There's no better way to make a holiday special than chartering a boat. If it goes well it can be a magical day out, but it also can be a disaster so here are some basic tips to help make your day at sea fantastic.

"Bareboat" mean that there's no crew so if you have chartered bareboat and you can't sail you're going nowhere. Not unless you qualify and get the necessary papers yourself. Always check the boat comes with a skipper and crew. The charter company can usually organise this for you. In some countries (like Spain) they may have legal problems supplying you with one.

If you've opted for a power boat then you will need to take into account that the fuel is normally charged as an extra on top of the charter fee.

You can tan three times the speed at sea. But you have to be careful not to burn. Take lotion and a hat. You often don't feel the effects of the sun until you have reached land at the end of the day and then it's too late!

Make sure you take snorkel and goggles there's nothing like diving in off a boat into turquoise waters. Always check for jelly fish before jumping in.

When the weather is bad you will be required to wear a life jacket, especially if you can't swim. It's advisable for children to wear them all the times. Some boats will not be suitable for really young children. Always take the skippers advice and listen to his safety speech at the start of the journey.

It's a nice idea to tip the skipper and if you're going ashore for a meal ask him along you'll often get some good sea tales out of him. It's normal practice to tip the skipper at the end of the trip.

That's it! Have fun it should be one of the best days of your holiday!