Atlantic Yacht Charters
Our Atlantic yacht charters are a rewarding challenge for sailors, with sea breezes and fast tides. However, the scenic cruising ground and sheer volume of things to see makes it a great part of the world to explore.
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Sailing the Atlantic Ocean
Visit the coastal towns of Brittany in France. From sandy beaches to vast forests and bustling cities, you won’t be short of places to explore while sailing the Atlantic Ocean.
Dine on delicious cuisine, which you can wash down with regional wine and cider. Discover the history of the Atlantic coast and enjoy the company of the friendly locals.
When you choose an Atlantic yacht charter, be prepared for an unforgettable sailing vacation. It’s one of the most diverse sailing areas, combining rugged scenery with charming towns.
Choose a destination below to discover more
Sailing the Atlantic coast lets you experience the history-laden coastal towns of France, explore many scenic cruising grounds, and improve your skills in some of the challenging sailing conditions you'll encounter on an Atlantic yacht charter.
Brittany
Top things to do in the Atlantic
Discover the oldest city in Brittany
Located to the southwest of Finistère lies Quimper, with its impressive gothic cathedral and large art museum. Stretching along the river Odet, there are lots of pretty footbridges to cross over. If you’re lucky enough to be sailing the Atlantic in July, head over to Quimper for the Festival de Cornouaille, a celebration of Breton traditions.
Hike the Huelgoat Forest
Brittany is covered in woodland that is just waiting to be discovered. From hour-long circular routes to hikes that stretch for miles, you can pick up a route map from the Huelgoat tourist office. See if you can find the Grotte du Diable, a cave located 10 meters below the lake.
Marvel at the creeks and coves of the Île d’Arz
Enjoy a dip in the many coves of Île d’Arz on a charter in Brittany, or head over to Île aux Moines – also on the Morbihan Gulf – which has beautiful scenic walks around the coast, stretching for four miles.
Sip on a glass of Muscadet
Order a glass of this fruity French wine that’s made in the Loire Valley, and pair it with some delicious fresh seafood. Make sure to set some time aside to feast on crepes and the classic British fare of fish and chips.
When is the best time for sailing the Atlantic?
The summer season at the French Atlantic coast typically runs from May to September, where temperatures can reach anywhere between 52-86°F. During June you can enjoy almost 11 hours of sunshine.
December is the wettest month, with winter temperatures dropping as low as 32°F November to March.
Sailing trips in the Atlantic to suit your budget
If you don’t mind the lower temperatures, then your Atlantic yacht charter can be cheaper in the low season, with flights often a lot lower in price too.
However, sailing in high season means better weather but that comes at the price of busier cruising grounds.
What are the sailing conditions in the Atlantic?
The sailing conditions can be challenging, as it can get very breezy. Brittany especially, has one of the fastest tides in Europe and the variation of tides results in very strong currents and a wide tidal range, which requires good sailing experience.
Atlantic Ocean wind systems
In the summer, our Atlantic yacht charter bases are susceptible to sea breezes from the southwest and sometimes the southeast too. This can rise to 20-25 knots in the afternoon.
Sailing the Atlantic can be challenging, especially if you choose to tackle Brittany due to its fast tide. However, it can be an extremely rewarding vacation for the seasoned sailor.
What are the mooring fees in the Atlantic?
Atlantic Ocean mooring fees depend on when you decide to sail, as peak times are more expensive if you want to use marinas. Marina fees vary depending on the destination.
Useful information for sailing the Atlantic
What is the currency in the Atlantic area?
In Brittany as well as in the rest of France the currency is the Euro.
What is the Wi-Fi connection like in the Atlantic?
In Brittany the Wi-Fi connection and internet access is very good. You’ll find that most bars, restaurants and even marinas offer Wi-Fi free of charge.
What is the best way to get to the Atlantic?
It depends on which of our bases you want to start your Atlantic yacht charter from. For Brittany you can fly to Paris and get connecting flights to local airports.
Discover Atlantic yacht charter vacations with Dream Yacht Charters
Sailing the Atlantic
If you can sail, then you can browse our destinations for a range of bareboat Atlantic rentals. Enjoy complete freedom, as you can create your own itinerary and provision the boat yourself.
Captain only Atlantic charters
Even if you haven’t got any sailing experience, you can still sail around the Atlantic by adding a skipper to your yacht charter. Your skipper will manage the sailing for you, letting you spend your vacation relaxing with guests.
Atlantic sailing itinerary
Our local base teams are experts in helping you plan your Atlantic sailing vacation. If you want to charter a yacht in Brittany they’ve prepared a range of suggested itineraries, which you can view on our destination pages.
FAQ
See all our FAQsWhy should I book with Dream Yacht?
Dream Yacht Worldwide is now the world’s leading yacht charter company and offers you:
- A diverse fleet of yachts with a wide variety of models and manufacturers to suit every type of sailor.
- We have 40+ exciting destinations and we’re a pioneer in finding new sailing grounds.
- You can be assured of our commitment to customer service excellence.
- You’ll receive a warm and friendly welcome from our base teams who will share regional tips, recommendations and advice.
- We’re also a trusted seller of new and used boats and an innovator in charter management options – sailing is our business.
What licenses do I need to hire a yacht and sail myself?
The skipper of a yacht has primary responsibility for the safety of the crew and yacht at all times. Many destinations require just relevant experience demonstrated by a sailing resume.
To charter in the Mediterranean, it is mandatory that you hold a sailing license recognized by the local port authorities for bareboat charters in Italy, Greece, Croatia, Spain, Malta, Montenegro and Turkey. Other destinations that require a license include Madagascar, Seychelles, Thailand, Brazil and Sweden. For Belize, the port authority will issue a certificate of competency and an application is made on arrival.
You must take your proof of competency and original certificate with you on your charter. We advise you to contact our team about your qualifications and destination requirements before booking.
By accepting the yacht contract you are confirming that you and/or members of your crew are capable and competent to sail the yacht in the conditions and cruising area of the charter. We reserve the right not to hand over the yacht if, after inspection, it is the opinion that the charterer is not, or may not be competent to be in charge of the vessel.
What is a skippered yacht charter?
A skippered yacht charter is when you rent one of our boats for you and your guests and a professional skipper sails it for you. No sailing experience is needed.
You will need to choose a yacht with a cabin for your skipper to sleep in as they are responsible for your yacht for the duration of your charter. We will find the skipper for you once you have found your perfect destination and yacht.
You will need to pay for your skipper’s food. You can invite the skipper to dine with you on board or out at a local restaurant.
What is the difference between crewed and by the cabin charters?
Our by the cabin charter charters offer exciting destination tours on a set itinerary crafted by our destination experts. You can book a double cabin and private bathroom and will share the boat with other guests who have booked the other available cabins. You will be looked after by a professional skipper and hostess with itineraries ranging from three to 11 nights. There is a set menu and included meals and drinks vary depending on location.
Can you tell me about your yachts?
Our super premier yachts are less than 12 months old from their first charter date, while premier yachts are less than three years old from their first charter date. Our yachts are well maintained and undergo regular, scheduled technical inspection.
In case of emergency, you can rely on our hotline, at any time, seven days a week. If you experience a technical failure affecting major and important parts of the yacht, we will repair the failure within four hours of receiving your call during working hours (8am to 5pm). If you lose more than four hours (during working hours), we will compensate you for one full day. If the repair takes more than one day, we will provide you with a similar boat or compensate you on a pro-rata basis. If restrictions to this guarantee apply in specific areas, this will be detailed during the charter check-in at the base.
Do I need insurance for my bareboat charter?
We highly recommend you arrange travel insurance in case you need to cancel for an unexpected reason to cover non-refundable deposits. Please make sure you have personal travel insurance that covers sailing.
We will insure the vessel throughout the charter with first-class insurers against all risks, to provide permission to charter as under contract terms and to cover third-party liability.
The following options are available in limited locations:
- Security Deposit: This varies on the size of the boat and when the boat is returned without damage it is refunded.
- Damage Waiver: The charterer agrees to pay a non-refundable damage waiver at the time of booking, as well as a reduced damage deposit on embarkation that is refundable upon completion of the charter should no damage occur.
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