Questions? We've got answers.

You get a private sailing vacation without needing to run the boat yourself. We charter a catamaran or monohull from an established fleet, and your captain takes command: planning the route around your group's interests, watching the weather, and leading every anchoring, mooring, and docking. You swim, snorkel, explore ashore, and enjoy the ride.

Our trips are designed for active, mobile adults who want an energetic, island-hopping week. Most of our guests are in their 20s through 50s. Life aboard is physical in small ways, so you should be comfortable:

• stepping between a boat and a moving dock or dinghy
• climbing a swim ladder out of open water
• moving around a deck that rocks and tilts
• days of snorkeling, paddling, hiking, and walking ashore

To keep the onboard dynamic relaxed and adult, we don't take children or infants. Not sure if a trip fits you? Ask. We'll give you an honest answer.

No. That said, sailing a yacht is a team sport. Your captain will need at least one guest to act as first mate: handling lines when we dock, picking up a mooring ball, helping set the anchor. We'll teach you everything on day one, and boating experience helps but isn't required.

Most people find this part of the fun. If your group wants a 100% hands-off week, we can usually arrange a professional first mate to join for an additional fee.

Both work. Groups can book a whole yacht for a private week. Solo travelers and couples can book a cabin on a shared trip with a small crew of like-minded people.

Solo travelers share a cabin with another guest of the same gender, or can pay a supplement for a private cabin. If a shared trip doesn't fill, the crew who have signed up can choose to split the extra cost to go ahead, or the trip is cancelled under our standard cancellation terms.

Catamarans are our usual choice. Two hulls mean more space above and below deck, more cabins, and a much steadier ride: less heeling when sailing and less rolling at anchor overnight. Most groups love them. They cost more to charter.

Monohulls are the classic sailboat: they heel, they feel more like "real sailing," and they're generally less expensive. They suit smaller, more experienced crews and anyone who loves the traditional feel. We sail both.

Charter yachts are described by their number of cabins. A typical cabin has a queen-sized bed suitable for 2 people, and most have their own small bathroom (called a "head"). Your captain needs one standard interior cabin for the week. A rested captain is a safe captain, so the small forward crew bunks some catamarans have don't count.

Couples share a cabin. Friends who'd rather not share a bed should ask about boats with twin-bunk cabins. Cabin sizes vary by boat, and we'll show you the layout before you book.

Your crew does. Your captain runs the boat; meals, dishes, and keeping the cabins tidy are shared by the guests, and most groups settle into an easy rhythm. Dinners ashore are a big part of the fun anyway. In some destinations we can arrange extra professional crew for an additional fee: a first mate, a host or stewardess, or a chef.

Costs depend on the destination, the season, and the boat, so we quote each trip. Every quote is made up of the same parts:

• Yacht charter: the boat for the week, from an established charter fleet.
• Captain's fee: a daily rate for your skipper.
• Running costs during the week: fuel, water, mooring and marina fees, national park and cruising permits, and end-of-week cleaning.
• Food and drinks: your provisioning and meals ashore. By industry custom, guests also cover the captain's meals.
• Your travel: flights and transfers to the marina.

Optional extras include water toys, additional crew, and the fleet's damage waiver. The yacht and running costs are split across the group, which is why a full boat is the best value.

Tell us your dates, destination, and group through the form below and we'll send a proposal with boat options and a quote. To confirm, we take a 50% deposit, with the balance due 60 days before departure. For peak weeks (Christmas, spring break, July and August in the Med), book 6 to 12 months ahead; good boats go early.

Our standard terms follow industry practice:

• More than 90 days before departure: refund less an administration fee
• 60 to 90 days before: 50% of the total is retained
• Less than 60 days before: no refund

The charter fleet's own terms also apply to the yacht, and we'll share them with your quote. Weather can change the itinerary but doesn't cancel the charter. We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers trip cancellation.

Tipping is customary in the charter industry and always at your discretion. For a skippered charter, guests typically tip 10 to 15% of the charter fee, given at the end of the week, more if the week was exceptional. Any additional crew are usually tipped on the same basis.

You do, within reason. Before the trip we'll talk about what your group loves: more sailing or more lazing, snorkel spots, beach bars, hikes, towns. Then we build a route around it. Your captain has the final say on anything involving safety, and the plan flexes with the wind and weather. That's part of sailing, and there's always a good alternative.

There are two common approaches. Most groups either shop together on arrival day (a fun first outing) or pre-order groceries online for delivery to the boat before you arrive. Typically breakfast and lunch are aboard and dinners are a mix of cooking aboard and eating ashore. We'll send a provisioning guide when you book.

Pack light, in a soft duffel bag. Hard suitcases don't fit in boat lockers. Bring swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses with a strap, shoes with light-colored non-marking soles, a light layer for evenings, any medication you need, and some cash for beach bars and moorings. Towels and linens are provided.

Usually, yes. Catamarans are much steadier than monohulls, we favor sheltered water, and most days are short hops. If you're prone to motion sickness, bring your preferred remedy and start it before the first sail. You should be comfortable in the water, since swimming off the boat is a big part of the week; life jackets are aboard for everyone, and snorkeling vests help less confident swimmers.

Your captain holds an RYA Yachtmaster certificate, the internationally recognized benchmark for professional skippers, plus First Aid/CPR training and a VHF radio license. Every trip starts with a full safety briefing: life jackets, the dinghy, moving around the boat, and what to do in an emergency. We monitor the weather daily and plan each day around it.

Tell us the boat, dates, and where you're sailing, and we'll confirm availability and a daily rate. We can join for a full week, a few days, or a checkout and familiarization day, and we also deliver boats between bases. We'll do a call beforehand to plan the route and the week. As with any skippered charter, your captain needs a private interior cabin and meals aboard, and has final authority on safety decisions.