Cape Country Routes: Ocean Sailing Charters

Cape Country Routes is a leading group of owner-operated and managed accommodation and activity establishments — more than 20 privately owned hotels, lodges and guesthouses — located on the scenic and historic routes of 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 and couples (R200 per annum) or families (R500 per annum) — offering great discounts and value-adds with participating accommodation and activity providers.

Among the standout marine activity offerings within the Cape Country Routes network is Ocean Sailing Charters, operating from Sirocco Jetty, Thesen Island, offering 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 passion for the ocean. As a skipper, he is cool, calm and collected, with an expert knowledge of 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 LunaBella (December 2022), which sails from Knysna daily, navigating the famous Knysna Heads and sailing out into the Indian Ocean. For those who prefer calmer waters, the luxury lagoon cruiser Bella Vita is perfect.

As owner-operators, Neil and his crew — all sharing an equal love and passion for travel, sailing, good food and marine conservation — offer cruises that can be uniquely tailored to each customer, with the flexibility to ‘self-tailor’ experiences. 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 reset 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.