Select your perfect sailing holiday with Sunsail

by Liberty Ash 12 Dec 2017 16:20 GMT Stand WA020, 10-14 January 2018

Sunsail is once again set to wow visitors at ExCeL London in January 2018 with its array of Mediterranean, Caribbean and further flung sailing getaways, at Boating & Watersports Holiday Show.

Lucy Black, Head of Marketing for UK & Europe for Sunsail, comments, "Lucy Black, Head of Marketing for Sunsail, comments, "We are passionate about helping both first time and experienced sailors find their perfect holiday in stunning destinations like Croatia, Greece, Antigua and Thailand. From bareboat charters and family friendly flotillas, to skippered holidays and sailing schools, Sunsail offers sailing adventures to suit every level of experience. With a new base in Sicily, two flotillas - Korcula and Meganisi - and recent updates to our existing itineraries such as Mallorca, the team have plenty to share. We look forward to welcoming visitors on our stand at this year's Boating & Watersports Holiday Show."

Book your perfect holiday

Many people choose to book their holiday in January, and Sunsail is the ideal choice those looking for their next adventure. Book a flotilla holiday at the London Boat Show and you will receive up to a fantastic 20% off (T&Cs apply).

With a new base in Sicily, new Korcula and Meganisi flotillas, and updates to existing itineraries, Sunsail offers sailing adventures to suit every level of experience.

The new Portorosa base in Sicily, is Sunsail's fifth location in the Tyrrhenian Sea. The temperate weather and mild winds of north-east Sicily make the base a great starting point for tours of the Sicilian coast, or voyages north around the remarkable, UNESCO-protected Aeolian Islands.

The collection of dramatic islands and volcanoes that rise theatrically from the sea take their name from Aeolus, god of the winds, who tends to smile on this slice of Italy. The cruising grounds blend chic ports of call, like Panarea, with the quiet ambience of islands off the tourist track such as Salina.

Highlights from a one-week bareboat in Palermo also include:

• Tasty Sicilian cuisine
• Atmospheric Palermo
• Egadi Islands and Ustica
• Volcanic island hopping
• Pristine beaches, hiking trails
• Fascinating caves and grottos

Prices* for a one-week bareboat in Palermo start from £3213 for a Oceanis 38, 3 cabin, 2 head premier, (sleeps up to six people), cost includes yacht & YDW (Yacht Damage Waiver), departing on 12 May 2018. Flights and transfers can be booked individually.

Thanks to its geographical position and temperate climate, Mallorca makes for an ideal coastal and blue water sailing destination for sailors with some previous experience. Sailors can take advantage of the long season, which runs from April through to October, and visit one of Mallorca's 31 stunning Blue Flag beaches.

They can slip out of Palma de Mallorca, and glide past the dramatic cathedral as they combine independent sailing with a social twist in breath-taking surroundings. The island's southwest corner is littered with beautiful cliffside calas that are perfect for dropping anchor and swimming ashore. Evening activities range from an afternoon sangria party, to a post-sailing paella feast.

With great food, beautiful scenery and high-quality sailing on offer, a Balearic Island sailing holiday is about so much more than just partying. Just off the coast of Mallorca is the Cabrera Archipelago National Park, a group of protected islands that shelters some spectacular underwater meadows and offers some of the Mediterranean's best scuba diving. Be on the lookout for groupers, octopi, loggerhead turtles and even dolphins who like to pay the meadows a visit.

Highlights of the Mallorca flotilla also include:

• Welcome sangria party
• Stunning sailing conditions
• Gothic cathedrals and cliffside calas
• Sandy anchorages and stern-to moorings
• A visit to some of the region's most beautiful landmarks such as the famous Dragon Caves and Cabrera National Park
• Final day paella party

A Sunsail flotilla offers the perfect balance of independence, and sociability, with support and guidance available whenever you need it. Cruise with up to 12 other boats and a Sunsail lead boat, with a mechanic, skipper, and hostess on board for support and guidance 24/7. Sailing on a flotilla is an easy way to enjoy a sailing holiday, with a set itinerary and daily briefings. Non-sailors can hire a skipper to get them where they need to be.

Prices* for the Mallorca flotilla start from £3761 for a week-long Flotilla on a Sunsail 41, 3 cabin, 2 head classic, (sleeps up to six people) including YDW (Yacht Damage Waiver) & Flotilla fee, departing on 2 June 2018. Flights and transfers can be booked individually.

Supporting Charities As well as providing fantastic, sailing holidays the dedicated team at Sunsail are proud that they have raised this year £166,000 for a number of charities including Sail4Cancer, Wooden Spoon, BEN and Disability Snowsport UK.

Opihr Gin Official Partnership Sunsail is delighted with its new and exciting partnership with the world's fastest growing premium gin, Opihr Gin. Launched at Lendy Cowes Week last year, Opihr is the official Gin partner at key sailing events throughout the year. This includes the London Boat Shows and TheYachtMarket.com Southampton Boat Shows as well as sponsoring the Sunsail Class at regattas such as Round the Island Race and Little Britain Challenge Cup.

Opihr Gin was inspired by the Maritime Spice Route and the brand embodies the Spirit of Adventure. The exotic flavours are carefully sourced from countries along the ancient Spice Route, including cardamom from India, spicy cubeb berries from Indonesia and coriander from Morocco.

Hurricane Update The Sunsail base locations recently impacted by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, will reopen as follows:

• British Virgin Islands – December 9, 2017
• Puerto Rico – February 1, 2018
• St. Martin – February 1, 2018

The local teams in the British Virgin Islands and St. Martin have made great progress in just a short time since Hurricane Irma and Maria passed through these territories. They are working hard along with their partners in the cruising grounds to welcome guests back for the winter sailing season.

The British Virgin Islands are scheduled to receive 130 new boats for a value of $66.5m in early 2018.

The Bahamas, Belize, Antigua, Grenada and St. Lucia were unaffected and continue to operate charters.

Josie Tucci, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Sunsail, "The humanitarian response from customers, partners, and employees over the last weeks has been overwhelming, and the tenacity of the local communities has been nothing short of inspiring. We believe it is this heartfelt combination of commitment and resilience that will help the Caribbean rebuild and come back stronger than ever."

To ensure the future of the tourism industry and to assist with ongoing recovery efforts, globally-recognised charter companies, Sunsail and The Moorings joined forces to establish the Caribbean Comeback fund. Created in the spirit of uniting sailors everywhere, 100% of all monetary contributions will go toward direct shipments to St. Martin, British Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico employees, delivering supplies that are needed such as generators, gas stoves, and miscellaneous building materials. To donate or to learn more about this philanthropic campaign, please visit www.CaribbeanComeback.com

* Price is a guide only and is subject to flight and yacht availability at time of booking. Prices vary by date and availability.