According to a recent survey, 80% of parents agree that travel helps their children gain a broader perspective of the world. Taking your kids’ education beyond the classroom provides countless developmental benefits. It’s also a great way for families to strengthen their bonds.
What better place for a family getaway than the gorgeous setting of San Diego? The temperate climate, coupled with miles of scenic coastline, makes it the perfect backdrop for sailing with family. From swimming to fishing, families can make lasting memories over a day or multi-day excursion.
Read on for tips to get you started.
Why a Family Sailing Vacation?
Sailing with family has many advantages, both for you and your children. From bonding to helping your kids gain confidence, here are some benefits of family sailboat tours.
Escape Digital Distractions
A sailing trip for kids is great because it cuts down on screen time. Even if they bring their phones, they’ll use them less. Sailing captivates them with the excitement of outdoor adventures.
Enhanced Family Bonding
Sailing is unique in how it unites families. It’s an activity that all ages can enjoy together, requiring cooperation. On the water, you’ll create lasting memories, face obstacles as a team, and appreciate being together, which is great for emotional development.
Educational Opportunities
The time spent on the water introduces children to sea creatures, ocean ecosystems, and various marine learning experiences. It encourages collaboration, effective communication, and critical thinking as the family collaborates to steer the boat. Additionally, children gain insights into effective planning, responsibility, interpreting maps, environmental science, and more.
Personal Growth
Sailing lets your kids view you beyond the roles of parents. On a sailboat, everyone is equal, and abilities are more important than age. Overcoming challenges at sea can boost confidence, independence, and toughness in the family.
Planning Your Family Sailing Trip
Now that your heart is set on a fantastic adventure on the open water, it’s time to start planning the trip. You’ll need to be well prepared, especially if sailing with children.
1. Decide on a Destination
The first step in planning your family sailing trip is deciding where you want to go. Consider the interests and ages of your family members, the time of year, and weather conditions.
Do you want to explore the Caribbean islands, sail down the San Diego coastline, or visit the Mediterranean? Make a list of potential destinations and discuss them with your family to decide on the perfect location.
2. Decide on Your Mode of Transportation
There are two main options when it comes to sailing with the family: a chartered yacht or a family sailboat tour. The former offers more freedom and flexibility but also comes with more responsibility and cost.
On the other hand, family sailboat tours are more convenient and safer, though with reduced privacy and control. Weigh the pros and cons of each option and choose what suits your family best.
3. Plan Your Itinerary
Now that you have your boat, it’s time to plan your itinerary. Research the best routes, anchorages, and attractions in your chosen destination.
Consider the length of your trip, the distance between locations, and the time you want to spend on the water versus exploring ashore. Create a rough itinerary and discuss it with your family to ensure everyone is happy with the plans.
4. Pack Essentials
Before going family cruising, it’s important to pack everything you need for a comfortable and safe journey. Make a list of essentials, such as sunscreen, sunglasses, warm clothing, rain gear, and sea sickness medication.
Don’t forget to include snorkeling gear, beach towels, and entertainment for the kids. Important provisions include food, drinks, and fuel.
5. Prioritize Safety
Before setting sail, ensure your crew is ready for what’s to come. Educate your family on basic sailing terms, safety practices, and what to do in emergencies. Cover man-overboard procedures, fire emergency actions, using the radio, and securing belongings in bad weather, among other protocols.
Additionally, it’s crucial to equip your boat with the necessary safety gear, including life jackets for everyone on board, a first aid kit, flares, and a functioning VHF radio. Familiarize everyone with where these items are stored and how to use them properly. This preparation not only enhances safety but also gives everyone peace of mind, allowing for a more relaxed and enjoyable sailing experience.
6. Set Sail!
Finally, it’s time to set sail and begin your family sailing adventure! Remember to stay flexible and adapt your itinerary as needed. Weather conditions, mechanical issues, or unexpected opportunities may require changes to your plans. Stay safe, have fun, and enjoy the incredible experiences that sailing has to offer.
Preparing Children for the Sailing Experience
Any new experience can cause nervousness, especially for children. The prospect of sailing across open waters fuels young imaginations with both intrigue and anxiety. The following tips can help parents ease hesitations and build excitement for the upcoming adventure.
Get Ahead of Apprehensions
An effective strategy is openly talking to your kids about some of the things that might worry them. For example, they might be scared of getting seasick, feeling unsafe, or using unfamiliar bathrooms. Show them pictures or videos of what sailing looks like so they know what to expect.
Talk to them about preventative measures they can take. This might include wearing motion sickness wristbands, storing anti-nausea medication onboard, and wearing life jackets while on deck. Practice what to do if the boat gets rocky, like holding onto something steady or putting things away securely.
By talking about these things ahead of time, kids will feel more prepared and less likely to panic if something unexpected happens.
Make Them Part of the Planning
Giving children ownership of certain decisions gets them more excited about the vacation. Have them help pick menu items to provision so there are appetizing foods onboard they already enjoy. Let them assist in selecting the sailing outfitters, vessel amenities, or music playlists to download.
Sit down as a family to review the proposed sailing itinerary. Take note of the locations they’re most excited to explore, like snorkeling spots or beaches. Tracking milestones of the voyage on a calendar builds eager anticipation.
Practice Finding Sea Legs
One of the reasons for hesitation when it comes to children sailing is motion or sea sickness. A great way to get around this is to practice finding sea legs. Try implementing games at home that strengthen balance, body spatial awareness, and mind-body connection.
Have the kids practice basic yoga poses like tree pose or warrior pose that improve equilibrium. Visiting local marinas ahead of time can also help them get comfortable seeing sailboats up close and in motion across the water.
Alternatively, consider scheduling an intro sailing session so they can experience the sensation of wind and waves at a lower intensity. Even paddling around a lake acclimates to being on open water. Short practice runs allow for adjusting to new environments.
Start a Countdown
Mark off days until the sail on a wall calendar. Schedule movie nights to watch age-appropriate sailing films together. Read adventure book series that take place on the high seas.
Make an on-board scavenger hunt list together, spotting items like sail ties, buoy balls, and crested terns. Checking tasks off the list keeps focus on the sailing vacation.
Pack Preparedness Kits
Having kids decorate small backpacks with their names gives a sense of ownership. Allow them to carefully pick items to pack, like sunblock, hats, toys for downtime, headlamps for stargazing, and a camera for capturing memories. Regularly revisiting their special sailing trip bags reinforces the experience to come.
Highlight Stops Along the Way
Instead of just talking about the children’s sailing adventure, diligently detail island stops, port towns for souvenir shopping, chartered restaurants at marina docks, and planned excursions like glass-bottom boat tours and banana boating. Visualizing fun at-sea diversions eases anxiousness about open water passages.
Onboard Activities for Kids
Keeping kids engaged while sailing is key to a memorable trip. Prepare a variety of activities suited for different interests and age levels. Boredom can brew mischief, while participation cultivates lasting fun.
So what can you do?
Start with a sailing-themed treasure hunt around the boat, hiding small prizes or treats that kids can find. Let imaginations set sail by acting out stories starring pirates, mermaids, and sea creatures. Foster creativity through ocean animal origami projects or decorative logbooks for documenting wildlife sightings.
Connect young authors with epic tales by sharing sailor folklore filled with storms and adventures. Have tweens journal daily reflections on sail experiences building writing skills. Assign junior photographers the duty of capturing priceless family moments and awe-inspiring seascapes.
When the wind calms, introduce onboard games, puzzles, and arts-and-crafts for more bonding. Schedule breaks for swimming, snorkeling, and other activities.
Sailing With Family: Book Your Private Sailboat Tour in San Diego
If you’re ready to experience sailing with family for yourself, look no further than Sea Monkey Adventures. Designed for families, we’re more than just a sailing service. We offer a unique and rewarding opportunity for families to create memories, bond, and have fun.
Don’t miss this opportunity to sail with family in San Diego. Book your private sailboat tour with Sea Monkey Adventures today!