seascape sailing

Traveling on Nyami was awesome. There were 11 people on the boat with passengers and crew and I never felt cramped. Diane & ray were great hosts and had lots of information and exciting things to do. Nui, the cook was fantastic and the meals that she made were the best Thai dishes I have ever eaten. The scenery on the trip was just unimaginably beautiful and mystic. Stopping at deserted islands and snorkeling where no one else was at was very relaxing. Kayaking, swimming & walking through hongs (caves) to Jurrasic Park like settings. Can't forget the island with all the fruit bats, amazing. Thank you SeaScape for an adventure I will never forget.

In early December 2014 we (hubby and I) headed off to Thailand for our second adventure with SeaScape Sailing. We met friends from our first sailing adventure that we had not seen for 15 years. It was a fantastic experience - beautiful scenery, great people, fantastic food and lots of exciting things to do. Well done SeaScape thank you once again for a very memorable experience.

My husband and I took the NYE 7 night "mostly singles" trip with Diane and Ray, and of course Nui. Words can not describe how amazing it was. I'm a planner by trade and have always worked out every logistics piece for a vacation. This trip was different and a TREAT for me. i was able to fully relax and let Diane and Ray take the reigns on where we are going and what we are doing....and of course Nui planning most of the meals. I can say I've never had a vacation like this ever in my entire life. So unforgettable.My husband and I were the only couple on the trip and were accompanied by 5 other singles from different countries. We all instantly got along mostly because we were all looking for the same outcome - seeing Thailand from a different perspective and having FUN! Fun we all definitely had!The itinerary is very thought out and with reason. We avoided places full of tourists in some cases, or stayed longer at other places because we were one of a few other boats. Very smart. Nui's food was indescribably delicious. When I booked the trip and they said "Nui's food is the best Thai I've ever had" I thought to myself "yeah ok." Seriously it IS the best Thai food I've ever had!!! My husband and I have been to Thailand 4x in 3 years and we've eaten a LOT of Thai food. Nothing compares to what Nui puts out in the mini kitchen she works in. A++++ to her on that. I'll say this isn't a trip that would please everyone. There is a certain type of person that is best fit for this sail. Think of it like camping on a boat only better. There is no A/C so it can get hot especially in the cabins in the evenings (thank goodness for the fans) but those small "inconveniences" are lost in the amount of experiences and memories you make on this trip. My husband and I are considering Seascape's Europe sail at some point and would 100% go on this Thai sail again. I read the one poor review of this trip and it sounds like these people were not a fit and didn't do a good job of thinking how this trip would be. I wouldn't pay attention to this one negative as it seems like everyone who has been on this trip had absolutely had a wonderful time.

I travelled for 3 weeks in Thailand (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket/Islands) and the 8 day trip with Diane and Ray was the absolute highlight. Nui's food is really amazing; the snorkeling and kayaking of the catamaran is great - especially since it is easy to avoid the crowds of tourists this way. And Diane and Ray are wonderful hosts!

Sailed with Seascape in Thailand over Christmas, great for parents and kids (from 8 - 14). Food was amazing, snorkeling and kayaking (and just playing on the beach) kept the kids entertained. Ray arranged a diving excursion for us out to Ko Haa which everyone loved also. Our second trip with Seascape (first was Greece/Turkey combo many years ago), just as much fun as the first. Can't wait to take the kids to Greece!

My wife and I spent the second week of our European honeymoon with Captain Rob sailing the Greek islands. I can honestly say that it was the trip of a lifetime. The trip itself was the perfect mix of adventure, learning new things, and forced relaxation. Every day started with breakfast prepared on the boat followed by the first sail of the day. Everyone had the opportunity to participate in the sailing process and alternately had opportunities to sit back and enjoy a book and the breathtaking scenery. Lunch on the boat was often proceeded and followed by a swim in the open ocean or the bay we chose to eat in that day. After lunch we would sail on to the port for the evening. Upon arrival, Captain Rob would share his knowledge of the village where we would be spending the evening as well as recommendations of things that may be of interest to see while we were there (over a cold Alfa of course). Dinner each night was in a local taverna. Rob's recommendations of where to eat left nothing to be desired as we did not have a single bad meal while we were on our voyage. Overall, I cannot give a higher rating or recommendation to Sea Scape and especially Captain Rob. He was an amazing host for an amazing vacation. I can only hope that I have the chance to go on another trip in the future that lives up to the exceptionally high standard that this trip created for me.

I've been on four trips with Seascape and am just now getting around to writing a review! My husband and I have been to Greece (2009), Thailand (2013), and a Thailand photo workshop (2014). When the opportunity to visit Croatia this summer came up, I immediately jumped at the chance to go! Many people are concerned about sailing with strangers, but the people you're with quickly become your friends and you learn so much about each other in such a short time. Diane and Ray are wonderful hosts and very knowledgeable about the areas they sail. My favorite thing about Seascape is that they go off the tourist track so you see a side to Greece and Thailand that other people wouldn't get to normally see. Every trip has been unique and very memorable. I've made such good friends along the way as well. We cooked some meals on the trip in Greece while dinners were ashore, then in Thailand, we had Seascape's wonderful chef, Nui, cook authentic Thai meals everyday. Ray and Diane made sure everyone was taken care of on the boat as well as off - finding local places to stay, eat, checking flight schedules, laundry facilities, etc. The only trip I haven't been on is the Turkey trip. Hopefully, sometime soon, I'll be able to come visit again!

I have done a couple of sails with Seascape in Thailand which were fantastic. The on board chef Nui cooks amazing food, the catamaran is very spacious and comfortable and Ray and Diane are wonderful hosts. We avoided the crowds and went to some really beautiful places like Rok Nok, my favourite. These guys know what they are doing!This August, we had the pleasure of sailing in Greece with Seascape. As in Thailand, we managed to avoid the crowds and see some really lovely islands. We sailed from Leros to Kos for 10 days with perfect sunny skies. Artemis is a comfortable sailboat with ensuites in each cabin and a nice comfy bed.

I had the opportunity to sail through the Sporades with SeaScape and it was an amazing experience. I am a solo traveler who wanted an adventure, and this trip was perfect. Although this was SeaScape's inaugural season sailing in the Sporades, Skipper Rob was very knowledgeable about the area. The trip starts and ends in Skiathos, one of the more popular islands in the Northern Aegean. The trip includes a mixture of less-populated islands, fun beaches and islands with more activities such as exploring the culture and shopping.Breakfast, lunch, snacks and beverages (including alcohol) are provided on the sailboat. Dinner is usually on the island of the day, and comes at the recommendation of Skipper Rob. Trust me, Skipper Rob knows where to eat and what to order (although you are always free to order what you prefer). You do not need to know how to sail in order to go on a SeaScape Sailing trip. Rob can teach you whatever it is you'd like to learn, too. If you want to experience the Grecian culture without the hustle and bustle of a busy city, this is an excellent way to do it. Not only do you get to experience the island life of Greece, but you get to do it in a way that's inexpensive but authentic. Each trip is very unique in that you sail with different people from different parts of the world, the route can change based on weather, schedule and passenger preference, and you make friends with other sailors and island residents. I will definitely sail with SeaScape and Skipper Rob again. This really was the best vacation I've ever taken.

One of my best friends and I joined Seascape Sailing for the Leros-Bozburun itinerary this July to celebrate a benchmark birthday. It was a lifelong dream for both of us to sail in the Greek Islands and visit Istanbul. By an odd twist, we were the only two people on the Angelina with the wonderful skipper Ray. It was a magic week with laughter and great conversation and learning life on the sea. How could it be anything but fantastic when you are on a beautiful sailboat with Turkey on one side, Greek Islands on the other, with sunshine above and every shade of blue on the water? My friend wanted to learn everything and Ray was a great sailing instructor, showing her how to plot a course and explaining the intricacies of wind and sail. (I was happy to be deck fluff but did my share of sailing too). It's the most fantastic way to see a place. There's no better way to wake up in the morning than to be on a sailboat with the water slapping against the hull. Every day we would decide on a destination based on wind and itinerary, often dropping an anchor for lunch in a beautiful deserted bay. Ray would cook us up a delicious hot lunch and then we'd jump into the sea for some snorkeling. We traveled in a caravan with skipper Diane and a fun group of New Zealanders and they were great companions at dinner in the evenings when we would pull into our next port. I would sail with them again in a heartbeat. Ray and Diane are pros at these itineraries and do a lot of personal, homey touches (tomatoes and eggplant from their garden, making coffee for us in the am. On my birthday they took us out for dinner and the entire taverna sang me happy birthday when they brought in the cake). Truly it was an epic trip of a lifetime with so many laughs.

Had a wonderful sailing holiday with Skipper Ray and a good college buddy. The boat Angelina was clean, the food delicious, my cabin perfect--including fresh linens and terrific airflow--though I prefer sleeping up top and did as often as possible. Ray especially made our trip what it was. He was both funny and charming, an excellent teacher and clearly an experienced skipper. Each morning we woke up in a beautiful harbor, readied the boat and off we went. I wanted a lot of hands on work and Ray was quick to rope me in as first mate. My friend just wanted to lay around as deck fluff and Ray equally catered to her wishes. He cooked us dinner, made us afternoon tea, and was at the ready when the Ouzo needed to be poured. My stomach hurt from so many belly laughs and I was choking back tears when we had to say goodbye to our now dear friend. Diane is an amazing woman, who's knowledge and focus on her clients and the company have made Seascape sailing the success it is. If you want an excellent time on the Greek and Turkish waters, enjoy sailing as much as the logistics of putting into port and leaving each day, are comfortable seeing what the day brings and rolling with it--we at one point had to hug the coast at a distance of about 50 meters because of a freak fog and inch our way along to our next destination( very thrilling and eerie at the same time)--and most of all love to hang with a true sailor with a terrific backstory, then go spend some time with Seascape and ask to be on Ray's boat. You will not regret it. I will definitely be back.

I've taken two trips with Skippers Ray & Diane now, once through Turkey and Greece in 2013 and now Croatia (not a usual offering) in 2014. Ray and Diane have always been lovely, making sure that everyone knew what to expect upfront and the level of participation really is up to you. My husband and I really enjoy sailing and Ray was always ready to let us take the wheel or pull a line. However, for those in the group that were looking for a more relaxing trip were able to lay back and soak up the sun from the bow. And speaking of what people wanted, they were always willing to provide anything people requested within their means, whether it was helping scout out the closest shower on land at the various ports or hunt down a specific kind of biscuits for boat snacks.If you're looking for a cruise type experience complete with casinos and water slides, you should probably take a cruise. If you have a sense of adventure and are seeking lifelong friendships/memories and unique experiences on the salty sea, this is the trip for you!

I went sailing in Greece with Seascape sailing a few years ago, and this past July/August, I had the great fortune to sail with Seascape in Croatia. As many people have, I've been dreaming of sailing in Croatia for a very long time, and as soon as I met Skipper Ray Luxford at the marina in Trogir. I knew I was in for an excellent holiday. Since I sailed with Seascape before, I had high expectations and Ray exceeded all of them. I'd also like to call out Diane who was the skipper on the second sail boat (we had three in total in Croatia which made it all the more fun). She is also a gold standard skipper and warm, caring and super fun. Some times Ray's heavy British accent was a bit hard for me to understand (especially in the morning before coffee:)), but I enjoyed his charm and joie de vivre. I don't know how they do it, but Ray and Diane make each of the shipmates feel cared for. I have complete trust and faith in both of them and have recommended Seascape to friends who have gone and come back raving about the fun and adventure. I will write more about all of the beautiful islands we went to another time, but I wanted to post a short review for anyone considering a fall or winter sail with Seascape. Go for it! It'll be one of the best adventures you every have!

We chartered a skippered boat for a week in August, 2014.The pre sailing preparations and liaison with us were excellent and very accommodating! They made every effort to cater for all our needs and patiently answered any and all questions.The boat was great, albeit not very new, but well maintained and supplied. Our skipper, Stuart, was fantastic! Thanks to him, all ran smoothly,very relaxed and friendly. This is important when a family is sharing limited (and intimate) space with a stranger! Would definitely sail with them again.

I have contemplated writing a review for many months now and have decided that I will not feel satisfied until I write one. It is with a heavy heart that I have to write a poor review. I try to stay as objective as possible and with all of the rave reviews SeaScape has received I thought this would have been the dream week for my best friend and I, however it was the complete opposite. Let me start by saying that we are not familiar with sailing, but were up for an adventure. The boat was nice, the rooms as I was told were larger than most boats of the same type. Our room was off the kitchen. We shared the bathroom with the guys across the hall, not a problem. The bathroom is very tiny you basically hose yourself off with with the shower head standing over the toilet. Not a big deal, It had hot water you need not ask for anything else. What was terrible was sleeping. Some nights it got so hot that I literally dowsed myself with water and laid in bed totally wet. They had a small fan on one side of the bed, but did not help at all with the heat. My friend tried to sleep outside, but came in before morning drenched by the condensation of the ocean. I was under the impression that we would be sailing, however the sails went up for about 2 hours during the whole week. I understand that it is weather dependent, but was hoping to experience just sailing without the engine running. On first impression I thought WOW this is going to be a hoot! Ray began cussing and throwing out sexual innuendos to us on explaining the inns and outs of the boats, rules and expectations etc. If you are offended of such things then this is not something that you would enjoy. I am not easily offended, I have served in the United states Army and can cuss as good as any sailor. So to me at this point this this was not off setting. As the days went on however, the sexualized comments grew old and It was made evidently clear that this was their boat and you better follow their rules or you would be yelled at. I felt as if I had to walk on egg shells as not to receive a snide remark. I remember stirring a drink with a spoon and Ray made a comment that I should not be stirring with that spoon in a plastic glass as he did not want me to scratch it. I am a psychiatric nurse and I make it a living to read people. Ray was not joking- he was serious! When my friend asked for a life jacket to go snorkeling, she was given the third degree and how she didn't really need one. With persistence , Ray did eventually get her a life jacket which made my friend feel bad for having to ask. We went to one of the islands to have dinner and afterwards we were hoping to stay a little longer, however Ray told us that we had a choice to either go back after dinner or go back around midnight as he was going to stay at the bar until then. We were hoping to spend the evening enjoying the island, but opted to go back as we did not want to be out until midnight. Dianne was very quiet. She was cordial, but did not go out of her way to strike up lengthy conversations. She was often busy working on the internet booking clients. She retired early each evening. Their knowledge of basic things around Phuket was limited. We were told that they were not "National history experts" They were skippers. Ray's drinking did get out of hand at times. The lack of professionalism was evident and though we did receive a personal apology for some inappropriate behavior ( that I will not discuss) our dream vacation was shattered. On a brighter note Nuey the Thai Chef was absolutely amazing! She worked very hard and long hours. Every meal she made was superb! If you do choose to sail with SeaScape please tip her at the end! While this review is For Thailand , I cannot say what the Greek Sailing trips are like. Most of the reviews are from Greece and they have all been great. To be fair, it sounds like this trip was not the norm. Whether it be the mix of people aboard, tension between the skippers or what, I can only review what I have experienced. On a good note I can say that we met a couple aboard and have become great friends. We, along with the other couple were able to leave a day early from our sailing trip and have a wonderful last day together in Thailand!