Yacht Charter Sailing – Devon, Cornwall & Beyond

Private Charter Sailing in Devon: Your Itinerary, Your Pace

The choice is yours….. Salcombe → Dartmouth → Plymouth → Cornwall → Channel Islands → France

Join Emma Claire in Salcombe – one of the finest sailing bases on the south coast of England. Tucked away on the stunning South Devon coast, Salcombe is a picturesque harbour town known for its sparkling turquoise waters, sandy beaches, and nautical charm and it has been a favourite for sailors for generations. Once a thriving shipbuilding centre, Salcombe sent its schooners as far as the Azores and the Caribbean, a maritime heritage that still runs through the town today, from the working harbour to the local maritime museum.

The beauty of a yacht charter sailing in Devon holiday is that the itinerary is genuinely yours. Skipper Chris has been sailing this coastline for many years and knows the area intimately – the hidden anchorages and the best swimming bays. He’ll help you plan the week around your group’s wishes, working with the wind and weather to make the most of wherever you want to go. Families with younger children may prefer a gentler, more river-focused voyage around Salcombe; those with more miles under their belts might want longer days offshore to France. Either way, Chris will make it work.

You can get involved as much or as little as you like. Learn basic sail theory, try your hand at chart reading, take the helm across a bay or simply settle into the cockpit with a good book and watch the coastline slip past. Chris can sign off on sea miles for those building their logbooks.

The South Devon & Cornwall Coast: Where to Sail

The sailing grounds stretching west and east from Salcombe are among the finest in the country. It is sheltered enough for beginners, varied enough to keep experienced sailors interested.

Heading east, the River Dart leads to Dartmouth, one of South Devon’s prettiest harbour towns, with a historic Elizabethan harbour, acclaimed restaurants, and the Britannia Royal Naval College watching over the estuary. Further east, Brixham offers a working fishing harbour and easy access to Torbay. To the west, the River Yealm is a designated Special Area of Conservation with a calm, tree-lined river mouth that has long been a peaceful retreat for sailors, and an excellent spot to anchor and explore by tender. Plymouth Sound, just beyond, is regularly frequented by dolphins and Atlantic grey seals, with the occasional minke or fin whale passing through.

Heading into Cornwall opens up the historic harbour towns of Fowey and Falmouth. Both are well worth a night at anchor and the beautiful twin villages of Kingsand and Cawsand, tucked away from the tourist trail with soft sandy beaches and colour-washed cottages tumbling to the water’s edge.

Further Afield: France & the Channel Islands

For those with time and a longing for a bigger adventure, Emma Claire is well set up for a crossing of the English Channel. France and the Channel Islands sit within comfortable reach from Salcombe, and the contrast with the Devon coast, from the seafood, the culture, and the light, makes the passage well worthwhile.

The Channel Islands offer some of the most rewarding sailing in Northern Europe: dramatic tidal ranges, extraordinary anchorages, and an atmosphere quite unlike anywhere else. Normandy and Brittany offer charming harbour towns, excellent food, and a quieter pace of life that suits the rhythm of life under sail perfectly. Chris will guide the passage planning and keep a close eye on the weather, ensuring a safe and well-timed crossing for your group.

This is the kind of sailing that stays with you, with the open water, the change of country, the satisfaction of arriving somewhere by sea that most people only reach by plane.

Life Aboard the Modern Yacht Emma Claire

Built in 1996, Emma Claire is a Grand Soleil – a well-regarded Italian-built yacht that has been lovingly maintained and remains in exceptional condition. Her hull shape and sloop rig make her a comfortable, stable platform for coastal sailing, and her modern winched masthead rig means she’s straightforward to handle so Chris can sail her single-handedly, though guests are always welcome to join in.

Below decks, she sleeps up to four guests in two private cabins – a double and a twin bunk with two bathrooms (one dedicated to guests), a generous saloon with cushioned seating and a dining table, and a well-equipped galley. Above decks, a comfortable cockpit and plenty of open deck space make it easy to relax, take in the coastal views, and settle into the unhurried pace that a sailing charter encourages.

• Cabins: Double cabin and twin bunk cabin, both private
• Bathrooms: Two bathrooms, one dedicated to guests
• Meals: A well-equipped galley for home-cooked meals on board
• Sailing style: Relaxed and flexible – as hands-on or laid-back as you like
• Skipper: Chris, RNLI coxswain with extensive local knowledge

Things to note

Sailing vs Shoretime

Charters & Availability

Do I need to take part in night watches?

Travel insurance notes

As this is an active adventure holiday, we advise that everyone has the appropriate personal accident travel insurance whilst onboard, in addition to standard travel insurance, which would cover you in the time between making your booking and departing for your adventure. These policies can sometimes be combined so please check with your travel insurance provider.

Please read more information on our Insurance guidelines page.

This voyage will be more than 12 miles offshore.