Charlotte Anne herself is a traditional Baltic Trader of a little less than 200 tons deadweight. She was built in Denmark in 1949 and rebuilt with schooner rigging, in 1994. For the first forty years of her life she operated as a support vessel for the Royal Danish Survey and in 1993 she was rescued from certain death by the present, farsighted owners who could see a future for her in chartering along the coasts of Oman and the United Arab Emirates. Following this extensive refit in which not only new masts, new standing and new running rigging were fitted but down below, commercial holds were fashioned into comfortable cabins and new generators supplying ample electrical power for all charter needs were incorporated.

Christopher and Renate Hurndall have owned the Charlotte Anne since 1993, initially residing in Bahrain but since June 2000, in the Emirate of Fujairah on the east coast of the UAE.  In his forty years at sea Christopher has owned a variety of vessels including the 118 foot Barquentine 'Evening Start'. Renate looks after the domestic and logistic sides of the business, in particular, the excellent standard of cuisine on board.

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 licenses 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 snorkeling 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 program 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.

Overnight charters:740 Dirham per person per 24 hours. Max number of people is 11, minimum of 6. Overnight charters include all meals and comfortable accommodation in air conditioned cabins. A duty free bar is on board, operated on a cash basis whilst complimentary tea, coffee, soft drinks and biscuits are always available.

The hire of scuba-diving gear can be arranged at modest rates 170 DHS full equipment 50DHS for T/W but early notification is required. You will get 2/3 dives a day subject to weather conditions. However, guests should bring their own snorkeling equipment.

Kindly note that a deposit of 50% of the charter fee is required at the time of booking with full payment due one week before the charter commences. Refunds will only be made by the owners in the event of either mechanical failure or inclement weather preventing the charter from taking place