Choosing a country and sailing area

The Caribbean

The most popular locations for corporate regattas are the Mediterranean countries: Croatia, Italy, Turkey, France, Greece, Spain, Montenegro and Slovenia. The most developed infrastructure for yacht tours is in Croatia and Italy, which have a large number of marinas and a long coastline with many islands, allowing for a wide variety of routes.

Turkey

This country has traditionally attracted beach lovers, but sailing enthusiasts are no exception. Corporate sailing events in Turkey are very popular with companies, as conditions here are ideal for them. The climate, visa-free entry and inexpensive flights only add to the region’s popularity. The shores of Turkey are washed by four seas: the Black Sea, the Sea of Marmara, the Aegean and the Mediterranean. The main sailing areas are Marmaris, Fethiye, Bodrum and Göcek.

• Pros

  • A wide choice of yachts at good prices in Marmaris and Fethiye

  • Inexpensive and quick flights

  • Beautiful sea and landscapes

  • Steady wind and ideal weather conditions

  • Visa-free entry

• Cons

  • Marina berths are often more expensive than in Europe

  • Prices in marina shops and restaurants are inflated

  • The choice of route is limited to a few sailing areas

Thailand

A mixed bag as a destination for a corporate regatta. Long and expensive flights and a costly fleet are just a few of the factors that weigh against holding a regatta in Thailand. There are very few equipped marinas; at the islands you can only anchor or moor near the piers of expensive hotels. Steady wind is also an issue, so it is better to organise a cruise around the tropical islands here, with an emphasis on relaxation and fishing rather than competition. The main sailing areas are Phuket and Ko Chang.

• Pros

  • Warm weather in the autumn and winter season

  • Beautiful sea and exotic white-sand islands

  • Fishing, seafood, diving, snorkelling, swimming

• Cons

  • Expensive fleet

  • Long and costly flights

  • No equipped marinas, anchorages only

  • No steady wind

The Seychelles

Join us on a sailing catamaran cruise around the islands of the Seychelles archipelago.

A direct flight from Moscow and a time difference of just +1 hour from Moscow make the holiday even more comfortable. You can look forward to short daily passages with 2-3 stops for snorkelling and exploring paradise islands. We will bring good tackle and go fishing, and every day we will have tuna sashimi, grilled barracuda, kingfish or jobfish. While snorkelling, we will admire rays, sea turtles and myriads of bright reef fish.

Cuba

This cruise is the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. We will sail across the turquoise waters of the Caribbean to legendary Cayo Largo, once visited by Columbus and the pirates Morgan and Drake. Ahead lie wild white-sand beaches, snorkelling over coral reefs, fishing in rich waters and nights at anchor under the stars. You can snorkel, catch your own dinner, feed iguanas on uninhabited islands and feel the true spirit of Caribbean freedom.

Croatia

The most popular sailing region. There are a huge number of marinas and charter companies. Several one-design fleets are based here, which is a big advantage when organising a regatta for a large company. The long coastline and more than 1,100 islands offer unlimited possibilities for planning race courses. Add to this a wealth of sights, historical monuments, excellent Croatian cuisine and wine, and you can put together programmes that combine not only racing but also relaxation and entertainment.

• Pros

  • A wide choice of yachts at reasonable prices

  • A long coastline and many islands

  • Quick and inexpensive flights

• Developed infrastructure

• Steady wind and plenty of sunny days a year

Cons

• Prices in restaurants and shops are somewhat inflated

Italy

Italy is considered Europe’s leader in yacht production and in the number of yachts per capita. The longest coastline at 4,600 nautical miles, the 5 seas that wash the Apennine Peninsula and a large number of marinas to suit every taste make Italy one of the most attractive regions for genuine corporate sailing regattas. All the most interesting spots are on the west coast, with its many islands: Sardinia, Sicily, the Tuscan Islands, the Aeolian Islands, Sicily and Corsica. Italian cuisine and winemaking also deserve a mention.

• Pros

  • The longest coastline

  • Developed infrastructure to suit every taste

  • A wide choice of yachts

• Steady wind

• Plenty of sights

• Italian cuisine, wineries

Cons

• Crowded marinas with high prices

• A relatively old fleet

Greece

Greece is also an excellent place for a corporate regatta. Its many islands, excellent weather conditions, ancient monuments and beautiful landscapes attract yachtsmen from all over the world. The main sailing areas for regattas are the Ionian Sea, the Saronic and Argolic Gulfs, the Cyclades and the Dodecanese.

• Pros

  • Sights and picturesque islands

  • Greek cuisine and local colour

  • Warm climate, although it can be hot in summer

• Cons

  • Few equipped marinas; in crowded ports it can be difficult to get water and electricity

  • Relatively long passages

The Caribbean

The Caribbean islands offer great opportunities for corporate regattas. Above all, there are ideal weather conditions in winter, the beauty of the tropical islands, developed infrastructure and the romance of piracy. There is plenty to do besides racing: national parks, coral reefs, diving, snorkelling and fishing. The main sailing areas are Saint Martin, Barbados, Antigua, St Barts, the British Virgin Islands, Cuba and the Bahamas. An alternative to organising your own regatta is to take part in one of the many international regattas.

• Pros

  • The regatta can be held in the autumn and winter season

  • Ideal weather conditions and steady wind

  • A wide choice of sailing areas and routes

  • The option to join international regattas

• Cons

  • Long and expensive flights

  • Lengthy visa processing; some islands can only be visited with a US or UK visa

Norway

A magical northern country with breathtaking fjords. There are many limitations for sailing here, above all a very short season — 2 summer months a year — and a lack of wind during that period. Accordingly, only a cruise (flotilla) can be organised, but that does not mean it will be a dull event. First of all, the fishing here is excellent — you can catch fish on a bare hook — and there are stunning views and a Nordic silence that will let your employees recharge and come away with vivid new impressions.

• Pros

  • Unique fjords and fairy-tale landscapes with waterfalls

  • Active fishing (cod, haddock, wolffish, redfish, halibut)

  • Northern nature (freshwater lakes, berries, mushrooms)

• Cons

  • A short summer season that does not lend itself to regattas

  • Air temperature of +10/+15

  • A small local fleet

  • High food prices

Australia

One of the most remote and therefore least accessible regions, both in terms of distance and the cost of a regatta. Nevertheless, it is one of the most beautiful and ideal corners of our planet for ocean sailing — the most spectacular views of Australia’s east coast and the Great Barrier Reef, whales and orcas, mighty winds and huge waves; the impressions are an order of magnitude greater than anything you can get in other regions.