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Caribbean sailing 2022: the rules and where to go

• Lexi Fisher
• January 17, 2022

Grenadian-born Lexi Fisher gives us a Caribbean sailing and venues update for the 2022 season, including regulations in place for the major destinations

These days it’s hard to predict what the world may look like in a few weeks, let alone a few months, but many in the Caribbean sailing industry are cautiously optimistic for the upcoming 2022 cruising and racing season. Although the days of spontaneous island hopping might be over (for now, at least), there is value to be found in slowing down, and being a little more intentional with your time.

The challenges presented by the fact that most islands are separate nations with individual entry protocols are not insurmountable. Tourism, both land-based and yachting, has long been a mainstay of the Caribbean’s economy. Sailing and related services have fared well compared to the traditional tourism industry, and technical and general yacht services, marinas, and nearby restaurants are largely open and fully operational.

Most islands now have well-established and easy-to-follow protocols, though there are still some quarantine requirements and restrictions on freedom of movement. These are generally greatly decreased if you are fully vaccinated (many islands require proof of vaccination for dine-in restaurant service, for example).

General safety protocols like social distancing, masks, and hand sanitising remain in place throughout, though compliance and enforcement vary. Some islands require visitors to have Covid-19 health insurance.

You can choose to see these regulations in one of two ways; as a cumbersome hindrance to the freedom to roam that may have attracted you to cruising in the first place, or as a necessary regimen to keeping both the local population and guests safe, allowing us to continue to be visitors to this glorious part of the world.

Many cruisers, especially charter guests with limited time, are opting to stay on a single island or set of islands rather than spend additional time in quarantine. This often requires some planning, research, and a willingness to go off the beaten path and visit anchorages you might normally have passed by.

A local Carriacou sloop competing at Antigua Classics. Photo: Tobias Stoerkle

It has also helped develop even closer-knit yachting communities, especially for liveaboard cruisers who have been riding out lockdowns and hurricane seasons on their boats instead of flying home. As a result, special interest groups are more popular than ever; weekly domino games, group fitness sessions, and volunteer initiatives are a great way to connect with cruising and local communities.

Most islands have a cruisers’ Facebook page where you can stay up to date on events and regulations while planning your trip, and a regular VHF morning net so you can stay in the loop once you’ve arrived.

Article continues below…

Caribbean adventure

Caribbean 600 pace notes

RORC member John Burnie explains what to expect on the course

How busy destinations are likely to be will depend on historical and current local government regulations. Martinique, for example, had been closed to non-European visitors since the beginning of the pandemic, and although they have recently re-opened, word has been slow to get out.

Many charter guests will once again be opting for the untouched beauty of St Vincent and the Grenadines, where visitors can easily spend every night of a 10- or 14-day charter in a different anchorage of shallow, turquoise water.

Idyllic anchorage in the British Virgin Islands. Photo: Patrick Bennett/Uncommon Caribbean

Many liveaboard cruisers that would otherwise have hauled out for hurricane season in Trinidad have instead stayed aboard in Grenada this year, and are now venturing north as other islands begin to ease restrictions.

Here we take a look at some of the southern Caribbean’s top cruising destinations to see what the 2022 cruising season has in store; what kind of freedom of movement to expect, and what entry protocols to prepare for.

Entry requirements and safety measures within and between islands can change at short notice. Always consult official government sources for the most up-to-date information when planning a passage.

Caribbean sailing destinations for 2022

Caribbean Multihull Challenge: 4-6 February – smyc.com/caribbean-multihull-challenge Heineken Regatta: 3-6 March – heinekenregatta.com Facebook cruisers’ group: Sint Maarten Cruisers & Boaters Morning Net: 0730, VHF Ch10, Mon-Sat Government Info: stmaartenehas.com Vaccination Rate: 60%

Like Martinique, St Maarten remains a popular destination for sailors looking for a more European experience. Boat yards are busy with short-term haul outs and minor repairs for yachts getting ready for charter season.

There are some differences in Covid regulations between the French and Dutch sides of the island, but you can move freely between sides by car or on foot. As of 1 November 2021 there is no mandatory entry Covid test for anyone fully vaccinated within the last year, or if you are arriving from a low risk country. Covid-19 health insurance is required.

View over Petite Clef islet towards Etang de la Barriere, St Maarten. Photo: Lexi Fisher

Antigua & Barbuda

RORC Caribbean 600 : start 22 February – caribbean600.rorc.org Superyacht Challenge: Antigua, 9-13 March – superyachtchallengeantigua.com Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta: 30 March-4 April – antiguaclassics.com Antigua Sailing Week: 30 April-6 May – sailingweek.com Facebook cruisers’ group: Antigua Cruisers Morning Net: 0830, VHF Ch74, Mon-Sat Government Info: visitantiguabarbuda.com/travel-advisory Vaccination Rate: 48%

Antigua has a full regatta season planned for 2022, and will no doubt attract a lively crowd, while its sister island of Barbuda offers a serene escape. In addition to the regattas, the Salty Dawg rally is scheduled to arrive in mid-November, with most participants expected to spend a significant amount of their time cruising locally.

Having remained open since June 2020, Antigua’s yachting industry is still going strong, and there is no quarantine or arrival testing required for those who are fully vaccinated.

CORC Windward 500: 16-20 May – caribbean-sailing.com ARC rallies: arriving December 2021 and January 2022 – worldcruising.com/arc/event.aspx Facebook cruisers’ group: St. Lucia Cruisers Morning Net: 0800, VHF Ch69, Mon, Wed, Fri Government Info: stlucia.org/en/covid-19 Vaccination Rate: 20%

With two ARC rallies arriving in St Lucia this year bringing three times the number of boats (a combined 280) compared to last year, yacht services are up and running and looking forward to a busy season.

Yachting industry leaders are working towards a ‘bubble’ agreement with St Vincent to allow more freedom of movement for those on sailing holidays.

National parks and major attractions are open to locals and visitors alike, though on different days, regulated by a system of coloured wristbands. There is no arrival quarantine requirement for those who are fully vaccinated.

Antigua Sailing Week will be back for 2022. Photo: Paul Wyeth

RORC Transatlantic: start 8 January – rorctransatlantic.rorc.org Grenada Sailing Week: 30 January-4 February – grenadasailingweek.com CORC Windward 500: 16-20 May ARC+ rally: arriving December 2021 – worldcruising.com/arc_plus/event.aspx Facebook cruisers’ group: Grenada Cruisers Information Morning Net: 0730, VHF Ch66, Mon-Sat Government Info: covid19.gov.gd Vaccination Rate: 25%

Grenada developed entry protocols early on that allowed cruisers to spend hurricane season in Grenada, south of the hurricane belt. Despite a major Covid outbreak this summer, boat yards are currently busier than ever, and with a new leg of the ARC+ added to the roster this year, there are over 100 boats scheduled to arrive at Port Louis Marina in early December.

Non-nationals must be vaccinated to enter Grenada pending a negative PCR result. With falling infection rates the nightly curfew and restrictions on alcohol sales may soon be relaxed.

CORC Windward 500: 16-20 May Facebook cruisers’ group: Martinique Cruisers Information & Events Morning Net: 0830 VHF Ch08, Mon, Wed, Fri Government Info: martinique.gouv.fr Vaccination Rate: 30%

International charter guests are arriving in Martinique again – a welcome return after regulations issued from mainland France meant only Europeans were allowed entry for most of the pandemic. Now fully vaccinated visitors can enter without testing or quarantine, charter businesses are fully booked.

A spike in cases over the summer saw a nightly curfew imposed, which will hopefully be reduced in the coming months.

Yacht racing in the Caribbean. Photo: Paul Wyeth

Caribbean sailing regatta circuit

This season event organisers are anticipating the return of most pre-Covid regattas and a full season of racing, with a shift of emphasis away from the shoreside parties and live music events towards on-the-water action.

Major events including St Maarten Heineken Regatta, Antigua Sailing Week and the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s Caribbean 600 race are all scheduled to return. The iconic superyacht event, the St Barths Bucket, is due to be held from 17-20 March 2022. Organisers report strong early entry numbers, with 25 superyachts signed up and more pending.

Currently entry to St Barths requires vaccination and a negative PCR test, but no quarantine. The island’s glitzy multi-class regatta, Les Voiles de St Barths, is also scheduled for 17-23 April, 2022.

The British Virgin Islands’ BVI Spring Regatta is set to run from 28 March-3 April, although current entry protocols for the BVIs include a four day quarantine for partially vaccinated people.

A new format race, the Caribbean Ocean Racing Club’s CORC Windward 500, which was developed in 2021, is set for another round in May 2022. As a new ‘Covid safe’ offshore, each team starts and finishes in their own country, with courses set and results generated using GPS tracking technology – negating the need for entry protocols, quarantines, or risk of changing government regulations.

Michele Korteweg, president of the Caribbean Sailing Association, explains: “We see an increase in the confidence of boat owners to make the crossing to spend the season in the Caribbean. The Caribbean has invested in technological developments, as many processes have had to be done digitally to reduce contact. This should help with overall logistics (clearing in and out, the availability of supplies, online provisioning etc) and make it more attractive to spend time in the region.

“The Covid pandemic allowed regatta organisers to review their events and reinvent our products. I personally saw this period as a ‘forced’ reset.

“We are far more focused on sailing and want to offer world class racing. The social aspect of the events will vary throughout the Caribbean, but the overall consensus is we want to host safe and professional sailing events. Feedback from the sailing community also showed us that socials and parties aren’t expected.”

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Yachting & Sailing Tourism a Top Priority for Greece

GNTO President Angela Gerekou. Photo source: 1st Panhellenic Yachting Conference

Greece aims to further develop yachting and sailing tourism through a series of actions that include modernizing marinas and upgrading infrastructure , said Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) President Angela Gerekou during the two-day Panhellenic Yachting Conference held in Athens recently. 

Gerekou said yachting was a significant contributor to national wealth and that the ministry and the GNTO had already set out actions and initiatives to strengthen the segment. 

GNTO’s president went on to refer to the high demand for yachting and especially mega yachting in Greece as demonstrated in 2019, when the country was ranked 3rd most popular destination in the world in terms of chartering large yachts. In 2020 it moved up to 2nd spot and in 2021 it took the lead accounting for 24 percent of the market share in charters, said Gerekou.

Looking ahead, and based on confirmed bookings, Gerekou said 2022 was expected to be “excellent” with figures already reaching 57 percent of existing fleet. 

The head of GNTO stressed however that Greece still had a long way to go to ensure its competitive edge including further expanding the marina network across the country, doing away with red tape so as to liberate high end day trips by professional recreational sailing companies, boosting premium day trips catered to high-income travelers, and the creation of a well-trained and specialized workforce.

Sailing and yachting “can contribute billions of euros to the national economy”, said Gerekou. As part of efforts to further strengthen the industry, the GNTO in collaboration with the tourism ministry launched a mini campaign promoting yachting, sailing and diving as part of the international “All You Want is Greece” campaign ; worked with global digital platforms to target high-end visitors; and participates in specialized marine tourism exhibitions and shows.

Gerekou lastly referred to ministry and GNTO actions promoting Greece as the ultimate destination for multifaceted and authentic experiences with an emphasis on sustainable practices in lesser-known destinations.

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Acropolis restoration projects to see funds from ‘greece 2.0’ recovery plan, russia closes airspace to flights from 36 countries, one comment.

Yachts should pay a proper daily fee per tonne, for sailing in Greek waters. A yacht that happily pays €8,000 dollars per night in Sardinia pays €25 in Ithaki. The locals need to be compensated for the noise, light, oil and fuel pollutants. Harbour masters often can’t afford the petrol to go and patrol where the yachts are moored. We should be raising proper revenue from those using our precious resources.

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• Yachting in the Seychelles: discover the ultimate sailing paradise with us

Perhaps everyone dreams of a holiday in a tropical paradise — turquoise waters, palm trees and white sandy beaches.  Look no further than the Seychelles —  an archipelago of more than 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, off the east coast of Africa. For sailors, this destination offers even more than it does for the average tourist. The numerous breathtaking anchorages are just a short distance away from each other, so you can avoid longer crossings and with a typical air temperature of around 30 degrees and water of 27 degrees, it's perfect for water sports. Let's take a look at where you should sail and where to anchor.

Basic yachting infrastructure in the Seychelles

Most of the sailing is centred around the main island of Mahé, where the international airport and the base of most charter boats are located. On the island, you'll find the luxurious Eden Island Marina, where you can rent the perfect boat. The marina is located on a man-made island between the airport and the capital city of Victoria with the boats easily reachable by taxi across the bridge. The marina infrastructure meets all the standards we are used to.

Luxury Eden Island Marina on Mahé Island

Before you set sail, supplies can be purchased directly from the marketplace on the pier or, alternatively, you can take a taxi to the cheap STC supermarket. Expect to be able to buy no more than sundries on the voyage itself, as there are only smaller, less well-stocked shops on the other islands. Catamarans are ideal for cruising in the Seychelles as they offer greater comfort, plus the shallow draft allows you to get closer to the coral atolls and beaches than on a monohull.

YACHTING.COM TIP: As the colder months approach in Europe, sailors are increasingly unwilling to accept that the yachting season is coming to an end and are changing tack in search of sailing opportunities in warmer climes. If this is you, we highly recommend  exotic locations where pristine beaches and bays, stunning natural beauty and a magical underwater world await. And there's no need to be apprehensive about trying out exotic destinations —  our complete guide to exotic sailing destinations  has everything you'll need to know before setting sail. 

Where to sail in the Seychelles?

Most sailors visit the area of the so-called inner islands bordered by the private Bird Island to the north, Mahé to the south, Silhouette Island to the west and Grande Soeur to the east. The other islands of the archipelago are too far away and are only accessible with a special permit and a local captain on board. But the inner islands themselves will keep you happily occupied for several weeks.

The island of Mahé alone (28 km long) offers enough to keep you occupied for a week. It has one of the most beautiful beaches, Beau Vallon , which you won't feel like leaving. If you do want to explore the whole of the inner islands, expect to cover some 250–300 nautical miles (the farthest Bird Island is 54 NM from Mahé, the popular Praslin about 20 NM). If you want to enjoy leisurely sailing without much stress and enough time to discover all the beauty there, go for a fortnight's holiday instead.

Another option is to divide your holiday in paradise into two separate parts — boat and land — and dedicate a week to each. Trust us, you'll never get bored. See below for our tips on how to make the most of a week at sea in the Seychelles.

Seychelles: week-long sailing route between Mahé and Praslin

The most famous islands of Mahé and Praslin certainly have plenty to offer their visitors. Come with us as we depart on a 7-day sailing adventure that really makes the most of this piece of paradise.

Day 1: Mahé Island, Eden Marina — St. Anne Marine Park

Day 2: St. Anne Marine Park — Praslin Island, Anse Lazio

Day 3: Anse Lazio — Curieuse Island, Anse Volbert

Day 4: Anse Volbert — Baie St. Anne

Day 5: Baie St. Anne — La Digue Island, La Passe Harbour

Day 6: La Passe — Mahé Island, Beau Vallon

Day 7: Beau Vallon — Eden Marina

Our voyage starts in the Eden marina on the main island of Mahé. From there we sail along the southwest coast of the island to the islands that make up St. Anne National Park . The park is open daily from 8.30 am to 5 pm and there is an admission fee, including a boat charge for overnight moorings. Keep on the lookout, as giant petrels like to hang around St. Anne's National Park.

The following day we sail northwards to Anse Lazio Bay on the northwest side of Praslin Island. Turquoise waters and white sand make Anse Lazio one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Be sure not to leave your snorkelling gear on board the boat — if you're lucky you'll be able to swim with the sea turtles that feed among the rocks at the edge of the beach.

After a night in the bay, we head east to the town of Anse Volbert with a stop at Curieuse Island. If you have time, head ashore and visit a turtle farm with over a hundred wild specimens. On the fourth day, the voyage will take us to the picturesque bay of Baie Sainte Anne and the town of the same name with its numerous inviting restaurants and bars.

Read more about exotic sailing destinations:

Complete guide to sailing in exotic destinations

10 top yachts for exotic destinations

All about French Polynesia

Yachting guide to the Bahamas

British Virgin Islands: sailing paradise

Sailing the Maldives: paradise

Yachting without crowds

Ultimate guide to yachting in Thailand

Top 7 yachting destinations for 2023

11 places to snorkel and scuba dive in Thailand

Hurricane season in exotic destinations

Yachting in the Seychelles: ultimate paradise

On the fifth day we leave Praslin Island and sail through the Indian Ocean towards the island of La Digue . Here you can anchor in the local harbour. Anchoring here is a bit more complicated here — first drop the bow anchor and then, using a dinghy, you bring the rope ashore. Remember that the harbour is often full and reservations are not possible, so don't arrive too late. There are several restaurants in La Passe as well as a grocery store for restocking. If you're sporty, rent a bike from one of the local bike rental shops and take a ride along the empty roads of La Digue. These lead to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, such as Grande Anse or Anse Source d'Argent , where Bacardi and Raffaello commercials were filmed. From Grande Anse, walk (about 45 minutes) to the deserted paradise bay of Anse Cocos. But we'll save the most stunning beach for the last day — sailing back to Mahé Island to Beau Vallon beach to bid farewell to our voyage of the Seychelles.

Grande Anse Beach, La Digue Island, Seychelles

YACHTING.COM TIP: If you are looking for an exotic sailing destination, try French Polynesia — it will captivate you with its beautiful nature, fascinating underwater world and its friendliness and culture. It will truly fulfil everything you could wish for in an exotic boat holiday. In our guide, we'll introduce you to this yachting destination in all its glory including what to prepare for when sailing in Oceania and everything you need to know about the journey, sailing conditions, marinas and life in French Polynesia — Try sailing in an exotic paradise: all about French Polynesia .

Snorkelling with turtles

In addition to its breathtaking beaches, the Seychelles is teeming with natural beauty and culinary delights. The delicious Creole cuisine, which consists primarily of rice and fish, is worth sampling and you'll discover fascinating fauna and flora both above and below the water's surface. Inland, you can visit rainforests and waterfalls and observe some of the many species of turtles that live on the island. On land, you'll even encounter giant tortoises.

Aldabra giant tortoise on the beach near Praslin

Whilst scuba-diving and snorkelling, you may come across a hawksbill or big leatherback sea turtle, which has a shell length of around 2 metres. And such an encounter underwater is a magical experience! In addition to turtles, you'll see hundreds of species of marine animals, including the majestic stingrays, beautifully coloured corals as well as ancient shipwrecks.

And by far the best snorkelling is from the deck of your own boat. So why not ditch the usual destinations for something a little more exotic and try out yachting in the Seychelles?

YACHTING.COM TIP: Do you like to snorkel and explore the underwater world? Then you should definitely check out  the Caribbean . What marine life is there to discover beneath the surface Caribbean waters? What can you get up close to and what should you watch out for? Find out in our article — Snorkelling and sailing: what inhabits the Caribbean coral reefs?

Tropical fruits and vegetables at the famous Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market on the island of Mahe, Seychelles

When to sail in the Seychelles?

High season in the Seychelles is between May and September . From December to March there is a light, steady northwesterly monsoon of 5–15 knots, which brings more frequent rain showers. From May to October, a strong (10–25 knots) but rainless southeasterly monsoon blows, bringing clear skies. However, it is accompanied by rough seas that often wash up large amounts of seaweed on the island's southern beaches. So at this time of year, most of the southern anchorages are rather unusable and the beaches are not as idyllic as in the pictures. That is why most tourists choose the windless interim period, which, give or take, is similar to our summer holidays. At this time, the sea is calmest and clearest, and therefore most suitable for scuba-diving and snorkelling.

Paradise Beach on the island of La Digue in the Seychelles

Who is sailing in the Seychelles for?

It could be said that even beginners can handle sailing in this region. There are plenty of good anchorages everywhere, the distances are short — no big open sea crossings, currents are gentle, winds are relatively predictable and storms are very rare. Still, there are a few little things that make the Seychelles a destination for more experienced sailors . Firstly, apart from the main marina on Eden Island, La Passe marina on La Digue and the floating dock at Baie Sainte Anne on Praslin, the Seychelles lacks in yachting infrastructure. So if you don't like to anchor and prefer heading to a marina for the night, the Seychelles is not the right choice for you.

Saint Pierre Island

YACHTING.COM TIP: Prices in marinas in the Seychelles range between 60–100 Euros (Rs 700–1,300). In any case, it is worth booking a place in the marinas at least 24 hours in advance. Otherwise, you can easily find yourself  without a berth for the night.

You also need to keep an eye out for various rocks and cliffs, not all of which are recorded on the charts, especially outside the main islands. Therefore, it is essential to be on the lookout throughout your voyage. If you prefer to just have fun on your trip rather than following a route, however, this problem can easily be solved by hiring a professional skipper. A visit to the Seychelles is definitely worth it!

Interested in the Seychelles? Which boat will you head out on?

We'll be happy to help you with choosing a boat and the booking process. contact us..

Denisa Nguyenová

Faqs: yachting in the seychelles.

Sailing Albania Guide: Everything You Need To Know Before You Go

Looking for information on sailing Albania? We have compiled everything you need to know!

The Adriatic Sea, the northern arm of the Mediterranean, is one of the world’s most popular sailing and cruising destinations. When most people think about sailing in the Adriatic, they generally think about Croatia. The Adriatic Sea, however, includes more than just the archipelago of the Dalmatian Coast.

Italy, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro , and Albania all lay claim to pieces of the Adriatic coastline. Sailors cruising the Adriatic for longer lengths of time, or those transitting, may pass along the coast of Albania.

Although Albania occupies a central 450km stretch of coastline which connects the southern Adriatic to the Ionian sea, many sailors sail through, opting not to stop in Albania, instead sailing past without ever checking into the country.

We decided, however, to check it out. To see what people were skipping and whether there was something there worth exploring. After all, we are veteran travelers, we have visited Albania in the past and enjoyed it immensely, these prissy sailors must not know what they are missing out on right? (Wrong.)

Discover the Truth About Sailing in Albania: 10 Things We Hated About Sailing Albania (And 5 Things We Loved)

While Albania has many things to recommend and is definitely worth stopping by, explorers should be aware that the sailing and tourism industry lags behind its Adriatic neighbors in many ways. Sailing the coastline of Albania can be more challenging and at times downright frustrating as authorities and marine operators seem to go out of their way to make Albania as unfriendly to sailors as possible.

What is Sailing Albania Like

The food is great, it is very cheap. The scenery, especially in the south is very beautiful. Most of the people are very friendly, and it is not at all crowded with sailors as it is in nearby sailing destinations like Greece and Croatia . However, there are a number of challenges that can outweigh these positives.

Entering and exiting Albania, or indeed conducting the most basic transactions like purchasing diesel or LPG, often requires a middleman to carry out the very mundane ordinary procedure usually at exorbitant prices.

This begins the moment you try to step foot in the country. Border control in Montenegro, like many other countries, involves a brief visit to the Harbourmaster and a quick exchange with the border police. Right next door, Albania’s laborious check-in procedure is generally facilitated by an agent.

The agent’s job is ostensibly to navigate the complex procedure of registering your boat and clearing customs and immigration into the country. In reality, our experience checking into the country was conducted in a small run-down bar in the Shengjin port where our agent, who spoke only limited English filled in two forms and walked over to another table in the bar where the border police were sitting. We paid €60 for his services.

The country is not well set up for sailors and is without the infrastructure found in Croatia, Greece, or Montenegro. The only marinas were really just sections of large commercial ports, not fit for berthing sailing yachts. In the north, anchoring is forbidden and aggressive coast guards enforce this policy.

Minefields were at one point established along the coastline. Although they have apparently now been cleared, it is another thing to worry about when you do eventually reach the south of Albania where anchoring is permissible.

We were unable to compel anyone to help us within any sort of useful timeframe. The idea of avash avash, which translates to slowly slowly is touted as a wonderful feature of the Albanian culture. The motto of a relaxed and easy-going population. We found it difficult to get assistance with even the most basic of things like finding a mechanic, diesel, or LPG. We found it incredibly frustrating how people would so quickly and so adamantly promise the world only to completely ignore us.

For us, the issues we came up against, especially sailing in the north of Albania ended up outweighing the positives. Of course, many other people have enjoyed overwhelmingly positive experiences sailing here. Beyond the highlights mentioned above, it also offers one of the last frontiers of sailing in the Adriatic without hordes of other sailors, overdevelopment, or expensive marinas (although this is starting to change).

For those people ready to take on the challenges and earn the rewards of sailing in Albania forwarned is forearmed and going in with a good understanding of what to expect might help you maximize the potential of your Albanian Adventure.

To that end, we have rounded up some of the most important information on sailing Albania.

Entering and Exiting Albania By Boat

Arriving in or leaving Albania by boat means you will be required to check in or check out with the border police and the harbour master.

Unlike other countries where it is conventional to take care of this process yourself, in Albania you are generally required to use the services of a yachting agent. You need to make contact with an agent at your port of choice prior to your arrival in Albania and again with a new agent operating in your port of departure before you leave. They will then orchestrate the check-in process which works much like the process elsewhere albeit slower and less formal.

The agent will take care of any required paperwork so that you only need to turn up with your passport and boat documents.

Our check-in process went as follows. After checking out of Montenegro in Bar we sailed to Shëngjin, a port city in the north of Albania. The journey was 25 nautical miles, but without wind, it took us the best part of a day to motor slowly down the coast. We arrived just before 5 pm.

Our agent met us at the dock in the Shëngjin. It is possible to side dock here overnight while conducting the check-in process. There is no marina, nor any services available here. For this reason, many people checking in in the north of Albania sail past Shëngjin to Durrës where there is a makeshift marina within the port.

Leading us to the small rundown bar in the port, we sat down with the agent who spoke limited English. We ordered some cold drinks and set about the process of filling in the paperwork. The agent filled out a number of forms using our documents. And walked them over to another table where the border police were sitting.

After this, another woman took the documents and our passports to make photocopies.

When she returned, we were given our documents back but were told that we would have to return the following day to check our boat in as the harbor master had gone home for the day.

The following day the routine with the harbor master was similar. We sat at the same cafe bar with the agent and harbor master while some forms were completed, and we were sent on our way.

As with most places, original copies of passports, boat registration, skipper and VHF radio licenses, and boat insurance documents should be on hand.

We paid €50 for the agent and a further €10 which we believe was a port fee.

Our experience checking out in Sarandë was very different and a lot more professional. We used Sarandë Summer Tours they helped us organize extra services like laundry, gas, and car rental at a fantastic price. They were communicative and extremely helpful. When it came to checking out they took our documents, completed the required paperwork, and liaised with port authorities so that we never even saw a border agent and when they were finished (about fifteen minutes) we simply took our paperwork and left.

Anchoring in Albania

Perhaps the most frustrating thing about sailing in Albania is that the authorities do not seem to allow anchoring in the northern part of the country until as far down as Vlorë.

While our agent who helped us check in in Shëngjin assured us that we should “feel free” in Albania to stop and anchor anywhere we like, there are many reports of sailors being moved on by heavily armed police and military boats when anchoring in the north.

Our understanding, which comes from researching forums and navigation apps, indicates that sanctioned anchorages really begin south of Vlorë. This leaves almost a 100 nautical mile stretch of coastline where the only place to stop is marinas.

Once you get to Vlorë, there are a lot of nice anchorages, although many of them are exposed to the west.

Some of the best anchorages in Albania can be found near Vlorë, Llogara National Park, Himarë, and Sarandë.

Marinas in Albania

Unfortunately, there aren’t any dedicated yacht marinas in Albania, although one is currently under construction in Orikum.

Some ports, such as the one in Shëngjin and Vlorë may offer overnight mooring for vessels checking in or out of the country but are without even basic services.

There are however makeshift marinas in several ports along the Albanian coastline.

Cristian Marine Durrës

A section of the Durrës commercial port, which is used for ferries and container ships, has been turned into a marina with mooring lines, toilets, non-potable water, and electricity.

As a consequence of being an industrial port, it is an unpleasant place to stay for any length of time, and it is difficult to exit the port itself to reach the town.

The marina staff, although friendly, were unable to help us organize even the most basic of services (LPG gas, diesel, mechanical assistance) even though many promises were made to do so.

Once completed will represent Albania’s first dedicated marina and a big step forward in the yachting industry here. When we traveled through Albania, the marina was still under construction and by many accounts, not a nice place to stay.

Marina Sarandë

The marina in Sarandë is again, just part of a commercial ferry port where yachts can side dock or stern dock with an anchor. It does have electricity and water.

We have also put together a more comprehensive article on all of the marinas in Albania as well as the best anchorages.

Sea Mines When Sailing Albania

Albania, like much of Europe, was mined during the Second World War. It was also potentially mined again during the Yugoslavian period.

The idea that the coast is mined pervades discussion of sailing Albania today and minefields have been included in many navigational charts.

It is difficult to find conclusive information online about the state of minefields that were identified on old charts. The most modern charts provided by Navionics do not have the minefield marked in 2022.

Most information online indicates that the minefields have indeed been cleared.

Perhaps the strong association between Albania and sea mines comes from the Corfu Strait Incident in which a destroyer was sunk as a result of an Albanian mine. The incident occurred in 1946 but affected British and Albanian diplomacy until 1991.

Nevertheless, the prevalence of this idea gives pause for thought whenever throwing out the anchor in Albania.

The Best Route for Sailing Albania

We sailed to Albania from Montenegro in the north. We sailed first to the port of Shëngjin, then onto Durres, Vlorë, Himarë, and finally Sarandë, where we checked out.

If I sailed Albania again, I would sail from south to north. The south is more beautiful. It is a better setup for sailors, has better-established check-in procedures, and is more welcoming in general to yachts with more ‘marinas’ and anchorages.

The north of the country has less to see, fewer marinas and sailing services, and it is not possible to anchor. Our experience sailing the north of the country took the wind out of our sails and left us with a negative impression of Albania. However, we managed to turn this around in the south of Albania which we greatly enjoyed.

Sailing Albania Itinerary

Below is an example itinerary with some of the most worthwhile stops along the coast of Albania.

Beginning in the south, the seaside town of Sarandë is probably the best place to begin a sailing adventure in Albania. There are a lot of yachting and travel services and the best shipping agents can be found here.

There is a nice protected anchorage in front of the town of Sarandë and a makeshift marina in front of the port authority.

Sarandë is a popular beach resort town with plenty of restaurants, bars, and beautiful beaches. It is also close to some popular tourist attractions including Syri Kalter, the Blue Eye Geyser, a variety of ruins documenting the area’s millennia of settlement, and the nearby historic Ottoman city of Gjirokaster. It is cheap and highly recommended to rent a car for a day to explore some of the nearby attractions.

Himarë is 20 nautical miles north of Sarandë, and there are a number of bays and beaches where it is possible to anchor between the two. Himarë offers a somewhat protected anchorage in front of a pretty, touristic town. Again, you’ll find beautiful beaches and plenty of affordable and delicious restaurants and bars.

Llogara National Park

Wild and rugged, this national park occupies a long peninsula in the county of Vlorë. One of the best ways to experience this coastal national park is by boat. Luckily if you are sailing the coast of Albania, this is unavoidable.

It offers some of the most striking scenery on the Albanian coastline, with soaring peaks of the Ceraunian mountain range, and numerous coves and bays. It is possible to find beautiful secluded anchorages when sailing Llogara.

Castles, monasteries, and mosques can all be found nearby the town of Vlorë in the county of Vlorë which also has some beautiful beaches and anchorages.

Durrës is potentially the best place to check out of Albania in the north with the best nautical services, yachting agents (for checking out) as well as a marina with water, electricity, and toilets.

The city of Durrës may not be the most beautiful along the Albanian coastline but it still has its fair share of historical places, museums, and attractions as well as a busy restaurant, bar, and nightlife scene.

Durrës is also just 30 kilometers from the Albanian capital of Tirana, which is a popular spot for tourists.

Durrës is 50 nautical miles south of Bar, the first possible port to check into in Montenegro, and 80 nautical miles east of Brindisi, Italy. Durrës is 100 nautical miles south of Dubrovnik, Croatia.

MORE TIPS AND FAQS FOR SAILING Albania

Below are some common questions asked when sailing Albania. If we left anything out, please let us know.

Is Albania Good for Sailing?

The climate, beautiful coastline, interesting history, welcoming culture, and strong tourism industry are all present in Albania. However, sailing tourism is not well supported. Albania is not really recognized for its sailing or cruising like its Mediterranean neighbors.

Albania suffers from a lack of nautical services as such you won’t find any true marinas, only commercial ports where it is possible to moor and perhaps accesses electricity and water.

There are no anchorages in the north (until Vlorë) and many sailors report being moved on by authorities when they have tried to anchor.

Albania is not as well protected as some sailing areas of Croatia, Montenegro, and Greece, and without the aforementioned safe anchorages or marinas, it can be treacherous for sailors.

Because of these reasons, sailing can be more challenging in Albania.

On the other hand, some will see this lack of development in sailing tourism as an opportunity. One of the last frontiers in the Mediterranean is where you can escape the superyachts, charter boats, and party flotillas.

How Far Is It to Sail from Montenegro to Albania?

From the southernmost checkout point of Bar in Montenegro to the first available port in Albania in Shëngjin, it is 25 nautical miles.

Many people, however, opt to sail past Shëngjin for Durrës, a further 25 nautical miles away, as Durrës has better facilities. Where Shëngjin only has a wharf-to-side dock while carrying out check-in procedures, Durrës offers a ‘marina’ which is really just a section of the commercial port but at least offers mooring lines, toilets, and wifi.

How Far is it to Sail from Greece to Albania?

Sailing from Greece to Albania is simple.

Starting from the Ionian island of Corfu, check out at the port authority in Corfu town or Gouvia. Afterward, you can sail just 15 nautical miles across the strait of Corfu to Sarandë. Sarandë is the best port in Albania to check into offering a sheltered anchorage and a makeshift marina, albeit without mooring lines.

How Far Is It to Sail from Italy to Albania?

You can check out in Brindisi, Italy, and sail to and check into Durrës 80 nautical miles away.

What’s the Deal with Fuel in Albania?

With the exception of Sarandë in the south, there are no public marine petrol stations in Albania, another consequence of the non-existent yachting industry. Diesel for boats is generally trucked in large quantities and any must be pre-arranged through a fuel company or third party.

Of course, no one is going to bother delivering the individual quantities of fuel required for a tiny sailboat. For that reason, finding fuel for your boat is a well-known challenge in Albania.

You can, by prior arrangement, organize smaller amounts of fuel through marina operators or agents. Alternatively, take jerry cans to land-based petrol stations to refuel.

Can I Rent a Sail Boat in Albania?

While the charter industry is not as established in Albania as in the rest of the Adriatic, it is possible to rent a yacht in Albania.

One company offering yacht rentals is Albania Yacht Charter .

How to Get a Sim Card in Albania?

Vodafone has reliable coverage at a reasonable price and stores are well dispersed in most towns ad certainly in the port towns of Shenjin, Durrës, and Sarandë.

You will need to purchase a sim from a Vodafone store (€20 at time of writing) and they will require a passport to activate the sim.

After activation, you can add data. We purchased an unlimited data plan for €8 for thirty days.

Coverage was reliable along the coast but you can confirm data coverage using the coverage map at Nperf .

Where Can I Buy an Albanian Courtesy Flag?

You are required to fly an Albanian flag when sailing in the waters of Albania, a fact we were reminded of by port police the moment we arrived. Luckily we had prepurchased a flag in Montenegro, however, there are also nautical stores in all the major port towns.

Climate in Albania

The coast of Albania enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate. Wet winters with mild temperatures between 1 and 20 degrees and dry, hot summers when the temperatures generally range between 15 degrees and 35 degrees.

Sailing Winds in Albania

Albania shares the same wind patterns as its Adriatic neighbors to the north and east. Scirocco, Garbi, Punente, Maestro and (in the north of the country) the Bora.

Without the protection of an archipelago, the Albanian coast is exposed to winds blowing from Italy in the west, such as the Garbi, which can be problematic for sailors.

Language(s) of Albania

Albanian is the official language of Albania and is spoken throughout. Many Albanians also speak Italian, German, and/or French. In the south, Greek is often spoken as a second language.

English is widely used in tourist areas however the level of English is often low and can make communication difficult at times.

Helpful Phrases in Albanian

• Hello: Përshëndetje or Tung!
• Thanks: Faleminderit
• I don’t understand: Nuk e kuptoj
• Do you speak English?: Flet Anglisht?
• Goodbye: Mirupafshim

Credit Cards and Currency in Albania

Albania is largely a cash economy and credit cards are not widely accepted.

Although the official currency in Albania is the Albanian lek (ALL), the Euro is widely accepted, even in mom-and-pop corner stores. If you do plan to pay in Euro, expect to pay a slight premium and to receive your change in Albanian lek.

There are plenty of ATMs in towns and tourist centers but most ATMs will charge a percentage or a fixed fee to withdraw cash. The fee can be pretty large compared to some of the other countries in the Mediterranian.

At one point, trying to withdraw $5,000 Albanian lek in Shengjin, the bank fee would have been $1,750 lek or just shy of €15.

In our experience, the best bank to withdraw money from was Credins Bank.

Many exchange offices are found throughout Albania, and most offer a fairly decent rate, especially when compared to the bank fees for ATM withdrawals. Check the exchange online and compare it to the exchange rate being offered in the currency office before handing over cash.

If you take out or exchange money, we recommend getting the minimum amount you will need. Albanian lek is a closed currency meaning you cannot exchange money outside of Albania.

Time zone in Albania

Albania is in the Central European time zone (GMT + 1).

On the last Saturday in March, the time zone switches to GMT + 2, until the last Sunday in October.

Drinking-Water in Albania

In Albania most people (when possible) use bottled water for drinking and tap water only for washing and cooking. Here, the issues with tap water stem from over chlorination which can lead to cramps and illness, and a lack of regulation which can mean a contaminated water supply.

It is recommended not to drink tap water in Albania. Large 12L jugs can be purchased for approximately $200 lek or less than €2.

Hopefully, you have found some helpful information about sailing Albania, but if you have any questions or comments please let us know below!

Looking for more sailing content? Have a look at these recent articles:

• 10 Things We Hated About Sailing Albania (And 5 Things We Loved)
• Sailing to Montenegro from Croatia: A Complete Guide
• The 13 Best Sailing Vlogs And Sailing Blogs (According to Us)
• Zadar Sailing Trips
• 13 Authentic Things to Do in Primošten
• Buying a Boat In Croatia

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We are frequent charterers and have sailed in the Med for the past 43 year. I have not only chartered but for many years ran the operations of a major charter company. I can safely say that it is not very often that one comes across a charter company as efficient and flexible as SEVEN Sailing .Spiros and his team were quite outstanding and nothing was too much trouble. Changes of charter dates, plans and island excursions were all handled swiftly and with courtesy. There is a lot to be said for using a company where the owners are hands on – something the mega charter companies lose with size. The boat was in excellent condition for age and we had no problems with her whatsoever. We have no hesitation in recommending Spiros and SEVEN Sailing.

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Settimana indimenticabile, posti meravigliosi che abbiamo potuto raggiungere anche grazie alla guida di un bravissimo skipper (un ragazzo inglese che da anni lavora in quella zona e conosce ogni suo angolo paradisiaco) che ha subito capito il tipo di esperienza che cercavamo più intima e meno commerciale. Unica piccola pecca era il fatto che parlasse solo inglese e quindi le nostre figlie hanno potuto interagire con lui molto poco. Bellissime veleggiate e barca ben attrezzata. Ottima comunicazione con Spiros che ha organizzato tutto egregiamente, dall\\\’aeroporto in poi. Un sogno!!

Nous sommes une petite famille de 4 personnes. Mon épouse, moi même et nos deux filles de 8 et 10 ans Nous étions en vacances dans les îles Ionniennes et la vue répétée des bateaux naviguant sur les eaux turquoises nous a donné envie de tenter l’aventure. Nous avons eu la chance de naviguer avec skipper pendant une semaine sur un BAVARIA 40S répondant au doux nom de Kanenas. Nous avons passé une semaine de croisière inoubliable. Thank you so much

Semana inolvidable, lugares maravillosos que pudimos conocer también gracias a el skipper que nos dieron (un muchacho inglés que trabaja hace años en esa zona y conoce cada uno de sus paradisiacos rincones) el cual entendiò enseguida el tipo de experiencia que buscavamos, mas intima y menos comercial. La unica pena era que hablaba solo en inglés asì que mis hijas pudieron conversar muy poco con el. Hermosas navegaciòn y barco a vela muy comodo. Optima comunicacion con Spiros que ha organizado todo perfectamente, desde el aeropuerto en adelante. Un sueño!

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Encyclopedia of Tourism pp 1–2 Cite as

Yachting tourism

• Antonio Alcover Casasnovas 3  
• Living reference work entry
• First Online: 01 January 2015

71 Accesses

Yachting tourism refers to the use of water vessels or boats for leisure purposes, including cruising, fishing, racing, or the practice of other nautical activities. Depending on the type of vessels, it could be classified into sailing and boat powering and, depending on the property, as chartered or private yachting.

Private yachts could be of local or cruiser owners. Local owners moor their yachts in close marinas and use them during leisure time. Cruisers normally spend more time in their boats and visit other marinas or ports. Charterers rent a yacht or a cabin for a period of time to cruise or practice nautical activities.

The word yacht comes from the Dutch word Jacht meaning hunt, which was used to refer to a type of very fast boats. In the nineteenth century, the English aristocracy started to use these boats for sailing competitions. In 1851, the Royal Yacht Squadron challenged the Yacht America, and after the British defeat, the America’s Cup became the most important yacht...

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Alcover, A., M. Alemany, M. Jacob, M. Payeras, A. García, and L. Martínez-Ribes 2011 The Economic Impact of Yacht Charter Tourism on the Balearic Economy. Tourism Economics 17:625-638.

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Sariisik, M., O. Turkay, and O. Akova 2011 How to Manage Yacht Tourism in Turkey. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences 24:1014-1025.

Tourism-review.com 2013 World Yacht Tourism-2 www.tourism-review.com (10 May 2015).

San Francisco Port 2013 Economic Impact – The America’s Cup: Economic Impacts of a Match on San Francisco Bay www.sfport.com/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=864 (10 May 2015).

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Departament d’Economia Aplicada, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Carretera de Valldemossa, km 7,5, 07122, Palma de Mallorca, Islas Baleares, Spain

Antonio Alcover Casasnovas

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Alcover Casasnovas, A. (2015). Yachting tourism. In: Jafari, J., Xiao, H. (eds) Encyclopedia of Tourism. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-01669-6_593-1

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• Recreation and cultural heritage

Marine tourism

Key message.

Marine tourism is a key sector for Scotland, generating £594 million Gross Value Added (GVA) and employment for 28,300 people in 2017. The long term trend from 2008 to 2017 showed marine tourism GVA increased by 28% and employment by 16%.

What, why and where?

Marine tourism covers a wide range of activities including: walking/ hiking/ running, beach activities, photography, yachting/ sailing, swimming, wildlife tourism, diving, kayaking, angling, surfing, visitor attractions and increasingly, cruise ship visits. Much of the sector relies on people taking part in activities in places where they are freely permitted: for example sailing where there is freedom of navigation and walking where there is suitable access (paths, beaches etc.). As a result gathering spatial data to locate activity is not straightforward.

Economic figures show that marine tourism accounted for around 14% of all tourism in 2017. While figures from the study of Scottish residents found that the vast majority (89%) of the Scottish public surveyed have visited the Scottish sea or coast in the past year. (Scottish Government, 2020).

The Scottish Marine Recreation Tourism Survey (SMRTS) (Scottish Government, 2016) was commissioned to inform the National Marine Plan (Scottish Government, 2015). It provided marine planners, the tourism industry and potential investors with information about 23 different recreation and tourism activities undertaken at sea and around the coastline.

Figure 1: Marine recreation and Tourism Survey 2015 - All activities combined (showing Scottish Marine Regions and Offshore Marine Regions). Darker colouring shows areas of higher activity. 

Source: Scottish Marine and Recreation Tourism Survey (Scottish Government, 2016).

The survey encompassed many types of tourism, with differing levels of response and activity. So the results are helpful to identify busy areas and activities with confidence, although less busy areas or activities are reported with less confidence. A nil response to the survey does not mean nil activity.

Scottish Government has designated 2020 the Year of Coasts and Waters. The importance of marine and coastal tourism was a key driver in this designation.

What, why and where? (Extended)

The Scottish Marine Recreation Tourism Survey (SMRTS) report (Scottish Government, 2016) gathered spatial data from over 2,500 respondents and provided improved awareness of what takes place where. 

The study notes that ‘ survey design and method for data collection means the survey results are not representative of all marine recreation and tourism activities in Scotland, particularly in more remote areas, and information on activities with fewer participants is not to be taken as an indication that no activity takes place ’. As such the spatial data from SMRTS are helpful but not definitive. 

In 2015 the Marine Tourism Development Group (MTDG) published ‘Awakening the Giant – the Marine Tourism Strategy 2015’ which was then revisited in 2018 (MTDG, 2015; MTDG, 2018). The strategy was an industry-led strategy to maximise the potential of Marine Tourism in Scotland. Both the original strategy and the following review set out an ambition for growth, with sailing identified as the largest of the activities within the sector. A key strand of the work was the development of adequate facilities to accommodate growth and changing leisure patterns. 

A new strategy ‘Giant Strides’ is currently under development and is expected to be produced in 2020.

Yachting / sailing

The Royal Yachting Association’s (RYA) ‘Coastal Atlas of Recreational Boating’ (RYA, 2019) included an update on recreational use intensity, based on location records from AIS (Automatic Identification System). AIS provides information about a vessel carrying the system to other vessels and to coastal authorities automatically. Figure a (left) shows the location of recreational boating activity based on the RYA information with Figure a (right) taken from the SMRTS report, and self-reported locations from the SMRTS sample. The AIS data are reasonably representative inshore but become less reliable away from the coast. It should also be noted that not all recreational craft carry AIS. What is apparent is that sailing is concentrated in the Clyde and along the west coast.

Sailing is particularly dependent upon the range of available infrastructure: there are a number of marinas, harbours offering pontoon berths and dedicated mooring areas around Scotland (Figure b).

The Sailing Tourism in Scotland Report (EKOS, 2016) for The Crown Estate, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Canals updated the earlier Sailing Tourism in Scotland Report (2010) for Scottish Enterprise. It undertook economic analysis and growth projections of the Sailing Tourism sector in Scotland and identified strategic development areas around the coastline. The study divided Scotland into four main areas – Clyde, West, North and East (Figure c) which are considered to reflect the geography of the main ‘sub national’ sailing economies.

The 2016 report showed that the total supply was approximately 15,700 berths in 2016 (pontoons and moorings for both residents and visitors) up from 12,600 in 2009, an increase of 25% (Table a). Of these 13,500 are resident berths (up 23%) and 2,200 visitor berths (up 32%). Occupancy of resident berths is 95% which is the same level as in 2009, so demand had kept pace with supply. Nearly three quarters of the capacity (73%) is located in the West and Clyde regions (Table b). Facility improvement and expansion is constantly changing and so such figures can only ever be a snapshot. Since the data were collected in 2016 there have been further investments in marina berths and facilities, for example improved facilities at Tarbert on Loch Fyne and Port Edgar, and pontoons at Lochboisdale and Oban.

The Awakening the Giant Strategy (MTDG, 2015) set out an ambition for growth of sailing as a major part of Marine Tourism. It identified that an additional 3,000 berthing facilities were required to fully realise the potential demand. It is not known yet how the awaited ‘Giant Strides’ strategy due in 2020 may change this figure.

Wildlife tourism

Coastal and marine wildlife tourism attracts visitors to view, study and/or enjoy wildlife on the coast. This includes viewing birds, mammals and coastal habitats from boats or from land vantage points with an emphasis on cliff nesting seabirds or seals at haul-out sites (where seals haul themselves out of the water).

Marine wildlife tourism specialist operators provide access to offshore areas and certain marine species, for example, dolphins, porpoises, basking sharks and seals. The Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching Code (revised in 2017) (SNH, 2017a) is supplemented by the Guide to Best Practice for Watching Marine Wildlife (SNH, 2017b) to help minimise any disturbance to marine life and stay within the law. There is also a network of land based aquaria and marine wildlife centres, Table c.

Cruise ships

The growing cruise ship industry is another important part of the leisure and recreation sector. Between 2010 and 2018 the number of cruise ship visits has more than doubled (Table d). More details are included in the maritime transport section  of the assessment.

Research into the cruise sector is ongoing.

Visitor attractions

The Moffat Centre for Travel & Tourism Business Development (Glasgow Caledonian University) creates a regular visitor attraction monitor report (by subscription) based on survey returns from participating attractions. The data from ‘Coastal attractions’, defined as being located within approximately one mile of the coast, reveals that the Clyde and Forth & Tay Scottish Marine Regions (SMR) have the largest visitor numbers (Figure d).

The results in the monitor survey show that (of those who responded to the survey in each of the last three years, and are ‘Coastal attractions’) museums and art galleries represent 45% of visits in 2018. Outdoors and nature attractions were the second most popular at 12% of visits in 2018 (see Table e). Findings from the Moffat Centre monitor are also shown in the Historic Environment and Cultural Heritage assessment.

In the 2019 bathing season there were 86 designated bathing waters, where SEPA monitors water quality from 15 May to 15 September and publishes the sampling results online ( SEPA ). Monitoring results of designated bathing waters is covered in the clean and safe, bathing water microbiology section. The 2019 classifications, calculated at the end of the 2018 bathing water season and applying to each bathing water for the duration of the 2019 season were:

In 2016 Keep Scotland Beautiful introduced Scotland's Beach Awards , assessed on 30 individual criteria points, replacing the earlier Blue Flag / Seaside Award. Table f details recent awards.

Diving, canoeing, kayaking, angling and surfing

Diving on wrecks or offshore reefs is an important recreational activity particularly in Orkney and along the Berwickshire coast. A number of wrecks are protected (see Historic Environment & Cultural Heritage assessment ).

The 168 respondents to the SMRTS survey who reported taking part in SCUBA diving identified over 2,000 locations where they had been. This information has been used to generate a heat map showing the concentration of SCUBA diving around the Scottish coast.

Figure e: Recreational SCUBA diving locations (showing Scottish Marine Regions and Offshore Marine Regions).

Source: SMRTS (Scottish Government, 2016) & Finstrokes .

Note: the pink circles are semi-transparent, so the dive sites points appear darker when they overlap the underlying ‘fewer / more activities’ SMRTS data.

Canoeing and kayaking take place around sea lochs and in coastal areas, especially on the west coast, while inland canals - the Crinan, Forth and Clyde, Union and Caledonian canals - not only provide transit routes between coastal areas but act as tourism destinations in their own right.

Sea angling

Sea angling is carried out from most regions of the coastline. A wide range of species are caught including cod, tope, bass, rays, pollack, mackerel and spurdog. Species caught vary from region to region and at different times of the year. Information about the capture of some fish is covered in the Salmon and Sea Trout Fishing part of the assessment.

Surfing and windsurfing

Surfing and windsurfing take particular advantage of the Atlantic waves breaking off the Inner Hebrides but surfing is also popular on the east coast.

See West Coast Waters & North Coast 500: two examples of marine and coastal related tourism initiatives

Marine Social Attitudes survey

A study on Scottish resident’s attitudes (Scottish Government, 2020) towards the marine environment found that women in particular as well as residents living in coastal areas are more likely to go walking, do beach activities, or wildlife watch along the coast than men or those who do not live near the coast. Many residents mentioned that while they enjoy using the marine environment for leisure they would like to see better facilities available, such as clean, working toilets, availability of drinking water, and better walkways and access for people with buggies or wheelchairs. The study also found that many have concerns over the negative impact of tourism, particularly in terms of people polluting and littering. Evidence suggests while residents generally consider tourism a good thing, many say that it must be well managed in order to ensure the costs do not outweigh the benefits to Scotland’s marine environment.

Contribution to the economy

Marine tourism generated £594 million Gross Value Added (GVA) and employment for 28,300 people in 2017 (Scottish Government, 2019). This represents 14% of the £4.1 billion GVA from all Scottish tourism. GVA is the value of goods and services produced minus the cost of raw materials and other inputs used to produce them. Marine tourism employment figures account for 38% of employment in the Scottish marine economy (excluding oil and gas extraction).  However these figures are headcounts and do not take account of the seasonal and part-time nature of employment in marine tourism.

From 2014 to 2017, the GVA from marine tourism (adjusted to 2017 prices) increased by 2%, while the longer term trend from 2008 to 2017 (Figure 3) showed that marine tourism GVA increased by 28%. From 2014 to 2017 employment increased by 6%, while the longer term trend, from 2008 to 2017, showed a 16% increase.

Source: Scotland’s Marine Economic Statistics. (Scottish Government, 2019).

Economic values for leisure and tourism can be provided by Scottish Marine Region (SMR) (see Table g, in ‘Read More’ section). Information by local authority is unavailable due to the small number of responses for some areas and the need to protect the confidentiality of individual businesses. While SMRs are geographies that relate to the sea, marine tourism is earned on land and so the figure shows outputs around the coast.

The Sailing Tourism in Scotland report (EKOS, 2016), concluded that Scotland’s sailing tourism economy is worth £130 million and supports 2,700 jobs.

Contribution to the economy (Extended)

The Forth and Tay region was the largest contributor to marine tourism GVA in 2017 at £154 million (26% of the GVA), while the Clyde region contributed 7,200 jobs, (26% of the employment), which was slightly higher than the Forth and Tay.

The methodology used in the Marine Economic Statistics (Scottish Government, 2019) for the leisure and recreation builds on the methodology developed as part of the Scottish Marine Recreation Tourism Survey (SMRTS) report (Scottish Government, 2016).

Marine tourism and recreation has been defined as including “activities which involve travel away from one’s “habitual” place of residence, which have as their host or focus the marine environment and/or the coastal zone”. It was assumed that all tourism businesses located in postcodes wi thin 100 metres of the coastline were engaging in marine tourism and recreation or dependent on the marine environment. While this assumption may not be strictly accurate (includes some businesses that are not marine-related, and not include some that are marine-related) it provides a reasonable and replicable method of estimating marine tourism and recreation businesses with existing data.

The industry categories (from Scotland’s Annual Business Survey ) that are included are:

• Hotels and similar accommodation.
• Holiday and other short-stay accommodation.
• Camping grounds, recreational vehicle parks and trailer parks.
• Restaurants and mobile food service activities.
• Beverage serving activities.
• Tour operator activities.
• Other reservation service and related activities.
• Museum activities.
• Operation of historical sites and buildings and similar visitor attractions.
• Botanical and zoological gardens and nature reserve activities.
• Operation of sports facilities.
• Other sports activities (not including activities of racehorse owners).
• Activities of amusement parks and theme parks.
• Other amusement and recreation activities.

Table g shows the marine tourism contribution to GVA by SMR and how that has changed since 2014 (the first reported marine tourism GVA). The source for the marine tourism GVA figures is the Scottish Annual Business Survey (SABS). This is a sample survey, so more detailed breakdowns of the data will result in reduced statistical quality. In particular, when the data are disaggregated to SMR, small changes can have a have a very marked effect on figures from one year to the next. The SMR marine tourism GVA trend arrow is derived from the % change and any change less than or equal to 5% is included in ‘No change’. Trend arrows are not calculated on small values (GVA of less than 20 million in 2017) due to the volatility of the sample. This direction of travel is used for the trend assessment. The 2017 value allows the individual SMR value to be put into context with marine tourism as a whole.

Examples of socio-economic effects

• Contributes to a healthier, happier nation.
• Contributes to the economy, drives inclusive growth and underpins supply chains.
• Provides employment in rural and coastal locations.
• Major events (e.g. West Highland Yachting Week and Tiree Wave Classic) give coastal communities a distinct and global profile.
• Seasonal nature not as robust as non-seasonal industries.
• Vulnerable to economic downturns.
• Activities can compete for space.

Pressures on the environment

An OSPAR agreed list of marine pressures is used to help assessments of human activities in the marine environment. The marine pressure list has been adapted for use in Scotland via work on the Feature Activity Sensitivity Tool (FeAST) . Leisure and recreation activities can be associated with 13 marine pressures – please read the pressure descriptions and benchmarks for further detail.

Pressures on the environment (Extended)

The list of marine pressures is used to help standardise assessments of activities on the marine environment, and is adapted from an agreed list prepared by  OSPAR  Intercessional Correspondence Group on Cumulative Effects (ICG-C) (see OSPAR 2014-02 ‘ OSPAR Joint Assessment and Monitoring Programme (JAMP) 2014-2021’ Update 2018’  (Table II).

The Feature Activity Sensitivity Tool (FeAST) uses the marine pressure list to allow users to investigate the sensitivity of Scottish marine features. It also associates all pressures that might be exerted by a defined list of activities at a particular benchmark. The extent and impact of each pressure from a given activity will vary according to its intensity or frequency. The extent and impact of the pressure will also vary depending on the sensitivity of the habitat or species on which it is acting. The existence of multiple activities, and potentially multiple pressures, at specific locations will result in a cumulative impact on the environment.

FeAST is a developing tool. A snap shot from 2019 was used for the development of SMA2020. Please consult the FeAST webpage for further information and up to date information.

The list of pressures below associated with this activity is given in alphabetical order. Clicking the pressure will give you more information on the pressure and examples of how it may be associated with the activity.

Forward look

The Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 will focus attention on Scotland’s seas and coasts.

Marine and coastal tourism also features as a key sector in other Scottish Government work, such as City Deals, regeneration projects such as that currently being undertaken in North Ayrshire and the wider Programme for Government Commitment to develop the South of Scotland as a tourism destination. The effect of the Themed Year and other initiatives will be evaluated in appropriate data in future years.

The SMRTS 2015 survey highlighted the importance of good environmental conditions and abundant marine wildlife to marine tourists and particularly to many recreational boaters. The joint British Marine and RYA initiative The Green Blue , a website that promotes sustainable boating for cleaner and healthier waters, has been reinvigorated (2019) and RYA has been working with NatureScot to minimise any adverse effects of recreational boating on Priority Marine Features.

The cruise ship industry is expected to continue to expand. The industry is confident that 1 million passengers a year will occur either in 2019 or 2020. A study (Cruise Scotland, 2010), when 248,923 visitors arrived, forecast 830,000 passengers by 2025, so growth continues ahead of expectations.

Forward look (Extended)

The Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 will focus attention on Scotland’s seas and coasts based around four themes:

• Our Natural Environment & Wildlife.
• Our Historic Environment & Cultural Heritage.
• Activities & Adventure.
• Food & Drink.

The broad scope of the Themed Year will highlight the social, rural, environmental and economic policies and projects in development across the Scottish Government and wider public sector.

In response to the growing switch away from hydrocarbon fuel, there may be more vessels with electrical propulsion but the nature of this technology is still unclear. It is not yet clear to what extent the effects of climate change and the disposal of end-of-life boats is being considered by recreational boaters.

Under two scenarios the Sailing Tourism in Scotland Report (EKOS, 2016) indicated potential growth for the 4 sailing areas (Table h).

The report noted that a lack of facilities in the East had constrained a growth in demand, which could be satisfied over a longer timeframe by the proposed future developments at Dundee and Granton.

Work has started on a new 75 berth marina at Newton, Stornoway, the first phase of a 20-year plan. The Outer Hebrides is already a key sailing destination for visitors, and Stornoway is an important link in a chain of marinas stretching from the Butt of Lewis to the Isle of Barra.

Economic trend assessment

GVA from marine tourism in Scotland has increased from £580 M in 2014 to £594 in 2017 (2017 prices) an increase of 2% (2014 is used as the base line to remain consistent with the earliest that the disaggregated SMR data for marine tourism is available).

National trend

Scottish Marine Region trends are based on GVA at 2017 prices. The % change in GVA is reported. Changes of less than 5% are considered as not substantial changes. In addition, trend arrows are not calculated on small values (GVA of less the 20 million in 2017) due to the volatility of the source Scottish Annual Business Statistics sample data. Confidence is three stars as based on published national statistics. The detailed table of results is shown as Table g in the Extended economic section above.

This Legend block contains the key for the status and trend assessment, the confidence assessment and the assessment regions (SMRs and OMRs or other regions used). More information on the various regions used in SMA2020 is available on the  Assessment processes and methods page.

Status and trend assessment

Confidence assessment.

Assessment regions

Key: S1, Forth and Tay; S2, North East; S3, Moray Firth; S4 Orkney Islands, S5, Shetland Isles; S6, North Coast; S7, West Highlands; S8, Outer Hebrides; S9, Argyll; S10, Clyde; S11, Solway; O1, Long Forties, O2, Fladen and Moray Firth Offshore; O3, East Shetland Shelf; O4, North and West Shetland Shelf; O5, Faroe-Shetland Channel; O6, North Scotland Shelf; O7, Hebrides Shelf; O8, Bailey; O9, Rockall; O10, Hatton.

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• Literature and Data sources

To view full details of the literature source, click the title. Where literature has a DOI, you can click on the DOI link to be taken directly to the source material.

Diversified Caribbean Tourism – Driving the Yachting and Marine Services Sector

• Yachting & Sailing
• Ralph Birkhoff
• May 11, 2015

The traditional “Sun, Sea, and Sand” tourism model has become saturated in the Caribbean region. Sunseekers who traditionally search for beachfront, all-inclusive resorts, now have an excessive selection of destinations, price points, and formats to choose from. Although successful resort operators who base their attraction strategies on effective direct marketing, higher service levels, premium bar and food menus, and modern, well located facilities, will usually achieve solid occupancy levels in high season, there is a significant paradigm shift in the development of diversified tourism product throughout the Caribbean in order to expand the overall tourism sector.

Why is this happening? Simple: the changing demands of the client. In the past, the typical tourist was satisfied with leaving their cold winters behind, boarding a direct flight to their chosen Caribbean destination , and wallowing on a beach chair for a week or two with their rum punches in hand. But a new generation of tourists are looking for something different. Demographics, improved global health care, and a renewed attitude toward fitness, adventure, and exploration, have all combined to create a new category of tourist. No longer satisfied with just lying on a beach, today’s tourist is looking to visit Caribbean destinations that offer something unique and active. Eco-tourism, adventure tourism, yachting tourism, historic tourism, and health and wellness tourism, are new categories that are being developed throughout the Caribbean to appeal to this new class of tourist demand.

In small island economies where tourism still generates about 65% of the national GDP, serious attention is being paid to this. Following the recent recession, the Caribbean was hard hit with falling tourism visits, and the industry realized they needed to react by offering a different menu of tourism offerings. Historically complacent, many Caribbean destinations reacted slowly, and only in the last few years have they began to move towards a new brand of tourism products. Several islands including Dominica, Anguilla, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts & Nevis, and Montserrat, have been proactive in taking a new approach, by developing ‘niche strategies’ based on their respective natural and historical advantages, and building on what they have to offer that differentiates them from their larger neighboring islands.

One such niche sector that offers substantial growth opportunity to these destinations and remains relativelyuntapped, is the ‘Yachting and Marine Services’ sector. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), in a 2014 study stated:

“Although tourism has been a major economic sector in the Caribbean since the mid-1960s, the sector now faces significant challenges as competition intensifies in the global tourism market. These challenges include environmental impacts, and the need for continued high levels of public investment in order to sustain the tourism product. The precariousness of the sector was made starkly evident with the onset of the global recession in 2009, when the sector recorded significant decline. Notwithstanding some limited recovery since that time, the recent experience highlighted the need for Caribbean countries to undertake more vigorous efforts towards diversifying their economies in general, and enhancing their tourism sectors in particular. One area identified for specific development is yachting and marina services, a sub-sector which is widely regarded as having significant economic potential.” – ECLAC, 2014

The Caribbean remains one of the most naturally beautiful regions in the world for yachting, gifted with an archipelago of volcanic and coral islands, strung out from the Bahamas in the north, to Grenada in the south, set out in a generally north-south direction to take full natural advantage of the westerly trade winds. Idyllic coves and bays, turquoise waters lined with white sand beaches, and relatively short transit distances between islands, make this one of the ideal cruising grounds in the world.

Yachting has always been a significant activity in the Caribbean, but the ‘culture’ of yachting and cruising has typically been the domain of the foreign visitor. Apart from several islands in the Grenadines where traditional Carriacou boat building took place in the 19th century, and in the French islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe, sailing was never really adopted by the local population as a recreational activity. Caribbean sailing activities were limited to transport of agriculture, or other ‘less legal’ inter-island shipping. This apparent disconnect between island tourism activities, and the culture of the international yachting and cruising sector, resulted in the absence of an understanding of the market forces, and consequently, an effective strategy to attract the economic opportunity that this niche sector offered.

More recently however, foreign direct investment in marina infrastructure and marine services started bringing a higher focus to the value of the yachting and cruising industry. Caribbean destinations like St. Lucia, Grenada, the US & British Virgin Islands, and Antigua & Barbuda among others, now offer substantial infrastructure dedicated to the yachting, cruising, and charter sailing business, which have propelled them to the list of high value yachting destinations. Now the region is ripe for expansion and the development of additional marinas, marine services, and even marine technical schools.

The opportunity for smaller Caribbean destinations is even more substantial if they take this sector seriously. Many of these islands offer excellent new destinations for yachts transiting the area, with ‘off the grid’ adventure based activities, beautiful beaches, clear crystal waters for diving, and friendly native people that are welcoming to new visitors from the sea. Since the yachting sector is often a new economic tourism category, these smaller islands can experience proportionally higher returns by focusing efforts on this niche industry.

Anguilla has already begun to develop this sector with great success, but other examples would include Montserrat, a small British Overseas Territory located about 30 miles from Antigua & Barbuda to the east, St. Kitts & Nevis to the west, and Guadeloupe to the south. Montserrat was devastated by volcanic activity in 1995 and 1997, which destroyed the capital city of Plymouth and the entire port area. The island is currently developing a new port in the north end of the island in Little Bay, which will provide an excellent opportunity for a new marina developer and operator. Even without this infrastructure in place, yacht visits to the island are increasing by 20% year over year, propelled by visitors eager to visit the recently accessible volcanic exclusion zone and witness the incredible spectacle of a ‘modern day Pompeii’. The Montserrat Yacht Club , chartered in 1967, has been resurrected with over 60 members, and intends to introduce a youth sailing school to attract local youngsters to the sport.

If Caribbean destinations like Montserrat can develop the high value yachting and marine services sector it can reap huge rewards, not only from increased visitors, but also from overall awareness of the destination to the global tourism market. In addition, the establishment of a full service marina tends to attract ancillary investment including hotels, retail, service yards, boat dealerships, dive and sport fishing businesses, and even a marine technical school. Direct revenues from cruising permits, anchorage fees, licenses and port charges; create new revenue to public coffers. The impact can be incredibly meaningful to an island with a small population and economic base. Whether a $50m yacht visits a large port or a small one, the benefit to the destination is more or less the same.

Top photo: English harbor in Antigua.

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Luxury rules at the moscow yacht show.

by Maria Sapozhnikova

The windy Russian autumn weather might be a little bit tricky for sailing, but it doesn’t stop brave yachtsmen from all over the world from flocking to Russian capital in the beginning of September when the Moscow Yacht Show commences. The main Russian Yacht exhibition gathers professional and amateur yacht lovers together under the wing of The Royal Yacht Club.

This year it took place for a fourth time already. The exhibition is considered the principal event on the sporting and social calendar. The Moscow Yacht Show 2010 united in one area three of the largest Russian yachts distributors: Ultramarine, Nordmarine and Premium Yachts.

A wide range of yachts were on display for a week. An exhibition showcased yachts both from Russian manufacturers and world famous brands: Azimut, Princess, Ferretti, Pershing, Riviera, Doral, Linssen, etc.

It was a real feast for seafarers as visitors of the show had a unique chance not only to take a look at the newest superyachts before they hit the market, but also to evaluate their driving advantages during the test drive. The show provided an excellent opportunity for yacht enthusiasts to choose and buy a new boat for the next season.

The event started with the grandiose gala evening. It included grand dinner, the concert and professional awards ceremony for achievements in Russian yachting industry. The guests also enjoyed the annual regatta.

Special guest Paolo Vitelli, Azimut Benetti Group president, opened the evening.

Next year organizers assured guests they would bring more yachts, the scale of which will even make oligarch Roman Abramovich envious. Sounds very promising indeed.

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Yachtapalooza, 1-day Chicago boat show on Far South Side, 'perfect for aspiring sailors'

CHICAGO (WLS) -- It might be a chilly spring day, but hundreds are getting ready to set sail at the 25th Yachtapalooza at Crowley's Yacht Yard on Chicago's Far South side.

Grant Crowley is the owner of Crowley's Yacht Yard.

"This is a get spring going for us," he said of the yearly one-day boat show.

Crowley is knotting together different sailing organizations from all walks of life stretching Chicago's nautical community.

From hands-on seminars and demonstrations, highlighting the vital how-tos of sailing, to budget-friendly boats on sale, organizers say Yachtapalooza is perfect for aspiring future sailors.

"We have 12 seminars going on. We even have sail makers here teaching how to trim your sails," said Crowley.

Yachtapalooza also supports nonprofit organizations like No Salt Sailing that helps veterans heal from unseen wounds through sailing.

"Once you get out there and the sails are up, you turn off the motor, there's nothing like it in the world for tranquility," said No Salt Sailing founder William Shehan. "I've done meditation, I've done martial arts, I've done all those things and it is an act of meditation."

Mt. Carmel High School is also showcasing its newly-formed sailing program. They want to recruit young sailors eager to get on board.

"Just to see them accomplish things, watch them become more confident in what they do. Appreciating the value of teamwork, learning new skills, just the whole ball of wax," said Bob Szyman, Mt. Carmel Sailing.

The weather might be brisk now...but these sailors have their compasses set on a warmer horizon.

"There's nothing more sublime than being two miles out on Lake Michigan in a sailboat, beautiful day, sun's out and we've got our gorgeous skyline in the background. You can't beat it," said Szyman.

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Sunrise Yachts Sponsor 2011 Moscow International Boat Show (MIBS)

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Written by Mike Smith

Sunrise Yachts, a luxury yacht building company which is based in Turkey, has been made a main sponsor of next year’s 2011 Moscow International Boat Show (MIBS). The four-day Russian yacht show event is currently scheduled to run from April 14-17 at the Moscow’s Crocus exhibition centre.

moscow boat show

MIBS is organised by the ITE Group and it is one of Russia’s leading boat shows and is an internationally recognised superyacht event. The show covering everything from small parts and accessories to large superyacht with over 9,000 people and 178 exhibitors attended the last year show.

The Paolo Scanu-designed Sunrise 45 yacht is an ocean-going cruising yacht that was released in 2009 to much acclaim at this was the group’s first-ever model.

Sunrise Yachts was founded in 2007 by the German entrepreneur Herbert P Baum along with the French-British yacht builder Guillaume Roché. The luxury yacht group is based in Antalya, Turkey and utilises a 10,000sq m shipyard facility. Sunrise has two sheds measuring 100m (328ft) x 16m (53ft), as well as a 70m (230ft) x 16m (53ft) fully acclimatized paint shed that can accommodate new-build and refit projects up to 65m (213ft) in length and 1,200 tonnes displacement.

The sunrise 45m superyacht by Sunrise Yachts

Along each side of the yacht-building facility, space is available for long-term sub-contractors with the latest equipment and logistics capabilities, along with air-conditioned storage, ventilation and extraction plants. The shipyard is organized as an “assembler,” based loosely on the car industry’s model, with a small, yet powerful project management team charged with running all the in-house long-term sub-contractors.

Please contact CharterWorld - the luxury yacht charter specialist - for more on superyacht news item "Sunrise Yachts Sponsor 2011 Moscow International Boat Show (MIBS)".

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