Destination recommendations and charter tips from sailing professional Sönke Roever

Sönke Roever: "Every area is different and has its own characteristics in terms of difficulty, weather, harbour density, distances and the experience factor. These criteria all play a role for me when choosing an area. For example, navigation in Sardinia is much more demanding than between the Ionian Islands. That's why, when planning a trip, I make sure that either the area suits the crew or the crew suits the area. Logically, this also applies to the skipper’s level of experience."

Which sailing areas would you recommend to beginners? 

Sönke Roever: "If you are looking for warmth, Croatia and Mallorca are good places to be. Croatia offers very sheltered sailing as there are many offshore islands. Mallorca has an excellent infrastructure and plenty of destinations within a few nautical miles. In the more northerly climes, the Flensburg Fjord and the neighbouring Danish South Sea make for uncomplicated cruising grounds. There are many small harbours on lovely islands."

Sönke Roever: "I like the Algarve on the south coast of Portugal very much, because the Portuguese are a very hospitable people and there is an interesting variety of harbours and anchorages here – also for charter sailors. In the summer months, it’s less crowded in the Algarve than in the Mediterranean and there are many long-distance sailors here, which of course appeals to me as a circumnavigator."

Sönke Roever: "I’d love to sail in French Polynesia again. In the so-called South Seas, there are many palm-covered atolls and mountainous volcanic islands surrounded by turquoise water. A real pinch-me moment. You don't have to be a blue-water sailor to sail there, starting from Raiatea the area can also be explored with a charter yacht – but it’s more suitable for advanced sailors, as the islands lie in the vastness of the Pacific and navigation is tricky."

On 9 April, in cooperation with boot Düsseldorf you’re giving a charter seminar for all sailing enthusiasts who want to charter a yacht for their holiday this year. What content awaits the participants?  

Sönke Roever: "We offer a colourful mix of specialist information and practical tips. The topics include choosing the right sailing area, insurance, contracts, weather, costs, manoeuvring and choosing and handing back the boat at the base. All the workshop leaders are professionals and they pass on their know-how in entertaining and informative lectures."