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This information is given in good faith and is correct at time of publishing.

Clients are responsible for ensuring that current valid passports and visas are held for those travelling and should seek any clarification required from the appropriate embassy.


UK passport requirements

Validity
A valid passport is essential when you travel abroad. Please ensure your passport is valid for the period of travel and for six months after your return.

Passports for children
Children are now required to hold their own passport.

Names
Your passport MUST match your name on the flight ticket; otherwise you may not be able to travel.

Apply early
If you need to apply for a passport or to renew an expired passport you should do so well in advance of travel.

How to contact the UK Passport Agency
For further information from the UK passport agency please contact:

Telephone: 0300 222 0000
Website: https://www.gov.uk/browse/abroad/passports


Visa requirements for British passport holders

This information is given in good faith and is correct at time of publishing.

Clients are responsible for ensuring that current valid passports and visas are held for those travelling and should seek any clarification required from the appropriate embassy.

Mediterranean

Greece - No visa required

Croatia - No visa required

Spain - No visa required

Italy - No visa required

Turkey - From 02 March 2020 British passport holders travelling for tourism or business purposes will no longer require a visa to enter Turkey for visits of up to 90 days within a 180 day period.
For visa requirements for non-British citizens visiting Turkey, log onto www.evisa.gov.tr

Caribbean

Antigua - No visa required.

Belize - No visa required.

British Virgin Islands - No visa required unless visiting the US Virgin Islands or travelling via the US when US visa is required.

Cuba - Visas are required and must be purchased prior to departure.

Grenada - No visa required.

Martinique - No visa required.

St Lucia - No visa required.

St Martin - No visa required.

St Vincent - No visa required.

US Virgin Islands - British passport holders require a US visa to enter US Virgin Islands on their yacht or must obtain a visa waiver by arriving in the US Virgin Islands on a commercial flight (eg American Eagle flight to St Thomas) or commercial ferry (eg ferry from Soper's Hole to St John). Everyone arriving on a yacht will be checked carefully by the US Coastguard so if you plan to visit the US Virgin Islands sailing from the BVI you must get a US visa from the US Embassy before you travel. Please note that British passport holders must have the new style maroon passports to enter the US Virgin Islands under the Visa Waiver Programme.

Tropical

Australia - Visas are required for Australia and can be app;died for online at https://www.border.gov.au

Malaysia - No visa required for stays of less than 60 days.

Seychelles - No visa required.

Thailand - No visa required for stays of less than 30 days.

Tahiti - Visas are issued on arrival for stays of up to 30 days.

"We had a great trip in early October. Warm, pretty quiet and warm sea too. Seascape was an older boat but perfectly maintained by the team in Gocek."

Gocek 2015 - A.W.
Trustpilot

Sailing Qualifications

To skipper a bareboat charter or flotilla yacht, you need to hold a practical sailing certificate equivalent to RYA Day Skipper Practical qualification or RYA International Certificate of Competence (ICC). For charters in Greece, you must now have the ICC certificate. You must also be assisted by at least one competent crew member over the age of 18.

The port authorities in Greece are now insisting on one of the following practical certificates: RYA ICC (International Certificate of Competence), RYA Coastal, RYA Yachtmaster, ASA IPC (International Proficiency Certificate) or the IYT (International Yacht Training) Passport. If you hold an RYA Day Skipper or ASA104 it will no longer be accepted and you need to obtain either an ICC or IPC from the corresponding issuing body (RYA or ASA). If your RYA Coastal/Yachtmaster or ASA105/106 certificate is more than 12 years old and does not have a photo ID, then we would also strongly advise applying for an ICC or IPC. If you are a member of the RYA or ASA, you may qualify for a discount or free certificate, otherwise, you will have to pay. The approximate cost is £50. Please use this link - RYA application for the ICC or ASA application for the IPC.

For charters in Croatia, Malta and the Canaries, at least one member of the crew or the skipper will also need a VHF licence.

RYA qualifications can be obtained by RYA sailing schools in the UK or alternatively choose from one of our overseas centres in Gibraltar, Greece or Turkey.

For Seychelles, the local authorities require an ICC for the skipper of a bareboat or flotilla yacht charter.

For Caribbean and Tropical charters, formal qualifications are not compulsory, however, you should be Day Skipper standard and be assisted by at least one competent crew. A brief sailing resume should be provided to outline your experience.

If you don't hold the relevant qualifications then why not add a skipper?

Sailing Levels

Level 1

Winds force 2-3 (4-11 Knots)combined with generally shorter distances. Good for beginner or intermediate sailors. Line-of-sight navigation but basic knowledge of charts and ability to plot your position required.

Level 2

Winds force 3-5 (7-21 Knots) with approximately 15-20nm per day. Intermediate experience required. Predominately line of sight navigation but an understanding of how to sail in open water.

Level 3

Winds force 4-6 (11-27 Knots) with mileage of approximately 20nm+ per day. Ideal for experienced skippers looking to venture out to new destinations. Day skipper standard but with experienced crew would be recommended.