Sailing with us is nothing a first-timer should be afraid of - there's nothing to be concerned about. Remember: our sailing will always be proportional to your experience, and Charada is a stable and seaworthy yacht. Just ask our previous guests...

HOW  OFTEN  CAN  WE  GO  ASHORE  ?

We may go ashore almost every day, as we will probably be anchoring each day at a different place.

And, even if you do not go to the beach, almost certainly you will swim and snorkel, or maybe do some exploration with the inflatable.

And after all, Ilha Grande, Paraty, and Angra offer so many atractions ashore that nobody will prefer to stay aboard all the time...

IS  THERE  A  SAFE  PLACE  TO  PARK  OUR  CAR  AT  THE  BASE  IN  PARATY  ?

Yes, there surely is - although not insurance covered.

Parking at PPYC is safe, in an underground, 24-hr protected garage. So, your car will not be left alone in the sun, rain, or sand.

IS  THERE  AIR  CONDITIONING  ABOARD  ?

No, there isn't air conditioning aboard, as such equipment would take too much space in a 40' yacht - and there would also be the need for a diesel generator ! 

If you don't bother the noise, there are ventilators (one pair in each sleeping area) that can be left on for the whole night. Also, to have the inside of the boat as ventilated as possible, we usually sleep with all cabin doors and hatches open.

Except on very hot summer nights, there will never be the need to sleep on deck.

The forward cabin, with its V-berth, is the most ventilated area.

We personally prefer the months of May to September due to the cooler temperatures and clearer days. But it is in summer that the rainforest becomes especially colorful. 

These were the average conditions for the past 12 months:

Further detailed weather forecast information, including wind and seastate conditions, can be obtained through the following links:

• INPE Previsão do Tempo (weather forecast)

• INPE Modelos numéricos (clouds, rain)

• INPE Previsão de ondas (seastate)

• INPE Previsão de ventos (winds)

• INPE Imagens de satélites

• The Weather Channel - Paraty

• The Weather Channel - Ilha Grande

IS  THERE  CELL  PHONE  COVERAGE  IN  THE  CHARTER  AREAS  ?

Not all, but the majority of the charter areas has good cell phone coverage.

In some places, as for example the southern coast of Ilha Grande, or in the Ilha da Cotia anchorage, cell phone signal tends to be weak or inexistent at certain times.

We have an inverter aboard, giving us the ability to recharge cell phone batteries (and camcorders' too) through 110V outlets throughout the yacht.

But if you came for the relaxing atmosphere, just "forget" to turn your cell phone on...

WHO  DOES  THE  COOKING  AND  GALLEY CLEANING  DUTIES  ABOARD  ?

Everybody: given the nature of our program, all guests are expected to help in meal preparation and galley cleaning duties !

If any of our guests is a gifted chef, we'll all be glad to let him/her cook. Otherwise, everyone aboard takes turns in cooking & cleaning.

Waiters, chefs, and buttlers are not part of the crew in our sailing adventures !

CAN  THE  PROGRAM  BE  MODIFIED  DURING  THE  CHARTER  ?

Obviously !

Our guests will decide where to go, although the program needs to be submited to the skipper's discretion, due to weather and sea conditions. So, if it is safe to visit any chosen place, we will definitely include it in the program. 

We can also sail to other ports, as per your request - as long as safety & timing conditions allow. Planning  the cruise is part of the fun, and our guests are always encouraged to participate. 

The bottom-line is that our charters are always flexible, and the destinations suggested elsewhere in this website are just the starting point for your own program.

HOW  MANY  DAYS  SHOULD  BE  ADEQUATE  FOR  A  GOOD  PROGRAM  ?

Although on a tight schedule, a minimum of 4 days is enough to visit Ilha Grande. But based on previous charterer's testimonials, we always suggest at least 5 days for a more comfortable cruise.

We usually use the first day for an easy sail to Paraty Mirim, so that you can familiarize yourself with the yacht and her systems. Sailing to Ilha Grande, and then back to Paraty, takes some five hours each way, so 1 day should be planned for each passage.

Finally, at least 1 day should be reserved to visit Lopes Mendes beach, thus totalling 5 days if your disembarkment base is Paraty.

I'M  NEW  TO  SAILING,  AND  I  PLAN  TO  BUY  A  SAILBOAT  IN  THE FUTURE... 
WHICH  PROGRAM  WOULD  FIT  ME  BEST  ?  
WILL  I  LEARN  TO  SAIL ?

For those planning to buy their own sailboat, we suggest at least a weekend charter.  The unique experience of sleeping aboard will be very useful when it comes to specify what you will really need in your own yacht.

In what concerns learning to sail: we are very confident that you will learn the basics, and then something else. Obviously, as in any other activity in life, it is impossible to learn everything in just a few days. But you will always find aboard sailing-related videos, covering from around-the-world races and adventures, to educational sail trimming and seamanship techniques. 

If you really get hooked by this sport, we may then suggest:

• attending specialized sailing courses, like the American Sailing Association (ASA) certified ones;

• starting with smaller yachts - the smaller the sailboat, the more responsive; and

• racing - there is no better way to hone your sailing skills than competing against other yachts.

If you've already attended ASA-certified courses, do not forget to bring your logbook, so we can register your sailing experience in Brazilian tropical waters !

HOW  DO  WE  GET  TO  PARATY  ?

Most of our guests prefer to fly to São Paulo International Airport (Guarulhos/GRU) and eventually spend a few days in São Paulo prior to their charter. 

Average highway (map here) distance between:
Paraty and São Paulo: 330 km
Paraty and Rio de Janeiro: 236 km

Some of the options we can suggest (considering the transfer from São Paulo to Paraty), from cheapest to most expensive, are: 

• By coach : 5 daily buses from Reunidas Paulista (website in Portuguese, but you can still check seating availability and buy tickets with VISA); 6+ hours trip. Buses leave São Paulo from the Tietê Bus Terminal (easily accessible by subway). If this is your choice, we will arrange a transfer from the bus terminal in Paraty to our base.

• By van: we can provide an air conditioned van with english-speaking driver to pick you up at GRU airport, if required. The trip takes ca. 3½ hours, and the international airport is conveniently located along the way from São Paulo to Paraty. Probably the most comfortable choice.

• By rented car: a good option if you like to drive for some 4 hours and want flexibility. The marina has safe and protected parking areas, so leaving the car while on charter is no major concern.

• By airplane: regular flights to Paraty are unavailable, but general aviation (piston-engined, turboprop, or bizjet) aircraft can easily be arranged. If the ca. 1 hour flight is your choice, we will provide a transfer from the local airport in Paraty to our marina. Weather conditions must always be considered, as Paraty offers no instrument landing aids, but on clear days this for sure is a very scenic flight !

If you plan to spend a few days in Rio de Janeiro after your charter, we can drop you off in Bracuí (Angra dos Reis), and arrange an air conditioned van with English speaking driver to pick you up at that base.

THE  YACHT  PLAN  SHOWS  TWO  CABINS  AND ONE  MAIN  SALOON.   WHO  SLEEPS  WHERE  ?

The aft suite is reserved for the skipper. We also keep all safety gear and extra sails there too, so as not to take too much space from the other cabins. 

The forward cabin and the main saloon are for our guests, as the bathroom reserved for them is right in the middle of these two areas (see plan). In any case, the aft bathroom can also be used by the guests.

The main saloon seats convert to SINGLE, nonetheless very comfortable, berths (they're NOT queen-sized beds !). The main saloon, being nearest to the centre of gravity of the boat, is also the most stable spot, and best indicated for people who may eventually suffer from seasickness.