Top Destinations: Sailing Holiday

New Zealand

When a country’s main urban centre is known as the ‘City of Sails’ and boasts the highest number of boats per capita in the world, you know you’ve found a nation obsessed with sailing. For New Zealanders, sailing is the essential leisure activity: one in four Kiwis has a boat and almost every family owns a bach (waterside house or shack) – unsurprisingly, they’re pretty good at it, having won the Americas Cup in 1995 and 1999. The coastline is dotted with outstanding sailing areas such as the inlets and islands of the Marlborough Sounds, Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf and the historic Bay of Islands. Marinas and charter boats are everywhere. Is there anything this country doesn’t offer?

Bahamas

Sailing holidays are extremely popular in the Bahamas, especially around the many cays of the Abaco Islands and off Long island. Chartered Bahamian sailing holidays may combine sailing with scuba, snorkeling or swimming with dolphins and include large, small, first tier and second tier boats. Sailing enthusiasts might like to attend some of the several exciting regattas which take place throughout the year in the Bahamas and plan their holiday accordingly. Experienced holiday sailors may wish to journey around the many islands of the Bahamas or make their way to or from other Caribbean spots or Florida.

Bermuda

One of the best places for a sailing and/or windsurfing holiday is Bermuda. It is easy to rent sail-yourself boats and windsurfing boards in Bermuda – just ask at your hotel or look online if you want to pre-book. In Bermuda sail-yourself yachts can be rented for a couple of hours or even by the day. If you want to have a windsurfing vacation in Bermuda, don’t think of bringing your own board – getting to anywhere on the island will be too difficult. It is best to rent boards in Bermuda. Experienced sailors may want to have a sailing holiday in Bermuda during one of the regattas. If you want to experience sailing around Bermuda but don’t have the expertise, there are several companies in Bermuda that offer chartered yacht. One of the world’s most prestigious annual sailing races ends in Bermuda – the Newport to Bermuda yacht race laying testament to this nation’s sailing credentials. So if you’re looking for a destination that offers challenging conditions consider a sailing or windsurfing holiday in Bermuda.

British Virgin Islands

The tropical climate and calm, clear waters that surround the British Virgin Island archipelago offers breathtaking scenery and has a reputation as one of the world's premiere destinations for a sailing holiday. There are several tour operators that offer sailing trips around archipelago's majestic islands or alternatively you can charter a yacht and explore the region in your own time. The many coral reefs and shipwrecks also offer some of the best scuba diving and snorkelling experiences with an array of tropical marine life to discover. Hiring a boat and sailing around the paradise islands of the BVI archipelago is guaranteed to be a holiday to remember.

Greek Islands

Start with some number crunching: three seas (the Mediterranean, the Ionian and the Aegean), five millennia of civilisation, at least 300 sunny days a year, well over 1,000 islands to explore and countless beaches, archaeological sites and picture-postcard views. Chartering a boat isn’t a problem; the trouble arises when deciding where to head – olive groves, orchids and mandolins of the Ionians; medieval fortresses, volcanoes and nightlife in the Dodecanese; or traditional whitewashed villages and crystal waters of the Cyclades. And that doesn’t cover Minoan Crete, the Sporades or the hundreds of other corners waiting to be explored.

Stockholm

Coming in a close second to Auckland as the most boat-intensive city is Sweden’s capital, known (along with several other cities) as the ‘Venice of the North’, and spread over 14 of the many thousands of islands (most sources say 24,000) of the Stockholm skärgården (archipelago). Residents set out for their island hideaways at weekends, sailing between unspoilt bays, sandy beaches and rocky cliffs; islands are dotted with birch trees and wildflower-strewn meadows, interspersed with historic fortresses and old fishing settlements, and you might spot ospreys and sea eagles. Sailing holidays in the Stockholm Archipelago mean sheltered waters and gorgeous scenery. Private tours and sailing lessons can also be arranged at many of the Archipelagos sailing clubs and schools. For a sailing holiday in and around Stockholm city, enquire about such clubs as Vikingarnas Segel Sällskap on Djurgården. For spectators, the Tall Ships' Races is an international sailing event held around the Ports of Stockholm, boasting some of the largest sailing boasts currently in existence, and lasting for around four days in late July.

Croatia

Rated as one of the top sailing destinations in the world for 2009 and 2010, Croatia is an ideal destination for the sailing enthusiast. Croatia's many islands and towns fringing the Adriatic coast, most of which have marinas: more than 40 at last count, with almost as many companies offering cruises or yacht hire, make this the most ideal sailing trip for those not looking to travel too far out of Europe.

The Algarve

Sailing around the Algarve coast on a sailing holiday is an ideal way to spend your vacation. The large Marinas at Lagos, Portimão, Vilamoura, Vila Real de Santo António and Tavira offer great sailing facilities. For those who prefer, non marina anchorages are also available. Because of its great sailing facilities, spectacular coastline and beautiful sunny weather, the Algarve is a perfect place for a leisure filled sailing holiday.

Caribbean

If you wish to visit the Caribbean for a sailing holiday you will be in for a treat.  There is plenty of availability of all sizes of sailing or motor yacht rentals in the area, and as weather conditions are great (outside of the hurricane season) you will enjoy the relaxing experience of sailing on calm, sparkling waters in pleasant temperatures.   There is an enormous variety of attractive islands and dazzling, easy-anchor bays.  Sailing in the Caribbean also gives you the opportunity to go 'island-hopping,' meaning you will get to enjoy more than one dream holiday destination during your Caribbean trip.  The islands are often within sight of one another, and look wonderful as you approach them, rising from the horizon until they tower above you.  If you wish to charter a yacht in the Caribbean you must decide whether you are experienced enough and want to take command of your own bareboat (in which you look after yourself) or if you would prefer to be looked after on a crewed yacht - and whether it should be a sailing or a motor yacht.

Sydney

Sydney is the perfect destination for a sailing holiday. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced sailor, there are many opportunities to do a variety of sailing in Sydney. Beginners can learn to sail in dinghies in the enchanting beach surroundings whilst experienced sailors can sail round the bay, explore Sydney’s fabulous coastline and drink in all the fantastic scenery. Organised tours also allow you to experience the thrill of real sailing; stopping over at secluded areas along the coast where you can swim and snorkel. Sailing holidays in Sydney are available all year round and the prices vary depending on the time of year and the length of time you wish to sail.

Bali

For those wishing to hit the ocean waves whilst on a sailing holiday in Bali, there are numerous charters and boat tours available. Two of these are the Glass Bottom Boat to explore the colourful fish of the Benoa Sea and the Bali Dolphin Tour which allows visitors to see dolphins in the wild habitat of the Indian Ocean. For those wanting the more exclusive experience whilst on a sailing holiday in Bali, there are private yacht charters available which include a tour on a catamaran to Komodo Island and other destinations, and for the more romantic and once in a lifetime experience, sunset cruises can make a sailing holiday in Bali that much more memorable.t
 

St Lucia

Hotels offer hobbycats, dinghies and small speedboats by the hour or half-day. From Marigot Bay and Rodney Bay, the more experienced sailor can hire a variety of craft. Tour operators can also arrange for stays to be coupled with a ‘free floating' holiday on board a chartered yacht visiting the neighbouring islands. Yachts can be chartered (bare-boat or skippered) through a number of charter operations housed in marinas at Rodney Bay and Marigot Bay . Both areas have safe anchorages, shower facilities, restaurants and bars, grocery stores, and yacht maintenance facilities. Day boat trips include stops at fishing villages and secret coves, and many of St. Lucia's natural treasures. Sunset cruises along the northwest coast afford a breathtaking view as the sun dips over the horizon. Meals and beverages are usually included in the tours.

Cairns

The tropical sea near Cairns is a paradise destination for a sailing holiday. Calm turquoise water teeming with fish and protected from large waves by the Great Barrier Reef provides sailing conditions that are ranked among the best in the world. Tropical Islands and coral cays emerge from the horizon as the wind gently tugs the sails. There are literally plenty of ways to get on the ocean for a sailing holiday in Cairns.

Cairns is one of the main gateways to the Great Barrier Reef, but the city has much more to offer visitors. Private yacht charters are in abundance, and so too are dinner cruises and fishing expeditions. For the more competitive visitors, there are three yacht clubs which operate in Cairns, all offering day sailing and crewing positions during races and social sailing events.

Expect to pay A9 per adult for a dinner cruise which includes a four course meal up to A60 per person for a catamaran reef snorkelling and diving tour which includes all equipment and a full 3 hours on the reef.
 

Seychelles

Following in the ancient wakes of the first mariners to visit Seychelles, holidayers who choose to sail these islands will be enchanted. Cruising the warm, bluer-than-blue waters that separate the archipelago's 115 islands, you'll visit hidden coves and divine, white-sand beaches where your only competition for a sun-bathing spot will be a nervous resident sand-crab. Views of Mahé and Praslin's craggy, jungle-swathed peaks are stunning from the water, and you can't beat watching the multi-coloured majesty of an Indian Ocean sunrise or sunset from the deck of a gently rocking yacht or sailboat.

From pre-planned half-day or full-day trips to individually-tailored, multi-day itineraries with full catering, many options are available for sailing trips in Seychelles. Operators offer cruises, captained yachts and other boat rental plans so you can choose the Seychelles sailing trip that's right for you. Sailboat and yacht charters in Seychelles are not cheap, but the costs are much more reasonable when shared amongst a group travelling together.

Sailing charters in Seychelles allow you to visit the top beaches on the three main islands, as well as the untouched sands of many other islands in the archipelago. Curieuse is known for its population of giant tortoises, and coral islands like Bird and Denis shelter seabird colonies and nesting turtles. These islands are located at the edge of the shallow Seychelles bank where the ocean floor plummets and where world-class fishing, snorkelling and scuba-diving will impress the most well-travelled visitors. When it's dinner time, those on a sailing vacation in Seychelles can fry up their very own catch-of-the-day in Creole spices, or drop anchor and visit an al fresco terrace on-shore. Whatever the length of the journey, sailing holidays in Seychelles are a unique and unforgettable tropical getaway.
 

Greece

The Ion Sea and the Aegean Sea and its islands offer perfect sailing holidays in Greece. The best way to visit the Greek islands and the coasts of its mainland is by sailing. A large number of yatch companies offer chartered yatchs and sail boats on hire for daily sails or more. From small sailboats to flotillas, cabin cruises to skippers, you can take your pick for a perfect sailing holiday in Greece. The country has over 1600 islands of which 169 are inhabited and offer facilities for sailing. Areas which are particularly famous for sailing holidays in Greece are the coastal areas of Corfu, Paros, Skiathos, Alinossos and Lefkada. For novices training at the Aegean Sailing School in Poros offers courses recognized by the Royal Yatch Association. The calm waters of Poros make for an excellent learning location. Greece scores 9 on 10 as a destination for sailing holidays.

Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua is the perfect destination for a sailing holiday. Hotels and resorts have sailing dinghies and catamarans for the use of guests. Sailing lessons are also given. There are also a number of water sport centres for hire of sailing dinghies. Larger sail boats can be chartered by the day or longer on a bare-boat basis or with crew. Joining a party on a trip around the island or to an offshore island combined with snorkelling and a beach BBQ is great fun. The Antigua Yacht Club organises Antigua Sailing Week in April and Jolly Harbour Yacht Club has a programme of sailing regattas throughout the year. Antigua is a great destination for a sailing holiday and a great stopover point if you are cruising with your own boat. (See Our Cruise Holiday Section too!)

Egypt

Sailing holidays in Egypt has the following options – you can either take the Feluccas − the backpacker option; Sandals − sailing with facilities and comfort or Dahabiyyas − even more comfort and for bigger groups. Arouse your adventurous spirit sailing by felucca through Egypt’s “open-air museum” from Aswan to Luxor. We start in Cairo – as no trip to Egypt would be complete or fulfilling without seeing the only remaining wonder of the ancient world…the Great Pyramids of Giza. You will not only explore these ancient tombs but also visit the enigmatic Sphinx, Memphis (the first capital of ancient Egypt) and Sakkara (its expansive necropolis), the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, Coptic Cairo (including the Hanging Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue), the Citadel of Salah el-Din and the mosque of Mohamed Ali.
When in Egypt, dinghy sailing holidays in Dahab takes place in a specially designated area 10 minutes walk along the beach. Summer months bring strong winds which may limit the extent to which beginners can enjoy sailing. However the rest of the year provides great conditions for sailors of all abilities. The wind created by desert thermals, generally picks up mid morning and drops again mid afternoon, blowing cross-offshore. This is especially evident in the summer months when Dahab is at its windiest. Birding is another popular activity. Besides the Nabq Nature Reserve, the most popular place to see Egypt's huge variety of shore birds is Lake Borolos, about 90 minutes east of Alexandria or west of Port Said on the Mediterranean coast. There are no accommodations or eateries at Lake Borolos, so stay nearby in Rosetta or Baltim and rent a boat for a day trip.
 

Fuerteventura

Sailing in Fuerteventura is a relaxing and pleasant way to escape the heat and bustle of the city. You don’t need to own your own boat to experience the amazing waters surrounding Fuerteventura. Sailing can be done in Fuerteventura in Corralejo. Yachts and boats are often available for hire at many marinas around the island, with a crew if required, particularly around the Corralejo coastline. A number of notable sailing competitions take place in Fuerteventura during the summer months. Day boat trips are also available in the Corralejo area, with trips on catamarans and the possibility of sighting nearby dolphins.

Turkey

The country’s extensive coastline makes for a exciting sailing holiday in Turkey. With a highly indented coastline filled with gulfs and bays, a sailing holiday in Turkey allows for exploring marine life as well. The south west coast offers the best locations for a sailing holiday in Turkey. The stretch of coastline from Izmir via Kusadasi, Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye and Kas to Antalya is an ideal cruising ground. For a sailing holiday in Turkey, chartered yachts are the most common option. The Carian Coast of Bodrum to Marmaris is the most popular sailing ground. If you want to independently charter a yatch or a boat and take it out sailing, there are plenty of options. Crewed charters are also available for a sailing holiday in Turkey. The country scores 7 on 10 as a sailing holiday destination.

Malaysia

In Malaysia, sailing is a sport that has gained fast in status. The growing number of marinas and yacht clubs are great signal that Malaysia is absolutely the new and exciting destinations to head for. Malaysia is an ethnically varied country with rich tradition as well as home to unique natural environments that promote lively backdrop for exciting sailing holidays. No other Asian country offers so much assortment for holidaymakers as Malaysia.

Nowadays, the beaches, islands, coastal estuaries and seas are where Malaysians and tourists relax, recreate and participate in various sea sports. Recreational sailing now is getting higher, affordable as well as one of the wonderful ways for visitors to discover the country's islands and wide-ranging coastline. For sailors who have a more judicious taste in sailing and wish to investigate the unexplored waters can hire powerboats and luxury cruisers. While those who like to sail the open waters for several days, can try the cruise liners that drag into several Malaysian ports and islands. Annual major sailing events emphasize Malaysia as an exhilarating boating destination. These include the Raja Muda International Regatta, the Asean Regatta and the Royal Langkawi International Regatta. The marinas and yacht clubs offer venues for sailors and mariners to meet up with like-minded connections and share exciting stories of the high seas. Several sailing packages are available in Malaysia in order to have complete entertainment regarding water sports.

The best time to visit Malaysia can be just any point of time in the whole year but it’s better not to travel to this popular destination of the world in the rainy season between the months of November and January if you actually want to explore the striking beaches of Malaysia. You cannot probably explore all the innumerable gorgeous beaches of Malaysia but can visit some of the most popular beaches here which range from the powdery sandy expanses of the eastern coastline in Peninsular Malaysia to the pebbly Pantai Batu Kerikil beach and the black sandy Pantai Pasir Hitam beach. The most interesting activities that you can indulge into on your visit to Malaysia include visits to the rain forests, national parks and tropical waters, jungle trekking, spelunking, shopping, and dining.
 

Thailand

The calm clear waters of the Andaman Sea along the west coast and the exotic Gulf of Thailand in the south make Thailand a perfect destination for a sailing holiday. There are several tour operators that offer tours around Thailand's majestic coastline or a trip to explore one of the islands or alternatively you can charter yachts and explore the region in your own time. There are also a number of major rivers in Thailand that you can sail along such as the Mekong where you can stop to visit the wondrous Hindu and Buddhist temples, or along the River Kwai to Kanchanburi where you can discover the bridge that was destroyed by the allies in World War II and immortalised in David leans war film.

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