Our sailboat is named “Musherika” which means ‘To Share’ in the Moroccan language.
The philosophy behind Musherika and its community ‘Amicale Denis’ is to provide a safe and friendly environment where sailors of all abilities and experience can practice the art and science of sailing, while sharing unforgettable moments on the stunning coastline of the Cote d’Azur.
We cultivate a genuine spirit of conviviality on board as we work together as a crew. Teams vary in size – anywhere between three to ten people on the boat for every sailing trip. The languages spoken on board are English and French, and the community is global.
We hope to see you on board soon!
Meet Musherika
It boasts three comfortable two-person cabins, a bathroom with shower, plus a fully equipped kitchen, heating and hot running water.
With an interior famously designed by Philippe Starck,
Meet Denis, your Skipper
Captain Denis Hernandez: Denis first became passionate about sailing at the age of 11. The sea has always fascinated Denis, and embracing the elements is extremely important to him.
At the age of only 13 Denis was already an international sailing champion and continued to compete for many years to come. Denis furthered his education at the University of Nice, Lille and Paris and gained a masters degree in pedagogy, psychology, and management.
Denis was destined to continue sailing and became an International Skipper. As a certified instructor, he is qualified to teach swimming and all water sports, as well as running courses for those who wish to earn their own boat license.
Denis is a qualified member of the RYA (Royal Yacht Association).
Who we are
“L’Amicale Denis’ is a community of sailing enthusiasts based in Cote d’Azur, who meet weekly for sailing excursions and social events. Our values are sharing, friendship and conviviality. Everyone is welcome both on board and at the Happy Hour drinks which take place at the end of every Sunday, in Villefranche.
Whilst it is perfectly possible to go sailing on an occasional basis, the best and most cost effective way to learn sailing is to sail regularly. This is possible through an annual membership. Please see Denis for details.
In addition to sailing trips we’re also able to accommodate catered sailing events, as well as incentive, motivational and leadership programs.
Where we sail
Leaving from the bay of Villefranche we usually head out straight out until we clear the Rade de Villefranche, with the cape of Saint Jean Cap Ferrat on our left.
Depending on the weather and wind direction we will normally host the main sail and cruise for two hours before turning back towards the coast to find a shelter for lunch.
Some of these locations include spectacular local spots including Paloma Beach, Plage Passable and Beaulieu-sur-mer.
Afternoon outings also leave from Villefranche-sur-mer but tend to have an itinerary towards Nice in order to take advantage of the evening Mistral wind.
What you’ll see
There are arguably few places in the world as spectacular, lush and diverse as the Cote d’Azur. Viewed from the sea, the French Riviera coastline features an eclectic mix of ancient mediaeval castles and historical forts, unique local architectural styles and the stunning mansions of the super-rich.
Whilst sailing we encounter a huge variety of sailing vessels, from powerboats and fellow sailboats to the superyachts and cruise liners which are a feature of the Cote d’Azur.
Interesting sights along the way include Jaques Cousteau’s old observatory, The Rolling Stones party house, James Bond’s power boat hiding place, the Martini family mansion and the world-heritage Villa Kerylos.
