April 8, 2025

Cape Country Routes: Ocean Sailing Charters

South Africa is a leading group of owner-operated and managed accommodation and activity establishments – more than 20 privately owned hotels, lodges and guest houses – located on the scenic and historic routes in the Western and Eastern Cape. All carefully selected for their character, charm and romance, they offer the best accommodation and activity options to suit every taste and budget. Newly launched: Cape Country Routes Loyalty Program: Loyalty membership options for individuals/couples (R200 per annum) or families (R500 per annum) offer great discounts and value-adds with participating accommodation and activity providers.

Another Cape Country Routes marine activity offering is Ocean Sailing Charters and Boat Trips at Sirocco Jetty, Thesen Island which offers unforgettable journeys on the Knysna lagoon and beyond. At the helm of this family-owned and operated business is owner Neil van Deventer. A man who loves to share his knowledge and love for the ocean, he is, as a skipper – cool, calm and collected and knows his way around the coastline. Inspired by his daughter Bella, who at just 10 days old, joined him on the ocean, the vessels in the fleet are named after her. Ocean Sailing Charters’ fleet comprises three luxury ocean-going catamarans – Ocean Rhythm (launched in 2007 and owned by Neil’s father, Simon), its flagship LaraBella, and the newly arrived (in December 2022) LunaBella which sails from Knysna daily, navigating the famous Knysna Heads and sailing out into the Indian Ocean; while for those that prefer to stay in calmer waters, the luxury ‘Leisure Champagne’ lagoon cruiser Bella Vita, is perfect. As ‘owner-operators’, Neil and his crew, all with an equal love and passion for travel, sailing, fun, good food and marine conservation offer Ocean Sailing Charters cruises that can be uniquely tailored to each customer, it offers flexibility that allows customers to ‘self-tailor’ cruises. With their intimate knowledge of both the yachts and the sailing waters, they are on hand to make any critical decisions. The company strives to offer an experience on a deeper level, to live and operate with the lightest footprint, and to trigger an enduring ‘re-set’ with a holistically fulfilling experience. You are invited to step aboard and nourish your soul.

On the water, there is no time to rush – changing your point of view, your perspectives On the water, time is different – we do not live hour to hour, but moment to moment we plan by the tides and follow the sun, Sail fast, live slow.

Turquoise living…Blue life.