Oysters and bubbles and dolphins … living the glam life on the Knysna Lagoon
It was, to be honest, a bit of a James Bond moment. Sailing back through the Knysna Heads a tender boat drew up alongside the Lara Bella catamaran, pausing just long enough to hand over a tray of oysters on ice to be enjoyed with a bottle of bubbles.
It topped the list of quite a few highs experienced on the sailing adventure on the Knysna Lagoon and the Indian Ocean beyond the Knysna Heads.
Ocean Sailing Charters, stationed at Sirocco Jetty on Thesen Island, is a family-owned and operated business, with Neil van Deventer at the helm. He and his crew share an equal love and passion for travel, sailing, fun, good food, wine and marine conservation … all of which come together on one of the options they offer.
There’s the Sunset Cruise … all bubbles and light music and gentle sailing. The more adventurous Scenic Eco Cruise, which has you sailing from the calm of the lagoon into the open sea, and the Marine Adventured Cruise, which is an extended version, allowing you time to anchor at Featherbed Nature Reserve for a swim or for those who want to venture a little further out to sea.
There are three catamarans in the fleet, and the trips are intimate … no more than a dozen guests at a time, who are made to feel like VIPs from the moment they slip off their shoes and step onto the deck. Each yacht has a cash bar, with a really great selection of local wines and bubbles, and if you’re feeling swanky, pre-order those oysters or book for the Captain’s Braai. Depending on which cat you sail, you can expect spacious trampolines, an above-deck lounging space, a covered outdoor seating area, outdoor shower, braai facilities, a large inside lounge saloon, and two guest loos.
You can book for a private party, from around R10 900, or join a group from R1090 a person. Ocean Sailing Charters is one of the marine activities offered by Cape Country Routes, who represent owner-operated and managed accommodation and activity establishments on the scenic and historic routes in the Western and Eastern Cape.
Details: oceansailingcharters.co.za, @oceansailingcharters on Instagram and Facebook, and @capecountryroutes on Instagram.
