Belize lies between Yucatan and Guatemala, between the Hondo and Sarstoon Rivers, and is one of the most beautiful sailing and diving venues in the world. A yacht charter in Belize lets you discover hundreds of uninhabited cayes, miles of sheltered sailing inside the largest barrier reef in the western hemisphere and legendary diving, snorkelling and fishing. The two main yacht charter bases in Belize are located at San Pedro and Placencia.
A yacht charter in Belize enables you discover some of the most unspoiled islands of the Caribbean. The luminous turquoise waters of the Belize archipelago are made up of over 200 deserted tropical islands and coral atolls and boast some of the most pristine beaches in the Caribbean. Belize has become a popular spot for yacht charters and diving vacations. Most yacht charter companies have catamaran fleets because the shallow draft will assure easy navigation.
The coast of Belize encompasses has an unlimited abundance of wildlife and sea life waiting to be discovered. Schools of tropical fish, Manatees, and coral gardens abound here making snorkelling and diving expeditions an exciting adventure. There are many archaeological and national parks along with marine reserves in Belize. Check with your yacht charter company for help in making plans for land expeditions to the Mayan ruins or the rainforest.
The yacht charter season in Belize is restricted by the hurricane season to the months of November through to May. From mid-December to May the trade winds blow. Temperatures are always around 25º - 30º C.
Most people are very comfortable sailing the waters of Belize but it does come with some challenges. Navigation is relatively easy and by line of site. The most difficult part is learning how to read the shallow waters and recognize coral. It is imperative to keep a proper watch at all times. Bare boating outside the reef is prohibited. The outer reefs are not well charted or marked making for the danger of running aground. Once inside the atolls the shoal waters are full of coral rock formations that lie in so many areas and in such numbers that the charts simply do not give clear insight to their locations. Communication on VHF is also non-existent, with mobile phones the most reliable means of communication, search and rescue is not very reliable and all this combined makes bare boating outside the reef untenable. However with so much to see within the barrier reef venturing beyond is not necessary.
Brazil is one of the best kept secrets for a yacht charter holiday. There are hundreds of pristine islands to explore off the cost in Angra doe Reis and thousands of spectacular white sandy beaches. The yacht charter cruising area of Brazil is very secure.
Whilst you will probably fly into Rio de Janerio don’t be tempted to start your yacht charter from Rio, as the sea down to Angra can be quite rough. Having said that, consider an overnight stop on land at the start or end of your charter to see Rio de Janerio. Despite its incredible size, the city has kept the reputation of being the one of the most desirable cities in the world.
The territory of Brazil has been inhabited for at least 8,000 years. It is generally accepted that Brazil was first discovered and colonized by the Portuguese on April 22nd, 1500. Brazil has been a sovereign nation since 1822.
Brazil is an amazing blend of traditions. Walking about in a Brazilian city, your senses are thoroughly inundated with cultural traits that are uniquely Brazilian. Traces of European, African, Asian, modern North American and native Indian heritage all make their presence felt. What makes Brazil unique is that these varied influences have fused to create the modern Brazilian culture that is quite fascinating.
Brazil's climate varies greatly. Most of the northern part of the Brazilian coast is under the influence of north easterly winds that are strongest during the summer between December and February. During the winter months of March to August the wind blows from the south to south east. It can be challenging and difficult to sail down the coast this time of year. An eye must be kept on the weather as the winds can change direction without warning.
Brazilian summer season is December to May. In these months it is hotter and more humid than in the dry season with temperatures soaring to 35°C. Due to the high humidity it rains more during this season. June through August is considered the dry season. Temperatures are cooler this time of year with the average being 15°C.
Panama is the southernmost country of Central America. It borders Costa Rica to the NW, Colombia to the SE, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south.
The San Blas Islands of Panama are an archipelago of 365 islands off the Caribbean coast of Panama, to the east of the Panama Canal.
A crewed yacht charter in Venezuela allows you to explore the unspoiled archipelago of Los Roques, one of the least known yacht charter areas in the Caribbean. The National Marine Park is one of the largest marine reserves in the world and includes unspoilt pristine beaches and great diving opportunities in a year round tropical climate.
Venezuela comprises a continental mainland and numerous islands in the Caribbean Sea. It borders Guyana to the east, Brazil to the south, and Colombia to the west. Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Curaçao, Bonaire, Aruba, and the Leeward Antilles lie just north, off the Venezuelan coast. Venezuela sits close to the Equator, in the Northern Hemisphere. With more than 1200 miles of coast on the Caribbean Sea Venezuela and Les Roques have a lot of secret spots with white sandy beaches, coconut palms and an underwater world that is home to five hundred species of fish and several different coral types surround these exciting islands.
Venezuela is not a destination for families with young children or for people who plan to bareboat from another location. Safety is a big concern in parts of the archipelago. As a matter of fact, in order to visit Los Roques, only crewed charters are available with several small charter companies owning the boats. Sailing Los Roques has been described as unforgettable. Snorkelling among the coral reefs is said to be amazing.
The entire archipelago is protected from the swells of the Atlantic Ocean by a 10 mile long coral reef. The Los Roques Archipelago is made up of more than 45 islands and cays located above the coral reefs in a ring around a central lagoon that is filled with mangroves and corals. This makes for calm waters and constant breezes. Snorkelling and diving are very popular here. The varieties of fish and coral are extensive making for a beautiful expedition. The flora and fauna are so diverse that the reef is a breading ground for many underwater species. There are great opportunities on a yacht charter to observe pods of dolphins and sea turtles at shallow depths. The entire archipelago has been a National Marine park since 1970's. Development and tourism have been strictly controlled and result is that there are no real modern amenities or high rise hotels that line the beach. Being on a yacht charter will give you a great opportunity to visit a new beach everyday and snorkel over a new part of the reef.
Trade winds are steady throughout the year but vary in strength by season. The months of January to July winds tend to blow 20 - 25 knots with temperatures averaging around 25°C. From August to December the winds are lighter at 15 - 20 knots. Although there is no true rainy season in Los Roques, most rain occurs from the end of October to the beginning of December. Even then the showers are short lived and the sun soon returns. Los Roques is not in the hurricane belt like some other parts of the Caribbean and boats often take refuge here during the active hurricane season.
