Top Yacht Charter Destinations

Any time is a great time to charter a yacht and get out to explore. Many destinations offer wonderful temperature year round, welcoming you to play on the sand or the sea. These locals are perfect, whether you prefer world-class resorts and dining or the more natural environs that harken to a less hurried time. Of course, you can always mix it up with a little of both! No matter where you head this year for your yachting adventure, you're sure to create memories for a lifetime.


CARIBBEAN

Looking for an escape that welcomes you with temperate year-round weather and 2,000 miles of coastline along clear-blue ocean water? Then look no farther than the Caribbean islands, often referred to as a yacht vacation paradise. More than 7,000 land masses including islands, islets, reefs, and cays await your exploration, and when you're ready for some time on land, the natural wonders of volcanoes, waterfalls, and underwater hot springs are the perfect location for hikes, sunbathing, and sightseeing. And, of course, don't forget all of the local shopping!

No matter what yacht suits you, you'll find the perfect charter in the Caribbean. Considering manning your own sailboat or catamaran? Or does a luxurious, fully staffed mega yacht sound more to your liking? Regardless, numerous companies are available to create a getaway that introduces you to one of the most beautiful parts of the planet, with the clear blue sea and sky as an unmatched backdrop.

The Itinerary

If you choose to include the Bahamas in your excursion, one option is to fly into Miami and charter your yacht from there to North Cat Cay, a private island just 50 nautical miles from the Florida port. Although membership in the Cat Cay Yacht Club is required to stay, the island serves as an official port of entry for visiting yachts. From there, you can check out other Bahamian destinations, including Marsh Harbor on Abaco Island, offering gentle trade winds to guide you through the coral reefs teeming with underwater sea life. Another stop in the Bahamas may include Nassau, where you can dive with the sharks, catch a round of golf, or try your odds at one of the island's casinos.

Down in the Caribbean, start in the Virgin Islands, which include the US islands of St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. Johns, plus the British isles of Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, and Anegada. Gorgeous beaches, luxurious hotels, snorkeling and diving, shipwrecks, fabulous restaurants, and engaging nightlife welcome you to the islands and provide endless opportunities.

Your journey continues in Antigua and Barbuda. Historically the most important Caribbean base, Antigua remains a strong draw for tourists, especially during sailing week. Barbuda offers treasures to explore from all of the shipwrecks in the area as well as one of the region's most significant bird sanctuaries.

Switch languages to French with your next stop in Martinique, where the capital of Fort de France will surprise you with its sights, sounds, and smells. Shop in the markets for fresh fruits and vegetables, spices, and flowers to accompany your fresh catch—whether you reel it in yourself or purchase it from one of the local fishermen.


SOUTH PACIFIC

The South Pacific offers a wealth of destinations for the yachter who's looking to get away from it all. From Hawaii to Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, and Tahiti, you'll experience varying cultures, languages, and culinary delights. Originally explored by residents of Southeast Asia, Sir Francis Drake led the first English circumnavigation of the globe from 1577 to 1580, opening the region to Europeans, who began immigrating to find wealth in the form of gold, silver, and spices.

The Pacific Islands, or Oceania, are subdivided into Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia and classified as either high or low islands. The area covers 11 million square miles and offers limitless opportunities for divers to get up close and personal with the abundant sea life. On land, play some golf, hike around live volcanoes, or visit the local markets. Of course, luxuries are not found only in the natural world, as many of the islands offer fabulous five-star resorts and restaurants.

The Itinerary

You'll probably begin your journey in French Polynesia, taking a flight from Singapore, Sydney, or Los Angeles into Tahiti, the best-known island of the group. On the descent, you'll notice the sharp contrast between the clear-blue ocean and lush green rainforests. The capital of Papeete is a wonderful place to explore before heading to the harbor to board your chartered yacht. Take the short trip over to nearby Moorea, where Cooks Bay will draw you back to the mid 1700s when Cpt. Cook first set shore in the area. Bora Bora is the farthest west of the islands and is a popular honeymoon favorite due to its dreamlike setting.

Cook Islands are the next stop on your journey. Beautiful coral reefs and breath-taking lagoons make way for white-sand beaches lined with palm trees that herald your arrival from sea. The 15 islands that make up the chain rank among the best waters in the world for scuba diving. Explore myriad sea life along with a host of shipwrecks below the tranquil waters. With underwater visibility up to 200 feet, this locale provides ample opportunities for both advanced and novice scuba and snorkeling aficionados. When you head ashore, you'll find that tourism hasn't infiltrated the islands in the way it has other parts of the South Pacific, making your experience that much more enjoyable.

After exploring Cook Islands, make your way to Fiji, one of the favorite destinations for travelers to the South Pacific. The epicenter of the region, this is where cultures collide, creating a unique mix of Melanesia, Polynesia, India, and the Pacific—all tinged with both ancient and modern traditions. Of the 322 inhabitable isles, only 106 have residents, leaving more than 200 untouched. Guide your yacht to one of these and enjoy all the benefits of your own private island. You may even run across a hot spring, a remnant of the islands' inactive volcanoes. And, if the island is all yours, leave the swimsuit on the yacht and enjoy some natural wonder up close and personal.


AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

From the magnificent coral reefs of Queensland to the historical ports of Tasmania or the ancient green peaks of the Marlborough Sounds in New Zealand, a yacht charter vacation in Australasia is guaranteed to provide a taste of something rare. Whether you choose to commune with nature or enjoy the big-city life, you're never at a loss for activities Down Under. Australia is the world's largest island and its smallest continent, depending on how you choose to look at it. With a climate influenced by ocean tides, Australia offers everything from arid deserts to tropical rainforests.

Although a close neighbor to Australia, New Zealand sometimes feels like a world apart. Located 2,000 km southeast of its bigger cousin, the island is geographically isolated. Although relatively close to Antarctica, the warm ocean currents help New Zealand maintain a nearly year-round temperate climate perfect for land and sea adventures. Its two extraordinary islands encompass entire worlds, ranging from glaciers and ancient rainforests to hot-water beaches and thermal spas.

The Itinerary

No trip Down Under would be complete without a stop along the Great Barrier Reef. Stretching for 2,000 km along the eastern coast of Queensland, this is the largest barrier reef in the world. Meet nose to nose with its colorful inhabitants through diving or snorkeling, and even choose your dinner straight from the sea. While moving through the reef, be sure to make a stop in the Whitsundays, a group of islands off the coast of Queensland. A mix of national parks and first-class resorts, the area will pamper you in luxury and the warmth and beauty of the South Pacific.

Fraser Island is your next stop, the world's largest sand island and a place of incredible natural beauty. White sand dunes and fresh-water lakes are home to an amazing ecosystem of bird, marine, and wildlife.

Next, move down the eastern coast to Sydney, Australia's most vibrant city. The stunning Sydney harbor is the ideal location for your watercraft, be it a sailboat, powerboat, or corporate yacht charter. The Hawkesbury River, just north of Sydney, winds for more than 50 miles inland through spectacular sandstone cliffs, small towns, uninhabited islands, and woods.

Tasmania is the small island off the southern coast of New South Wales, just across the water from Melbourne. First, enjoy the hustle and bustle of Melbourne before moving to the more relaxed pace of Tasmania, where fabulous wines and culinary delights are ready to welcome you after your ship ride between the islands.

New Zealand has something unique to delight yacht charters on both of its islands. Auckland's Hauraki Gulf, Coromandel, and the Bay of Islands showcase miles of coastline, freckled with offshore islands and stunning beaches. The south island offers protected waterways and the spectacular scenery of Marlborough and Milford Sounds as well as the natural beauty of the Abel Tasman. New Zealand has some of the very best in world-class cuisine and wine, which means whether you charter a bareboat, crewed, powerboat, sail boat or luxury yacht, you're guaranteed to enjoy it in style.


INDIAN OCEAN

For generations, the Indian Ocean has served as a major sea route connecting the spices of Africa, fragrances of East Asia, and the wealth of the Middle East with Europe and the Americas. Today, the archipelagos of the Indian Ocean are renowned as some of the most spectacular yacht charter areas on the planet. Seychelles and Mauritius remain poised in magnificent isolation in the warm, azure waters of the Indian Ocean. Both the Seychelles and Mauritius are swept by the regular southeast trade winds. Pleasant and stable climatic conditions prevail year round, making the Indian Ocean archipelagos a sailboat charterer's dream.

The vast stretch of water making up the Indian Ocean is teeming with stunning coral and wild marine life. Here, gentle waves lap at the shores around which much of early civilization grew, leading to secluded areas of paradise.

The Itinerary

The Seychelles archipelago is known as the "Jewel of the Indian Ocean." Its idyllic white-sand beaches, calm waters, sparkling lagoons, and brilliant coral reefs are some of things that make the Seychelles special; however, it's the incredible and ancient wildlife reserves of rare and endangered species that make the Seychelles one of the most unique yacht charter destinations in the world. The Seychelles have even been cited as the original Garden of Eden. This extraordinary collection of some 100 islands and islets is home to perfect beaches and several nature reserves but is just one fraction of the size of the Maldives, the largest water-based country in the world.

Mauritius is equally as splendid as a yacht charter destination. There is no place on earth like it: It is the essence of fairytales and the vision of postcard perfection, where the world below the ocean is just as stunning as the one above. Enchantingly private and indulgently five-star, this unforgettable island is a relaxing dream. Almost entirely encircled by unbroken coral reefs, Mauritius is surrounded by natural, safe, crystal-clear lagoons, ideal for anchoring. Towering basalt pitons rise from a vast central plateau, surrounded by subtropical forests, rivers, steams and waterfalls.

On another trip—or for a longer journey—venture north to the Maldives. Known as the pearls of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives are the epitome of resplendent tropical islands. These ancient coral islands are rich in natural treasure: Tranquil azure seas kiss the sugary beaches that stretch for miles, rich in tantalizing seclusion. The bountiful sea surrounding this chain of thousands of isles is teeming with diverse marine life and healthy coral atolls, which are home to the rays, turtles, lobsters, and mammoth school of fish native to the area. Around 200 islands in the Maldives archipelago are inhabited, which leaves a wealth of immaculate cays and islets to delve into deeply. With thriving reefs fecund with life, every kind of diver, whether novice or advanced, will adore the stunning underwater display.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA

Teeming with various languages and cultures, the Mediterranean is believed by many historians to be the birthplace of civilization. History abounds in the region, and you can spend months yachting from Gibraltar and the French Rivera to Cyprus. You'll find world-class resorts, gorgeous beaches, architectural wonders, and unspoiled natural beauty across the sea, the central superhighway of transport, trade, and cultural exchange between diverse peoples.

The Mediterranean is considered the most luxurious and famous sailing ground in the world—and for good reason! Follow the adventures of Ulysses or the ancient commercial Phoenician navigators and immerse yourself in lore. Luxuriate in the wealth of cuisine and wine, which you can enjoy in year-round temperate conditions. In just a few days, or roughly 700 nautical miles, you can pass through six countries, more than 1,000 islands, and 3,000 years of history. When you feel like a dip, remember that this closed sea hosts no sharks or poisonous fish in its tropical waters, so jump in!

The Itinerary

If you move west to east, Mallorca is a wonderful starting point. The famous island offers great natural beauty, quiet anchorages, excellent Spanish and Mediterranean restaurants, extensive historical points of interest, and plenty of great bays and ports to discover. You can enjoy the bustle of Palma, cruise to the quieter, upscale ports around the island, and also use it as a base to explore the other Balearic islands of Ibiza and Menorca.

Savor the glamour of Monte Carlo, Porto Cervo, and St. Tropez with some time on the French Riviera. The season kicks off with the celebrity of the Cannes Film Festival and the adrenaline of the Monaco Grand Prix, and until September, the whole region is lively with glamorous parties, night and day. The French Alps will be your backdrop as you wine and dine among the world's movers and shakers.

As your yacht makes its way to Italy, take some time to visit Corsica, France's best-kept secret. Then continue on to Sardinia, one of the top Mediterranean destinations for the glamour set. If offers the ports, beaches, hotels, and hot spots that you would expect, but you can also find an unspoiled, ancient Sardinia, home to shepherds, timeless villages, and medieval churches.

Continue to practice your Italian with some time in Sicily, which has been drawing visitors to its beauty and charm for thousands of years. The toe of the Italian boot offers a relaxed Mediterranean pace, superb cuisine, timeless ports, and amazing ruins, with the glorious backdrop of the famous Etna volcano.

The Aegean Sea is home to more than 6,000 Greek islands and islets, of which only 78 have more than 100 inhabitants. You can spend a month or more just exploring all of the riches of these islands, from scuba and snorkeling to land adventures seeing ruins from centuries past. One of the top yachting destinations in the world, Greece offers secluded ports, bustling cities, and renowned cuisine.