If you are traveling in from the Americas or further afield it might be worth adding a London stopover to combat the dreaded jet lag. Sea Containers will get you into the spirit of your charter which is a nautical-themed 4* hotel. Conveniently located just a short 7-minute walk from the well-connected Blackfriars station, this hotel is ideally located for an easy commute from one of the 5 airports based in and on the outskirts of London.
The reception area of Sea Containers
Architecture
Sea Containers House immediately immerses you in architectural brilliance. With the opening reception hallway resembling a brushed copper hull, it’ll get anybody in the mood for life at sea. The copper colouring provides warmth to the expansive reception area that you wouldn’t necessarily expect from a metal heavy interior.
12th Knot Bar, top floor.
12th Knot
The upmarket hotel is furnished in an industrial come nautical way which fits in perfects to the industrial history of London. Overlooking one of the most famous rivers in the world, watch the clipper yachts and cargo boats drift by while relaxing in the 12th Knot Bar, situated in the top floor of this impressively built building. Look east and soak up the London Skyline.
Sea Containers Resturant bar area
Immerse yourself in luxury with an extensive, well thought out menu that matches the seasons perfectly. With breakfast, lunch, and dinner available all under one roof – you cannot go hungry. With reasonably priced dishes, small plates, and sharing plates alike providing a great range of culinary delights. From Ceviche Tacos, seabass, coriander salsa to Whole Roasted Corn-fed Chicken, confit onions there will be something for everyone.
Stopping off in London is the best place to enjoy a varied, culturally vibrant city with fantastic links to the rest of the world. With direct flights to thousands of yachting hot spots around the world including, Greece, Croatia, Caribbean, Italy, and Asia it’s the perfect hub to start your holiday from.
Reception area, Sea Containers house.
Get in touch with us today to experience London before you embark on your charter. Wherever you are in the world, be sure that Boatbookings can provide a door to door service.
1- Bring a hard copy of your sailing certifications.
A hard copy of the relevant sailing certifications is due upon embarkation of the yacht in any country. If you cannot bring the sailing certifications with you, you may not be allowed on the boat.
Note that the specifications for sailing certifications vary from
country to country.
European requirements for a yacht charter:
Croatia: Day Skipper/ ICC/ International equivalent + valid VHF licence for smaller catamarans and most monohulls. For larger catamarans in Croatia, the yacht master certification is sometimes required. Greece:
Caribbean: Detailed sailing resume with charter experience on similar sized vessels.
Asia: Detailed resume alongside qualifications in certain areas.
Bring soft bag luggage onto the boat.
This is not a mandatory requirement for a bareboat charter however it certainly helps with space onboard. Typically on a monohull or a catamaran, the cabins are not oversized so taking a soft bag does help with storage onboard. It also saves the decks and prevents any harm or damage being caused to the boat.
3- Be aware of extra costs
The bareboat concept is essentially just the boat. Other costs such as cleaning, a starter pack, and a handling fee are usually covered in the charter fee. Mooring fees differ from port to port however can range for a bareboat from €25- €60 per night. These are payable in cash on spot so remember to take cash with you.
4- If you have chosen a skipper- trust the skipper’s knowledge.
Although your broker can give you an insight into the best boats, destinations, restaurants, bars and sailing grounds for your charter the skipper is the best person for itinerary discussion. Upon embarkation, you will be given both a safety briefing and an itinerary briefing for the charter. Be aware that a 10% gratuity of the charter fee is usually given at the client’s discretion.
5- All bareboat charters in the Mediterranean
run on a Saturday – Saturday basis. This is not the same for the Americas, the
Caribbean or Asia.
Most of the boats are chartered on a back to back basis throughout the summer (high) season in the Mediterranean. Embarkation time is at 1700H to set sail the following morning. Disembarkation is usually early morning and requires the charter vessel to be back in port the prior evening.
Mediterranean charters also solely run on a weekly basis and cannot do 10-day charters in high season. Most reputable yacht charter bases only run charters on a Saturday- Saturday basis.
In the Caribbean and Asia, charters do not run on a Saturday- Saturday basis. You can rent a boat for any period of time in these charter destinations.
6- Using the base manager as a go-to throughout
the week.
The base managers are always a phone call away throughout the week. If you require any assistance with regards to the boat, breakdowns and general maintenance issues throughout the week keep the base manager as your first port of call. Upon embarkation, if any issues are encountered, the base manager must be made aware of this.
7- Reserving moorings for the charter.
This is up to you to organise if you have specific marinas you wish to stay in. In the majority of cases, you can just check-in and out of the marinas however, it is sometimes recommended to reserve a berthing spot. Marinas in Croatia are continuously busier and you need to be there pretty early on in the day to get a spot in your preferred marina.
8- Transportation to and from the boat.
Boatbookings can only assist with this service if the base provides it. The Boatbookings charter brokers organise the boat, not the transportation to and from the boat for bareboat charters. Taxis are always available from the airport and some locations have UBER as an option.
Uber is a great option in the South of France and Croatia for your yacht charter. Be sure to check out Uber Boat in Croatia and to look at Uber Copter in the South of France to get you to your charter.
9- Provisions
Some bases provide the service to do online provisioning prior to embarkation. This is not always the case and varies on a base-base basis. There is always the option of heading to a supermarket prior to embarkation on the yacht. It is advisable to buy basic provisions such as sunscreen, toilet roll, cleaning products, drinking water, and dry foods.
10- Take photographs and make memories for a lifetime.
Catch sunsets, swim in the clearest waters in the world and make memories with friends and family that are unforgettable. No matter what size the boat is, the waters and destinations are all the same and pave for the best holiday that the globe has to offer. Be sure to invest in an underwater GoPro before heading on the charter.
Get in touch today for any bareboat/crewed charter requests.
Hvar has witnessed countless invasions over the centuries, resulting in a rich cultural, archaeological and architectural heritage. Thought to be one of the ten most beautiful islands in the world, Hvar lies a 2-hour yacht trip away from the historic town of Split situated on the southwestern coast of Croatia.
Hvar Town is the busiest destination on the island attracting thousands during the height of summer, not only for its rich culture but also for its vibrant nightlife scene.
Konoba Lambik
Konoba Lambik is situated in the little town Milna 3km from Hvar Centre, situated in a valley surrounded by olive trees. The restaurant attracts returning clients every year, who are never disappointed! This restaurant is considered by some to be one of the absolute best restaurants on the island of Hvar, especially if you like fresh fish! It can hardly get better than sitting under an olive grove eating fresh food prepared by the owners, accompanied by excellent wine. The service is also fantastic, so make sure to reserve to avoid missing out!
Dalmatino
Steak & Fish House Dalmatino will provide you with a feeling you have found a well-hidden treasure! Dalmatino is tranquil, an escape from urban city life, yet only just a few steps from the main square. Enjoy a glass of the famous “Hvarski Plavac”, rich with fruity notes, perfectly combined with your chosen meal.
Konoba Vrisnik
Konoba Vrisnik’s charming atmosphere perfectly compliments the top-notch service. Located at the bottom of the steep hill leading up to the village of Vrisnik, tables are outdoors. The octopus is soft as butter and melts in your mouth! Be sure to try “hobotnica ispod peke”, which you must order 3 hours in advance, and “hobotnica na toc”. If you want something else, try the fresh fish grilled over an open fire or the beef with fig sauce. Their house wine is made by the owner so you can be sure you are drinking proper local wine! Book a table before 7 pm to enjoy the sunset.
Get in touch today to find out how you could be eating at one of these stunning restaurants.
Sardinia is not only known for the amazing crystalline blue water and the stunning white beaches, but also for the unparalleled authentic Italian cuisine.
Culture
Sardinian cuisine is extremely varied, enriched through the centuries by different cultures and traditions. Whether it’s snacks, starters, hearty meals or tasty desserts, you’ll be in food heaven during your holiday in Sardinia.
Wines
This region also boasts a wide selection of exquisite wines. The common wines you would find in most Sardinian restaurants would be Vermentino for the white wine and Cannonau for the Red wine. Sardinia is a magical blend of the fascinating local nature and fine cuisine inspired by the strong Italian culture and maritime history.
Day charter
Chartering a boat in Sardinia is the best way to visit unique beaches and islands, and if you are a food and wine lover you should definitely go to one of the restaurants below! All the restaurants can be reached with your private yacht, the restaurants all have a tender service or a dock to use to get you from the boat to the restaurant.
Number 1: LA SCOGLIERA
If you want a romantic restaurant coupled with panoramic Italian sea views. The white table cloths against the blue skies and seas is a beautiful setting for an equally beautiful lunch or dinner. LA SCOGLIERA is located in the spectacular natural setting of Porto Massimo north-east of the island of La Maddalena, in the heart of the Archipelago.
Number 2: LA CASITTA
The large terrace of the exclusive restaurant – La Casitta overlooks the beautiful waters of the Emerald Coast. This unique restaurant is located on the Island of Santa Maria, it composes the national park of the La Maddalena Archipelago.
The restaurant offers Mediterranean cuisine, fresh, natural and sophisticated, based on local products of the highest quality. You have the choice of sitting in the classic Italian porch style section or on the terrace with a spectacular sea view.
Number 3: CALA DI VOLPE
The Cala di Volpe located in near Porto Cervo, provides a fresh tribute to a traditional Sardinian and Mediterranean cuisine. Cala Di Volpe has been the undisputed gourmet’s choice for guests along the entire Emerald Coast for years.
The buffets boast an unrivaled selection of antipasti, inspired by regional recipes using fresh local products, cheeses, meats, and seafood. The dessert buffet offers homemade Italian gelatos, traditional cakes flavored with Sardinian honey’s and almonds, creamy custards, stewed fruit compotes, and decadent puddings are just some of the popular choices bound to please the most ardent sweet tooth.
If you book your yacht with us, we will make the reservation for you. Contact us now to find out what you could do this summer!!
A short cruise around from Ajaccio you will arrive in Propriano, a beautiful fishing harbor in the narrowest part of the Valinco Golf in Corsica.
Propriano
The majority of the buildings date from the early 19th century, prior to this the area was occupied by Romans and Greeks, but having been frequently attacked by pirates in the late 18th century, little remains of early Propriano.
Propriano is mainly one long cobbled street with luxury shops, cafes and bars in the traditional old houses, it’s a lovely place to explore. Propriano has become quite a popular area in Corsica thanks to her numerous close by beaches including Plage du Lido, a stunning white sandy beach with views over the gulf of Propriano.
Roccapina?
Further south after a leisurely cruise you will find the beautiful Plage de Roccapina, a 2km stretch of white sand adorned with magnificent rock formations including the Roccapina Lion.
A little inland from Roccapina beach is the stunning Domaine de Murtoli, a natural and peaceful resort with the stunning beach restaurant La Table de la Plage, inspired by an ancient fisherman’s hut, furniture made of driftwood and shaded by olive and mastik trees.
The restaurant offers gastronomic food including locally grown meat, freshly caught fish or seafood seasoned to enhance their flavour. Chef Renard Laurence has created a selection of their most popular ‘ecorces’ to enjoy in the lounges or on the sunbeds where relaxation is paramount.
Bonifacio
On the southernmost point of Corsica when you cruise the straights of Bonifacio, it is truly magnificent, with dramatic limestone cliffs on either side, you cruise for around an hour and a half before arriving at the pretty town consisting of brasseries, bars, and cafes, the perfect place to enjoy an evening ashore.
Porto Vecchio around to the east of Bonifacio is known as the ‘Pearl of the south’, with winding narrow streets inside the ramparts offering many restaurants, shops and cafes. Porto Vecchio has an Italian chic which gives a great energy to the town.
Porto Vecchio is home to the exquisite white sandy beach Santa Giulia and the stunning Palombaggia with perfect sand and a red rock backdrop.
