Musto Lark National Championship 2026 hosted by Fowey Sailing

 

The Musto Lark Nationals (26th-29th July) revisits the iconic Cornish venue of Fowey for the first time in 32 years! Combined with a strong growth in the Lark fleet, this stunning venue has already attracted over 40 entries (31 last year). The hotly contested championship sees a huge influx of new youth sailors who will pit their wits against many seasoned Lark sailors, which should deliver champagne sailing and tight tactical racing.

The Musto-sponsored event means there will be prizes through the fleet, there will be the usual mix of great sailing and family-friendly fun. Find out more on the event website. If you want to join us, we still have boats available to borrow - contact chairman@larkclass.org .

As always, there will be strong competition and lots of fun, for the category prizes.

First Female Helm - Past Cadet champion Hannah Carruthers is a rising star in the fleet, but she will be challenged by past National Champion Emma Harris, now sailing with returning star crew David Marlow. Or will ex 49erFX sailor Megan Dickson sailing with husband Connor, show her Olympic campaign form to get her name on the Trophy.

First helm 25 and under - With Youth sailors making up over 25% of the fleet this will be a close fought battle between class newcomer Ollie Meadowcroft, Hannah Carruthers, George Graham and Ethan Davey all of whom have 1/2 Lark Nationals under their belts.

First helm 21 and under - This could be one of the most hotly contested trophies this year; will it be class newcomer Cadet champion Alex Enkel & Hettie Thorogood, Jack Hodgkins & Olly Hateley, George Cox-Olliff & Tom Krailing or Jai & Amba Sanehi?

Highest-placed Married Couple - Chris & Nic White will battle out with Harry Pynn & Gemma Cook, but could the ever-improving Jonny Coate & Kate Phillips deliver an upset?

Winner of 'Silver Fleet' - This looks to be a battle between seasoned 'Silver fleet' campaigners like Steve Chatten & Kirsty Phipps and Dan Watson & Nat Bannister, versus rising stars George Graham & Jess Hooker and ex Cadet stars Ethan Davey & Rory Stretch.

Winner of 'Bronze Fleet' - The Weymouth youths are likely to be fighting hard for this trophy, but look out for returning fleet sailors Andy Cox, Jo Tribe & Jason Phelps or Fowey locals Phil Henson & Mandie Parker, Phil Russ & Adam Joyce, and Colin & Joe Gibbon.

First helm in the Crews' Race - The crews' race is always as closely-fought as the main event - it's called the 'Hard to be Humble' trophy for a reason! This year, look out for Tegwyn Roberts, Chris Whitehouse, Nick Hydon, Jess Hooker, Mia Hateley and Tom Krailing.

It should be an amazing four days of close racing, fantastic socials and sun, sea and pasties that only Fowey can deliver.

Event website: larkclass.org/2026-musto-lark-national-championships

Finn and Phantom open meeting 2026 at Lee-on-the-Solent Sailing Club

 

You need to enter the Lee on Solent SC Finn and Phantom Open! 25th & 26th July - that's the weekend after next - better get the entry done!

You can go straight to the club website, click on the link and fill out the entry form.

Already the day feels lighter, less stressful with something to look forward to - probably the best sea sailing on the south coast! You're even now thinking about training on the Friday afternoon to make a full weekend of it.

Camping next to the club, park and play - Training with some of the best on Friday, a night in the town with the most social sailors on the planet followed by two days of classic sea racing in the best class in the world!

Don't be at risk of suffering FOMO - GET IT DONE - ENTER NOW - You know it makes sense!

Medway Regatta 2025 at Wilsonian Sailing Club

 

Wilsonian Sailing Club was delighted to host its flagship event once again, the ever-growing Medway Regatta, welcoming 48 boats and sailors from 16 visiting clubs across the country. The event also incorporated a highly successful Vareo Open Meeting, attracting an impressive fleet of 14 boats.

Competitors travelled from clubs including Lee-on-the-Solent SC, Hayling Island Sailing Club, Chipstead SC, Stokes Bay SC, Thornbury SC, Stone SC, Calshot SC, Shoreham SC, Milton Keynes SC, Emberton Park SC, Nottingham SC, Waveney & Oulton Broad YC, Whitstable YC, Downs SC and Rickmansworth SC. The furthest traveller went to a competitor from Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club.

The club was also pleased to welcome Lauren Edwards MP, Member of Parliament for Rochester and Strood, who visited the regatta to show her support and watch the start of the racing.

Saturday's conditions tested competitors' patience, with the opening race abandoned due to a lack of wind. However, the breeze eventually filled in and Race 2 delivered competitive sailing across all fleets. After racing, sailors and supporters enjoyed an evening of entertainment by the Medway, featuring sea shanties and a complimentary meal provided by the club's generous sponsor, MTS Cleansing Services Ltd.

It was particularly pleasing to see so many former members returning to the club for the weekend — a reminder that Wilsonian Sailing Club continues to hold a special place in many sailors' hearts.

Sunday brought a very different challenge, with stronger winds providing exciting and demanding racing conditions. Competitors rose to the occasion, supported by the club's safety boat teams, who had a particularly busy afternoon. Special mention should go to the junior fleet, who successfully completed both races despite the difficult conditions.

The 14-boat Vareo fleet enjoyed a successful open meeting, completing three competitive races. Luke Fisher of Emberton Park Sailing Club emerged victorious after an excellent weekend of racing.

Following another successful regatta, planning is already under way for 2027. Organisers are considering a June date once again, with the exciting possibility of hosting the Vareo National Championships alongside the event. Details will be announced in due course at medwayregatta.co.uk

Everyone who attends the Medway Regatta comments on its friendly atmosphere, excellent racing, superb food and memorable entertainment. We look forward to welcoming sailors, friends and families back to Wilsonian Sailing Club next year.

Ireland Targets More Edinburgh Cup Glory in Cowes

 

Ireland will be looking to add another chapter to its proud Edinburgh Cup record after organisers confirmed entries from 11 nations for next month's Dragon championship in Cowes. 

A total of 45 teams have already entered the 2026 Edinburgh Cup and UK Grand Prix, matching the event's highest entry for the past 20 years. Entries remain open until 31 July, with the fleet limited to 50 boats.

Irish crews will compete against teams from Austria, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland, Sweden, Turkey, the United States and across the UK when racing takes place at the Royal Yacht Squadron from 16 to 21 August.

Ireland has enjoyed considerable success in the historic championship. Royal St George Yacht Club's Martin Byrne won the Edinburgh Cup in 2011, while Simon Brien claimed the title on home waters at Cultra the following year, with Byrne finishing runner-up to give Ireland the top two places overall. Byrne's victory in 2011 was Ireland's 12th in the event, underlining the country's long-standing strength in the Dragon class.

The organisers' latest update does not identify the Irish entries by name, although Byrne was highlighted in an earlier announcement as leading the Irish challenge, while Nicola Halloran is among the female helms entered.

The Edinburgh Cup, first raced for in 1949, is the British Open Dragon Championship. The 2026 edition also forms part of the International Dragon Association's UK Grand Prix and coincides with the British Dragon Association's 70th anniversary.

Doublehanded pathway boost thanks to Sport Wales grant

 

Welsh Sailing has strengthened its performance pathway for young racing sailors with eight brand new double-handed dinghies thanks to a grant from Sport Wales.

A game-changing contribution of £68,284 was awarded towards the total project cost of £75,784 for two youth boats - a 29er and 420 each with a road trailer - plus six RS Feva dinghies and two triple-stacker road trailers for junior sailors.

The 420 and 29er will be available on loan to help top level Welsh sailors continue performing at the highest level, while the RS Feva fleet will support #rockupandtrain opportunities, participation in events and the introduction of team racing.

A pathway mapping exercise with Sport Wales demonstrated that sailing is similar to other sports when considering costs such as travel, accommodation, membership and entry fees. An expensive additional outlay for aspiring sailors, however, is the boat and equipment.

Sarah McGovern, Chief Operating Officer for RYA Cymru Wales, said: "We are very keen as a Governing Body to help remove the cost barrier of buying a boat to take part in sailing, and we have a good track record of sailors, who have been given boats on loan, going on to be ranked number one in the UK and selected for major international events.

"The provision of boats means our sailors are not having to limit their sailing due to finance and are able to focus their spend on training and events. Talent can often be missed because of financial barriers and so RYA Cymru Wales has always traditionally ring-fenced funding to buy performance boats and equipment to help level the playing field. A big thank you to Sport Wales for enabling us to continue to support our aspiring young sailors in this way."

The arrival of the new RS Feva dinghies coincided with the Eric Twiname Junior Championships (ETs) at Rutland and the class national championship at Plas Heli in May 2026 - enabling a number of Welsh sailors to take part who would not otherwise have had the chance.

Harry Bennell and Will Fenton were among the first to benefit from using the RS Fevas. Saying thank you for the opportunity, Harry, of Port Dinorwic SC, said: "Will and I had the best time sailing together at the ETs and RS Feva nationals. It was great being able to use a Welsh Sailing RS Feva. We couldn't have done either event without RYA Cymru Wales."

Sophie Venning, also Port Dinorwic SC, was likewise able to compete at the RS Feva Nationals and said: "I was lucky to be able to sail one of the new RS Fevas with my cousin Evie at the nationals in Pwllheli. We sailed 'Felicity' who is a brilliant boat and was great fun to sail. The nationals were such a good event but without the Welsh Sailing boats, I wouldn't have been able to take part. Thank you RYA Cymru Wales and Sport Wales for making it possible."

"Having these new boats gave me the opportunity to do my first ever RS Feva event and qualify for gold fleet," added club mate Ethan Watkin Jones sailing with Elsie Jenkinson.

Located at Welsh Sailing Pathway Clubs in the North, South and West, the RS Fevas will provide access to training and racing in the double handed junior class across the country. The fleet will also enable Welsh Sailing to diversify its offer introduce team racing to young sailors, who may then choose to enjoy this aspect of the sport rather than continuing into Olympic classes.

Providing a pathway into double-handed sailing for those who do not have their own equipment, the RS Fevas will also reduce the travel burden and associated environmental impact for those who do - a model already successful with Welsh Sailing's fleet of 18 ILCA dinghies, an initiative launched in 2024 with a Welsh Government Capital Grant backed by Sport Wales.

The provision of performance pathway boats by Welsh Sailing is in line with the RYA Cymru Wales strategy - Gyda'n Gilydd ar ein Dyfroedd: Together on our Waters - which aims to create a connected, inspired and inclusive Welsh sailing and boating community.

Read more at www.rya.org.uk/gbni/rya-cymru-wales/about-us/strategy

Cowes and Back 2026 at Lymington Town Sailing Club

 

The most popular race of the series turned out to be a two horse race with most of the fleet having other commitments that day or understandably did not fancy the return leg from Cowes with a forecast of up to 27 knots from the South West against a strong ebb tide in the afternoon.

Google-Eye (Trapper 300), acting as Duty Race Officer, welcomed her only competition, newcomer Sardonyx from Keyhaven Yacht Club, to the start line, who was using the race as a shakedown for the Round the Island Race on Saturday 11 July. She had just launched after recently being immaculately restored by Berthon in Lymington.

Sardonyx is a beautiful 40 foot 1957 Fred Parker classic design, built originally of mahogany by AH Moody & Son with a long keel. She is the sister ship of Brynhilde (a 1958 32 foot Fred Parker design), who also has been recently restored by Berthon and is now back in the shed again having her coachroof worked upon. Both boats are under the same ownership.

The race became a contest between a Classic wooden cruiser versus a "Late Classic" (the Trapper 300 design is 50 years old this year and may even be considered a "Classic" too next year under some definitions!) fibreglass cruiser racer and a long keel versus a fin keel. In those conditions Google-Eye thought both races had already been lost but the two boats actually had a good race trading places on both legs.

The two boats were late over the start line but Google-Eye raised her spinnaker quickly as Sardonyx sorted out exactly what to do. However, once her kite was up she slowly but surely caught up Google-Eye and had passed her by Needs Ore Point. Google-Eye gybed first for 3S (SCRA.org.uk) but Sardonyx had problems with the loads so much higher and pole so much larger and heavier than her crew had been used to on Brynhilde, and continued up on starboard gybe some distance beyond West Bramble before finally gybing to find the spinnaker needed to come down to get back to the mark.

Google-Eye thought that Cowes and lunch was too much of a draw for her as she had gone so far. Both boats did end up with a problem with a small freighter coming up the Thorn Channel, with Google-Eye having to continue past the mark under spinnaker and then take it down before the gybe to cross behind it and then white sail reach, rather than spinnaker, to 4M (Hill Head).

Not only did Sardonyx have a problem with the same freighter but also was caught with a bright orange gas tanker making her way down the channel from Fawley. She too white sailed to 4M (Hill Head).

After the mark it was hard on the wind to fetch the finish at 4K (Royal London), with Sardonyx again slowly catching up Google-Eye by pointing higher and sailing faster. However, Google-Eye still claimed line honours. The 2 crews then met up for a convivial lunch in the Anchor Inn in Cowes.

The return leg, as the wind had increased significantly by then, was a start off Gurnard and direct to the finish at Baverstock passing 3A (West Lepe) to port. Both boats were very shy of the start with the strong ebb at Gurnard but Sardonyx made the best start, Google-Eye having to tack back at the inshore end of the line.

Having started with one reef Google-Eye put in another soon after her first tack and was a little more comfortable, but the short Solent chop was about the worst it gets and she bounced over, dived through and fell off the waves all the way to the finish. The highest wind speed she saw was 29.4 knots apparent.

One of Google-Eye's crew was grateful that he had purchased a set of new oilskins and another regretted wearing his old salopettes, which he knew leaked!

Although Sardonyx's crew seemed to be sailing in shorts and T-Shirts, one of their crews' automatic lifejackets self-inflated so they must have got very wet.

In the meantime Sardonyx, although she had two reefs in at the start, seemed to be suffering with either too much foresail or lack of halyard tension, but was powering through the waves. Google-Eye was soon well ahead of her and although she did not sail as far as Hamstead Ledge, unlike Sardonyx, and put in an extra 2 tacks, she still finished 5 minutes ahead. By the finish Sardonyx had sorted herself out and had been slowly catching up Google-Eye again.

However, both races proved to be a very useful shake-down for Sardonyx having found the mainsail had no battens when it went up before the start (rectified in Cowes), sailing without for the first leg, discovering the gybing problems, and then sorting out upwind sailing in high winds and heavy seas.

YTC Results:

1. Google-Eye (Pat Stables)

2. Sardonyx (Tony Hockley)

LAH Results:

1. Google-Eye (Pat Stables)

2. Sardonyx (Tony Hockley)

Irish Crews Secure Top-Six Finishes at UK Flying Fifteen Nationals

 

Irish sailors John Lavery and Alan Green finished fifth overall, while Niall O'Brien and Dermot Flaherty claimed sixth at the 2026 UK Flying Fifteen National Championship after a breezier final day at Tees & Hartlepool Yacht Club.

The Irish crews maintained their positions in a competitive 30-boat fleet as stronger north-easterly winds and a moderate swell finally delivered the most demanding conditions of the championship after several days of light and variable racing.

After a short postponement ashore to await the incoming tide, racing got underway in the bay. A general recall at the first attempt prompted race officials to introduce the Black Flag for the remainder of the day's racing.

In Race Five, championship leaders Ian Cadwallader and Steve Graham strengthened their grip on the regatta with victory. Andy and Michelle Tunnicliffe were second, while Irish pairing Niall O'Brien and Dermot Flaherty took an impressive third place after mastering the testing downwind conditions.

The final race was sailed in similar conditions but produced much closer racing as the fleet had learned the favoured side of the course. Jeremy Davy and Martin Huett claimed the race win ahead of Steve Goacher and Tim Harper, with Andy and Michelle Tunnicliffe finishing third.

Consistency across the six-race series proved decisive. Cadwallader and Graham, sailing a brand-new  boat that had not been launched before the championship, secured the national title by ten points for Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club.

Steve Goacher and Tim Harper of Royal Windermere Yacht Club finished second overall on their return to Flying Fifteen competition after a two-year absence. Andy and Michelle Tunnicliffe completed the podium in third, with Michelle competing in her first major Flying Fifteen championship. 

National Yacht Club's John Lavery and Alan Green ended the championship fifth overall after opening the series with race finishes of third and first. Fellow Irish crew Niall O'Brien and Dermot Flaherty finished sixth overall, adding a race-three podium on the final day to cap a consistent championship.

Salcombe Yacht Club Summer Series 2026 - Race 4: trepidation amongst the Yawls

 

There was more than a little trepidation amongst the Yawl sailors gathered on the Yawl pontoon in anticipation of the fourth race of the Salcombe Yacht Club Summer Series, with wind speeds topping 43 mph at Prawle Point, there were discussions regarding the available stock of new masts, in between the pumping up of buoyancy bags, resulting in several arrivistes taking a look and returning to their tenders.

Anyway, Will Henderson the Race Officer had made his decision, and on an Easterly high tide, set a course beating into to Yalton twice then returning to the harbour for a couple of loops around Blackstone and Crossways.

Six Yawls started, with the heavier combos of Paul Ellis and Martin Beck and John Burn and Ross Bourne duking it out to Yalton, with some interesting avoiding manoeuvres at the gybe and bear off. Paul and Martin eventually prevailed despite some close and tactical mark roundings.

John and Zoe Meadowcroft were very much in the mix, but when the fleet returned to the protection of the main harbour the shifty beat shuffled the midfield allowing Phil King and John Sleep up to third, while David Greening and Josie Dayment edged past John and Zoe.

As is often the case, the trepidation before the race was unfounded, no new masts will be required and our buoyancy remains untested, it was worth going out just for the flat-out planing run out of Yalton, the only casualty being Paul and Martin's broken jib stick!

Looking forward to the 100th Solution class event

 

When eight Solution sailors gathered on the shore of Hunts SC for the very first Solution open meeting, none of them could have imagined what the next two decades would bring.

That modest fleet on a Cambridgeshire lake marked the start of a story that would grow far beyond those early expectations — new sailors, new venues, national champions, close battles, long drives, and a class community that has quietly but steadily built something special. Now, as we approach our 100th open meeting at the end of July, it feels like the perfect moment to look back at how far we've come and to celebrate the people who made it happen.

Over 150 sailors from almost 75 different clubs have entered Solution open meetings over the years, with more than 820 individual entries. Over 80% of entries were travellers sailing away from their home club, and nearly two thirds competed in more than one event.

The most frequent flyer in the class is Kathryn Clark with 85 events and counting. Delph SC has produced the most Solution travellers with 11 different members entering at least one event.

The class has visited 34 different venues, with more than half earning at least one repeat visit. The most visited venue has been Bala SC, where we've been 11 times, starting with the very first national championship back in 2007. 3 clubs are tied for most popular nationals venue: Felpham, Lee on Solent and Gunfleet have each hosted 3 national championships.

The most important question in all this data analysis is which Solution sailor is top of the pops? There are a few contenders depending upon how you want to define the best. There's Andy McKee, first ever national champion, who dominated the early years of the class. But looking back, he only entered 7 events and wasn't the victor in all of them.

Another option could be Christian Smart; he won 12 of the 13 events he entered, an impressive 92% conversion rate.

Then there's the current National Champion, Ian Morgan. He's won 9 of 10 events so far - only 90% conversion rate but still growing... unless Jon Steward can put another dent in that at the 100th open.

Arguably though, the Solution Class G.O.A.T. has to be Kevin Clark: with 20 first places and 38 podium finishes, it'll be a while before anyone else can touch that record.

As we celebrate everything the class has achieved — the sailors, the venues, the champions, the near misses, the long drives, the friendships, and the occasional swim — the 100th open meeting feels like the perfect moment to bring everyone together again. Whether you've raced once, raced every year, or haven't been on a Solution start line for a while, this milestone event is for you.

The 100th Solution Open Meeting will take place at Carsington Sailing Club on 25-26 July 2026, and we're aiming to make it the biggest and most enjoyable gathering the class has ever hosted. To mark the occasion, every sailor who pre-enters by 16 July will receive a free commemorative gift, our way of saying thank you for being part of the journey.

Pre-entry is now open, here's to the next hundred!

Exceptional Round the Island Race

 

This year's 'exceptional' Round the Island Race has been hailed as one of the best in years. Over 800 boats gathered at the Royal Yacht Squadron line yesterday (Saturday) for the 95th edition of the iconic race.

Dave Atkinson, Race Director, said:

"It has been an amazing day and a terrific race. We've been wishing for good weather for years, and today has really delivered for us, as we've had fantastic sunshine and a good breeze.

"The sight of all the spinnakers up for the start was one to behold, and really showed the race in all its glory."

" Pace,"  owned by Jonny Vincent, was the first boat to finish, in an elapsed time of 06:32:39.

Jonny said: "What a great day and a great race. It was hard work going down the mainland shore at the start, and there was a really funky bit around The Needles, which was a bit tricky.

"We stayed pretty close to the Island shore but so nice to head back into the sunshine."

The bulk of the fleet were continuing to cross the line after 6pm.

Prizegiving takes place at the Race Village tomorrow (Sunday), at 12pm.

Junior Camel Week 2026 at Rock Sailing and Waterski Club

 

Sponsored by John Bray Cornish Holidays

Under 18 years of age and a dinghy racer or novice racer but would like to have a go? Why not join us for Junior Camel Week from Friday 7th to Wednesday 12th August? The week is all about Junior racing, plus fun sailing races and social activities for competitors and their families. We have Race Coaches who will be on the water helping you with racing tips and advice.

Why not have a go?

The week is free for RSWSC members and £100 for non-members (but as an early bird discount, it is £90 before 10th July). This includes the use of Club facilities and entry to social events for parents and siblings.

Enter now

Full details are on the Notice of Race on the above link, but if you have questions, please contact Gilly on 07778 545414. We would love to see as many Under 18s as possible enjoying the week.

And don't forget, the Fancy Dress Party on Tuesday evening - the best dressed wins a prize!

Roger Craig Claims ILCA Masters National Championship Silver

 

Irish sailor Roger Craig delivered an impressive performance to finish second overall at the ILCA UK Masters National Championships, held at Parkstone Yacht Club as part of the EurILCA Masters Series. 

Representing Kircubbin, Craig finished runner-up among the 52-boat ILCA 7 fleet after eight races, posting a net score of 35 points. His consistent series included a race win, three second places, and a third place.

Italy's Lorenzo Cerretelli claimed the overall title with 25 net points after winning three races and discarding a 17th-place finish. Britain's Nick Harrison finished third overall, while Spain's Jose Luis Doreste, the former Olympic gold medallist, placed fourth and topped the Great Grand Master division.

Craig also secured victory in the Masters age category, finishing ahead of Spain's Leandro Rosado and Britain's Chris Whalley.

The championship featured eight races with one discard in a varied series that tested competitors across a range of conditions. The event formed part of the EurILCA Masters Series, attracting sailors from across Europe to Parkstone Yacht Club on England's south coast.

The top 4 luxury yacht charter destinations in France

 

If you’ve been dreaming of chartering a luxury yacht and enjoying an idyllic European sailing holiday this summer, then the French Riviera offers a breath-takingly beautiful and endlessly sophisticated setting in which to do it.  FreightTransport

France is one of the world’s premier yacht charter hubs, home to a myriad of opulent marinas and infrastructure that makes sailing between them easy. And although the Côte d’Azur, in the south of the country, isn’t the only place you can begin your voyage from, it boasts some of the most iconic destinations that together, make for an incredible itinerary and a yachting holiday you’ll never forget.

With a number of superyacht-friendly ports located all along the Côte d’Azur, all in some of Europe’s most elegant and extravagant destinations that are worthy of a place on every luxury traveller’s bucket list, there’s nowhere better to embark on a summer yachting adventure.

Here, we take a look at four of the most notable bases for luxury yacht charters in France where you can hop on board your luxury vessel and get going from –as well as enjoying the lavish atmospheres they have to offer while you’re there.

                                                                       CANNES

Although perhaps best-known for the iconic annual Cannes Film Festival, which attracts film stars and other celebrities from across the globe, Cannes’ golden beaches, lavish  hotels and designer boutiques make it easily one of the most upscale destinations in all of France. 

It also happens to be one of the most significant luxury yacht charter bases in the Mediterranean, enjoying a privileged central location on the French Riviera that makes it the perfect jumping-off point for exploring the coast, whichever direction you plan on heading in.

The main port of Port Canto takes yacht and superyacht activity in its stride, and throughout the summer months, you’ll often spot some of the most extravagant vessels in the world moored here. Yacht charters often set off from the port, but the nearby Vieux port is another option from which you can kick off your journey in style.

A real selling point of Cannes in terms of luxury yacht charters is the impeccable infrastructure and operational excellence it offers, ensuring that both arriving and leaving feel as seamless as they should.

                                                                   SAINT-TROPEZ

When it comes to France’s most glamorous destinations, Saint-Tropez is right up there at the top of the list. Steeped in luxury and sophistication, over recent years it has become a playground for the global elite, boasting lavish five star hotels, Michelin-starred eateries and a plethora of elevated beach clubs, making it a must-visit location along the Côte d’Azur. 

Even better, it’s an excellent starting point for embarking on your yachting escape, with lavish vessels kept moored and waiting in the marina for monied holidaymakers to climb on board. The marina is located just steps from the town centre, so when you’re not sipping Champagne on the sundeck or enjoying a gourmet meal prepared by an esteemed French chef, you can wander to one of the nearby wine bars or seafood restaurants, peruse the town’s array of luxury boutiques and soak up the chic Saint-Tropez vibe.

Although Saint-Tropez is a great place to charter a luxury yacht from, it often works best as a mid-route stopover on those that aim to take in a variety of destinations along the Côte d’Azur.

                                                                         ANTIBES

Port Vauban in Antibes is considered to be one of the most significant yacht harbours not just in Europe, but the entire world – and with good reason. The marina is extensive, and its ability to cater to some of the largest yachts in a way that other harbours cannot means that many charter companies choose to operate from here, with numerous private owners also berthing their yachts here throughout the year. Boats& Watercraft

As well as offering full-service facilities to meet the needs of yacht owners and charter companies alike, the port is located appealingly close to Antibes’ charming old town, where you can stroll through historic streets, peruse Provençal markets and dine at one of the many upscale eateries. Just like Cannes and Saint-Tropez, Antibes is a sophisticated spot where you’ll rub shoulders with the world’s wealthy, and makes an excellent stop on any yachting route, as well as the ideal place to begin or end it.

                                                                             NICE

Most visitors to the French Riviera fly into Nice – which tells you something about the kind of infrastructure it offers, and it’s something that also extends to its marinas. Port Lympia is invariably lined with luxury yachts throughout the year, and another major base for charter operators – so if you’re looking for somewhere convenient to set sail from to explore the region’s coastline, then this is it. 

But Nice isn’t just a top player when it comes to logistics, and is a highly desirable destination in itself, so you won’t want to miss out on spending some time here before or after your yachting adventure ends. Its old town, all winding streets and traditional architecture, is packed with excellent restaurants and stylish shops, and its pretty pebbled beaches are lined with glamorous beach clubs serving up fresh seafood and Champagne.

From Nice, destinations like Monaco and Villefranche-sur-Mer are in particularly easy reach, but other destinations along the coast are just as accessible.

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