16 Adventures, 10 days and nights in length (unless otherwise posted) of kiting in paradise, sailing the unknown, surfing where none ever have before

An expedition by sail is not an exact science, but the ways of ancient navigation still make sense today, and we've got 13 years of intimate experience of all the major ocean-routes. On the most basic level, we will usually be moving west with the wind. 5 months north of the equator (generally December-April) and 5 months south (June-October), with two months in between for transit, maintenance and crew leave. We start very generally by studying cyclone seasons, wind, currents, almanacs, pilot guides, cruising guides, etc. Then we take into account good places to lay the boat up for maintenance each year (cost and services). Then we start pencilling a route, doing more specific research by any means available on each location: anchorages, ports, provisioning, airports, previous experience, etc. Then we hand off the itinerary to your travel concierge who researches exactly when and how you can get out to and from the boat, which leads to inevitable tweaks in dates and locations. Once the dates and locations are hard-wired then the real research begins- we tap into local knowledge, other cruising reports, study the charts, Google Earth and surf reports for waves and other spots of interest. And of course- we rely on own past experience, which of course is known only to us!

Creating the itinerary is without doubt one of the most arduous and yet exciting elements of the expedition.

Very few of our trips will be oriented around those wanting to learn, because many places we ride are not suitable. You should be able to stay upwind before joining the expedition. We recommend taking at least a week long intensive course before joining. If you are a SKY or CELESTIAL club member you can elect to have a professional on board for personal instruction. We work with CK Performance clinics to provide this service. Please contact us for details. We will be operating wave clinics with video analysis and professional kiteboarding instructors on selected trips.

Absolutely. Many of our members and guests do not kite and there's always plenty of opportunity for diving, surfing, paragliding, snorkeling, freediving, shore excursions, photography...

A number of reasons: Charters are only offered in very confined regions- areas that are hardly "remote"; boats used in charter are equipped with the bare minimum of accoutrements, and maintained at a basic level; charter crews are not versed in kiteboarding and don't know where to take their guests; our cuisine is world class...The list goes on and on. The Ocean Odyssey is an expedition to find the most remote and idyllic places to explore, sail, kite, surf, and SUP the world has to offer. We are a private boat, going to incredible places with an amazing group of passionate people. The Ocean Odyssey is absolutely a first-class operation, operated by the world's foremost experts in ocean-based adventure travel. Charters are well....they are a joke in comparison. Ask anyone who has done both!

Memberships start at € 15,000 to join and can be traded, sold, gifted or inherited*. This is a one-time fee. Annual fees start at € 4,900**. This covers all the operational expense of the yacht (crew wages, maintenance, fuel, insurance, etc.). Your trip time can be traded with any of our travel partners. In addition there is a € 40; per person, per day provisioning fee which covers all prepared cuisine (meals and snacks), beer and table wine.

* Subject to restrictions, which are covered in our Membership contract.
** Subject to up to a 5% annual increase (to be voted on and approved by the members), and based on a "Basket" of 4 major currencies to guarantee fairness (ie fees may go up or down, depending on actual operating costs).

The beauty of an Ocean Odyssey membership is the total flexibility we have designed for you, our members. We understand that things come up and making a long journey out to the boat is sometimes not possible. If you know in any given year that you can't make your trip, we've done all the homework for you to simply join one of our eco-conscious partner operators' trips. Maybe for example a yoga and surf retreat in Nicaragua; or maybe you want to surf "God's Left" at the 5 star eco-villas on Sumba, Indonesia; or go on a low-impact African Safari? Let our travel concierge find the perfect fit, leave all the details to us. Travel has never been easier- or more flexible*.

*Time/trip trades are subject to price changes, depending on the travel package you choose. We are completely transparent with the transaction- your fees to Offshore Odysseys are transfered in full to the other operator, minus a 10% commission. If this balance is more than the operator's charge, you will be refunded the difference. If the balance is less than the operators, you will owe the difference. We have attempted to partner with proven, award-winning operators who charge and offer a similar style of trip at a similar level of comfort and excitement.

Please refer the Membership contract for details and the flexibility page.

Yes. On rare occasions our members cancel which opens a cabin on select trips. Please check the itinerary. If you see an open cabin and are interested in joining, please enquire immediately as they typically go fast.

At all times. A full comprehensive blue water plan covers the asset, crew, membership value, and guests. There is no personal liabity in joining the expedition whatsoever. However, trip cancellation insurance and trip health insurance are highly recommended. Your travel concierge (SKY and CELESTIAL members) will provide details on the best offerings.

We will be sailing the world, seeking the best spots for no less than ten months of each year. There will be an emphasis on the Ocean Odyssey on the Pacific Ocean as the scope, wind, waves, underwater critters, and scenery are better there than anywhere else. Trust us! Our itinerary is developed 6 months in advance to allow members plenty of time for planning their trip.

SKY and CELESTIAL members are given priority booking each year and have no black-out dates. In addition, they are given bonus points (SKY = 30, CELESTIAL = 50) at the start of year 1. OCEAN members may be subject to black out dates, depending on demand for certain trips. For more details, please see our booking page.

The expedition lasts five years from our launch, planned for June 2012*. Membership will expire at the termination of the expedition, or carry forward into another similar vessel and itinerary (at Members option).

*Subject to change

Please check out the What to Bring Page.

The Operator (Offshore Odysseys) is given first rights to buy out your membership(s) at market value. If the Operator does not want your membership(s), you are free to sell it/them on the open market. We expect membership values to increase as time goes by, but we cannot guarantee this.

Please see Membership Levels

Yes. As 1 membership represents 1 cabin and we have 3 guest cabins, you can purchase a CELESTIAL membership to book the boat privately each season and bring whomever you want.

Time requests will be submitted near the middle of the season for the next season's sailing (April of each year) and all be handled on our Reservations page. Time can be swapped with other members or possibly adjusted on consultation with your personal travel concierge (SKY and CELESTIAL Members only). SKY and CELESTIAL members receive priority booking each season, and a points system ensures all OCEAN members receive equal opportunity to their first choice in some years.

It would be very unusual for a trip to have to be cancelled (we haven't had a single cancellation, or delay in 13 years). In the unlikely event that we experience health issues with the crew, or we have a critical breakdown that cannot be repaired in time for sailing, your trip will be cancelled and rescheduled at a convenient time. We recommend travel insurance which covers cancellation.

Firstly, the Captain is trained in wilderness first response (basically, remote EMT) and we have a VERY comprehensive medical kit on board for most eventualities. However, if outside help is needed we have an on-call medical director (ER doctor) which we can contact anytime via satellite phone. We also have 24 hour broadband internet access. Travel insurance is a MUST and NEEDS to cover evacuation.

Discovery will always sail with all 3 member's cabins booked (there are 4 guest cabins on Discovery in the event we need the flexibility). Some members will want to have the yacht for themselves for a period of time. By selling memberships on a per cabin basis you have the added flexibility to trade time with other members so it will be possible to have the yacht exclusively one year and perhaps choose to sail with other members another year.

As one membership equals one cabin, the easiest way to ensure you can bring others is to buy another membership. Short of this, we anticipate several members will not be able to take their trips for various reasons some years, in which case they would post their trip as available, and you could then buy that trip from them. If you have children that are under 15 years of age, you have to be a CELESTIAL member and have the boat privately to bring them as we have found younger kids may not be appreciated by other guests.

Offshore Odysseys will be in charge of all aspects of management, running the yacht and developing the yearly itinerary.

Crew will be under contract for the duration of the expedition and given ownership incentive to stay on board throughout the voyage. In the unlikely event that the crew leave the operation our CEO, Gavin McClurg will be immediately available to swoop in and save the day. Acceptable replacements will then be found in a timely manner.

No. Our insurance policy will have medical and third party liability coverage and as we are incorporated, you cannot be held liable for anything in relation to the operation of the yacht.

Absolutely.

Yes, many. We can get you in touch with any of our owners that were with us for 5 years of The Best Odyssey immediately by phone or email. We can also put you in touch with the CEO's of any of our sponsors, or any of the dozens and dozens of people who have been out with us in the past 13 years.

You will be sent one upon acceptance of your application which spells out in detail all the responsibilities of the Operator (Offshore Odysseys) and User (you!).

Go here.