Category Archives: Advice

Dine at NOVA, Oil Nut Bay in the BVI

The British Virgin Islands remain the must-visit sailing mecca in 2020. With the finest selection of BVI crewed and bareboat catamarans in the Caribbean, you will be dazzled by hidden anchorages, spectacular snorkelling and unforgettable sunsets. Trust us, our Broker team keep coming back every year! We continue to review the best islands for your specific requirements, including the beach clubs, bars and restaurants.

Nova at Oil Nut Bay, Virgin Gorda

You have to add NOVA at Oil Nut Bay in Virgin Gorda to your 2020 BVI yacht charter itinerary. Nova floats on top of the cerulean Virgin Islands water and is the perfect venue to bring family and friends together this winter. The philosophy is all-around sharing delicious small plates in an exquisite setting that’s both energizing and relaxing. You will be able to sample global dishes featuring the highest quality local ingredients that will dazzle your tastebuds.

Current Offers at Oil Nut Bay

WEEKDAY HAPPY HOUR
MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY 4:00PM – 6:00PM

  • 3-for-$10 cans of Carib, Leatherback IPA and Stowford Press Cider
  • 2-for-$12 Doombar Beer
  • Bottles of Peyrassol Rosé $30
  • Bottles of Taittinger Champagne $70
  • $5 off Special Flatbread

SUNDAY BRUNCH

  • Bloody Mary Bar: Bring a new hot sauce for the bar and receive your first Bloody Mary free
  • $5 Absolute Vodka
  • Bottles of Taittinger Champagne $70 includes fresh-squeezed citrus juice for mimosas

Oil Nut Bay is located at the far eastern tip of Virgin Gorda. Spend the morning swimming at The Baths, before sailing onto Oil Nut Bay for dinner. You can then spend the next day sailing up to Anegada for your lobster feast. We would highly recommend adding a stop to your BVI bareboat or crewed yacht charter itinerary this year. Speak to Ben in the Broker Team today to start planning the best BVI vacation to date!

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YACHT OF THE WEEK: LADY AMANDA

One of the Best Yachts Available for Charter on the French Riviera!

LADY AMANDA is the perfect yacht for a fun-filled week on the French Riviera with family and friends or a group of 4 couples! Her outstanding crew led by Captain Ashley, they are ready and waiting to show you the highlights of the French Riviera

With an amazing selection of water toys including jet ski, 2 sea bobs, 5m waterslide from the bridge deck, ocean pool for jellyfish protection, paddleboards, snorkeling gear, waterskis, wakeboard, wakeskate, donut, balloon blast and more to come for 2020!

She offers accommodation for up to 10 guests in 4 double cabins, 2 with Pullman berths and a stunning saloon area with a dining table on the interior complemented by her well-presented sundeck complete with dining, sunbathing area, and jacuzzi! LADY AMANDA really offers everything you could wish for!

Contact Cordy now to book your French Riviera Yacht Charter.

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Private Charter Vs Cruise

Thinking about having a holiday on the water, or planning to upgrade on your Bahamas cruise? Read here!

Price

Roughly speaking, you are looking roughly between  £750 –  £2,000 per cabin, 7 days, for a cruise liner. If you are going away with family, this could amount up to £2,250 – £6,000 – before you even start to factor in the extortionate dinner prices, and excursions.

For £6,000 you can charter a 2019 Catamaran with a skipper and have the yacht to yourselves. Of course, there are other costs to factor in but as a whole, when wanting to have a holiday on the water with the family, a private charter is more often than not, a better choice economically compared to a cruise liner.

Itinerary

Cruise liners are very good at having a set itinerary. You know where you will be on what day, and at what port. Due to the size, and with the number of bodies on board, it is imperative that they stick to a schedule (yes they leave people behind if they are not on board!)

Cruise liners are absolutely huge, often referred to as ‘death’ by sailors sailing past them and can pretty much go through any weather (within reason) allowing them to stick to their schedule.

Now, I don’t know about you, but I’d say I stick to a holiday itinerary about 40% of the time. I always seem to discover parts that I would like to explore more – with a private charter, it gives you the flexibility to do so. On your valuable week off from work, do you really want your week to be so structured to the minute? The answer is probably no…

Food and drink

How can I put this politely….. there are roughly 3000+ guests on one cruise ship, so expect mass-produced, soulless food. Now if that’s your cup of tea – great!!! A cruise is for you. If you, however, want personalised meals, often made with local produce, in a local way then a private charter is for you. The private charter chef will have received your preference sheets and created a bespoke menu based on your dietary requirements, likes, dislikes, allergies etc. Why would you ever opt for anything less?!

Comfort and atmosphere

Cruise liners, similarly referred to as a hotel on water, really does equate to what you pay for. The interior rooms are like a small motel, while the suites offer a more luxurious vibe (they do come with a hefty price tag). On a yachting vacation, regardless of it being a private charter or a cruise, you won’t really spend a lot of room in the bedroom. However, you will spend a lot of your time on the decks. If this is on a private charter, there is no better place to hang out than on the bow, or flybridge (if your yacht has one). On a cruise liner, you have the inside entertainment areas and outside areas such as the swimming pool. The seating works just like a hotel -first come first serve with 8 am sprints needed to ensure you get a place around the pool.

The bottom line

If you want to get up close and personal with the desired country that you visit, a private charter is for you. The flexibility and adaptability to your needs surpass anything that cruise liners could ever give you. To find out more, chat to one of us today!

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Whale Watching Charter Destinations

Southern Right Whale

Forget the crowded ferry type boats and create your own whale watching tour. See these marvelous creatures from the comfort of your own Sailing Yacht. There are several elements that you need to take into consideration before galavanting off to greet the peaceful giants. The WhitsundaysEscape has created the picture below, but this applies to pretty much everyone and everywhere!

Rules for whale watching in the Whitsundays
  1. Make as little impact to the whales as possible. If the whales are ‘logging’ (sleeping) do not rev your yacht and do circles around them.
  2. Admire them from at least 10-15 boat lengths apart.
  3. Donate to a local charity that is protecting the Whales so generations ahead can still view these magnificent giants.
  4. Educate yourselves on the whales. Some are shy, some are more inquisitive.
  5. Be respectful. If there are several yachts surrounding one whale its time to go. Don’t be that person. Lead by example.

FEBRUARY – MEXICO!

Taken off the Cape of Mexio.

Every year, thousands of Gray whales travel between Mexico and Alaska, this is one of the longest migrations in the water! From December to March/April time, they give birth in the warm and shallow waters off the Baja California, Mexico.

7 day Mexico Itinerary

APRIL – AZORES!

This picture was taken in front of Pico Island, Azores.

You name it, the biggest ones are there! Blue whales are the biggest animals to have ever lived on this planet – they are breathtaking large. There are only a few places in the world where you are able to see them, and the Azores is one of them! Blue whales pass the Azores on their way to the north – best time: between April and May. Plenty of other big whales pass by the islands, too, including Sei, Fin and the resident Sperm whales.

7 day Azores Itinerary

JUNE – NEW ENGLAND!

This picture was taken at Cape Cod. This is a bubble feeding technique whales use to catch a lot of fish in one time. They are doing this mostly in groups.

As the summer begins, any of the North American coasts are a great option! Specifically, around Newport, you have access to the Cape where sea wildlife is in abundance. Quebec, British Columbia, New England, Washington, and Oregon are among the best places in the world for whale watching. Most likely to see: Humpbacks, Fin whales and Minke whales on the east coast.

7 day Newport and Cape Cod sailing Itinerary

SEPTEMBER – AUSTRALIA! (Whitsundays)

Whitsundays birthing whales

Whales visit Australia from the cold seas of the Antarctic to give birth in the warm, shallow protected waters of the stunning Whitsundays. They can be seen from June – September. Whales are a common sight playing around the islands, and even far as the Great Barrier Reef. If you want to see the happy newborns joyfully breaching, the north-east coast really is the place to be!

7 day Whitsundays sailing itinerary

If you are looking to incorporate seeing these stunning animals into your charter please get in contact today so we can advise the best yacht and area to visit! If you have already planned your charter and looking for inspiration please take into consideration the 5 points listed above.

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What Sailing License Do I Need In The Mediterranean?

The age-old question which we as yacht brokers are asked on an almost daily basis.

When chartering in the Mediterranean, you must hold a sailing certification (and in some cases like Croatia, a VHF license). Almost all of the charter companies will not necessarily ask you for a sailing resume, but they will definitely ask you what license you carry.

If you have chartered around the Bahamas or Caribbean, you will know that you only need a sailing resume to charter, but this is not the case in the Mediterranean countries such as Greece, Italy, Croatia, French Riviera and so on.

So what license do I need?

Image result for ICC sailing license
A copy of an ICC license

Ultimately, port authorities in the Meditterenian need to see “Sailing license” written on your certification, any others like the USCG, or “Bareboat certification” that are sometimes issued by Flotillas will not be allowed. The best and foolproof certification you can get is the ICC or the SLC. These licenses are internationally recognised and can guarantee that you will be able to charter.

How can I get an ICC license?

To get an ICC, you must complete an ICC application form (LINK HERE) You can download the application form, from the website above or request a copy from the RYA Certification Department. You can get an ICC if you have done one of the below:

If you haven’t done any RYA licenses, don’t worry. You will just have to do a short assessment with an Approved Training Center.

What is the SLC’

The International Sailing License and Credentials (SLC) is a recreational sailing license valid for all yacht charter companies worldwide – you guessed it including Europe and the Seychelles!! To obtain an SLC, the candidate must already hold a national government boating license examples to follow:

  • National Coast Guard License (USCG)
  • ICC
  • RYA Day Skipper
  • NASBLA State Boater License for the USA
  • PCOC for Canada

Holding a government license means the holder already meets the technical legal requirement that many hosting countries require.

You will have to pass an online suite of theoretical knowledge courses and tests appropriate for bareboat chartering, log previous sufficient sailing experience and demonstrate sailing skills according to internationally established sailing standards.

If you have any queries with your license, please do not hesitate to check with us here!

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