Charter guide

Totally tropical

Post pandemic, and chartering off the beaten track is definitely back on the agenda. Sam Jefferson explores some of the possibilities

The Covid 19 pandemic has been a journey for all of us and one that has actually involved travelling a good deal less. Nowhere was this more evident than in the charter industry, where previously popular destinations simply fell off the map. Pacific islands became all but untouchable while Australia and New Zealand were seemingly perpetually out of bounds. Thankfully, there is a sea change and borders and barriers are currently tumbling at a rate of knots. Laura Bowtell, Head of Sales UK at Sunsail and The

Moorings, explains the current situation: “Many of our more exotic locations were slow coming out of the pandemic restrictions and it wasn’t until recently that a lot of Covid mandates were lifted.

“As an example, Thailand was really tough but in recent weeks things have suddenly become a whole lot easier and most of the barriers have been removed. Just at present, the Seychelles is probably the easiest long haul destination, as there are no restrictions for vaccinated travellers.

“One thing that we have noticed that has remained is that travellers are are now being asked to show proof of travel insurance which is no bad thing. Aside from that, we provide information on all the latest travel requirements on each destination page of our website. It’s also worth checking with the airlines aswell as they are the ones delivering you there and nobody will know better than them what is required.”

Despite the cost of living crisis, there are some great deals to be had on flights, as Laura explains: “In terms of long haul, there are some great deals on flights now, especially if you are planning ahead. Most countries are also desperate to welcome back tourists, so you can expect an extra warm welcome!”

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The dream; powder white beaches and impossibly blue waters

Where to go?

Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia offer spectacular cruising with magnificent peaks, cliffs and luscious green hillsides, while beautiful lagoon anchorages offer dazzling white beaches for swimming and snorkelling.

Although Bali currently has few large charter bases, it has over 13,000 tropical islands to explore with local companies, while Thailand’s 2,000 miles of coastline with its mix of quiet bays, hidden beaches

and vibrant harbours is a newly discovered treat for many. Explore the west coast with a one-way trip from Phuket in Thailand to Langkawi, Malaysia – there are few navigational challenges in the emerald-clear Andaman Sea, while stopovers offer bustling villages and tranquil temples to experience.

For a hassle free destination, James Foot of charter operator Helm recommends the South Seas: “For a far-flung charter without the red tape, French Polynesia is a wonderful option. It’s a magnificent sailing area of 117 islands, each utterly unique and off the beaten track. The islands benefit from consistent E trade winds (15-20 knots year round), and I’ve never seen such clear water anywhere else in the world. "These incredible islands combine volcanic mountains with barrier reefs teeming with vibrant marine life. Fully-vaccinated British travellers are now able to travel freely, and the health monitoring programme ended on 28 March 2022. And because it’s a French territory, you don’t need a visa." There are some of the usual global operators out there, as well as boutique local fleets. My favourite time to visit the islands is November – things are beginning to heat up, but haven’t reached the heights of summer – water and air temperatures are both a balmy 29˚C.

The Seychelles are another excellent exotic option, lying off the east African coast and offering superb cruising between a wide selection of islands all offering white sand beaches and crystal clear waters.

Australia’s 74 Whitsunday Islands are a spectacular natural landscape set in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, and they’re on many a charterer’s bucket list. It’s a World Heritage destination teeming with animal life, surrounded by coral and pristine beaches.

When to go?

Malaysia and Thailand charters are best from November to February when you can expect sunshine and gentle north easterlies. March to May can bring squally rain, while humidity can be oppressive in other months. The Pacific Islands promise sunshine and balmy breezes all year outside the November to April hurricane season. Australia’s Whitsunday Islands offers moderate sailing conditions throughout the year, while New Zealand is best from November to April when winds average Force 1 to 4.

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The Seychelles is an accessible and extremely beautiful location

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Cruising in Polynesia

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Ko Lanta in Thailand

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The spectacular Andaman Islands in Thailand

CHARTER CONTACTS

dreamyachtcharter.co.uk boatbookings.com clickandboat.com helm.yt oceangetaways.com theglobesailor.com sunsail.co.uk sailconnections.com themoorings.co.uk

Other useful contacts

Foreign travel advice: gov. uk/foreign-travel