Cross channel and distance yacht cruises and sailing holidays in the Mediterranean and Canaries are a fantastic way to see a variety of destinations. Sail, cruise and explore by yacht, the delights of France, Normandy, the Jurassic Coast, West Country and the Channel Islands starting from Mercury Yacht Harbour, Hamble SO31 4HQ. Many companies shied away from visiting France after Brexit (due to passport stamping / customs clearance and the new regs) but we have visited France regularly without problem since early 2022, had some exploration on hired electric bikes and enjoyed the exceptional French ambiance and cuisine. It was initially remarkably quiet with a lack of English boats visiting – In 2022 I think we saw 2 others at Easter, a handful in May and August that year – and none in the Baie de la Seine in December! There were more in Easter 2023 though and gradually the numbers have come back, with the Cross Channel JOG race ‘over-nighting’ in Cherbourg.
It makes a great yacht sailing holiday. Crossing the English Channel by yacht on one of our ‘Channel Hops’ is an unforgettable experience but so is the interesting coastline going West! Obtain that all important mile-building for your RYA yachting logbook, build valuable day and night sailing experience, make foreign and new port landfalls… look out for dolphins, and of course… sample the rich delights of the local culture, cuisine and wine!
The Jurassic Coast yacht sailing cruise starts from Mercury Yacht Harbour, Hamble SO31 4HQ and goes West out of the Solent past the Iconic Needles landmark off the Isle of Wight to Poole and the gorgeous sandy National Trust owned Studland Bay (great for swimming) with its famous Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site white cliffs at Old Harry Rocks. If conditions allow we can continue further West past St Alban’s Head navigating around the potential over-falls, possibly stopping off for a lunch stop in the dramatic Chapmans Pool. Further along the spectacular undulating fossil rich coastline you go past Lulworth Cove towards Weymouth.
Further west past Poole we can moor either up the river at the Town Quay in Weymouth or possibly in the modern Portland Harbour Marina just North of Portland Bill. There is fantastic locally caught fish and seafood at numerous restaurants and we eat out on one evening ashore.
For the longer trips going West we round Portland Bill and the infamous ‘Portland Race’ dodging the lobster pots and use the fast flowing tide to cross the larger passage (approx 50Nm) of Lyme Bay (often accompanied by Dolphins) to Torquay, Dartmouth and ports further West. Depending upon the prevailing conditions we can sometimes return south of St Catherine’s Point around the Isle of Wight returning into the Eastern Solent.
Cross Channel ‘Hops’ & Distance Yacht Cruises.
Your itinerary will depend upon prevailing wind and weather conditions but for 3 day cross channel hops expect to sail to Cherbourg or Alderney and back and for 5 or 7 day yacht sailing cruises expect to visit some of the following ports: St Vaast, Cherbourg, Diellette, Alderney, Guernsey and Jersey. For Baie de la Seine 7 day trips St Vaast going south and east you may visit the tidal restricted small harbours and fishing posts such as Grand Camp Maisy, Courseulles, Port-en-Bessin or the all tidal access ports of Ouistreham and Hornfleur. The scenery is spectacular and the experience unforgettable. Cross Channel cruises & sailing trips mean passages of over 60Nm, watch systems and crossing the shipping lanes. St Vaast lock gate opening times here 2024 (in French time) and if you want to have a look at the lock entrance here is the webcam For more detailed info on where you might go and some useful tips – See a blog here…
Yachts Used: 37ft yachts (3 double cabin with additional saloon berths).
Start Location: Mercury Yacht Harbour, SO31 4HQ (unless stated otherwise)
Travel by Train Info:
2024 Yacht Sailing Cruise Dates
Nov 4-10 (7 Day Cruise) Winter Personal Development. From Hamble, UK. Small teaching ratio’s, lots of night hours, lots of miles, many technical port entries, go west to Dartmouth or go South to Channel Islands or go South East to Baie de la Seine. All great destinations! £1590 (price for 2 Sharing a double cabin) / £995 Saloon berth / £1295 Own cabin single occupancy
Nov 25-2 Dec Canaries Holiday Cruise (from Tenerife) – Sorry Full
2025 Yacht Sailing Cruise Dates:
March 3-10 Canaries Holiday Cruise (from Tenerife) Spaces
May 3-5 – (Friday 1800 -1500 Monday from Hamble, UK) 3 day Bank Hol Cross Channel Trip £579 Single in Saloon or Shared Cabin / £749pp Single Occupancy Cabin / £999 (2 person price) in Double Cabin Spaces
May 10-17 – Greek Islands (Saronic & Argolic Gulf Sailing) Spaces
May 24-26 (Friday 1800 -1500 Monday from Hamble, UK) (3 day Bank Hol) Cross Channel Trip £579 Single in Saloon or Shared Cabin / £949pp Single Occupancy Cabin / £999 (2 person price) in Double Cabin Spaces
Aug 23-25 (Friday 1800 -1500 Monday from Hamble, UK) (3 day Bank Hol) Cross Channel Trip £599 Single in Saloon or Shared Cabin / £999 Single Occupancy Cabin(Limited Availability) / £1050 (2 person price) in Double Cabin Spaces
For more UK event dates please see this page – Click Here
Passage Planning – UK to Channel Island / France & 7 Day Yacht Cruises
On any of our cross channel yacht sailing trips starting from Hamble in the UK you will have the opportunity to take part in navigation and pilotage and thoroughly test your knowledge and sailing skills – as well as having fun! You can take responsibility as the Skipper for your log book miles, passage plan and run the boat with the reassurance that our professional Skipper is on hand at all times to oversee and aid when required. Everyone will take part in the watch system and running of the boat as active members of the crew. Check out some great places to eat ashore here… And a bit about the various ports here…
Itinerary Please Note: On all these yacht sailing cruises and cross channel passages starting from Hamble, Solent UK the routes and sailing areas have to be determined by the weather and crew capabilities – and safety is of primary concern. If conditions make a channel crossing impossible, or too arduous, then it may be more prudent to do a Jurassic Coast cruise or use more sheltered waters available when necessary. The decision for the cruising areas to be used is taken by the Skipper and Directors of the company.
NB: You have to comply with any entry requirements / visa relevant to the countries visited. Please check for France, Channel Islands, Greece or Canary Islands plus return requirements into UK.
UK Cross Channel & Distance Yacht Cruise Price Includes the below:
- Professional Skipper
- Modern Coded Yacht
- Accommodation Aboard
- Food & Drink Aboard (excludes any evening meals taken ashore)
- Fuel
- Gas
- Safety Equipment
- Wet Weather Gear (Gill OS2 Jacket / Trousers adult sizes only)
Please Note – Mooring Fees that when we moor away from our home port the mooring fees are shared amongst the clients (budget on £18pp per night)
2025 Overseas Sailing Yacht Cruise Holiday – ‘Buy A Berth’ or ‘Buy a Cabin’ Weeks:
March 3-10 Canaries Holiday Sailing Cruise (from Tenerife)Spaces
May 10-17 Greek Islands (Saronic & Argolic Gulf Sailing) Spaces
Greek Island Cruises / Adventure Sailing in the Canary Islands on Large Modern 50ft+ Yachts:
Greece – 50ft + Yacht Sailing Greek Islands (Saronic & Argolic Gulf Sailing) – ‘Assisted Flotilla’ experience.
May 10 – 17th 2025 – Spaces
£1095pp Shared Cabin
£1799 Single Occupancy – in 2 person cabin (limited availability)
+ Flights, Transfer and Boat Kitty
2025 Warm Winter Canaries Sailing
March 3-10 2025 Canaries Holiday Cruise Spaces
£1095pp Shared Cabin
£1799 Single Occupancy – in 2 person cabin (limited availability)
+ Flights, Transfer and Boat Kitty
We also plan to visit Scotland to explore the Scottish West Coast Islands and take in a couple of distilleries and some island exploration.
To Book:
Check latest availability with us in the office:
Email Us: info@yachtforce.co.uk
Call Us: 02380 016450
What Our Clients Say:
Ross Henderson, Easter Cross Channel Cruise – ‘I thought the way you constantly educate the crew and explain the reason for taking action or your thought process behind anything from sail trim to navigation was very well received. It is great to be on a yacht and constantly receive this education’. Ross went on to becoming a 1st Mate for Yachtforce, then a Commercial Skipper – and a very valuable member of the team.
Steve Hicks says, ‘Buster puts all the stuff you learn on RYA courses into perspective and teaches you to be a sailor not just how to sail’.
Dan Harrison said this about a 7 day ‘West Country Cruise’ in December’,
Having sailed the December cruise in 2019 with Buster I was keen to sign up to the December 2020 cruise as soon as possible. Unfortunately for reasons we all know too well this could not go ahead, so I was eager to be part of the trip this year (2021). We all met on Orinoco Flow at Mercury marina in the Hamble on the Friday evening. We had an amazing sail from Hamble to Lymington that evening under a starry crystal clear sky, recapping our knowledge of the flashing sequences of cardinals, lateral marks and spotting numerous shooting stars. The following day we took the decision to stay in port due to Storm Arwen which gave us the opportunity to discuss the week ahead, review the forecast and potential sailing destinations, and complete our passage planning for the next couple of days.
Although the weather at times was fresh, the provided wet-weather gear coupled with a heated boat mean that you never feel cold. We got as far West as Dartmouth. The sailing during the week was fantastic and as always Buster imparted his knowledge, demonstrating practically how to balance and stabilise the boat for the wind and sea conditions. Not only did we do a lot of sailing but we also had the opportunity to carry out all the passage plans and pilotage, taking it in turns to lead each day. We generally had the South Coast cruising ground to ourselves, having only seen four other boats on the water by the middle of week, with two of them being the Queen Mary 2 and her pilot vessel departing Southampton. Not only are you immersed in a life of sailing for the week, the hospitality on board is excellent, the highlight being the slow roasted lamb that was in the oven for the duration of the passage from Dartmouth to Poole, ready to reward us on arrival into Poole. Thanks Dan.’
Other Events You May Like:
Canary Island Sailing Holidays
UK Cruises / Cross Channel Trips
Email us on info@yachtforce.co.uk
