Category Archives: Itinerary

A Group Day Charter on the Cannes Bay – a Great Way to Enjoy the French Riviera

Recently the author had the good fortune of being on a day charter from Cannes to celebrate a friend’s 50th birthday.  We went from Port Canto to the Lerin Islands, just a few minutes sail – but what a great experience it is to get on the water and see the French Riviera unfold behind you!

We had a group of 25 people, so nearly every luxury yacht was unable to take us – maritime law limits the number of guests on a luxury yacht to 12 people.  There are a few yachts, however, on the Riviera, with special licensing and safety equipment enabling them to take larger groups.  We selected LADY PACA (PACA being the abbreviation for “Provence Alpes Cote d’Azur”), which is a grand catamaran with huge deck space and salon that can easily carry 30 people in comfort.

Meeting in Port Canto at 11:00 we sailed into the bay, quickly seeing all of the views that the area is famous for – the hotel lined Croisette, the Palais des Festivals (where the Cannes Film Festival is held each year), the Esterel red rock formations, Cap d’Antibes, and the two islands just off the coast named Ile St Margeurite and Ile St Honorat.  Even though it was the middle of January, we had bright blue sky and weather warm enough for everyone to be in t-shirts.

We helped the captain raise the sail and toured the bay for a bit, before heading between the two islands.  Because this is a peaceful, calm spot with clear water perfect for a swim, normally you will find scores of yachts moored here, making it quite festive most of the year.  We docked at the pier for the Restaurant “la Tonelle” run by the Monks from the Monastery of Ile Ste Honorat (they serve their own wine that is grown and made on the island).

We took a walk to the beautiful monastery, through grape orchards and olive trees. Once at the Monastery, you can see the Mediterranean sea splashing up against an old fortress – a delightful walk!  Caution, the Monastery is fully functional, please do not disturb the monks!

After touring the island, we headed back out on the catamaran, enjoying a light lunch catered on the boat.  We  again toured the bay to take in the sights and sun, while eating on deck and sharing the requisite rose wine. Everyone was very relaxed, and had had a chance to get to know each other better.

After a nice sail, we headed back to Port Canto, everyone feeling refreshed and glad they had a spent a day out on the water in one of the most magnificent ports anywhere!

We have a more extensive version of this Cannes, Cap d’Antibes, Iles Lerins itinerary available on Boatbookings.com. There are many day boats available for events of all types in the French Riviera – here is a selection of the best.

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Sailing Yacht JAMBALAYA Presents an Enchanting 8-Day Itinerary through Captivating St. Vincent and the Grenadines

The crew of JAMBALAYA invite charter clients aboard to discover Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, an island country in the Lesser Antilles chain. This alluring Caribbean region offers exciting adventures, captivating land and water activities, outstanding natural beauty and very friendly and welcoming people.

DAY ONE: Young Island to Bequia

Set sail from Young Island to Bequia, the largest island in the Grenadines and an easy 1.5-hour run. There are several wrecks and shallow caves accessible to advanced divers. Besides many species of parti-colored fish, snorkelers can view Hawksbill turtles, lobsters, even spot a moray eel. Swim in the sparkling, turquoise sea then relax on deck for cocktails and dinner. For nightlife ashore, visit the Frangipani and dance to the rocking rhythm of steel drums.

DAY TWO: Princess Margaret’s BaySwim and breakfast while anchored off the pristine beach of Princess Margaret’s Bay. Dingy ashore to explore this exquisite little island with its shops and bars encircling the harbor front, strung together by a beach and a path. Enjoy a superb lunch on board and then spend a relaxing afternoon of swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling or canoeing.

DAY THREE: Princess Margaret’s Bay to Mustique

Depart from Princess Margaret’s Bay on a delightful two to three hour sail to Mustique, a famously idyllic island with magnificent beaches and several coral reefs. Mustique has attracted many celebrities over the years from Queen Elizabeth II to Amy Winehouse. Traverse pristine beaches and hilly woodland on foot or horseback, or laze under a coconut palm hut at Macaroni Beach, #14 of the World’s 21 Sexiest Beaches according to The Travel Channel. Then go for cocktails at the internationally renowned Basil`s Bar, or the Firefly, or Cotton House.

DAY FOUR: Mustique to Tobago Cays

Sailing to the Tobago Cays entails a captivating four-hour, off wind ride that passes Canouan along the way. This is an excellent opportunity for the fishing enthusiasts on board to bait a line. Drop anchor in the arms of the horseshoe reef surrounding the Jewels of the Grenadines and spend a thrilling afternoon snorkeling over brilliant corals teeming with fish. Take a dinghy expedition to Jamesby to bask on the pristine white sand beach.

DAY FIVE: Tobago Cays

Jambalaya at anchor

Spend a leisurely day relaxing in the Tobago Cays, an intimate cluster of five uninhabited cays. This idyllic yachting anchorage is a dream for scuba divers, a paradise for beachcombers, and a film location for Pirates of the Caribbean. Tobago Cays Marine Park is one of the world’s most awe-inspiring island destinations. Swim with the turtles off Baradel, or snorkel on the south side of Petit Bateau among fantastic coral and really big fish. Kite surfing enthusiasts who usually launch from Petit Rameau and sail upwind to the inner edge of Horseshoe Reef revere these cays. Back on the yacht, the chef will prepare a gourmet selection of local produce and fresh seafood for a sublime dinner pared with a perfect wine.

Jambalaya anchored in Petit St. Vincent

DAY SIX: Tobago Cays to Petit St. Vincent

In takes just an hour sailing time to reach the private island of Petit St. Vincent. En route stop at miniature Mopion Island to do a bit of beachcombing and indulge in a refreshing swim. Most visitors to Petit St. Vincent come for the tranquility. Yet, if you are feeling energetic there are walking trails, superb fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and kayaking.  The Petit St Vincent Resort features a spa as well as a lush garden bar with adjacent wine cellar, perfect for a celebration of the sunset.

DAY SEVEN: Petit St Vincent to Union Island

Happy Island, a man-made island in Clifton harbour
Happy Island, a man-made island in Clifton harbour

Sail to the final destination of Union Island, passing close to scenic Palm Island. Union Island is a breathtakingly beautiful place to swim, snorkel, dive, sea kayak, sunbath, read or stretch your legs on a hike. Dinghy over to Happy Island that is entirely made of conch shells. Then head back to the yacht to relish an amazing Creole dinner, a chef’s specialty.

DAY EIGHT: Union Island to Young Island

Peter & Sylvie

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and then an excursion to visit to the town before bidding a fond farewell to Clifton Harbour, Union. Set sail for Young Island capturing final memories of the beauty that surrounds you to treasure until your next charter vacation in the spectacular Grenadines.

Follow this link for details about chartering JAMBALAYA.

Please visit St. Vincent and the Grenadines Yacht Charter Guide and Eco-Sailing Vacations and Eco-Yacht Charter in Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

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Captain Bernard Navigates Charter Superyacht OLGA on an Exclusive 7-Day Itinerary through the Wondrous Waters of Jumentos, Bahamas

Captain Bernard Calot

Day 1: Long Island

Long Island is known as the most scenic island in the Bahamas. Ideally our guests will arrive by private or charter plane, rather than make the crossing by yacht from Nassau. We anchor OLGA offshore from the Flying Fish Marina. It’s a funny thing; we never see any other superyachts  here but many people spending big money to fly fish. This is a charming little marina, very friendly, easy to get in and out and really well protected. You see nurse sharks and other marine species found in the Exumas, and tons of turtles all the time. There is a stunning stretch of beach here.

Day 2: Eastern Jumentos
The first jump is the longest, 59 nautical miles from Long Island to the eastern point of Jumentos. Here we are only 50 or 60 miles from Cuba. The Jumento Cays are a rarely visited, beautiful group of islands rimming the southern edge of the 330-mile-long Great Bahama Bank in a hundred-mile arc. Only the southernmost island of the chain, Ragged Island, has about 40 inhabitants. There are several well-protected areas for mooring.

In the Exumas the water is shallow, but in Jumentos the water is very deep, so you can anchor very close to shore and be very well protected. There are reefs and coral heads everywhere on one side of the island and on the other the ocean floor drops from 700 feet to 7,000 feet, fantastic for fishing and diving. It’s the dream for the divers and fishermen to be that close, just a few hundred yards by tender. There are marlins, turtles, groupers, hammerheads and huge lobsters. We spend the first day here, fishing and diving in the morning and water sports after lunch.

Day 3: Water  Cay

It’s only 20 miles to the next stop, Water Cay. Here guests are going to see the bank where you have three authentic blue holes. We anchor out in 20 feet of water and snorkel, or you can dive, and the holes are full of fish and marine life. People from Nassau now come here to pick up conchs because overfishing has left none close to Nassau. Here they are plentiful and Water Cay is also great for catching lobsters. It is easy to make our charter guests very happy here. We snorkel in the morning and catch 14 lobsters. Then we head for this pristine little beach. There is nobody here, no houses, and no yachts. Perfect for a lobster barbeque.

Day 4: Flamingo Cay
The next destination is just 9.5 miles and one of my favorite places. Flamingo Cay offers anchoring with total protection. Even in 20-knot winds the water in the bay is going to be flat. The island has an elevation of about 300 feet with lots of lush greenery. A powdery white sand beach rims the beautiful bay. We are all by ourselves. There is an old ferryboat sunken in seven to 12 feet of water that is great for snorkeling. It is the perfect distance to go with our guests from the beach to the boat and return to the beach. Chef Claire always makes a magnificent paella on this beach. This is also an amazing place for fishing because there are pinnacles that jut up from 7000 feet of water to just 26 feet. Here you are one hundred percent guaranteed to catch grouper and yellowtail because they like things that go up, so they live around the pinnacles. If guests want to catch really big grouper, anywhere from 30 to 80 pounds, we go out a little bit further and let the line drag down to 400 or 500 feet. We chum for yellowtail. When you know the area and know where to go the fishing is easy.

Holocene eolianite on Long IslandDay 5: Buena Vista
Today we cruise 28 nautical miles to another splendid spot, Buena Vista, again a well-protected area, although not as good as Flamingo because you are open to the north. We anchor in 11 feet and take the guests drift snorkeling along the wall. It takes about 45 minutes and is an ideal excursion, especially for children, because it is not tiring and islands on both sides make people feel safe. There is a small but stunning beach on the northwest side of the island. Divers enjoy the amazing reefs and coral heads and there is also a small yet marvelous beach. Nearby Nurse Cay is home to a lot of baby nurse sharks hiding in the rocks. It is really nice because the sharks are not deep and you can touch them and take pictures.

Day 6: Ragged Island
Ragged Island is part of the Jumentos Cays and Ragged Island Chain and lies about 20 miles from BuenaVista. In Duncan Town, the only settlement in the entire chain, most of the inhabitants are the direct descendants of the original settlers. These islanders rely heavily on the mail boat for transportation, freight and commerce. The island is renowned for great bone fishing and there are four or five of sunken fishing boats that provide interesting snorkeling. We like to go ashore for a walking tour of the island, which is culturally unique and distinguished from Nassau and the Exumas.

Ragged Island is located on the passage between the Bahamas and Cuba where currents from the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean flow into the Gulf Stream. The amount of marine life here is astonishing. We ride the tender for 20 minutes to reach

Columbus Bank. There is a six-foot deep area that is surrounded by a depth of 60 feet, which then drops off to 4,000 feet. There are thousands of fish here including spectacular jumping tuna. South of Ragged are more sensational coral heads with a delightful sandbar in the center. Magalenese Bank is another great spot for deep-sea fishing.

This is an itinerary for families and friends that want to spend quality time together. There are no shops, no restaurants, no casinos and no bars. This is an unsurpassed charter itinerary for those interested in exploring nature and an environment that has changed little since Columbus sailed these same Caribbean bays.

Charter OLGA with Captain Bernard and enjoy a rare opportunity of discovery while living in absolute luxury.

Superyacht and Luxury Yacht Charter

Charter Guides to the Bahamas

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