Charlotte Anne at anchor

Entering a sheltered anchorage
at sunset.

Almost deserted, the only other
visitors are occasional local
fishermen.

Charlotte Anne is a traditional Baltic Trader re-rigged as a schooner and fitted out for extensive cruising. Built entirely of Swedish Oak in the year 1949, she is nowadays based on the east coast of the United Arab Emirates, only an hour and a half from the centre of Dubai. She is available for local or long distance charter throughout the year.

Local voyages can range from a four hour sunset cruise with buffet dinner and drinks to a four day sailing adventure through the maze of channels and fiords that make up the Musandam Peninsula. This amazing region can only be accessed from seaward and Charlotte Anne offers every comfort and facility needed to enjoy just such a trip.

Charlotte Anne and her crew can support up to twelve guests for as many as six nights away at sea. She has full mains electrical power, airconditioning throughout, air compressors for filling dive tanks and diving tender to take scuba divers to and from the best in dive sites.

A typical itinerary would be as follows. Join the Charlotte Anne around 5pm in the attractive port of Dibba. Enjoy Welcome drinks on the upper deck whilst the Captain completes the brief departure procedures with the local coastguard authorities. (Note that Passports or UAE driving licences MUST be carried by all in the group.) Sailing would be around 5.30pm followed by a starlight passage up the coast with dinner at 8pm .Anchoring for the night in one of many beautiful fiords would take place about one hour later. With luck, the moon might be up in which case, the spectacular mountain coastline would be witnessed soon after sailing.

Next day, following breakfast and an early morning swim or dive, the crew would weigh anchor and the Captain would sail further north towards ever more beautiful scenery. A stop would be made at the popular dive site of Limah Island where surprises always await the unaccustomed visitor ! Whale shark are often seen during the period of flood tide whilst opportunities also exist here for snorkelling if so desired. Lunch would be served at around 12.30 pm after which, an afternoon sail to the fiord of Dawhat Qabal would be particularly interesting. One or two other fiords would be visited and then the Captain would bring the ship to anchor for the night by around 5.30pm. Dinner would be served again at 8pm after which, to sit on the upper deck and watch the kaleidoscope of stars would be a truly memorable experience. A night dive in this fiord should also not be missed.

Next morning, again after breakfast and the possibility of an early morning dip, the Captain would present what many consider to be the highlight of the voyage, the ‘Close Encounters trip.’ Whilst the early morning waters remain quite calm, over a distance of around three miles, he would sail the Charlotte Anne close inshore to where the stark and formidable mountain sides drop sheer into the sea and where the strange, almost bizarre rock formations and open caves form the very hallmark that is Musandam. Further stops for swimming and diving , not to mention another hearty lunch, would take place throughout the day, arriving back in the port of Dibba by 5pm. This enables guests to return to Dubai or Sharjah before darkness falls.

This programme can always be changed to suit individual guests’ requirements. Similarly, if a voyage is desired to the northern extremities of the region where many uninhabited islands lie and where the scenery is perhaps at its most beautiful, then a three or a four day adventure cruise would be needed. In the fiords of Habalayn and Shishah, close to the Straits of Hormuz itself, the diving can only be classed as amongst the finest in the world.

As well as the sea, the Musandam is full of breathtaking walking.

Relaxing on the upperdeck as the scenery slides past.

All inclusive rates for our Musandam Voyages are as follows:

Day Charters. 170 US Dollars (600 Dirhams) per hour for the entire vessel. A maximum of 33 guests can be carried and this price remains the same for however many are on board. A delightful buffet lunch or dinner can be served at an additional charge of 17 US Dollars (60 Dirhams) each. A duty free bar service exists for the supply of wines and beers. Guests may always bring their own catering if preferred.

Overnight charters. 170 US Dollars per person per day, a day being a period of 24 hours and includes all meals, unlimited diving etc. Complimentary teas, coffees, soft drinks and biscuits are available at all times. Overnight trips are limited to a minimum of 7 guests and a maximum of 12. Accommodation is very comfortable, there being four airconditioned cabins, three with ensuite facilities. (See the Ship page of this website.) A duty free bar is operated on board with cash settlement at the end of each charter.

Should a party consist of less than 7 persons, then an additional charge becomes payable in order to maintain the minimum daily payment of 1190 US Dollars (4200 Dirhams) Should a party consist of at least 10 persons plus a tour guide or dive instructor then the guide/instructor would be carried free of charge. Whilst it is appreciated that sometimes, parents are unable to offload their children for a few days, as a basic rule children are not carried. Not only is it a huge responsibility for the crew who are always busy anyway, a lengthy period at sea is not much fun for ‘littles.’ A minimum age of 11 years is preferred but where children have to be carried, a discount of 50% is made where the child is 9 years or under. Under 2 years of age is free of charge. A selection of videos is held on board for the purpose of light entertainment .

Payment. Kindly note that a deposit of 50% of the entire charter fee is payable at the time of booking with the balance due at least one week before the charter commences. Refunds will only be made by the owners in the event of inclement weather or mechanical failure preventing the charter from taking place. Wherever possible, an alternative date will be offered instead of a cash refund.