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 charming British seaside resorts, the coastal towns of Brittany and La Rochelle in France, or head to the warm Spanish archipelago of the Canary Islands. 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
From the sunny Canary Islands and the historic coastal towns of France to charming British seaside resorts, explore many scenic cruising grounds and experience challenging sailing conditions on one of our Atlantic yacht charters.
Brittany
La Rochelle
Top things to do in the Atlantic
Visit the Isle of Wight’s Classic Boat Museum
Sail over to the Isle of Wight during your Hamble Atlantic yacht charter and see the Classic Boat Museum, where you can see over 50 different types of yachts. It’s also the perfect place to pick up any sailing gear, as Cowes is home to several small yacht merchandise boutiques.
Spend the day in Portsmouth
One of the top things we’d recommend doing in the Atlantic is sailing over to Portsmouth. Visit its famous historic dockyard, home to Nelson’s flagship HMS Victory. When you’ve finished soaking up the history, head to Gunwharf Quays for a couple of cocktails.
Explore the New Forest National Park
If you enjoy long walks, then take some time out of your Atlantic yacht charter to visit the New Forest National Park on the south coast of England. It’s home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, butterflies and wading birds. There are over 1,000 ancient trees and 26 miles of coast to explore, as well as the most extensive area of heathland in Europe.
Enjoy a classic British day out in Brighton
Make like the Brits while on your Atlantic yacht charter and head over to Brighton for a classic day at the seaside. Walk along the pier, which hosts several rides and attractions that are great if you’re on vacation with children. Don’t forget to head to the Royal Pavilion and browse the independent boutiques on The Lanes too.
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.
Hike in Huelgoat Forest
This charming lakeside village in 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 village’s tourist office. See if you can find the Grotte du Diable, a cave located 10 metres below the lake.
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.
Enjoy Île de Ré
Spend the day on this special island connected to the mainland by a bridge. Hire bikes and cycle between coastal resorts, strolling on wide stretches of golden sand and dunes. Head to St-Martin-de-Ré and climb the church tower for a view of the fortified town.
Head to the Canary Islands
Hike volcanoes, visit subtropical forests, watch the sunsets from huge sand dunes, stroll pretty towns and relax on black or white sand beaches. The Canaries archipelago has seven main islands to discover and many smaller islets.
When is the best time for sailing the Atlantic?
Temperatures are similar at our UK and French Atlantic bases. The summer season 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.
In the Canary Islands the temperatures are warm year-round, peaking in the summer months around 82ºF.
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. Unless you head to the Canaries, which are warm in fall.
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. The Canaries’ trade winds peak in July.
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 the UK, the currency used is the British Pound. In Brittany, La Rochelle, as well as the Canaries, the currency is the Euro.
What is the Wi-Fi connection like in the Atlantic?
In Hamble, Brittany, La Rochelle and the Canaries, 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. The closest airport to our Hamble base is Southampton. There are direct flights from the US to major UK airports, such as Manchester and Edinburgh, where you can get a train or connecting flight to Southampton. You could also fly into Dublin in Ireland.
For Brittany and La Rochelle you can fly to Paris and get connecting flights to local airports. For the Canary Islands, fly to Spain, UK and Portugal and get a connecting flight to Tenerife.
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. Whether you want to charter a yacht in Hamble, Brittany, La Rochelle or the Canary Islands, they’ve prepared a range of suggested itineraries, which you can view on our destination pages.
Downloads
French Atlantic, La Rochelle
French Atlantic, La Trinité sur Mer
FAQ
See all our FAQsWhat is the cancellation policy for Sail Share?
We highly recommend you arrange travel insurance in case you need to cancel for an unexpected reason to cover non-refundable deposits.
Our Sail Share cabin cancellation fees are:
- More than 90 days before original embarkation date: 25% of the charter fee
- 89 – 60 days before original embarkation date: 50% of the charter fee
- 59 – 30 days before original embarkation date: 75% of the charter fee
- Fewer than 29 days before original embarkation date: 100% of the charter fee
How flexible is the itinerary for a Sail Share charter?
Our yacht itineraries are designed by our destination experts and are set to showcase the best of the destination’s highlights. They are set and not flexible, even if you book all the cabins.
What happens if the weather changes while sailing on a Sail Share charter?
The skipper may decide to change the itinerary if there is bad weather.
Can I choose which cabin I want when I book a Sail Share?
Choose a double cabin with shared bath, or private bath for an additional fee.
Are there child or age restrictions for Sail Share?
Minimum Age: 16 years old
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