1. 10 Adventures, 10 days in length (unless otherwise stated) of kiting in paradise, diving the unknown, surfing where none ever have, or making passages across the big blue.
2. 7 Kitesurfing Epics, 14 days in length. Remote, radical, beyond the boundaries kiteboarding. Miles of down winders through unexplored atolls, endless trade wind days where no kites have ever flown, radical wave kiting, pro-clinics, filming; if it hasn't been done, it will be here.

Going around the world is not an exact science, but it's close. On the most basic level, we will always 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 our travel agent 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. 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 an owner you can elect to have a pro on board for personal instruction. Please contact us for details.

Absolutely. Many of our guests do not kite and there's always plenty of opportunity for offshore passages, diving, surfing, paragliding, snorkeling, freediving...

Best Kiteboarding is our title sponsor. They supply all our kitesurfing gear and have an Epic trip for the company's use each season. They are not involved with the ownership or operations of The Best Odyssey.

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 Best Odyssey is an expedition to find the most remote and idyllic places to explore, sail, kite, surf, and dive the world has to offer. We are a private boat, going to incredible places with an amazing group of passionate people. And finally- a boat like Discovery, equipped and crewed like we have would cost no less than $1,500 US per person, per day. Ours costs around $300, but there is no skimping on your experience. The Best Odyssey is absolutely a first-class operation. Please note: at times cabins are available as one-off trips to non-owners. Please see the booking page for details.

For owners the cost works out to approximately $300 USD per person, per day and involves buying a share and an annual fee that covers all of the operating costs of running Discovery (maintenance, crew wages, insurance, etc.). For one-off trips (ie charters) the cost is $6,000 per cabin (double occupancy) for Adventures (10 day trips) and $7900 for Epics (14 day trips). In addition there is a $45 per person, per day provisioning fee which covers all prepared cuisine (meals and snacks), beer and table wine.

Several reasons:

1. Our unique yacht share concept spreads the risk and costs of owning and operating a luxury yacht to make it much more affordable.
2. Discovery operates year-round, allowing more usable days to our owners where a typical charter yacht must recoup expenses in a much shorter time frame.
3. The crew will also maintain the yacht rather than contract the work out, saving thousands in maintenance costs each year.
4. By selling shares on a per cabin basis rather than the whole boat, we spread the cost even more, but our screening process guarantees you'll be sailing with a cool group.

Yes, on rare occasions an owner cancels 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. By purchasing shares in the LLC there is no personal liability.

We will be sailing the world, seeking the best spots to have Adventures and Epics for no less than ten months of each year. Our itinerary is developed 6 months in advance to allow owners plenty of time for planning their trip.

The expedition lasts 5 years from our launch in February of 2007. Discovery will be sold at the termination of the expedition and proceeds distributed amongst the shareholders.

Please check out the What to Bring Page.

Time requests will be submitted near the middle of the season for the next season's sailing (November of each year) and all be handled on our reservations page. Time can be swapped with other owners or possibly adjusted on consultation with the Captain. A points system will ensure every owner has equal opportunity for their first requests.

It would be very unusual for a trip to have to be cancelled (we haven't had a single cancellation in 9 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.

Firstly, the Captain is trained in wilderness first response (basically, remote EMT) and we have a 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 internet access. If you are a diver, PLEASE buy DAN insurance, which covers evacuation and decompression chamber expense. Travel insurance is a MUST and covers evacuation.

Gavin McClurg will be in charge of all aspects of management, running the yacht and developing the yearly itinerary. Our travel agent will handle all the logistics (air, hotels, visas, etc.) of getting to and from the boat, if you desire. But we recommend using your own travel agent if coming from anywhere other than the US or Canada.

Yes, many. We can get you in touch with any of our owners immediately by phone or email. Check out the latest testimonials in our forum.