Sailing cruises

Where and how to set off?

For us landlubbers, the word “cruise” often brings to mind lounging on a cruise ship or a luxury yacht. But for sailing enthusiasts, this picture-perfect image comes with a few nuances. Hands in the grease, torn sails and all kinds of breakdowns fuel the popularity of dockside radio chatter and evenings in sailors’ bars. Is this kind of experience during holiday time really worth it? The answer is yes, according to sailing cruise addicts. Misadventures are quickly swept away by memories of long surfs in the open-sea swell, sunsets at sea, dolphin encounters, freshly caught fish or the discovery of new horizons.

The great voyage

Small cruising sailboats are also excellent platforms for getting started before going further. If the urge takes you to see what the wide world looks like, you will need a larger sailboat capable of withstanding heavy weather without flinching. From this point of view, a 12-meter boat is sufficient for a round-the-world trip. Then comes the question of space on board. For a family voyage with four or five people on board, having a fourth cabin is appreciated. It can also serve as a workshop, an “office” or additional storage space. Next, the choice of itinerary will depend on the time available. One year is more than enough for an Atlantic circuit, while two years (or rather three) is a minimum to truly enjoy a round-the-world trip. Enough to build memories for a lifetime?

Cruising school

To make this dream come true, it is always advisable to go through a cruising school.

It is indeed the best way to achieve autonomy without wasting time. Sailing outings with friends are often less productive, as they are dedicated to leisure time. Moreover, even a skipper who is very skilled in navigation will not necessarily be a good teacher. Add to this the likely tensions between friends or family members, and you get a wonderfully frustrating deadlock for everyone involved. Finally, the shortcomings of “learning with friends” generally stick for life and can one day be very costly. The solution: go and learn elsewhere and multiply experiences to come back a winner!

Sail later with friends while being relaxed and confident.

Coastal cruising

When you have limited vacation time, the most suitable option for going on a cruise remains boat charter. The main advantage of this option is the possibility of exploring different sailing grounds from one year to the next. During the summer season, the Mediterranean remains highly sought after with its classic destinations such as Corsica, Croatia, Turkey, Greece or the Balearic Islands. Those who are allergic to crowds will prefer the off-season or will try to get off the beaten track. Northern Europe, for example, certainly offers less sunshine than the Mediterranean, but this drawback is often offset by the quality of interactions with local populations, inversely proportional to tourist traffic. The white sand beaches of northern Scotland, the fjords of Norway, the islands of Denmark or the coasts of Ireland are all regions to explore with guaranteed change of scenery.

These regions nevertheless remain quite technical in terms of navigation. If you do not feel up to it, it is better to hire the services of a skipper to avoid stress and fully enjoy the trip.

Tropical waters also offer many possibilities, especially during the winter period for the Caribbean, which remains one of the paradises of sailing along with Polynesia.

Another possibility is buying a sailboat. This solution can be attractive if you sail more than three weeks per year. A very good option for heading out on a whim, taking advantage of a weather window, meeting people and setting off without having to answer to anyone. A 9 to 10 meter sailboat is sufficient for coastal cruising as a couple or with four people, with reduced operating costs. Small boat, small worries: that is to say lower maintenance costs, better maneuverability and therefore more opportunities to go out easily.

Find here our sailing training services

Boat charter

My first is one of the most beautiful cities in France.

My second is the largest marina in Europe.

My third lies at the heart of the sunniest sailing basin on the Atlantic coast.

My fourth is a stronghold of oyster, mussel and rosé wine consumption from the Île de Ré, not forgetting fries.

All together they form one and the same city you have surely already heard of.

As you will have understood, a boat charter in La Rochelle, for example, for a weekend or a cruise, will allow you to enjoy both major tourist assets and an extremely dynamic and varied nautical sector.