Enjoy a UK yacht charter with The Big Sail

Key information:

• 1-week  or weekend sailing holidays in the UK (longer charters can also be arranged)
• For families, groups of friends or students
• Skippered or bareboat
• Flexible start days, but 1-week charters usually run Saturday-Saturday
• Weekend yacht charters run from Friday 6pm until Sunday 6pm (longer charters can be arranged)

If you’re looking for a sailing holiday a little closer to home, then consider the UK, a global sailing hotspot that is often (wrongly) overlooked in favour of the Mediterranean as a summer holiday destination. Whilst you can’t always guarantee the weather in the UK, when the sun does shine, the sailing is second to none and it is an excellent option if you are looking for a UK staycation within driving distance from home! The UK has several excellent cruising areas, with the most popular being the Solent on the south coast, and also the west coast of Scotland. But why choose The Big Sail?

At The Big Sail, we’re passionate about providing the very best yachting experience to our customers. When you book a sailing holiday in the Solent or west coast of Scotland with us, you’ll be given your own comfortable yacht which will become your home. From there, you’ll be free to sail throughout the cruising area and eat, sleep, swim, hike, bike or just visit the beach – all at your own pace. What’s more, we’ll make sure your yacht is packed with everything that you’ll need to enjoy your UK sailing holiday.

Whether you choose to sail around the Inner Hebrides in Scotland or to the Isle of Wight and Dorset on the south coast, The Big Sail will find the best yacht for your group size and budget, and tailor our itineraries to suit your needs. Whether that involves spending an extra day in a town so you have more time to explore, or simply stopping off at an island you’ve always wanted to visit – we can help plan the perfect sailing holiday for you.

What happens on a yacht charter?

Our customisable sailing itineraries are designed to help you make the most out of your UK yacht charter, but you’re free to travel off the beaten track or spend more time in a particular area as you see fit. The two most popular areas to begin your yacht charter in the UK are in the Hamble or Portsmouth on the south coast of England, or in Largs on the west coast of Scotland. When you check-in you will be introduced to your yacht and skipper (if you need one), before setting sail to the Solent or the Inner Hebrides if you are sailing in Scotland.

From the Hamble or Portsmouth, you’ll sail into the Solent, the stretch of water between the Isle of Wight and the south coast of the mainland. Sail to Cowes, a town best known for it’s sailing heritage which has plenty of pubs, boutique shops, nautical clothing shops and restaurants around every corner. If you want to see more of what the Isle of Wight has to offer, then you can hire bikes and cycle to various points of the island – it is 60 miles in circumference so is technically cycleable in a day! Just a short sail from Cowes, Yarmouth or Lymington both make great stopovers if you plan to leave the Solent and sail to Poole or Weymouth in Dorset. There is plenty to see and do in this area, with short-hop sailing and protected waters being the ‘key features’ of a Solent sailing itinerary.

Of course, this yacht charter route is just one of our suggestions, but when you travel with The Big Sail, you have the freedom to choose your own path. If you want to check out a different island/town or spend extra time at a particular anchorage, then you can do exactly that.

What happens when you book a yacht charter?

Each of our yachts sleeps up to ten people, making them the perfect size for the whole family. As soon as you are ready to book your yacht charter in Scotland or the Solent, you’ll be able to select your preferred date and then decide whether or not you’d like to hire a skipper to do the hard work for you. If you have the certification, you’ll be able to book a bareboat charter sail the yacht yourself.

Where is the best place to sail in the UK?

At The Big Sail, we are here to help with advice and guidance about the best destinations for your sailing holiday, if you are struggling to choose between all the incredible places on offer! The Solent offers protected waters and short distances between modern marinas and is perfect for a long-weekend trip or for anyone fairly new to sailing. It does have some challenges though as the Solent is very tidal and can be busy at peak times, so experience and planning are required, or you can always book a skipper to guide and plan your trip. The west coast of Scotland offers some adventurous sailing with longer passages, more secluded anchorages and fewer marinas. It is a fantastic area is you want to get off the beaten track but we recommend booking a skipper or having experience equivalent to a RYA Yachtmaster level before attempting this area as a bareboat yacht charter.

If you’re ready for a once in a lifetime holiday in the UK, book your break with The Big Sail. Complete the form below to get a quote, or call our friendly Charter Advisors on 0117 230 5417 today.

• Choose any destination worldwide.
• Yachts available to meet every budget, and any group size.
• No experience required – we’ll provide a skipper if you don’t have sailing certification.
• We’ll create a tailor-made itinerary for your group including restaurant recommendations and anchorage tips.