Baglietto 40m Superyacht Concept Abaco

Baglietto announced plans at the 60th Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show to launch a Bahamas inspired superyacht. Designed by Santa Maria Magnolfi, the Abaco concept is a tribute to those affected by the recent Hurricane Dorian. Baglietto claim that they will donate a percentage of the first sale towards relief efforts in the Bahamas.

The Bahamas are known for the great outdoors and Baglietto’s concept is no different. The Abaco concept will feature over 120m2 of outdoor space on the main aft deck. This vast area will provide guests with unparalleled sunbathing, socialising and al fresco dining spaces. Imagine embarking in Nassau and taking in the spectacular views of the Exumas on your Bahamas Yacht Charter.

The interior design will use natural materials such as tropical woods, teak and linen to create refined surroundings. The continuity between the external and internal social areas will give a greater sense of space. Accommodation will be provided for 10 guests in 5 cabins, comprising the main deck master suite and 4 supplementary staterooms below deck. Get your family together for a fun-filled summer yacht charter.

The Bahamas continue to be the must-visit winter destination and you should support the local people by visiting. The Exumas islands are in pristine condition and Nassau was unaffected, so get your group together for this winters Bahamas crewed motor yacht charter.

Watch this space for further updates on the Hurricane Dorian relief efforts and the latest superyacht news.

Where to Eat in St Barths

It is no wonder that the powdery white beaches of St Barthelemy (often spelled St Barth’s, St Barts or St Barth) continues to attract the rich and famous yearly as they congregate for their Winter Caribbean holidays. This small, free-spirited island is more rugged and less lush than some of the other Caribbean islands, but it has culture, shopping, and all the amenities that cater to the jet set. Expect to find secluded beaches, fine restaurants and fashionable shopping hotspots on this mountainous island.

St Barths is an overseas territory of France and offers excellent cuisine generally derived from its French roots. There is a wide range of choice from hip brasseries in the Port of Gustavia, to local beach restaurants serving Creole food, and sophisticated French gourmet restaurants overlooking the sea. In the wake of 2017’s devastating Hurricane Irma, St. Barths rebuilt at an astonishing rate and high cost to get the island back close to what it was.

The Sand, The Eden Rock

A table at Eden Rock’s restaurant and bars is a priority reservation for epicureans.  The Sand Restaurant and Rémy Bar and the Bar on the Beach nearby, gleam in the reflected blue of the Caribbean. Cuisine is masterminded by world-famous Master Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten who exemplifies a career made stellar with the successful development of Michelin-starred kitchens and restaurants from NYC to Chicago to Tokyo and São Paulo and by writing seminal cookery books plus presenting TV cooking shows.The Sand is the culinary heart of the hotel and its unique setting represents St Barths’ character and its laid-back beach style. Signature Sand classics include truffle pizza, crispy salmon and new vegan matcha crème brûlée. In the evening, enjoy caramelised foie-gras with black-olive seasoning.

Le Tamarin

Le Tamarin has been newly renovated and is set within a shadowy garden near Saline Beach. Scenery is lush and relaxing – water features, low lighting and breezy palms and grasses. The restaurant is cosy with intimate tables tucked away along the walkway. Dishes include yellow fin tuna, wild shrimp ravioli with octopus in in lobster broth and taste aux pommes. This fabulous menu is accompanied by a fantastic wine list, including a 2006 Pétrus and a cocktail list with modern and classics cocktails. Be sure to visit during your Yacht Charter!

Shellona

Overlooking Shell Beach, Shellona is a Greek lunch Restaurant & Beach Club. Enjoy an exceptional setting facing the Caribbean Sea. With its unique location, have lunch while listening to the DJ or live music bands, relax on one of our sun beds or a cocktails admiring the most beautiful sunset on the island. Chef Yiannis Kioroglou and his team offer an authentic Mediterranean cuisine, acclaimed for their flavoured grilled food seasoned with the best aromatic herbs and marinades. Chef Yiannis bridges cultures and styles with cuisine that injects creativity into classic recipes featuring coconut milk-infused mahi-mahi fish or raspberry and watermelon lemonade.

Contact one of our Brokers today to book your St Barths Yacht Charter.

What to See in the British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands, more commonly known as the BVI, is yacht charter paradise. The BVI have all of the ingredients for a perfect Caribbean sailing holiday: consistent winds, gorgeous islands, a mixture of deserted beaches, luxury hotels, shipwrecks, beach party towns and a charm that perfectly fits the tranquillity of sailing. The BVI is one of the most prestigious yacht charter destinations in the world. Here are 3 of our favourite places to visit during your BVI Yacht Charter.

Jost Van Dyke

Jost Van Dyke (colloquially referred to as JVD or Jost) is the smallest of the four main islands of the British Virgin Islands, measuring roughly 8 square kilometres and is situated in the northern portion of the Virgin Islands. Jost Van Dyke lies about 8 km to the northwest of Tortola and like many of the neighbouring islands, it is volcanic in origin and mountainous.

Great Harbour and White Bay at Jost Van Dyke are perfect stops if you enjoy a cocktail or two. Have a few rounds of Pain Killers at The Soggy Dollar, home of the infamous cocktail and one of the top bars in the Caribbean. Head on to White Bay’s beach bar scene, one of the liveliest anchorages in the BVI. Hop from Coco Loco, to Seddy’s One Love, and Gertrude’s, which are just a few steps away from Ivan’s Stress-Free. An evening spent in Great Harbour wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Foxy’s. Incredibly fun, it is overflowing with island character, great food, dancing and Foxy’s Fire Water Rum.

The Baths

The Baths are BVI National Park located on the southwest tip of Virgin Gorda and are known as one of the most incredible experiences of the BVI. The Baths are large clear pools of water in a cave-like atmosphere that were naturally formed by the sea washing over large granite boulders. The boulders form natural tidal pools, tunnels, arches, and scenic grottoes that are open to the sea. The largest boulders are about 40 feet long. Light plays on the water in secret rock pools, which are bordered by cool white sand pathways.

Norman Island

Norman Island is an island at the southern tip of the British Virgin Islands. Norman Island is also known as Treasure Island with stories of pirate treasure being found in the Caves. A large harbour known as the Bight offers one of the most protected anchorages in the area. The Caves are just a short trip away in the tender and the snorkelling is fantastic. Norman Island is a well-known destination for cruisers and other tourists because of three water-level caves at the base of cliffs just outside the western edge of the Bight. With no permanent inhabitants other than wild goats, there are two restaurants on the island, Pirates Bight and The Club. Just outside of Norman Island is The Indians, an outstanding day stop for some of the best snorkelling in the BVI. The reefs showcase the most vibrant underwater life.

Contact one of our brokers today to help organise your BVI Yacht Charter!

Where to Eat in the BVIs

The British Virgin Islands, more commonly known as the BVI, is a yacht charter paradise. The BVI have all of the ingredients for a perfect Caribbean sailing holiday: consistent winds, gorgeous islands, a mixture of deserted beaches, luxury hotels, shipwrecks, beach party towns and, of course, fantastic restaurants. 

The impeccable white sandy beaches beckon you to sit back, soak up the rays and chill out, or by the ideal sailing conditions from island to island, the culinary landscape of the BVI naturally reflects Caribbean influences that will dazzle your appetite with all you’re looking to enjoy. 

Cooper Island Beach Club

This breathtaking sunset stop is surrounded by a sandy white beach dotted with palm trees, connected by a lushly landscaped boardwalk. Happy hour, lunch and dinner menus are infused with delicious specialty options that can include Seared tuna salad and Josper grilled mahi mahi to Aberdeen Angus Steak and Vegan curry. Lunch is served between 12-3pm and dinner between 5:30 and 8:30 pm and is open between October 25th and August 11.

The connected Rum Bar has a collection of over 280 rums, meaning they have the largest selection in the Virgin Islands. Featured are a range of house-infusions, rare aged rums and classic cocktails made with rums from all over the world. Try a rum sampler board and their knowledgeable staff will explain the origins and history while you take in the atmosphere. Be sure to ask about their homemade rum infused chocolates.

Kick back on their comfy outdoor sofas and enjoy the sunshine with a cocktail. The beach bar and decked lounge faces west – perfect for watching a beautiful Caribbean sunset.

Saba Rock

Getting to Saba Rock near Virgin Gorda is just the beginning, as this tiny island resort is only accessible via yacht. Once you arrive, you’ll see why this has been a longtime favourite of both locals and tourists. The happy hour here is an especially lively scene. The food, however, is straightforward and comforting. A house specialty is Lobster Escargot, which features locally-caught Anegada lobster baked with lemon, garlic, and butter. Ben sure to take a look at one of the chef’s specialties, like the tropical beef stir fry or Caribbean spiced chicken. Wash it all down with a refreshing cocktail. Be warned that The Painkillers here are especially strong.

Note – Saba Rock has been closed since Hurricane Irma and is in the process of extensive renovations. It is slated for a reopening in the 2020 charter season!

CocoMaya

This beachfront restaurant in Virgin Gorda has a chic design – think basket pendant lighting, customised stone bar, and bamboo accents everywhere – and flavourful Asian-inspired menu of shared plates. Sip their signature cocktails in the open-air bar, or drink them right on the sand! Enjoy an exotic blend of Asian and Latin cuisines with creative twists. Try the Spicy Calamari Salad and Tempura Shrimp Lettuce Wraps or try our Sushi, including their famous CocoMaya roll.  The wine list is extensive, and the cocktail program is fun, too, with the best seller being the Cojito, a playful twist on the classic mojito that features coconut water and a coconut rim.

Contact one of our Brokers today to organise your Virgin Islands Yacht Charter.

Let’s take you sailing with Captain Ning!

The Boatbookings Brokers have delivered another fantastic summer season in the Mediterranean. Crewed Catamaran charters continue to rise in popularity; they are extremely safe for children, provide double cabins for couples and lots of sociable volumes for families. Now that the 2019 Mediterranean season has closed, where can you go this winter to escape the dark winter nights in search of paradise?

The Caribbean continues to be the popular choice for many yacht charterers, especially around the British Virgin Islands. The Grenadines are increasing popular as the season develops, but the area we would recommend for winter 2020 is South East Asia. Phuket is easily accessible from many international hubs and provides great island hopping. You will also enjoy cultural tours and mesmerising diving opportunities. Check our 7 night Phuket crewed catamaran itinerary for inspiration.

BLUE MOON is one of our favourite Lagoon catamarans in Thailand. Not only is BLUE MOON one of the newest Lagoon 52s in the area but she has a spectacular crew. Our clients rave about Captain Ning, his knowledge, experience and expertise. See a recent testimonial from one of our last charter.


M.S’s Review: 5 Stars *****

“ Captain Ning Rocks! We had an amazing family Christmas sailing from Phuket around Phang Nga bay. We made it all the way down to Koh Rok`s stunning turquoise sea and white sand beaches. The whole family love Thai food so we chose to eat Thai all week and we were amazed at how fabulous every meal was – definitely exceeded out expectations. We had never sailed on a catamaran before so we were all thrilled with how smooth she was and how much space and comfortable we were.   Captain Ning knew where to take us to and timed it to ensure we avoided the busy tourist times and best of all was when we got the sail up, turned the engine off and went with the wind…. ”

We know that you will love your time around Phuket and would really recommend taking your family and friends on a Thailand adventure over the winter months. Let the Boatbookings Broker Team help you today!