Everything was well organized and our skipper was outstanding. The boat was immaculate and well equipped.
Skippered Yacht Charters & Sailing Vacations
Want to sit back, relax and unwind as you set sail around turquoise waters? With a Skippered yacht charter, you can focus on admiring the breathtaking views while your experienced Skipper navigates the open waters.
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Are you new to sailing, and unsure on where to start when it comes to planning a sailing vacation? We have made it easy for you with our two skippered charter options.
Who is a skipper?
A skipper is a fully qualified and professional captain. They will have hundreds of hours of experience in sailing many different types and sizes of yachts.
They are often local to your chosen destination and come with a wealth of knowledge to make your skippered sailing vacation truly special both off and on the water.
What is a skippered charter?
Considering a skippered yacht charter? A professional skipper manages the sailing, and provides experts tips and advice on must-see stops, allowing you to enjoy a stress-free vacation.
On a skippered yacht charter, your skipper will stay on board the yacht, and assumes responsibility for the safety, operation and navigation of the yacht.
Your skipper provides added security and comfort for new sailors or beginners. Experienced sailors may also hire a skipper to take advantage of the local knowledge or to allow them to relax knowing everything is taken care of.
If you want to experience the thrill of navigating the open waters of the Mediterranean, Caribbean or beyond, you can book a bareboat skippered charter and hire a skipper for only part of your journey.
Benefits of Skippered Sailing Vacations
Bareboat, crewed and skippered charters each have their own unique benefits, depending on who you are and what you look for in a vacation.
If you value relaxation and insider knowledge, a skippered charter might just be your perfect match.
Some of the benefits of booking a skippered yacht charter include:
- You can feel your cares melt away as you relax up on deck while your skipper navigates the crystal clear waters around you.
- Whether you want to know the best diving spots in the Caribbean or where to sail in Italy, your skipper is a fountain of knowledge.
- This also means your skipper can take you to the most exclusive places that other tourists may not have heard of, from uninhabited islands to secluded beaches only accessible by boat.
- You still have the freedom and control to choose your own itinerary and curate your dream sailing vacation.
- Our skippers are discrete and will provide you with privacy whenever you want it.
- When you hire a skipper, you have the unique opportunity to gain hands-on sailing experience from an expert.
The best part? You can hire a skipper on one of our Sailing yachts or Power yachts. Find out more about Sailing VS Power catamarans.
Who Should Book a Skippered Yacht Charter?
Whether you’re a sailing novice eager to learn or simply wish to unwind fully, skippered charters provide an exceptional way to experience stunning destinations without any stress.
- First-time sailors – Whether this is your first time setting sail around a particular destination or the first-ever time you’re taking the helm on a yacht, our skippers can give you guidance, share their expertise and help you feel confident on the open waters.
- Families – If you want to embark on a thrilling adventure while also ensuring you can spend quality time with your family, a skippered charter is perfect for you. With a qualified skipper at the helm, all you need to do is focus on playing games, having fun and making magical memories as a family.
- Couples – Similarly to families, couples also love skippered charters. Spend your days up on deck, sipping cocktails and admiring the breathtaking views of your chosen destination, while your skipper takes care of everything.
- Adventurers – Skippered sailing vacations offer the best of both worlds for adventurers. There’s no adventure quite like navigating turquoise waters and skippering your own yacht, whether you’re in Greece, Thailand or Mexico. However, when you hire a skipper for part of your vacation, you can also spend less time at the helm and more time discovering uninhabited islands, snorkeling and exploring new territory.
- Sunbathers – If you’d simply prefer to soak up the golden sun on the deck of your yacht than be responsible for sailing around the azure waters of your chosen destination, you’ll love skippered charters. They offer the chance to rest, recuperate and focus on your tan.
Choose between our ‘Skippered Charter Package’ or ‘Bareboat Skippered Charter’
Our Skippered Charter Package is currently available in the British Virgin Islands only, and includes the skipper, skipper provisioning and Wi-Fi.
Bareboat Skippered Charters offer more flexibility and are available in all our stunning destinations on any yacht in our fleet. This is also available in the destinations where we offer our skippered charter packages.
Differences and inclusions of a Skippered Charter Package and a Bareboat Skippered Charter are set out below .
Skippered Charters FAQ’s | Contact Us
Skippered Charter Package – Exclusively in BVI
- Our Skippered Charter Package is currently available in the British Virgin Islands ONLY, and includes the skipper, skipper provisioning and Wi-Fi.
- Where they are available, you may select your skipper through our skipper personal profiles.
- Skippers will have a dedicated yacht.
- Includes skipper for your whole charter.
- The skipper will have a fixed interior cabin and cannot be asked to use the forepeak cabin to allow for additional guests. Guests are of course welcome to use the forepeak cabins.
- Exclusively available in the British Virgin Islands.
- Only available for selected sailing yachts.
- Yachts available in the BVI are:
- Moorings 4500L 4-cabin sailing catamaran
- *Capacity: 3 cabins/ 6 passengers; 4th cabin is for the skipper
- Moorings 4600 5-cabin sailing catamaran
- *Capacity: 4 cabins/ 8 passengers; 5th cabin is for the skipper
- Moorings 4500L 4-cabin sailing catamaran
- Yachts available in the BVI are:
- Price includes the yacht, skipper hire, skipper’s food and drink, and complementary Wi-Fi. Find out more about what’s included in our skippered charter FAQs.
- Book through the skippered option on the BVI page online, or via vacation planners.
Bareboat Skippered Charter – Worldwide
- Bareboat Skippered Charters offer flexibility and are available in all our stunning destinations on any yacht in our fleet. This is also available in the destinations where we offer our Skippered Charter Packages.
- Skipper personal profiles are not available, and an experienced Moorings skipper will be assigned to your charter.
- Skipper will captain any yacht that you choose within the fleet including all monohulls, sail and power catamarans.
- You can pay for a skipper per day or for the whole duration of your charter.
- Your skipper will require a cabin for the duration of their time aboard. Consult your Moorings Vacation Planner, or view the specifications on your yacht’s web page to ensure there is enough space for your party plus the crew you intend to hire. Skippers can utilize the forepeak cabin where needed however this must be advised at the time of booking. If an interior cabin is available, the skipper will occupy this.
- Available in all worldwide destinations.
- Available for all sailing yachts and power catamaran charters.
- Available on any yacht of your choice.
- The skipper is added as an extra to your booking. The skipper price only includes the skipper. You are required to provide provisioning for your hired crew.*
- Book through our bareboat charter page or via vacation planners.
*You can pre-pay this whilst booking online, or a Vacation Planner can add provisioning if you are booking over the phone. If you choose not to do this, you will need to provide your crew with food and drink throughout your charter.
Interested in the Skippered Charter Package?
To build a quote online, please click on the link below.
Interested in a Bareboat Skippered Charter?
Choose from over 20 destinations to charter your own yacht.
Meet some of our skippers
What makes our skippered yacht charters so idyllic is, of course, our fantastic skippers. With impeccable local knowledge, years of sailing experience and friendly personalities, our skippers make the perfect companions.
Let us introduce you to some of our experienced skippers who are ready and waiting to help you explore the open waters.
What our Customers Think About our Skippered Yacht Charters
When you book a skippered yacht charter with The Moorings, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the open waters like never before. With your dedicated skipper sharing local knowledge and expertise, you can enjoy a bespoke, one-of-a-kind sailing vacation, no matter where you set sail.
Don’t just take our word for it, find out more about what our customers have to say about our skippered charters:
What Guests are Saying
Skippered Charter FAQs
How does a skippered charter work?
You choose the pace you want to set and your own itinerary with the help of the skipper’s sailing expertise and knowledge of the cruising grounds. You can get as involved as you would like with the sailing or if you would rather relax and take in the stunning surroundings – it’s completely up to you.
All you need to do is provide your skipper with their own cabin and ensure there are food and drink provisions on board for both you and your skipper. You can choose to invite your skipper to join you at mealtimes or enjoy quality time with your friends and family on board. In some locations you can also pre-pay for the skippers provisioning.
What are the skippers responsible for?
Navigation – Your skipper can take you almost anywhere within your cruising ground, weather permitting . In addition to navigating the yacht, your skipper will handle all related duties including charting your course, monitoring weather conditions, and ensuring the safety of all guests during the voyage.
Dinghy Transport – On occasions when your yacht’s dinghy is needed to travel ashore, your skipper can operate this small vessel to ensure a safe journey to land.
Safety & Maintenance – Skippers are responsible for always maintaining a safe and orderly deck. This means keeping the lines tidy and out of harm’s way and stowing gear that isn’t in use. Your skipper will also refill gas and water tanks, but guests are responsible for paying any fees required for these.
Providing a safety briefing to all customers – this is in addition to the health and safety videos that must be watched in advance of your charter.
Briefing – Briefing of the boat’s systems including, gas, toilets, water, and safety equipment.
What is your skipper not responsible for?
Cooking for the charter group
Cleaning for the charter group – skippers will of course tidy up after themselves if they have used the kitchen and will dispose of their litter.
Emptying bins
Childcare
Organizing land and water-based excursions including diving and taxis
How much does a skippered yacht charter cost?
The cost of your skippered yacht charter will depend on a number of factors, including:
- Whether you’re booking our Skippered Charter Package in the BVI or a bareboat skippered charter elsewhere.
- Your chosen sailing destination
- The duration of your skippered yacht vacation
- How many people you’re setting sail with
- How many days you want to hire a skipper for
- The type, model and size of the yacht
- Whether you want to add any charter extras
Once you have chosen which destination you want to explore, you can head to the ‘build a quote’ tab for your specific base and work out a more accurate cost.
Gratuity and industry expectations?
For a skippered charter package, a gratuity is expected, per week. The amount is at your discretion and is appreciated. For excellent service please feel free to tip a percentage of the total charter cost.
For a bareboat skippered charter, a gratuity of 15-20% of the skipper fee is appreciated for excellent service. However, some customers feel it appropriate to tip at a percentage of the overall charter price for outstanding service.
This is entirely at your discretion.
Your ideal destination doesn’t offer the skippered charter package, or it is unavailable?
Not to worry, you can still enjoy a skippered charter with us. You can hire a skipper through adding this on to your bareboat charter. Although you won’t receive the inclusions of the skippered charter package, you can add these on to your booking too.
What if I only want a skipper for the day?
Bareboat skippered charters are fully flexible and enable you to add a skipper for the duration of your choosing depending on your needs. You can hire them for the day or for the duration of your charter, speak to your vacation planner to ensure you have the support you need.
Please note: If you are booking the skippered charter package, the skipper will be with you for the whole of your charter. Hiring a skipper for a shorter duration may not be possible in all destinations, please confirm this with your vacation planner.
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