VAGABONDE ADVENTURES

F.A.Q.

Have a question about Vagabonde Adventures? Check out our list of FAQs here. Can't find the answer below? Ask away in an email to our friendly customer service team. They’ll be happy to assist and should get back to you within 12 to 24 hours. Reach them at info@vagabondeadventures.com

About Vagabonde Adventures trips

What's included?

  • Captain
    Every yacht that sets sail on Vagabonde Adventures includes a professional Captain on board. They are experienced sailors who are hand chosen by us to show guests the absolute best that sailing has to offer. They are not only great sailors but great people too and they will make your trip unforgettable.

  • Chef
    To allow you to relax and enjoy every moment of your trip, on some charters you can opt to have an onboard chef who will be preparing interesting and delicious food for you. Catering to any dietary requirement won't be an issue. The chef will be in touch with you to make plans before your trip.

  • Yacht accommodation
    You'll be sleeping onboard the yacht. Most of our yachts have 3 to 5 double cabins, and some have separate crew cabins. You’ll wake up to views that’ll make you question whether or not you’re still dreaming!

  • Food and drinks
    If you’re booking a cabin on a share trip then food and drinks are included. With 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners depending on the groups preference + snacks is included in each Vagabonde Adventures shared trip. If you’re booking the full boat for a private trip, then the food and associated costs will be shared between your group.

  • Towels & bed linen
    Leave those towels and sheets at home, we've got you covered.

  • Dinghy
    Every Yacht comes equipped with a dinghy anytime you need to get to shore

  • Boat incidentals
    During our shared trips, all dockage, mooring fees, yacht fuel and water are taken care of by Vagabonde Adventures. If you’re booking the full boat for a private trip, then these costs will be shared between your group.

  • Final yacht cleaning
    The last thing you want to do at the end of your trip is scrub down the deck. That’s why we take care of ALL the dirty work. You can spend the extra time enjoying the sunshine!

  • The ultimate Adventure
    A week of sunshine, sailing and unforgettable memories.


What additional costs can I expect on-site?

  • Transfers to & from airport
    You’ll need to make your own way to the marina from the airport. Taxis are reasonably priced and run regularly from the airport to our bases.

  • Eating out and high end alcohol
    Guests usually like to eat out a few times per week, which is not included. Don’t forget to feed your crew!

  • Gratuity
    Yachting is a service industry and tipping the captain and chef is welcomed, 15-20% is customary.


General Questions

When is the best time to sail in the Bahamas and BVI?

The sailing season in the Caribbean is from November through July. Summer time is considered off season, as hurricanes are more likely and most tourism is closed down.

When is the best time to sail in Greece and Croatia?

We sail in the Mediterranean from May until October, with the busiest time of the year being July and August. Early and late season can mean cheaper boats and less crowded anchorages, but there is more risk of adverse weather then.

We want to eat out for dinner, do we invite the crew?

It’s customary to invite your captain/chef crew to dinner and pick up their tab. If you’d like to have a private dinner with your loved ones, that is totally fine, just give your crew some cash to get some food elsewhere.

How do we get to the Abaco Islands?

You can fly into Marsh Harbor, MHH, an easy 50 minute flight from Florida. Our base is about 15 minutes by taxi from the airport. 

Can I rent a yacht for only a few days?

Our trips typically run from Sunday afternoon to the following Saturday morning in the Caribbean, and Saturday to Saturday in the Mediterranean. Get in touch with our team about custom dates or longer trips info@vagabondeadventures.com 

Can we leave the yacht at a different location to where it departs from?

Get in touch regarding one way routes. While being possible, they are usually weather dependent. These may be subject to an additional yacht relocation fee.

Part of the crew need to arrive late / leave early, is this possible?

If part of your group arrive later or need to depart early due to different travel arrangements or delays that won’t be a problem. Just speak to your VA captain for assistance, or drop us an email at info@vagabondeadventures.com 

The exact itinerary is always weather dependent so plans can be confirmed close to your trip dates.

How does the ASA course work?

Once you sign up for our ‘Get Certified’ trip our service team will organize some ASA textbooks for you either in hardback or suitable for e-reader. Read through the textbooks before arriving to the yacht and you will be miles ahead and can enjoy all of your time onboard. The boat is your classroom for the week and you will learn all the theory and then get to practice all the requirements for your certification. You will sit a paper test for each level of certification during the week, tests take from 30-60 minutes each.

Can some people get certified and some relax?

While ideally everyone onboard is on the same program, our crew are masters of making any trip a success. Get in touch with our service team to talk plans info@vagabondeadventures.com 

Can some people get certified and some practice without the tests?

Not everyone is interested in getting certified! If you just want to learn a couple of knots and get some time steering the boat, feel free to join in. Talk with your captain prior to your trip and they will be able to tailor any trip to your specific needs.

Are there places to eat out?

Yes! Every destination we sail has fantastic restaurants and bars you can visit during your trip.

What if my flight leaves early the morning of checkout?

Our crew can accommodate an early check-out for you, simply provide us with your flight schedule and we can plan accordingly.

What if I need to return home at short notice?

A lot of the islands we sail to are serviced by regular ferries. If we can’t sail you back to home base, we can get you to a ferry or organize a speed boat to pick you up.

What can I do if I am prone to seasickness?

Seasickness is never fun, if you are prone to motion sickness, there are good pharmaceuticals, wristbands and ear patches you can purchase. Speak with your local doctor or pharmacy for advice. Thankfully most people quickly become accustomed to life onboard and the sickness doesn’t last all week.

Can we scuba dive?

We can’t allow tanks onboard but we can meet up with trusted local scuba companies who can take you for dives.

Can I bring kite boarding or surfing equipment?

Yes, bring your gear. We are not certified instructors but if you want us to drop you at a beach where you can do your thing, go for it!

Can you teach us to free-dive?

We are not certified instructors and take no responsibility for your time in the water. We’re always happy to go for an adventure in the dinghy to a snorkel spot!

Can we go fishing?

In some destinations we have rods and lures onboard. If you want to bring some extra gear of your own you are welcome.

Can I book as a single traveller? Can I book just one cabin?

We have options to book solo spots or single cabins in all of our destinations, just get in touch.

What do I pack for the trip?

It is highly recommended that you pack light and use a soft bag, as it is possible to store without taking up space. We do not have storage for hard shell suitcases onboard.

Things are very relaxed in all of our destinations. You will likely spend most of your week in your bathing suit and flip flops. Don’t forget a good hat (preferably wide brim with a chin strap for the windy days), reef safe sunscreen, light long sleeve sun shirt and polarized sunglasses to help with the glare of the water. A light waterproof rain jacket is necessary for the odd squall.

Evenings are pretty relaxed even when ashore at restaurants, smart casual is as dressy as it gets. Pack a pair of long pants and a light jacket for the off chance of a cooler evening. 

If you have your own snorkel/freedive equipment please feel free to bring it. We have some sets onboard but can’t always guarantee a perfect fit for everyone.

Sailing gloves and boat shoes are not required but if you do bring them make sure the soles are non marking.

Pack in a soft duffel-type bag to maximise space on the yacht, no hard suitcases as we are unable to store them onboard. 

  • Apparel
    Pack lightweight clothes; dresses, tank tops, shorts, t-shirts, cover-ups... Remember you’ll be in your swimwear most of the time! Good quality sunglasses, wide brim hat and a sun protective shirt are a must!
    Flip-flops or sandals, deck shoes and sneakers. 

Evenings can be cool so bring something warm as well. In case of some bad weather, have a raincoat or a sailing jacket.

  • Toiletries
    Reef friendly high factor sunscreen (not spray, as overspray affects the deck) and aftersun, lip balm (with SPF), mosquito repellent spray and anti itch cream for mosquito bites and seasickness medication if you think you’ll need it.

  • Extras/Nice to have
    Waterproof bag, adapter for electrical plugs (Australian or European), phone charger and battery pack, you own water bottle to minimise plastic use, disposable underwater camera or GoPro, a book/e-reader for down time, cards, chess or your favourite board game

  • Documents
    Valid passport, visa, travel insurance, Covid-19 required documents, local currency.

What not to pack for the trip?

Things you should leave off your sailing packing list are big suitcases, heavy clothing, linens and pillows, expensive watches and jewellery, hairdryer, hair straightener and high heels. Spray sunscreen, as the overspray affects the deck.

Are there showers on the yacht?

Yes, there are showers inside and on the stern - perfect for a rinse after a swim.

Is there air conditioning on the yacht?

Your booking will state if you have air conditioning on your chosen yacht. If running air conditioning by generator, it can only run while at anchor, not underway.

Ideally, we prefer to be on anchor with a fresh breeze cooling the yacht - no generator noise and less fuel consumed. But of course some nights are just too hot, and when docked in a marina quite often there’s no breeze to cool us. 

Can we listen to music onboard?

Yes, our yachts have speakers on board inside and outside, connect your bluetooth! If you’d like you can bring a portable speaker, so you can listen to music whilst on the front of the yacht or at the beach.

What do we do during the day?

Each trip is tailor made to suit you. You normally spend your day sailing from one bay to another with a stop to cook lunch and have a swim. Afternoons might include a sundowner at a fun beach bar or taking it easy on the nets on the yacht. You will have time to explore each island and try the cuisine at some local restaurants.

What type of food will be served onboard?

If you have a chef, they will be preparing fresh food during the week - usually 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 4 dinners on board. We’ll be in contact before your trip start date to collect dietary information to ensure your chef is fully up to date with any dietary needs to make sure you are fully catered for!

During a shared week we provide provisions onboard which we can then cook together - family style. Sailing is about sharing all the tasks onboard, and that includes cooking and cleaning up, so jump in!

I have never been on a boat before, is this a problem?

Definitely not! We have a lot of first time sailors and it is super exciting to explore this different method of travel; it is like camping on water. Just be aware that the living space aboard a sailing yacht is more compact than a standard hotel. We aim to make you as comfortable as possible so that you feel at home onboard at all times. Your crews number one priority is your safety and then your comfort, so if ever in doubt approach your captain for assistance.


Payments/Cancellations

What is your booking and payment policy?

We require a 50% deposit to reserve your charter and the balance will be due 90 days prior to your arrival. Payments are processed through Stripe and we send an online invoice for payment to your email address. You can pay by credit card or wire payment, contact us for other payment methods. Credit card transactions incur an additional processing fee.

Gratuity is welcomed and is a standard practice in the yacht charter industry.  Any gratuity received is split evenly among the crew.  If you are satisfied with your experience, we recommend a gratuity of approximately 15 - 20% of the Charter cost.  Gratuity can be paid in cash directly to the crew or sent to Vagabonde Adventures directly to be distributed in full.  

Travel insurance

You are recommended to purchase travel insurance, including, but not limited to, your Charter reservation, transportation, and accommodations, in case of an emergency, personal or family illness, airline delays or cancellations, lost luggage, epidemics, national disasters, war, and other external forces out of your control.  Travel insurance must be purchased at your own expense.  If you choose not to purchase travel insurance, you forfeit the right to a refund or credit in the event you must cancel your trip with Vagabonde Adventures. In the unlikely event that you must use your travel insurance, we agree to comply with your reasonable request for any documentation or information the insurance company needs, to the extent we have such documentation or information.

Cancellation policy

All Charter deposits are nonrefundable, unless otherwise specifically noted in the Terms and Conditions. 

For cancellations more than 60 days before the voyage you can try and cover your booking using your personal network. Vagabonde Adventures may also advertise on your behalf in hopes of rebooking and providing a refund, but we cannot guarantee Vagabonde Adventures will be able to rebook and issue your money back. Please consult our service team to discuss in detail info@vagabondeadventures.com 

We may need to cancel a course due to unforeseen circumstances or natural events such as forcé majeur including but not limited to hurricanes and hurricane-affected areas.

If such an occurrence happens we will offer an alternative trip but not issue any refunds.  In the event that you would like the flexibility to receive a full refund, we recommend your taking out trip insurance.

We reserve the right to cancel a trip at any time without reason. If we cancel without reason we shall return all monies paid by you to us in respect of the provision of the trip.