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BAREBOAT YACHT CHARTER: Explore one of these glorious holiday destinations in your own sailing yacht.
FLOTILLA SAILING HOLIDAYS: Sail your own yacht with the added support of a lead boat crew.
LEARN TO SAIL HOLIDAYS: Start from scratch or brush up your skills.
MOTORYACHT CHARTER: Do you prefer power to sail?
CREWED YACHTS: Relax, let the crew do the work.
SAIL AND STAY HOLIDAYS: Why not add a few days ashore in a hotel?
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BAREBOAT YACHT CHARTER: Sail your yacht in any one of our glorious holiday destinations and explore at your own pace.
MOTORYACHT CHARTER: Do you prefer power to sail?
CREWED YACHTS: Relax, let the crew do the work.
SAIL AND STAY HOLIDAYS: Why not add a few days ashore in a hotel?
- PLAN YOUR TRIP
AIRPORT PARKING & HOTELS: Save up to 60% when you book airport parking & hotels in advance.
BOOKING CONDITIONS: Check our Booking Conditions.
CAR RENTAL: Rent a car instead of an airport transfer or if you add a week ashore.
CRUISING GUIDES: Start planning before you travel with a cruising guide or chart to your sailing destination.
PASSPORTS & VISAS: Check the passport & visa requirements of your sailing destination.
SAILING LOGS: Read our reports on sailing holidays we've been on.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: Don't travel without adequate insurance. We offer single trip or Annual multi-trip travel insurance.
TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN: Read our handy hints on taking small children on a sailing holiday.
USEFUL LINKS: Check these websites for more information on your sailing destination.
WHAT'S ONBOARD: Standard inventory for all charter yachts.
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WHO WE ARE: Meet the Nautilus team.
WHY BOOK WITH US: How do you benefit?
- YACHT OWNERSHIP
Are you thinking of buying a new yacht and putting her with a charter fleet? Speak to us about the best deal for you. Nautilus Yachting has been arranging sailing holidays throughout the Mediterranean & Caribbean since 1992 so we are ideally qualified to advise you on yacht charter management. Find out more
Sailing Holidays in Brittany
Explore the charming Atlantic coastline of Southern Brittany and discover excellent sailing with a wonderful Gallic flavour - perfect for experienced sailors.
Southern Brittany is an excellent destination for a sailing holiday for more experienced skippers with so many scenic bays, rivers, ports and islands (Les Glénan, Belle Île, Groix, Hoedic, Houat) and a softer climate than on the north coast of Brittany and the Channel.
Sail along the Atlantic coastline visiting the many seaside towns and fishing harbours. Sample the delights of the local fruits de mer, oysters, cider and crepes. Visit the offshore islands, inhabited by seafaring Bretons since medieval times.
This is an interesting cruising area for sailors with a knowledge of tides (there is a large tidal range in this area). It is advisable that only experienced skippers take on this coastline. Sailing in this area is a fantastic way to build pilotage experience and understand the importance of using the tides and currents to the yachtsman’s advantage.
Sailing areas in Brittany
Yacht charter from Lorient, right in the centre of Southern Brittany offers sailing itineraries west to the Bay of Concarneau and the Glennan islands, or east to the Bay of Quiberon. Or start your yacht charter at La Trinite sur Mer, an ideal point of departure to discover the nearby Bay of Quiberon, the beautiful Belle Ile and the Gulf of Morbihan.
In 2 weeks you could also cruise west to the Ile de Sein off the western tip of Brittany, about 50km from Lorient.
DAY 1 : Embark at La Trinite sur Mer. Sail towards Houat Island (12nm). Drop anchor at La Grande Plage and admire the breathtaking scenery of the beach.
DAY 2 : Visit nearby Hoëdic Island for lunch and visit the chateau. Afternoon sail to Belle-Ile (15nm). Anchor on the south side at Ster Wen or Port Kerel.
DAY 3 : Sail to Quiberon. Overnight at Port Haliguen (13nm). Hire bicylces on the stunning peninsula "Presqu'ile de Quiberon".
DAY 4 : Leisurely sail to Port Navalo (10nm) at the entrance to the Gulf of Morbihan.
DAY 5 : Explore up the River Auray and overnight at St Goustain (9nm) with its medieval town centre.
DAY 6 : Sailing in the Gulf of Morbihan to Monk's Island. Overnight at Le Palais with its impressive castle or the port of Sauzon (18nm) on Belle Ile
DAY 7 : Sail back to La Trinité sur Mer (16 nm).
Sailing conditions
Light winds in the summer Force 2-4, although Spring is more variable with westerlies up to Force 6. This stretch of the coast has large tides (up to 11m at springs) and strong currents. This cruising area is ideal in May/June and in September. Experience level 3.
Yacht charter in Brittany - Lorient & La Trinite sur Mer
Charters start on Saturday morning and finish Friday night. First or last night onboard available on request.
Click on the yacht names below to view yacht layout & specification
To charter a yacht bareboat or on flotilla you should be Day Skipper standard and be assisted by at least one competent crew.
At present you need an RYA Day Skipper qualification or RYA International Certificate of Competence (ICC) for charters in Croatia, Montenegro, Mallorca, Tenerife and Malta.
The RYA ICC will be ever more required by overseas port authorities but if you have skipper experience it is easily obtained in a day from RYA sailing schools in the UK such as Hamilton Sailing or Brixham Sea School
Whether you are an experienced sailor or setting foot on a yacht for the first time, we can offer you a holiday afloat to suit you. We have given all the sailing areas a level with 'Experience Level 1' suitable for less experienced crews and 'Experience Level 3' for the experts.
This takes into account the wind strength, tidal range and currents, distances between stops and ease of mooring. Of course even experts may choose to sail in Level 1 areas as they still offer stunning scenery and great sailing.
Experience Level 1:
Generally light winds Force 2-4, line of sight navigation, shorter sailing distances under 20nm. You will be Day Skipper standard having sailed at least 1 week or 100nm as skipper.
Experience Level 2: French Riviera
Stronger winds up to Force 3-5 with some longer passages up to 30nm. You will be Day Skipper standard having sailed at least 2 weeks or 200nm as skipper.
Experience Level 3: Brittany
Stronger winds up to Force 4-7 which can lead to bigger seas on long passages between the islands. You will be Coastal Skipper
standard with experience to a higher level having sailed at least 4 weeks or 400nm as skipper.
We arranged for Duncan Kent, Editor of Sailing Today, to charter an Ovni 385 in Brittany."Boys Charter in Brittany" appeared in Sailing Today, April 2008. Click here to read it >>
He says: "Southern Brittany is a truly beautiful part of France and has an abundance of fascinating islands, bays, islets and rivers to explore. Anchorages are plentiful, especially around the island shores, but care has to be taken around rocky approaches and you will need to be aware of the tidal state at all times. The locals are friendly, helpful and respectful of both the sea and sailors so we found ourselves welcomed wherever we went."
Morbihan is a Breton word meaning "little sea". The huge Gulf of Morbihan is scattered with islands. Explore the “petites cités de caractère” and discover their myths and legends, authentic local gastronomy, open sea islands, cultural and festival places.
Port Haliguen lies to the east of Quiberon and consists of a large marina and harbour, filled with yachts. This small fishing and pleasure-boat harbour is the summer venue for popular regattas. Hire bicycles for at rip to the stunning peninsula "Presqu'ile de Quiberon".
