Sailing and Cruising
The sea has entranced and enticed us since the dawn of time, epitomized by John Masefield’s poem Sea Fever, “I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by.” On the water, time doesn’t move hour to hour but mood to moment.
With a full moon and following wind, a leisurely sail at sunset can indeed be one of life’s great pleasures. In the gentle waters of Nha Phu Bay, a traditional wooden boat glides along as the sun slips beyond the South Vietnam Sea. It is a peaceful moment to enjoy a chilled bottle of Champagne and canapés with a loved one and feel like the stars are out for just the two of you.
While one of the most popular and intimate excursions, sunset cruising is not always a solitary pursuit. Indeed in the tropical waters of the Laamu Atoll, the traditional dhoni boats are often joined by spinner dolphins. Spinners tend to be nocturnal animals so they rest hidden from view during the day and come out at sunset to hunt and play. They are named for their acrobatic displays in which they spin along their longitudinal axis as they leap through the air. Curious creatures, they often come quite close to the boat, jumping, twisting and splashing a special hello.
Nowhere do you feel further from the stresses of on-shore life than on a journey back in time on a classic Omani dhow. Developed by Six Senses Zighy Bay, the handcrafted Dhabab, which means golden in Arabic, is reminiscent of the golden age of Arabian voyages as it cruises the rugged Musandam fjords at a leisurely 10 knots.
Over a three-day, two-night miin odyssey, the Dhabab explores the coast of Musandam where the Hajar Mountains tower over quaint fishing villages, stopping to rest along the way in secluded bays bursting with marine life. Time can be spent kayaking, fishing, beach combing, swimming or doing absolutely nothing. There are also options to take a cooking class with the chef, book a bespoke dive or bring a spa therapist on board.
From one traditional boat to another, no trip to the Douro River in Portugal is complete without an excursion on a Rabelo boat. This wooden cargo craft was used for centuries for transporting barrels of Port wine from the wine cellars of the Douro Valley to Oporto. River cruises offer a completely new perspective on the region’s vast vineyards and picturesque quintas as you float along, unhurried and free.
Staying in Europe, head to the Aegean Islands to discover a region that is as wild, pristine and rugged as it is whimsical and wondrous. Many of the Aegean Islands, with their bleached-white sands, ragged coastal stretches and abundance of castles, are made to be approached by sea. Cruise at your own pace from Six Senses Kaplankaya and leave a few footprints as you go.
For some, it is enough just to sit back and idly watch the world go by; but for others there is the temptation to cast a line and see what bites. To return to where we started in Nha Phu Bay, early risers can head out with a local captain to learn the art of fishing. Waking before the sunrise, the locals start preparing their nets at around 5:00 am and are treated to the spectacle of the sun as it starts to burn orange and sparkle off the water. The experience is exhilarating, especially if a fish bites, and it can be combined with a Vietnamese cooking class back on dry land to learn how to make traditional sweet and sour fish soup as a fitting reward for hungry sailors.
Live this experience first-hand in our properties
Cambodia
Six Senses Krabey Island
Fiji
Six Senses Fiji
Fiji
Six Senses Fiji
Maldives
Six Senses Laamu
Oman
Six Senses Zighy Bay
Seychelles
Six Senses Zil Pasyon
Spain
Six Senses Ibiza
Thailand
Six Senses Samui
Thailand
Six Senses Yao Noi
Turkey
Six Senses Kocatas Mansions, Istanbul
Vietnam
Six Senses Con Dao
Vietnam
Six Senses Ninh Van Bay
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