist on coral-friendly sunscreen aboard this magnificent catamaran.

It’s not hard to enjoy the reefs while also preventing damage to this aquatic paradise. Most importantly, you can just follow the lead of our experienced crews who live in the region and understand how to help preserve coral. Key practices are:

  • Never anchor or go aground in a coral reef, except in specifically designated areas.
  • Never walk in coral
  • Don’t touch the coral when you’re snorkeling or diving
  • Do not harvest coral or attempt to take it out of the water
  • Use coral-safe sunscreens
  • Do not throw garbage overboard (it can contain items toxic to coral)
  • Use bio-degradable soaps and shampoos
  • Keep all water pollution (oil, garbage, trash, etc.) to an absolute minimum

Here are more practices recommended by the US Environental Protection Agency.

A blanched coral reef from global warming

CO2 emissions and reef protection.

Perhaps the greatest threat to coral reefs is the warming of the seas due to excess carbon in our atmosphere. While climate change is visible and most talked about on land, our oceans absorb 70% of the heat from CO2 emissions and this is having a significant impact on sea temperatures. Increased water temperature often results in “blanching” which is an innocuous way so saying a mass coral death event. While no one person can stop climate change, the UN notes that 2/3rds of CO2 emissions come from personal household decisions. So collectively reducing our carbon footprints can have a dramatic impact. One decision we can help you with is chartering low emissions sailing catamarans!

During your Boatbookings charter by paying attention to guidelines like these you can contribute to the preservation of the Caribbean’s stunning wildlife, ensuring its beauty and diversity, while you create unforgettable memories.

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