Excellent sailing destinations in the Indian Ocean and tropical islands travel tours guides from Bill Trikos Australia
5 min readAwesome tropical islands locations guides and sailing destinations in the Indian Ocean by Bill Trikos Australia? Here are some of the top cruising destinations around Europe that you should definitely consider experiencing. When it comes to European yacht holidays, destinations don’t get much better than Greece. This country is known for its magnificent Mediterranean coastline, stunning islands, and historic port towns. You can explore beautiful blue coves, dock at private white beaches, and hop between the many different islands. Discover the Mallorca’s Balearic Islands and swim in their crystal-clear waters or book an Ibiza yacht charter cruise to discover sheltered, hidden coves and enjoy the best sunsets you’ll ever see. With more than 6,000 islands, Greece is an ideal destination for sailing. From ancient ruins and breathtaking culture to incredible cuisine, idyllic villages, endless olive groves, and turquoise waters, Greece offers countless opportunities for fun and relaxation. Discover extra info about the author at https://www.facebook.com/bill.trikos.1.
When the day is over, a broad offer of hotels and accommodations will be waiting for you, from internationally prestigious establishments to good boutique hotels, from beach resorts offering all-inclusive services to cosy rural villas for those looking for a relaxing stay away from tourist spots. On an island where most of the beaches are fairly small, Comte stands out for its size as well as for the beauty of its setting. Overlooking a smattering of little islands (and the not-so-little Illa des Bosc) that rise out of its perfectly clear waters, the beach is 800m (2,624ft) long and is divided up into three sections, two of which are sandy and one of which is slightly rockier and just for nudists. It is lined by some slightly weird looking bars which offer incomparable views of the much-vaunted Ibiza sunset as well as decently priced food and drinks. Whether you have been to heavenly destinations such as Greek Islands, the French Riviera, and Amalfi Coast before or not, these beautiful sailing spots in the Mediterranean will call you to come back over and over again. So, why not indulge in the opportunity to discover hidden natural gems, new local dishes, traditions, and people each time you visit the Mediterranean? Here are a few useful sailing yacht cruise tips to help you plan your unforgettable summer holiday in Europe’s fanciest location.
Providing fantastic sailing conditions and a comprehensive infrastructure, the Balearic Islands are an almost year-round yachting destination. With few strong currents and a minimal tidal influence of just 10cm, the changes in water level only occur with certain wind directions from the Scirocco and Levante. In the sea around the Balearics, the winds are mostly moderate, coming predominantly from the north in Mallorca and Menorca, while Ibiza and Formentera benefit from a lighter south-easterly breeze. In the spring and autumn, the Scirocco from the south or the Mistral are tempered by the Gulf of Lyon, which can bring heavier seas. Averaging around 300 sunny days a year, temperatures can rise to 40 degrees Celsius in peak season, yet in the winter the mild daily temperatures rarely drop below 15 degrees. Numerous sheltered bays, easy navigation and crystal-clear waters simply increase the draw of a sailing yacht charter in the Balearics. Adding to Mallorca’s sailing appeal are numerous regattas throughout the year.
Low season typically refers to any time outside of the high season periods. Groups of families and friends looking for a relaxing luxury vacation are advised to avoid high season weeks and opt for weeks outside of this time. The busiest periods are of course reflected in the charter costs and can be up to 15 to 30 percent more expensive than typical low season periods. Chartering a few weeks either side of these busy periods can be almost exactly the same, with the weather almost unchanged in some places, with far less crowds. If you are looking to charter a yacht understanding the costs involved can seem daunting and confusing. The two important things to understand are your base price and what you will be expected to pay on top of it. The best analogy for determining the cost of your charter is with buying a car. It’s never quite as easy as just walking into a showroom and saying, “I’ll take the blue one.” Immediately the salesman whips out his order pad and starts asking questions. “Do you want a radio?” “How about the fancy wheels?” “Did you want the two-tone paint?”
Yachting tip of the day: Every cruising yacht should carry one or two extra-long lines. Shock-absorbing, super-strong nylon is the favorite, but cost may dictate that you use whatever you can lay hands on. The lines may not see daylight for years until some unforeseen contingency turns up. But on that day, nothing else will do, as they can, for example, be bent to the end of an anchor cable that suddenly seems too short, or serve as a life-saver in a monster raftup. I once used mine on a simple dock under a mountain when a katabatic wind fell off a glacier at midnight and started to rip the pontoon off its moorings. I ran my super-long line ashore to a tree, brought the end back to the windlass and cranked it tight. The line saved my boat and the dock as well.
Another beautiful Greek sailing route takes you through the less famous Sporades islands which are located off the East coast. There are eleven islands in total but if you start at Volos or Skiathos, you’ve got a good chance of visiting quite a few. Known as the emerald of the Aegean, expect rich vegetation, unspoiled green-blue waters and a more traditional way of life. Highlights include the picturesque island of Skopelos, the party-island Skiathos and the Marine Park of Alonissos which is dotted with secret coves.
The French Riviera has no shortage of trendy outposts, but St Tropez earns extra points for its recent revamp along Pampelonne Beach. YachtCharterFleet had the pleasure of heading down to St Tropez last year to check it out; and came back with some first-hand insight into the new (eco-friendly) beach club scene. After a morning exploring the pink streets of St Tropez, cruise over to Pampelonne in time for lunch. Be sure to book ahead for Club 55, the most iconic venue in the Cote d’Azur, and try and reserve a coveted table in the later lunchtime slot if you’re looking to rub shoulders with Hollywood heavyweights and the A-list elite. For some post-lunch entertainment, head to Verde Beach. Expect blast-from-the-past beats and dancing on the tables, as the St Tropez in-crowd transform Verde Beach into the most happening party in Pampelonne. Head back to the main port for dinner- L’Opera has got the ‘the dinner and a show’ concept down to an art.
Your chef will create a personalised menu and your Captain will design your personalised itinerary. If there is one piece of advice we would give you, it’s to provide as much detailed and specific information about your likes and dislikes as possible. And it’s not just all about the food. On your preference form you will also be asked about your dreams and aspirations for your charter …. whether you want an active charter using the water toys, and exploring ashore, or if you’d prefer to be relaxing on board and soaking up the sun.