Can children come on a sailing charter?

Yes, on most charters. Some operators set a minimum age, some do not take infants, and a few crewed boats prefer adults only. Ask before you book rather than after.

Sailing with children works well in sheltered cruising grounds and badly on long exposed passages. The choice of area matters more than the choice of boat.

What to sort in advance

• Lifejackets in children's sizes. Required safety equipment includes lifejackets for everyone aboard, but the boat may not stock small ones by default. Tell the operator every age.
• Cabin arrangements. Count berths honestly, because kids in the saloon is fine for a weekend and wearing by day five. See how many can sleep aboard.
• Whether the operator has a stated minimum age or a policy on non-swimmers.
• Shade. Tropical sun on a small child on a white deck is relentless.

Why a catamaran usually wins

Catamarans do not heel and move far less at anchor, which makes sleeping, eating and playing easier. They also have flat trampolines and more deck space to spread out, and a monohull's angled deck is a harder place to keep a toddler. Choosing a vessel has the comparison.

Sheltered is the word

Inside the Whitsundays islands, Pittwater and parts of Sydney Harbour all give short hops between anchorages, which suits short attention spans and reduces motion sickness. Offshore legs do not.

Skippered is worth considering

With young children aboard, the adults are already fully occupied. A skipper means nobody has to choose between watching the kids and watching the boat. See skippered and crewed.

Rules aboard

Set the lifejacket rule on day one and do not negotiate it later. Most operators will tell you their own policy at the briefing, and on a bareboat the nominated skipper is responsible for enforcing it.

Families and groups covers itineraries, food and expectations with children in more detail.