FAQs

Yes, you can! The “per person” cost of a yachting vacation is usually at or below the cost of a resort vacation, or ocean cruise, without the crowds. For an estimate of your cost, quote your vacation online and find out for yourself how affordable this unique adventure is with Sunsail.

That all depends on you. Your Sunsail vacation can be tailored to fit your party and your preferences. We offer Bareboat Sailing yacht charters, Skippered Sailing charters, or Flotilla Sailing Charters.

Whatever your needs, Sunsail is sure to have a yacht that is right for you. Choose from a fleet of monohulls and catamarans ranging from 30 to 52 feet with 2 to 5 cabins. Visit our Yacht page for a complete listing of models.

Depending on your sailing experience, you may already be qualified to skipper a Sunsail yacht. Simply fill out our online sailing résumé. We will review your experience and tell you what you are currently approved to charter. Please note that some of our destinations do require a sailing certification, please check your selected base for further detail.

If you do not have the experience required to sail the yacht yourself, or if you would just like to sit back and relax and let someone else do all the work, then you can hire a Skipper for your Bareboat Charter. With years of sailing experience and a wealth of local knowledge, our Skippers will be the ideal guide to your bareboat charter vacation. Learn more about hiring a skipper. You can also take a class with Sunsail’s RYA Sailing School, or with ASA Sailing School, to get qualified. Learn more about available Sail courses.

You must be 18 years or older to charter with Sunsail.

Absolutely!  Sunsail offers a fantastic family vacation experience with amenities on board to accommodate all ages. On our Skippered Yacht Charters, the skipper will provide guidance in using the snorkeling fins, kayaks and other water toys and are experienced in serving families with children. Please speak to one of our Vacation Planning Specialists for details. 

No, only service animals with proper paperwork are allowed for an additional fee. Please call your vacation planner for more information.

The quality of service should dictate the gratuity. As a guideline, we suggest an average of 15-20% of the daily Skipper fee for Skippered Bareboat Sailing Charters.

The keynote is simplicity. Casual and breezy beach attire is certainly the order of the day on deck, though for evenings ashore, slacks or a sundress are appropriate. Rubber-soled shoes, as opposed to hard soles, are recommended aboard our yachts, so wear boat shoes or tennis shoes. You may find aquatic shoes convenient for beachcombing. Above all, protection from the sun is vital – lots of suntan lotion, wide-brimmed hats or sailing caps, and loose-fitting cotton cover-ups. For cool or windy evenings, a windbreaker comes in handy.

You can arrange your charter online or by phone. While online, simply choose your destination, dates, and yacht and book safely right here on Sunsail.com 24 hours a day. If you would prefer to request a reservation by telephone, call one of our Vacation Planning Specialists. They are standing by to assist you in planning the perfect yachting vacation.  Hours of operation: Mon – Fri 8am – 8pm EST, & Saturday 10am to 4pm EST.

The Sunsail preferred form of payment is Debit Card or Bank Transfer. Most major credit cards are accepted.

All destinations require a passport for entry unless of course, you are a US citizen traveling within the US. For detailed entry requirements, call your Vacation Planning Specialist, visit the “Travel Information” tab on the destination page you are interested in or check with the consulate or embassy of the nation you wish to visit.

Due to our high volume of air travel, we have negotiated lower rates than those typically offered to the public.

Premier Plus class yachts are up to 1 year old, and feature the latest innovations. Premier yachts have been in our fleet for approximately 1 to 3 years and feature many of the same amenities as our Premier Plus yachts. Classic class yachts have some of the Premier class amenities and are generally 3+ years of age (up to 10 years in the Exotics and Mediterranean).

Yes, as part of our sailing school.

Sunsail carries the most up-to-date equipment and all the extras a sailor could ask for, including GPS satellite navigation systems, autopilots, Sunsail SailMate mainsail stacking system, and cockpit speakers. Some even have generators and air conditioning. The below deck areas are modified from standard factory production models to give you more room, comfort, and luxury. Our newest models include flatscreen TV’s and DVD players. 

Sunsail offers Wi-Fi for rent on all yachts in participating destinations. *Internet connectivity and speed may vary within cruising grounds.

Located in the essential information for your chosen destination you will find all of the information that you need to know when planning your trip including how to get there. More: https://www.sunsail.co.za/essential-information. Look under the section Arrival & Departure to find important information including arriving airport, servicing airlines, customs & immigration, airport transfers, taxis, ferries, etc. Sunsail can also assist in organising your flights and transfer so please call one of our Vacation Planners who can help with your travel arrangements!

All destinations require a passport for entry. For detailed entry requirements, check with the consulate or embassy of the nation you wish to visit.

You will board the yacht at one of Sunsail marinas (or one of our partner marinas) in the yachting location you have chosen. Our Vacation Planning Specialists will be happy to assist with your transportation to and from the Marina.

Your yacht boarding time will be presented on the top right-hand side of your booking confirmation invoice. You can board your yacht following your charter briefing and boat orientation.

Timings will vary based on your destination for most locations, you can board your yacht at 6 pm on the day the charter starts. Please see the Travel Information section for disembarkation times.

You can also make arrangements for an early boarding with your Vacation Planning Specialist if your flight is arriving late in the day however this is subject to availability and must be organised in advance of travel. Be sure to check out the Travel Information section to learn embarkation/disembarkation details for your destination.

Yes, Sunsail is well known for the preparation we provide our guests. Prior to your charter departure, you will be given a complete chart briefing covering the local cruising grounds and we will answer any questions you may have about navigation, anchorages, prevailing conditions, clearing customs, or any part of your desired itinerary. Be sure to watch your chart briefing and health and safety videos in advance of travel. Upon arrival you will be given a complete boat orientation aboard the yacht you will be sailing, covering all the operating systems, including rigging, electrical system, water system, windlass, stove, head, dinghy, outboard, and emergency systems. Charter briefing and boat orientations are first come, first served.

Yes, depending on your destination you can expect to pay nightly mooring or docking fees.  Docking fees average between $3-4 a foot in the Caribbean but can be much higher in the Mediterranean. Moorings can also vary greatly. They usually average about $35 a night in the Caribbean but can get upwards of $60 depending on the location. We offer some information in our Travel Information tab section of each destination, and in our Eguides but it is best to reference your cruising guide prior to and during your charter to learn the costs in your cruising area.

This depends on your cell phone carrier and your destination. To avoid disappointment, we recommend making arrangements with your cellular provider prior to your trip to activate an international calling plan that will allow you to use your phone in international waters without roaming charges. However, if you venture too far from land, you subsequently venture out of cell tower range. All of our yachts have a VHF (ship-to-shore) radio aboard for constant ship to shore communication.

All yachts are equipped with a VHF (ship-to-shore) radio so the base marina can reach you at any time during your charter. Make sure to leave all base contact information with someone at home so that they can easily reach you through our base marina in the event of an emergency.

Yes. We can assure you that delays or cancellations due to severe tropical disturbances are rare. However, we do have a policy in place. Please contact one of our Vacation Planning Specialists for details. Although we do have this policy, we still advise all of our charterers to take advantage of Trip Mate’s Travel Protection Plan (if applicable) when booking your vacation to help protect your trip from certain unforeseen circumstances that result in travel delays or cancellations, weather-related or not, are handled appropriately according to the terms and conditions of Trip Mate’s Travel Protection Plan.

Bareboat Yacht Vacations: On each Destination page, we provide sample itineraries that highlight the best locations for anchorages, coves, cays, harbors & marinas in that area. Sunsail provides an EGuide for more detailed information on the cruising grounds. For Skippered and sailing school charters, when you board your yacht, the captain will sit down with you and develop an itinerary based on your desires – or you can leave it all up to your experienced captain. Weather permitting; the itinerary can be changed at any time if you wish to spend more or less time in any area. This is truly a private yacht at your command. Flotilla charters will aim to sail the sailing route as advertised however this is subject to change and weather permitting.

Depending on your yacht and destination, there are different activities and sports that are available to do. Fins for snorkelling are provided on every yacht however you will need to bring your own mask and snorkel. You can also reserve Stand-Up Paddle Boards, 1 & 2 person kayaks and various fishing gear. To find the most updated information on the Activities & Sports in your destination, visit the Water Sports Options page. You can book all of your activities and sports in advance when booking online or by calling one of our Vacation Planners. 

Yes. Guests may purchase gift certificates by speaking with a Vacation Planner. Gift certificates are valid for five years from the date of purchase.  

Gift certificates may be applied to charter payments , optional extras and more.  Guests and their friends and family may redeem their gift certificates by presenting the certificate via email to a Vacation Planner and providing  their booking number. Gift certificates cannot be redeemed onboard the yacht or at the base.    

Yes, our provisioning services are very customizable. Visit our Online Provisioning page for more information. You will be able to create your full grocery list of everything that you will need for the length of your charter. If you would like to request items that are not online OR if you have special dietary restrictions, please call your Vacation Planning Specialist and we will try our best to assist you in your needs.

Night sailing is not permitted at any of our bases. Please ensure you are safely moored at least 1 hour ahead of sunset. 

We are unable to organise diving for our customers. We recommend contacting a third party to organise all diving and required equipment