-
Quality Ratings:Best Hotels for...Lodging Styles:
Many people may not realize that the island of Bermuda is not actually located within the Caribbean. Rather, it is off the coast of South Carolina in the United States. This makes it a convenient stop for many northern yachters on their way to more tropical destinations. But it's just as good a place to drop anchor for a nice vacation.
Bermuda is often a stopover for boats leaving the Caribbean around April or May and for boats traveling to the Caribbean in the fall. It traffics over 1,000 yachts each year, and is also a popular base or stop after yacht races.
Entering Bermuda
When entering Bermuda, travelers must first make contact via radio. Contact the Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) Bermuda or Bermuda Harbour Radio on VHF Channel 16, and list your approximate arrival time and any special needs you may have. There is a 24-hour radar watch, and the station is on call on 2182 KHz, 4125 KHz, and VHF Channels 16 and 27. Note: Pay special attention to the reef! The radar should alert you if you pass too close, but it is always best to be safe.
Bermuda has only one port of entry: St. George's Harbour. Travelers should enter this port flying the yellow quarantine flag and head to the Customs dock, which is located on the Northeast corner of Ordnance Island and is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Enter St. George's Harbour through the Town Cut channel. After clearing Customs, yachts may travel elsewhere in Bermuda; yachters who don't stop here first will be fined. Yachts entering between midnight and 8:00 a.m. will be directed to anchor in Powder Hole, where they must remain until Customs opens.
You should have two crew lists and two lists of consumable stores. Usually the Customs boarding officer will handle all formalities. The entrance fee of $15(USD) is charged to all people entering Bermuda. Firearms, including spear guns, must be left with the Customs officers. All medicines must be declared. Fruits and vegetables are not permitted to enter. Animals must have proof of health and an Import Permit from the Bermuda Department of Environmental Protection. Contact the Department of Environmental Protection via mail at P.O. Box HM 834, Hamilton HM CX, Bermuda, or by phone at 441-236-4201.
Yachts are allowed to remain in Bermuda for six months. If yachts are left longer than six months, then a Customs duty of 33.5 percent of the yacht's value will be charged. If delays are necessary for legitimate reasons, the Collector of Customs may grant an extension.
Remember that spearfishing is expressly prohibited within one mile of any shore, and sewage must be stored in holding tanks or be sanitized by U.S. Coast Guard-approved marine sanitation devices.
Safety First
Before you set sail, be aware of these safety issues:
The strongest currents and largest waves are most often on the northeastern sides of the island in the Atlantic Ocean.
The coral surrounding the island poses a hazard for yachters unaware of its location.
The best time of the year to sail in the Caribbean area is from January through March, although this is near the Caribbean's peak tourist season and prices will be higher on the islands.
The summer rains and hurricane season, July through November, do not always make for easy sailing.
Choosing a Charter
Travelers visiting Bermuda can easily charter a boat if they don't have one of their own. In fact, there are several different charter options available. Crewed charter are for travelers who need a hand to get around on the sea, while a skippered bareboat is for those who only need a little bit of help. Bareboat charters are for those who know all about sailing to the islands.
Crewed yachts come with everything from a skipper and crew to a cook, but the captain always calls the shots. This means that, while you can determine the itinerary, if there are any dangers the captain may change it to avoid problems.
Experienced sailors can charter a bareboat with only the equipment travelers will need to sail the islands. However, travelers needing a bit of guidance, sometimes determined by the rental company, and sometimes by the travelers themselves, can find a skipper a great addition to their journey.
Travelers going on their own will need to prove their qualifications. They'll also be offered a tutorial of the area, reefs, and safe harbors so they'll never have much to worry about.
Most charter companies offer travelers the chance to have food provided (for a fee), though some travelers prefer to buy it themseves before they set sail. While buying your food may save you some on the cost of food, many travelers choose to have the food provided because it can be difficult to get food through customs, and shopping at your departure point may be a hassle. Don't forget to purcase enough food for captain and crew if you've hired any onboard help.
There are plenty of different charter companies around the Caribbean and, to help you gain a better understanding of charter companies, they have been broken down. The four main classifications are classifications by size - large and small - and "tier."
Larger charter companies offer travelers Charter companies in and around the Caribbean come in all sizes. It is often suggested that first-time charterers use the larger companies because, with a larger fleet availability problems are virtually nonexistent. However, travelers should keep in mind that smaller companies often stay small to provide the best customer services they can.
Companies that list themselves as first tier will offer travelers the chance to charter boats that are very new, and these boats generally have the most extras as well. Boats older than four or five years will often be sold to companies in the second tier. However, the cost for second tier ships is also lower.
Though there are many companies to choose from, the most popular large companies are The Moorings and Sunsail.
Meanwhile, there are other ways to select charters. Many travelers like to book their charter via a charter broker, who acts like a travel agent and helps travelers find the best choice for charter options. This can also be important because a charter broker can help to unite travelers with a crew that would be well-suited to their personality. Charter brokers help with all kinds of charters, and are paid by the boat's owner for their services.
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:
| Charter Broker | Telephone Number(s) |
| Crewed Charters (U.S. Virgin Islands) | 800-874-2584 |
| Nicholson Yachts Worldwide (Antigua) | 800-662-6066 617-661-0555 268-460-1530 |
| Paradise Connections (U.S. Virgin Islands) | 877-567-9350 340-774-1111 |
| Regency Yacht Vacations (U.S. Virgin Islands) | 800-524-7676 284-495-1970 (BVIs) |
| Stewart Yacht Charters (U.S. Virgin Islands) | 800-432-6118 |
| Yates Yachts (U.S. Virgin Islands) | 866-994-7245 340-775-0010 |
In Florida:
| Charter Broker | Telephone Number(s) |
| Broward Yacht Sales Charter Division | 954-763-8201 |
| Charter Specialists | 800-479-9054 305-852-9196 |
| Fraser Yachts Worldwide | 954-463-0640 |
| June Montagne Yacht Charters | 954-217-2992 |
| Marine Group of Palm Beach, Inc. | 561-627-9500 |
| Nicely-Dunn Yacht Charters | 800-874-0724 305-852-5136 |
| Paradise Yacht Charters | 954-462-0091 |
| Rikki Davis, Inc. | 954-761-3237 |
| RNR Yacht Charters | 800-525-2526 954-522-9563 |
| Tom Collins Yachts Worldwide | 800-637-5407 |
| Whitney Yacht Charters, Inc. | 800-223-1426 |
| Yachtstore, Ltd. | 888-376-5198 954-791-1737 |
Considering Costs
No matter where you start or how far you plan to go with your yacht, a few things are true. One of those is that travelers will always need to spend a little time budgeting their trip. Whether you first consider the size of the boat or the number of people in the crew, you'll find a number of items that add to your total cost.
Ship's size can seriously effect the cost of your charter, though larger yachts also mean there will be more travelers splitting the cost as well. The most popular bareboats are three-cabin, two-bath monohulls, and they may range from 36 to 50 feet in length. Your skill is another important factor in determining the size of the yacht you should charter.
Families and first time sailors, as well, may want to choose a catamaran over a monohull. While monohulls are the preferred choice for those who have done much of their own sailing, catamarans provide a smoother ride. With less roll in port these catamarans are also better for families with children and travelers prone to seasickness.
Chartering a crewed yacht will have travelers paying a bit more for the ride, but there are advantages and disadvantages to this additional cost. While it does mean that travelers will most likely have more extras than bareboat charterers, they'll also have the additional cost of a tip for the crew at the end of the journey. These tips are done at 10 to 15 percent of the charter's cost, but can make up 30 to 50 percent of the crew's income. Skippered bareboats have the added cost of the skipper's fee. Usually around $80(USD) to $120(USD) per day, the rate should be negotiated ahead of the time.
Equipment is another factor that will effect the cost of your charter. While some equipment - kayaks, windsurfs, and GPS, for example - is usually included in the cost of a crewed charter, they may not be on a bareboat. Consider a power windlass for help anchoring, a canvas top for sun protection in the cockpit, or equipment for activities, such as scuba and snorkeling equipment. These extras are often available, but may come at an additional fee, so be sure to ask.
Time of year is another factor that travelers may not think to consider. High season for sailing meets up with high season for tourism, meaning costs both on the islands and of the charter itself will be notably higher. Travelers picking up a yacht away from home will also need to consider items like airfare and customs duties.
Don't forget to read the fine print, travelers often forget to ask about deposit or insurance fees. It may be best to put any charges on a credit card in case problems arise, however, a company's cancellation policy is also important to review.
Whether you're interested in sailing to or around Bermuda, your perfect yacht awaits.
If you're looking for a trip you'll never forget, try taking advantage of one of the many cruises that service Bermuda.
Learning as much as possible about the local culture will help visitors to appreciate the beauty and diversity found throughout Bermuda.