Children on board? It may seem complicated but actually… On the occasion of Mother’s Day, here are some useful tips for your next family vacation, naturally setting sail from the moorings of Marina Porto Antico!

Boats and children are a better combination than one might imagine; a boat vacation can be a great opportunity for everyone, and especially a chance to spend quality time with your family surrounded by nature!

A nice dive upon waking, before having breakfast in the first rays of sun, swimming in crystal-clear waters, the boat can be a real floating playground for the entire duration of the trip.

Whether you decide on a cruise of several days, or a short weekend to unwind, the boat is always a perfect choice to enjoy a family vacation! Whether you own a yacht or opt for a charter, casting off and departing with the whole family will not only be fun, but also very educational: children will not only develop a love for the sea or sailing, but will also learn the tricks that will transform them into real sailors and explorers.

“Are we there yet? Are we there yet?”. How many times have we heard this refrain when traveling with little ones?

On a boat, however, you never get bored: from morning to evening there are countless things to do, and every child will be delighted to bring their own contribution to maritime activities, according to their abilities and age.

It is important to choose a navigation itinerary that is interesting for adults but also for the little ones. The ideal choice? Sailing along the coast to destinations where the climate is mild and the water temperature is pleasant, such as Liguria, Sardinia and Corsica, or even Tuscany, where you can moor in complete tranquility and enjoy some walks on land or a picnic on the beach.

Depending on the children’s age, you will need to adapt the speed and navigation plan. With the youngest ones, it is recommended not to undertake long journeys, but to favor short routes of maximum 2 or 3 hours per day. Departing from the moorings of Marina Porto Antico, the choices for a short journey to discover the Ligurian Sea are numerous. The secret is to involve them in life on board, there is so much to learn.

Explaining to your children how the various on-board equipment works and letting them help you with maneuvers is a somewhat tiring but far-sighted choice; very soon the children on board will understand how things work and will make themselves useful.

The older ones will be happy to be assigned “heroic” responsibilities, such as helping to steer the boat, lower the sails, drop anchor or assist with maneuvers, or even learn to handle the tender (always with careful attention to safety).

The little ones will have fun spotting enemy vessels at the bow (or even better, dolphins!), or helping adults with activities within their reach, such as learning the art of knots or trying to study the route to the next swim.

Having fun while learning

During a boat vacation, between diving competitions, snorkeling, fishing and games on inflatables, children will have tremendous fun, but not only; they will collect a wealth of skills that will accompany them for life.

Responsibility

When talking to the little ones about navigation, it is important to make them aware that the boat must be handled with care and that this is an imperative for the safety of the entire crew. During navigation, you can explain to children the rules of maritime traffic and safe navigation. It is also important to indicate to the child the safety procedures and protective equipment.

Teamwork

Cooking, cleaning, tidying up, helping with sail maneuvers or mooring. If everyone collaborates, the work is pleasant and becomes part of the vacation fun.

Respect

Children on board strengthen respect for authority. During navigation, the authority is the boat’s captain. And this is an essential rule for the safety of the entire crew. N.B. Running is prohibited!

Orientation

Sailing is ideal for learning orientation, astronomy during the clear night sky, and for developing a sense of distance. Showing them the routes and teaching them about winds will be an experience that will enrich them incredibly.

Spirit of adventure

During their stay on board, every child will feel like a pirate, and will have the desire to discover the unknown; sailing is ideal for stimulating children’s curiosity and imagination. Take advantage of it! Teach children to enjoy the day without smartphones and technology while surrounded by nature.

Nanny on board

If you wish to enjoy an aperitif anchored in an anchorage in tranquility among adults, or perhaps disembark for a romantic dinner at a restaurant, or simply need some relaxation, the solution exists even on a boat: more and more recruiting agencies are specializing in offering a babysitting service on board: the “on board nannies” are true professionals in navigation and entertainment for the little ones, even in foreign languages!

Not to forget at home:

• High sun protection factor cream and hat
• Life jackets (to always wear during navigation and to choose based on the children’s weight)
• Inflatable floats and water games (there are some for all tastes and prices, from the classic dinghy to boat trampolines!), an inflatable pool for the youngest ones
• Fins, mask, snorkel and why not, even a viewer for seabeds!
• Logbook to fill out every day
• Card games and board games
• Coloring pages
• A nice book for children on board:
  we recommend “Kids on Board” (by Tommaso Gabba): a complete guide to the world of boats, navigation and the sea, one part is dedicated to games to play on a boat; really useful!

In the next articles we will recommend some spots in Liguria for magical dives (for young and old).

Until next time!