Virgin Islands The most popular choice

St. Martin / Antigua More open water sailing but a nice mixture of cultures. more

Grenadines More exposed and longer sails than The Virgin Islands. Less developed - the way the Caribbean used to be.

Pacific Islands Best weather May to September. Bareboat bases in Raiatea (Tahiti) and Tonga.

Mediterranean Season runs from late May to mid October. See notes for popular cruising grounds, etc.

Virgin Islands:

The most popular charter destination for good reason. A relatively small cruising ground with a huge variety of beautiful bays and beaches, great snorkelling/diving, lovely scenery and some excellent beach bars and low key entertainment ashore. The trade winds average 20 - 25 knots in winter throughout the Caribbean, but the outside islands protect this cruising ground from the Atlantic swells, providing great sailing and comfortable powerboating. The cruising ground is primarily in The British Virgins, but charters can start in the more heavily populated U.S.V.I.. Good choice for a first time charter, unless you want longer sails or less people. The climate throughout The Caribbean is hard to beat, with a minimum temperature of 70F even at night and a winter high of around 82F. In the summer this rises only slightly but feels warmer as the wind is generally lighter. return to top of the page

St. Martin and Antigua:

Most charterers sail around the island of St. Martin (half Dutch, half French), Anguilla (British) and St. Barts (French). The cruising ground is about the same size as The B.V.I., with fewer anchorages but fewer boats to fill them. From sleepy beaches on Anguilla to the fine restaurants and French boutiques on St. Barts, there is something for everyone and a true feeling of being abroad. Sailing conditions are more exposed than The V.I., particularly on the eastern shore of St. Martin, but distances are short. More adventurous sailors can include the rest of The Leeward Islands (Statia, St. Kitts, Nevis) which are less affected by tourism, but have more exposed anchorages. It is also possible to start your charter in Antigua and sail one way through the Leewards to St. Martin (best this way rather than north to south). From Antigua or Guadeloupe you can also explore the French West Indies and the beautiful Isles de Saintes.

Grenadines:

Before airports were built on the smaller islands, charters started in St. Lucia, requiring a 45 mile open water sail to The Grenadines, so the area was traditionally considered more suitable for the serious sailor. Though still less protected than The Virgins, charterers can now fly into St. Vincent and cruise the best of The Grenadines in short, 2 hour sails. Less developed than other areas, with fewer resorts and restaurants, this cruising ground offers beautiful unspoiled islands, lovely beaches and some excellent sailing. The Grenadines are south of the normal hurricane route if you are considering a charter between August and late October.

Bahamas:

Bareboat chartering is limited to The Abacos. The cruising ground is smaller than The Virgins and very shallow (even a 5 foot draft can be a limitation) but the area is well protected by a reef and a chain of low lying islands. Marsh Harbor is the principal town, airport and harbor. From there you can cruise between Lynyard Cay and Treasure Cay, visiting islands such as Elbow Cay (Hope Town) and Man-O-War Cay, each with their own community, both ashore and on livaboard yachts. If the weather is settled, you can cross a short passage of open water and explore the northern part of the cruising ground to Spanish Cay. The weather is more like Florida than The Caribbean and temperatures can vary considerably, particularly in the winter when a north wind can sometimes make it too cool to sit on a beach. The best weather is generally in April / May.

Pacific Islands:

The Tahitian islands are the most popular. The bareboat bases are all in Raiatea, a short plane ride from Tahiti (travel time from Los Angeles is about 7 hours). From there you can cruise to Huahini, Bora Bora and Tahaa. Passages between these islands are in open ocean (Raiatea to Bora Bora is approximately 25 miles) but each island is surrounded by a coral reef and once inside they offer sheltered cruising to the beautiful off islands (known as motus). French is the principal language and the preferred time to charter is between May and September. Avoid the rainy season in January / February. This is a beautiful area, unspoiled even when compared to other less travelled areas of the world. Prices ashore are high and supplies are limited.

Tonga is another beautiful, remote and unspoiled bareboat destination. The cruising ground is about the size of The Virgin Islands and is fully enclosed by a reef, so offers protected sailing. Charters can be combined with a vacation in New Zealand which is a relatively short continuing flight. Tonga is sometimes considered a year round destination but the best sailing is between May and November. The popular time to sail in The Bay of Islands, New Zealand is in their summer (November to April).

Mediterranean:

Most popular bareboat cruising grounds are Turkey (around Marmaris, Bodrum and Gocek) and Greece (Ionian, Sporades, Dodecanese). There are also popular bareboat fleets in the south of France, Croatia, Corsica and The Balearics. Boats are often older and condition tends to be below the better Caribbean companies so it is best to avoid low priced companies. Flotilla charters are a very popular concept and can make cruising in a foreign country a lot easier. A lead boat supplied by the charter company cruises with a group of charter boats. Ask us for more information if this sounds interesting. Chartering normally starts late May and continues through mid October. Best to avoid August, which is crowded and can be hot.

If you are thinking about chartering a yacht, here are some tips. You might want to start by making a list of what you really want to do and experience on your charter. This list will help you when you talk to us, to give a base of information from which to seek a yacht to best suit you. Some things to think about:

In order to budget correctly, you will want to understand the terms under which charter yachts operate. The following are simple explanations of different terms. You will want to work closely with your charter agent to fully understand your charter contract.

WMT: Western Mediterranean Terms - The Charter Fee includes the charter of the yacht and equipment, crew wages, crew food and insurance of the yacht for marine risk and third party claims and the crew for employer's liability insurance. The charterer will be charged, at cost to the yacht for all other expenses, including food and beverages, other consumable stores, berthing dues and harbor charges including pilotage fees and charges for water and/or electricity taken from shore, laundry and communications.

SEMT: Standard Eastern Mediterranean Terms - The Charter Fee includes the charter of the yacht and equipment, crew wages, crew food and insurance of the yacht for marine risk and third party claims and the crew for employer's liability insurance. The charter fee also includes fuel for a specified number of hours per day, as averaged throughout the cruise, berthing dues and most other harbor charges, including water and/or electricity taken from the shore. The charterer will be charged, at cost to the yacht, for all other expenses, including food and beverages for the charterers, consumable stores, berthing and harbor expenses outside of the yacht's normal cruising area, laundry, communications, and fuel for the ski-boats or other tenders.

SCT: Standard Caribbean Terms - The Charter Fee includes all expenses listed under WMT and SEMT plus all food. Some yachts include wine and bar, excluding vintage wines and champagne. Extra charges will include communications, marina berthing and hire costs of special equipment and activities, such as rendezvous diving.

GT: Greek Terms - The Charter Fee includes the charter of the yacht and equipment, crew wages, crew food and insurance of the yacht for marine risk and third party claims and the crew for employer's liability insurance, harbor dues within Greek waters, water and ship's laundry. The charterer will be charged, at cost to the yacht, for fuel, food and beverages, communications and taxes.

Is your idea of a perfect holiday luxuriously sumptuous surroundings? Do you want to spend time docked at the most fashionable marinas? Host parties for your friends on board? Learn several different water sports? Or simply anchor in a private cove and curl up with a good book?

Motor Yacht or Sailboat? Motor yachts tend to be larger and faster, and usually appeal to those who desire the super yacht lifestyle. Sailboats entice those who anticipate the feel of the ocean and the romance of the sea.

Who will be going with you? The size of your party will determine how many staterooms you will need and how they need to be configured.

How long will your charter holiday last? Charter yachts are usually available on a weekly or daily basis. The length of time you will spend on your charter will also be a consideration as to areas you wish to visit.

When do you want to take your charter? You will want to plan early (holidays are booked up to a year or more in advance often) and be flexible.

What is your total budget? Including airfare, marina charges, fuel, food and beverages, embarking/disembarking charges, and gratuities.

You have told us what you need, we has found the perfect yacht at the right time for your holiday, and it's within your budget. Here's what happens next:

The Charter Agreement: While at first glance, the charter agreement you agent will send you appears daunting, it is not as difficult as it would seem. You already have a basic understanding of different terms, and you will want to go over anything you do not completely understand with your agent.

Payment: Once you fully understand and have finalized your charter agreement with your agent, you will be asked for a 50% down payment.

The Questionnaire: You will receive a detailed questionnaire to complete. This will pertain to preferences, special needs, dietary or medical requirements. This is vital for the crew to be able to provide you with the foods you desire and the appropriate activities to make your charter holiday perfect.

Final Payment and Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA): The balance of your payment is normally due one month prior to the charter. You will also be asked to send funds to cover the APA, if that is the terms of your agreement. All charter costs must be reconciled before you disembark from the vessel.

Insurance: Cancellation and Curtailment Insurance is available to protect your investment if unforeseen circumstances prevent or cut short your charter. Ask your charter agent about this insurance and other forms of insurance that might be prudent.

Captain's Responsibility: A charter yacht captain will always try to comply with your wishes, but his primary responsibility is to the safety of the yacht and passengers. Should an scenario arise where a request conflicts with this responsibility, your captain will discuss all possible alternatives with you. However, when relating to the yacht and safety of those onboard, the captain's decision is final.

Gratuities: Tipping is customary and discretionary. Remember that your crew has worked long, hard hours to make your holiday a success. If you feel the crew has been excellent, a gratuity equal to 10% of the charter fee may be fair. If the service has been exceptional, 20% and higher might be warranted. The tip is handed to the captain at the end of the charter to distribute fairly between all members of the crew.

OPERATING EXPENSES - These vary depending on the area you cruise and the yacht you choose. If fuel economy is important, discuss this with your us at the beginning of your selection process. There also may be some positioning or repositioning charges if your charter involves meeting or leaving the yacht in an unusual location.

HARBOR FEES - Often called dues in Europe, these vary from port to port. Normally, this is a small item in the charter budget, especially in the Caribbean or Pacific Northwest.

How do I figure costs and expenses?

Charter costs range widely depending on the yacht, location, season, number of guests, dis­tance cruised, days spent in ports, and the level of luxury provided. Rates will be quoted either as "all-inclusive" or "plus expenses." A guideline often used for estimating expenses is to factor in an additional 25-35% of the base charter rate. Taxes are not included in base charter rates. Charter rates, which are listed in this guide in U.S. dollars, will be subject to varying rates of government-man­dated taxes fyAT within EC community waters). Local taxes may also apply in certain areas outside the EC. Your broker will have the most recent information for your cruising area as well as any additional insurance requirements.

When you charter on a plus-expenses basis, the captain will give you discreet updates on such items as fuel usage, telephone/fax charges, and liquor/wine consumption. You will also receive detailed accounts at the end of the holiday.

It is customary for the charter party to leave the entire gratuity, usually 10 to 20 percent of the charter fee, with the captain. The captain should be made aware of any special services provided to you or your charter party by members of the crew that you think should be rewarded, however, even those members of the crew you might never have seen - engineers, deck hands or perhaps a laundress - have contributed to the success of your yacht holiday and the captain is best qualified to determine how your tip should be distributed.

Back to Firstcaribbeanhotels - click here.