Southeast Asia – The winds they are a changing

The predominant weather pattern in Southeast Asia is the monsoon winds. Broadly speaking, the winds are southwesterlies from May to October, and northeasterlies from November to April. This leads to different ‘high seasons’ for sailing in different countries in the region, and some yachts moving destinations to follow the high seasons.

Two of our favourite yachts have just finished their charter season in Phuket and Myanmar, and are heading southeast to more almost unexplored sailing areas in Borneo, the Philippines and Indonesia.

Stunning scenery in Indonesia, best explored by yacht!

Sailing yacht ASIA is currently heading to the Komodo National Park of Indonesia, and will be available there from mid-July, then heading further east to Raja Ampat for October and November.

Phinisi RAJA is available initially in Borneo and Palawan, before heading east to Komodo and Raja Ampat. If you want exploration sailing and diving in the most biodiverse waters on earth, Raja Ampat is the place to go.

You can read a little about the climates in Thailand and Indonesia on these pages:

https://www.boatbookings.com/yachting_content/thailand_phuket_pattaya_yacht_charter.php

https://www.boatbookings.com/yachting_content/indonesia_bali_java_yacht_charter.php

To speak with our Southeast Asia expert, Kevin, get in touch today and start planning your dream yachting vacation!

Posted on July 16, 2014 by admin — No Comments ↓

The Best of the BVI!

The freedom to explore in supreme luxury and comfort is what sets yacht charters apart from other types of holiday. Whether you are on a 30 foot sailing yacht or a 100m super yacht, you are free to cruise around and visit as many places as you wish. A great place to take advantage of this freedom is in the BVI. You will have to return to this beautiful corner of the Caribbean more than once to experience all that is on offer but that is not to say that a week is not enough time to explore and enjoy this slice of heaven.

Who hasn’t dreamed of having their own desert island. On Sandy Spit, just off Jos Van Dyke, indulge your dream, if only for a few hours. A beautiful place to stop for lunch and with terrific snorkelling in the coral reef, this tiny island is perfect for a day trip.

Once you’ve escaped the outside world for long enough, head over to Willy T’s to cool off with a cocktail. This old schooner off the coast of Norman Island serves simple food for lunch and dinner before the party starts in the evenings.

LA MANGUITA is a superb yacht to enjoy the best of the BVI on. She is spacious and comfortable on board and, with a top speed of 24 knots, you’ll get wherever you want to be in a hurry.

Below deck, the contemporary finish with deep leather sofas and hard wood floors is wonderfully elegant and cool. The cabins are spacious, well-lit and indulgently comfortable.

Above deck, dine al fresco on the beautiful aft deck and relax in the sun on the flybridge. LA MANGUITA has everything that you need to enjoy an unforgettable charter in the Caribbean.

If you are interested in chartering in the Caribbean, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Boatbookings team.

Posted on July 15, 2014 by admin — No Comments ↓

Catamaran Cruise in the Caribbean Anyone?

Catamarans have always been very popular amongst charter guests. Be it a power cat or a traditional sailing catamaran, the level of performance is superb, making them ideal for those looking to explore and travel more during their charter. This performance is certainly not at the expense of comfort. The wide beam, a characteristic on all catamarans, creates space for huge salons, ample outdoor space and generous staterooms. A catamaran charter spent gliding across the crystal clear Caribbean Sea is the perfect antidote to to post Christmas and winter blues to which us European folk have become all too accustomed.

As already mentioned, space is not an issue with catamarans, tri-deck catamarans such as ATLANTIS II, offering truly indulgent levels of space, are a diamond dozen however!

Her interior is simple, laid back and comfortable, perfectly encapsulating the Caribbean approach to life. The cabins are decorated in the same style. Spacious and furnished with inviting beds, these staterooms are blissfully relaxing and comfortable.

With the sun shining and the turquoise water below inviting you in, it is above deck where most guests will spend the lion’s share of their time on board. A large aft deck and masses of open space on the forward deck are great for relaxing in the shade or working on your tan. When you fancy cooling off, a hydraulic platform offers easy access to and from the water and when white sand is spotted on the horizon, simply glide up onto the beach, drop the ladder and run ashore.

ZINGARA is a fantastic alternative for those looking for a sailing catamaran. A terrific crew greet you on board, allowing you to sit back, relax and admire the view. The range of water toys available on board is just superb. From jet skis to paddle board, scuba gear to hobie cats, ZINGARA has it all. Don’t take my word for it though, check out the video below to see the life of luxury that awaits you on board.

If you are interested in chartering ZINGARA, ATLANTIS II, or any of our other yachts, don’t hesitate to contact the Boatbookings team.

Posted on July 11, 2014 by admin — No Comments ↓

HIGHLANDER – The Forbes Family Superyacht enters the Charter Market!

HIGHLANDER, built in 1986 for Malcolm Forbes, the editor-in-chief of Forbes magazine boasts entertaining celebrity guests such as Ronald Regan, Baroness Thatcher, Liz Taylor and Sir Paul McCartney. Previously based on the East Coast of the US, offering famous “money tours” with her money-green hull, HIGHLANDER is now available for charter on the French Riviera.

Recently acquired by American financier Roberto di Guardiola, who has extensively re-fitted the yacht in a hugely sympathetic manner, she now feels like a yacht of the modern day but still boasts the prowess and tour de force of those who have walked her beautiful teak decks. Following Malcolm’s death in the 1990s, his son Scott recalled entertaining the late Baroness Thatcher and her husband Denis when he was seeking Republican Presidential candidate nomination in 2000.

Admittedly it’s easy to see why heritage alone may tempt you into chartering HIGHLANDER but with a new offering of 162-feet of living space, a classic tender, expansive sundecks, gym facilities and an outstanding design including her freshly painted dark and dominating hull she sells herself even without reeling off her impressive CV of guests.

For more information on this stunning super yacht like no other contact us today.

Posted on July 10, 2014 by admin — No Comments ↓

Sailing Regattas in Phuket this July!

It’s time for another update from Boatbookings.com South East Asia expert Kevin who is looking forward to the July sailing regattas in Phuket, read on to find out more!

Proving that Phuket really is an all year round sailing destination, there are two racing events going on in Phuket this July.

Firstly, there is the Multihull Solutions Multihull Regatta from the 10th to 13th July, held at the Ao Chalong Yacht Club in Phuket. Over 20 catamarans and trimarans are already confirmed entrants. Kevin has been a regular visitor to some of the Phuket sailing regattas over the recent years and says that they are always “serious sailing by day, but great social fun in the bar afterwards!”.

The fantastic Multihull Regatta is followed by the Phuket Raceweek from the 16th to 21st July, with over 40 yachts entered in different categories this year’s racing is set to be spectacular! This regatta is based out of the Cape Panwa Hotel on the southeast coast of Phuket.

One of Kevin’s favourite small crewed catamaran charter yachts will be competing in Phuket Race Week, he’ll be watching how she gets on with interest….good luck little Cabriolet!

To charter a yacht in Phuket, or anywhere else in South East Asia get in touch with Kevin and start planning your dream sailing vacation.

Posted on July 9, 2014 by admin — No Comments ↓