There is no holiday experience comparable to seeing the world from the deck of your own chartered yacht. It has a sense of adventure but can also be extremely relaxing and watching the landscape slip by as you sail along is guaranteed to be an experience that is memorable for all the right reasons.
- Yacht charter holidaysseanavigatorsson / Fashion Photos / CC BY-NC-SA
Yacht charter holidays conjure up all sorts of romantic images  some of adventure, some of luxury, but all of a thoroughly excellent experience. The ability to be in total direction of your own route and either sailing the yacht yourself or, if you wish to simply relax and enjoy the ride, letting a confident and seasoned crew take control of it instead. Life on the waves may not be for everyone, but there is very little to not enjoy about cruising over smooth seas and under clear skies and having access to countless ports and harbours whenever your heart craves a change of scenery. And of course, destination is as important to a yacht charter trip as it is to any other type of vacation, so choosing the right one is crucial.
DESTINATIONS
Yacht charters are available the world over and there is certainly a spot of sea somewhere that will hold appeal for every sailor or enthusiastic passenger. For warm weather and gorgeous beaches, the Caribbean is a very good choice and if something more exotic takes your fancy, then perhaps the Indian Ocean would be ideal. The Pacific is also a prime location for yachting with some islands so delightful that they have almost become the stuff of legends. For a destination closer to home, the Mediterranean makes for some wonderful sailing adventures, with many different European and North African countries to explore as you travel. Perhaps a less conventional choice would be North America, but there are many great yacht spots here too, sure to catch the imagination of many.
CANADA
Within the North American region, some of the best sailing is to be found north of the border in Canada. For some of the most sublime yacht charters, the west coast is ideal, with Vancouver and the nearby island that bears its name comprising the optimum spots. The waters here are clear and mostly smooth and the weather is conducive to good sailing for most of the year. The anchorages are tranquil and some are even blessed with spectacular waterfalls but the attractions do not end there  there are countless delightful marine parks to explore and many other destinations to visit, such as the USA’s San Juan Islands or along the Sunshine Coast to the impressive landscapes of Desolation Sound.
Overall, Canada may not be the first destination that springs to mind when choosing a yacht charter holiday but it is remarkably well-suited to such trips. The scenery is truly breath-taking, the cities and other harbours are fascinating and always welcoming and the anchorages are safe and peaceful. It is truly a world-class sailing destination that will surprise visitors for all the right reasons and create fantastic memories.
AUTHOR BIO
Martin George writes regularly on yacht charters for a range of travel websites and blogs. An avid sailor all his life, he has crewed pleasure boats across the world from the Caribbean Sea to the Indian Ocean.
