The idea of a sailing holiday conjures up enchanting ideas of sipping cocktails on the sun-kissed cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, snorkelling in the colourful British Virgin Islands, or dancing the night away in the buzzing Greek Islands. However, for many, it also comes with the thought of a great big price tag. However, a personalised sailing holiday doesn’t have to be as expensive as you might think! With specialist yacht charter companies, like The Big Sail, you can design your dream sailing holiday without breaking the bank! But how to go about it…
1. Picking a destination and date to suit your budget
Once you’ve decided on your dream sailing holiday destination, the next thing to consider is timing! It is worth investigating the Low Season and High Season for your chosen destination and consider what fits best with your group. Across the Mediterranean you will find that the hotter months from June to October generally attract more sailing tourism and therefore the prices of yacht hire, flights, dining and activities are at their peak. Similarly in the Caribbean, you will find that the traditional holiday season over Christmas and New Year draws flocks of sailing holidaymakers and therefore has a higher price point. Selecting your time of year can hugely affect the cost of your trip, so it’s up to you to decide whether you’re wanting to stretch your budget for the most popular weeks, or go exploring at the slightly cooler, quieter and cheaper months that flank these high points.
2. Getting in touch with the experts
Once you and your crew have decided on a destination and date, contact a company that offers bespoke sailing charters for groups – like us at The Big Sail! All we need is your group size, budget, and destination and we’ll start doing all the hard work to find you the best deal! It’s perfectly fine if you don’t know exactly how many people you’ll be travelling with, which exact place you want to sail from, or your ideal dates – if you can give us even just a rough idea, we can give you advice and offer you options until we find what suits your group best!
3. Choosing your sailing holiday vessel
Selecting a yacht can be a tricky business, but we’re here to advise and help! The Big Sail will provide you with a few hand-picked yachts to choose from that will accommodate your crew. Then it’s up to you to decide whether you want to book a slightly older or smaller yacht to keep a lid on the costs, or splurge out on an air-conditioned luxury catamaran, or settle for somewhere in between.
4. Maximising your luggage space
To avoid any additional costs whilst away, be sure to pack everything you will need, this will minimise the chance of any nasty last-minute shopping surprises! To make sure you don’t get caught short whilst on a sailing holiday, check out our guide to packing for a sailing trip.
5. Relax…
Once you’ve designed the perfect sailing holiday to suit your budget, it’s time to simply sit back and enjoy your trip! Whether you’ll be enjoying luxury ocean-view restaurants or relaxing with onboard prepared meals with loved ones, a sailing holiday is the perfect way to see the world in your own way.