Setting sail this December?

Summer is here and what better way to celebrate than by setting sail! We're taking a look at everything you need to know about yachting in South Africa this season.

Spending some time on sea is the perfect way to make the most of the warmer weather during the December holidays. Enjoy a uniquely luxurious experience on the open ocean, whether you're sailing in the warm tropical waters of the Indian ocean or the cooler waters off the coast of the Western Cape. Soak up the sun's rays, take a dip in the azure waters and check out the local marine wildlife from the best possible place - on the water itself.

If you're thinking of setting sail this December, whether you're a first timer or if you've done this all before, here's everything you need to know:

Chartering a boat

So, you've decided to set sail during the December holidays and, well, now what? Those of you who are more experienced will already know this, but the first step would be to charter a yacht. When it comes to chartering a boat there are a number of factors you will need to take into consideration:

·       Do you have the appropriate skipper's licence that would enable you to charter a yacht and sail it yourself? If not, you would need to charter a boat along with a seasoned captain who will take the reins while you and your family or guests enjoy yourselves.

·       Do you want to charter a yacht that comes with a full crew who take care of all the work onboard so that you and your guests can sit back and relax?

·       How many people are joining you for this sailing experience as this will, obviously, influence the size of the yacht you decide to charter.

·       Are you looking for an exclusive 5-star luxury experience or something slightly more laid-back? Depending on the type of trip you're looking to have, there are charters to accommodate most preferences.

Duration of your charter

When it comes to setting sail there are a lot of different options you can look into, with chartered trips ranging in duration from a couple of hours to a few days. it's important to have an idea of what you're looking for before you book.

Some of the options you can choose from include:

·       Day trips - enjoy a day out on the open ocean, exploring the coastal waters. Most day trips on a chartered yacht will also include a meal and drinks as you traverse the coastline, giving you a chance to take in the sights.

·       Sunset charters - if you have ever wanted to enjoy sundowners from the deck of a yacht, enjoying a glass of wine or champagne as the sun dips below the horizon then why not charter a yacht for a sunset trip that will surpass any and all expectations. 

·       Overnight charters - certain companies will enable you to charter a yacht for more than one day, enabling you to spend the day sailing along the coastline and then turn in for the night onboard. The distance covered and number of days will depend on what company you chose to hire the yacht from and where you set sail.

Sailing hot spots

Choosing where you're going to go sailing is important as our different coastlines offer unique sailing experiences. These are South Africa's most popular sailing spots and what they have to offer:

Durban - known for its warm waters and abundance of marine life, Durban is the perfect tropical holiday destination to charter a yacht this summer.

Find out more about chartering a private yacht in Durban here:

http://www.spiritdsulis.co.za/

Cape Town - home to some of the biggest yacht clubs in the country and known for its golden hour sunset charters, sailing in Cape Town's colder waters means you can look forward to spectacular scenery and depending on where and when you sail, you may even spot a whale.

Find out more about chartering a private yacht in Cape Town here: https://luxuryyachtcharters.co.za/

Knysna and Plettenberg Bay - with turquoise, temperate waters and stunning garden route scenery, chartering a yacht in Knysna or Plettenberg Bay is guaranteed to be a memorable experience. You can spend the day soaking up the sun's rays and then take a dip in the sea to cool down.

Find out more about chartering a private yacht in Knysna and Plett here: https://www.oceansailingcharters.co.za/

Other things to keep in mind when setting sail

When it comes to hopping onto a yacht to set sail there are some important things that you need to remember to ensure that you have the best possible time:

·       Don't forget your sunblock.

·       Wear the right clothes - the company you charter your yacht from will let you know exactly what you need to wear.

·       If you, or one of your family members, suffer from sea sickness, then consider speaking to your doctor about tablets that help to ease the symptoms.

·       Familiarise yourself with the yacht's emergency procedures in case of an emergency.

·       If food and drinks are not provided, find out if you can bring your own or hire a caterer.

·       Bring a waterproof bag for important items like your cellphone.

·       Double check the weather beforehand.

Chartering a yacht would undoubtedly be a truly luxurious experience that would make your holiday one to remember. It's important that you make sure to start planning your sailing trip in advance in order to ensure that, come December, all that's left to do is step on board and set sail.

Read our previous article here: https://www.hamiltons.co.za/news/ceo-update-spring-market/  

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