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The Caribbean region is known worldwide for its near-perfect sailing conditions - the water is always warm and there are plenty of beautiful islands to visit. Belize itself is known for the beautiful scenery of its barrier reef, which is the second longest in the world. Each year, many people travel to the Caribbean via yacht to take part in annual races or simply enjoy the winter sailing season. Caribbean waters are steeped in legend: This area is the famed Spanish Main, and has been home to more than its fair share of pirates. From Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh to John Paul Jones and Henry Morgan, many treasure-seeking seafarers cut a swath through the island waters long ago. Before you set sail, be aware of safety issues. Always take care when traveling near the barrier reef. Also, take the time of year into consideration. After all, hurricane season coincides with Belize's rainy season and lasts from June to November. And while hurricanes are relatively rare here, they may cause choppier seas. Also during the winter, watch for northerly winds. On the flip side, watch for higher prices on land during the main tourist season. Entry and ExitYou can enter Belize through four different ports: Belize City, Cay Caulker, Punta Gorda, and San Pedro on Ambergris Cay. It is easier to enter at ports that have their own facilities, otherwise you will need to pay an extra charge for officials to reach your boat, in addition to customs fees. Entering at Cay Caulker requires the transport of officials from Belize City. When entering or exiting Belizean waters, clear customs, immigration, and quarantine within 24 hours. Officials patrol the waters to ensure that yachters follow these rules. Customs will require four copies of each of the crew lists and store lists, as well as the ship's papers. Regulations at customs do not allow the passage of fresh produce into Belize. Furthermore, customs officials will generally keep any firearms until the exit of the yacht. Animals must have valid rabies vaccinations before entering the country. Visas cost $25(USD) and yachts are allowed to stay for up to six months. You can extend the visa's duration for an additional $5(USD). When traveling, remember that there are many regulations about what can be hunted and removed from Belizean waters. There are many protected areas from which you may only remove animals for scientific or educational purposes, and only with a permit. Regulations are strict, so be sure you understand them before sailing to the reef. There is a nominal departure fee of $3.75(USD) (BZ$7.50) when leaving from Punta Gorda, Dangriga, or San Pedro. Have this amount available in either U.S. or Belizean currency. Choosing a CharterYachts are usually chartered from within or near the Caribbean on a weekly basis. Your yacht rental options are "bareboat," "skippered bareboat," or "crewed charter." If you're an experienced sailor, you may decide to charter a bareboat - a rental boat with all the equipment needed to travel the Caribbean, but with no crew. If you wish to rent a bareboat, you will need to prove your qualifications, and you may receive a tutorial of the Caribbean area including reefs and safe harbors. Based on your knowledge and experience, the charter company may insist that you take a skipper for at least the first few days of your journey. If the company requires that you travel with a skipper, the cost of the skipper's services are your responsibility. If you're not quite ready to set sail on your own, go with a skippered bareboat. A skipper lends his sailing knowledge and expertise to your Caribbean journey and is paid by the day. Crewed charter yachts come with a skipper and full crew including a cook. On a crewed charter, remember this: The captain is the one who calls the shots. You will decide on the itinerary, but if weather or any other obstacle threatens this schedule, the captain will alter the route for safety purposes. On most charters you may choose between having the food provided by the charter company for an additional fee or buying it yourself before you set sail. Buying your own food may be a difficult task if you are departing from a small island. Remember that you will be responsible for feeding everyone onboard, including the skipper and/or crew. Charter CompaniesCharter companies in the Caribbean come in all sizes. Larger companies are recommended for your first charter because there are fewer guarantees with the smaller companies. For example, if the boat you had requested becomes unavailable, smaller companies may not have other boats for replacement. On the other hand, in the same situation, larger companies will most likely give you a similar or larger boat at no extra cost. Many of the better smaller companies, however, purposefully stay small in order to provide better customer service. There are two"tiers" of charter companies, but these are not quality or service designations. First tier companies use the newest boats, often with the most extras. Boats older than four or five years are no longer used by first tier companies. First tier boats may have the auto pilot function, GPS systems, stereos, and cell phones; check with the specific charter company for details. Second tier companies usually use older boats from the fleets of first tier companies. These second tier boats come with fewer extras and lower price tags. The most popular large yacht charter companies currently serving the Caribbean region are The Moorings and Sunsail. Charter BrokersWhen selecting a crewed charter, make sure that you're compatible with the crew. The best way to find the right crew for you is through a broker. Yacht brokers act similarly to travel agents, and they can often provide quotes from several different chartering companies. The boat owner pays for the broker's services, so you can utilize their help at no cost. Brokers can also help you find a bareboat charter. There are two main charter broker trade organizations: the American Yacht Charter Association (AYCA) and Charter Yacht Broker's Association (CYBA). Members of the AYCA and/or the CYBA include the following outfits: In the Caribbean:
In Florida:
Choosing a YachtWhen choosing a yacht, note these cost, size, style, and equipment considerations:
Costs and PaperworkCrewed yachts cost more than bareboats, and the crew should be tipped. Although more expensive, crewed charters can be worth the price. They often have more extras, such as equipment for scuba diving or kayaking, and they tend to be more spacious than bareboats. These also come with a chef who will prepare all onboard meals. Food can be costly if provided by the charter company. Buying the food yourself can save money, but bringing food into the Caribbean through customs can be time consuming, and buying foods on the islands can be difficult. Whatever you choose to do, fresh fruit and vegetables must be purchased locally. Skippers on bareboats have a fee of around $80(USD) to $120(USD) per day; ask the individual skipper about his rates. If you're on a crewed charter, the skipper and crew together should be tipped 10 percent to 15 percent of the charter's total cost. Tips make up approximately 30 percent to 50 percent of a crew's income, so don't forget to factor this into your budget. Chartering a yacht will cost you more during the high season than during the off-season. However, chartering a bareboat yacht can cost less than a stay at a mid-level resort if two or more couples travel together. You should also account for airfare if you're picking up a yacht on the islands. Add customs duties and possible luggage fees into your charter budget, as well. One final tip: Read the fine print on anything you sign. There may be deposit and insurance fees added to your charter cost. It is best to put any charges on a credit card in case of mistakes or problems. You may also want to look into the company's cancellation policy, though in general most charters cannot be refunded within 60 days of the departure date. Find your perfect choice in charter yachts to set sail to Belize. Related Articles
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