Yacht Charter Sailing – Devon, Cornwall & Beyond
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Enjoy a private charter sailing holiday on modern yacht Emma Claire as you decide whether to explore the coasts of Devon, Cornwall, France or the Channel Islands.
A yacht charter sailing in Devon holiday aboard modern yacht Emma Claire is one of the most flexible and personal ways to explore this remarkable stretch of coastline. Based in the beautiful harbour town of Salcombe, Emma Claire is skippered by RNLI coxswain Chris and his wife Bryony, who are experienced, welcoming, and deeply familiar with these waters.
Whether you’re after a relaxed family weekend anchoring in sandy bays, a coastal adventure into Cornwall, or something more ambitious across the English Channel to France or the Channel Islands, the itinerary is yours to shape. No sailing experience is needed, and charters run from two to six nights, from May to September.
- Bespoke private charter from Salcombe
- Devon, Cornwall & Channel Islands
- Suitable for families & small groups
- Hands-on sailing & coastal swimming
- Flexible itinerary, skipper-led
Need some help?
Talk to the team
Telephone: +44 (0)1872 487288
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +44 7804 472592
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.
Emma Claire is a great-sized boat for beginners and small families alike looking for a skippered sailing charter in a safe environment. Skipper Chris is an RNLI coxswain for Salcombe lifeboat, so his experience and relaxed nature make sailing with him an absolute pleasure.
GETTING INVOLVED
Emma Claire’s rig is simple and modern, running on an electric winch system, so there is no hauling old ropes on this boat! She’s a great boat for guests to get a taste of comfortable modern rig sailing. Skipper Chris is more than happy to get guests involved and show them the ropes. From basic sail theory, taking the helm and helping with anchoring, there is always plenty to do on board, even if you’ve never stepped foot on a boat before. That said, if guests just want to experience the relaxed rhythms of life on the water and switch off from the demands of the modern world, that’s encouraged in equal measure!
SLEEPING AND RELAXATION
Above decks, there is ample space to sit out, relax and enjoy the views. The comfy cockpit is a great place to sit and watch the landscape go by as you feel the wind in the sails.
Below decks, there is a generous saloon with a large sofa area, a dining table, and a galley. There are three private cabins (2x double and 1x twin) and two saloon bunks, all sharing two well-appointed toilets. Each toilet has a pull-out shower if and as needed, but most showers will be taken onshore in the marina facilities.
Dining Aboard
As each voyage is a bespoke private charter, the food will be tailored to the group’s needs and requirements. Chris’s wife, Bryony, is a trained chef who used to run her own catering company, so you will certainly be well fed while aboard! Most dietary needs can be catered for, but please let us know on enquiry.
Sample menu
All food is made on board, and local, fresh produce is top of the shopping list. Please note, this is an example of what is on offer.
Breakfast
- Bacon, eggs, Sausage and tomatoes
- Our gluten-free granola with buckwheat, organic oat,s nuts and seeds
- Local croissants and our often homemade preserves
Lunch
- Local cheeses, fruit and our pear and date chutney
- Smoked haddock chowder and crusty bread
- Houmous, olives, warm pitta and Greek salad
- Gruyere and leek tart with a green salad and new potatoes
- French onion soup with a cheese crostini
Dinner
- Chillie with guacamole, nachos, and sour cream
- Beef goulash with caraway, sour cream and new potatoes
- Chicken breast with tarragon and mushroom sauce, hasselback squash and mashed potato
- Meatballs with a fresh tomato sauce and buttery noodles, salad
- Chickpea and sweet potato curry
- Mediterranean fish stew with aioli
Dessert
- Chocolate truffle pots with raspberries and whipped cream
- Berries, cream and Meringues
- Lemon posset with langue de chat biscuits
Emma Claire
Guest berths: 4 Rig: Masthead Sloop
Built in 1996, she has technically passed into her “vintage” era but continues to showcase her Italian design and build very well. She has been lovingly maintained over the years, and you’d be hard pushed to find another model of her age in such good condition.
With a modern winched masthead sloop rig, sailing her is straightforward and in fact, Chris can comfortably sail her single-handedly. That being said, she is a great boat to learn the sailing basics; hoisting, winching, taking the helm and some basic navigation can all be taught if guests so wish. Her hull shape and sloop rig make her a comfortable, stable boat to sail, so she’s a great choice for coastal sailing for those wanting to try something new and learn the ropes.
She is perfect for small groups of friends and families looking for a unique holiday experience. She does offer some voyages bookable by the berth, but she is generally suited to bespoke private charters.
Emma Claire can sleep up to four guests in a double cabin and a twin bunk cabin. There are two bathrooms (one for guests), both with pull-out showers (if needed), and a generous saloon with cushioned seating, a dining table, and a well-equipped galley.
Above decks, she has a comfy cockpit and plenty of deck space to sit back, take in the coastal views, feel the salt air in your hair and relax into the rhythms of life on the water.
Deck plan
More about Emma Claire
Cornwall, Devon, France, The Channel Islands or UK
Offshore Sailing from Inverness to Amsterdam
Skye & Outer Hebrides Sailing Holiday
Scottish Island Hopping & Tall Ship Sailing in the Hebrides
Summer Sailing in the Isles of Scilly
More holidays on Emma Claire
Private Charter Sailing on the South Devon Coast
Private Charter Sailing on the South Devon Coast
Yacht Charter Sailing – Devon, Cornwall & Beyond
Yacht Charter Sailing – Devon, Cornwall & Beyond
Inspiration for your voyage
Be inspired to discover the world under sail! Read our latest journals below. Be inspired to discover the world under sail! Read our latest journals below.
JOURNAL
