On visiting the Amalfi Coast, you can avoid clinging to the cliffs along the narrow wind roads by chartering a yacht and instead fall in love with the stunning cliff faces dropping away into the sparkling Mediterranean, the quaint century-old fishing towns that climb precariously up the hillsides and of course the many tastes and scents of the exquisite food grown and cooked on this vibrant coastline.
Discover one of the world’s most prestigious culinary landscapes, from Naples and its pizza to magnificent seafood dishes served on this coast, there is a flavor for everyone and it is always fresh and tangy.
Northern Sardinia is well-known as a sailor’s paradise, where you will find some of the dreamiest beaches and anchorages that remind you of an exotic Caribbean island! Sailing from Corsica, you can make your way through the idyllic Maddalena Archipelago and then down to the remarkable Costa Smerelda to see some of the world’s most beautiful natural coves and beaches.
When someone says “tropical island paradise” what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Sandy beaches as far as the eye can see stretching mystically beneath the satisfyingly sapphire water?
Perhaps the beach in mind is paired with a nestling of sun-strengthened palms; a melange of white gold complemented beautifully by the emerald, carelessly natural presence of the proud standing palm trees; such a scene, glistening with subtle pride, reminiscent of a piece of royal jewelry boasting a plethora of colorful stones… We can all picture our ideal Island Haven, but you may not know that you can find such timeless scenes just around the ocean’s corner.
After spending five months living as a local in Guadeloupe, our charter broker Alice, found many reasons to charter in this Franco-African archipelago known by many as “Gwada”.A mixture of languages, cultures and activities makes these islands among the most diverse that the Caribbean has to offer. Here is why:
1. Island Hopping The sailing possibilities are endless around the five islands that make up the French Caribbean archipelago of Guadeloupe. Each Island of Guadeloupe has a distinct and raw vibe and still manages stay in tune with its African and French roots.
Grande Terre –Perfect for surfing, Creole inspired food markets and white sand beaches.
One of the many stunning beaches on Grande TerreA collection of Caribbean spices at a market in Grande Terre
Basse Terre –A perfect stop off to visit waterfalls, diving, natural beauty spots including the national park and natural hot baths.
Basse Terre
La Désirade
La Désirade
Iles des Saintes – This archipelagio within the archipelago is a sailors paradise, ideal for exploring on bike and for water activities such as paddleboarding.
Iles des Saintes
Marie-Galante –Well known for beaches such as La Feuillère, its stunning coral reef and 19th century sugar-cane plantation.
Or If you fancy visiting even more islands you can always sail to to neighbouring islands of Antigua (33 nautical miles), Dominica (26 nautical miles) or Martinique (52 nautical miles).
2. The perfect blend of Rhum and Croissants Due to its French legacy, every street in this Creole paradise will have a French Patisserie and, most definitely, a Rhumerie. Creole specialities are diverse from every other Caribbean island and typically include accras de morue (cod fritters), bananes flambées, fricassé de poulpe (octopus) and even a deep fried ‘Bokit’ sandwich with a variety of French fillings. It may be the only place in the world where a relaxing two hour lunch is acceptable. To begin, a Ti’Punch, a rum based aperitif, followed by a Caribbean curry and a bottle of French wine. From the finest of restaurants to street shacks, you are guaranteed to be able to find some of the most diverse food and drink that the Caribbean has to offer.
3. Diving The diving schools on the Reserve Cousteau are among the most reputable in the world. There is even a Jacques Cousteau statue at one of the dive sites. The relaxed nature of these French dive schools will give you an authentic experience exploring these crystal waters, and the opportunity to see some of the largest varieties of fish in the Caribbean. There area multitude of diving options from snorkelling, first time diving, exploring or deep shipwreck dives.
4. The Beaches There are 270 beaches spread across the islands of Guadeloupe and all are known to be gorgeous. There are both white and black sand beaches and even volcanos in the distant landscape.Each beach has a different vibe and many have quaint beach bars that serve planteur until the early hours.
5. Accessibility There are direct flights from Miami, New York and Paris to Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe’s main airport, which makes this archipelago of islands a must-visit for your next charter.There is also a ferry service from Antigua and many flights from other Caribbean islands.
Boatbookings has been organising charters in the Caribbean for over 14 years. If you are interested in chartering a yacht in Guadeloupe, please do get in touch with our expert brokers here. We have yachts available for charter in many amazing Caribbean destinations.
For further information about passports and visas when visiting Guadeloupe, click here.
It’s the week of the Cannes Yachting Festival, and, whilst the electric pulse of innovation ripples through the air, whilst there are scores of brand-new, shining-bright yachts all lined-up and immaculately presented; whilst you can walk through the gate and see nothing but boats, masts, sails and sea all around, my attention has turned to the water toys.
Seeing all these newly-released yachts and catamarans truly is an experience, however, it gets to the point where all these boats begin to melt into one big entity; the stunning-white of the hull, the neutral, contemporary trim of the interior, the comfortable, open aft-deck… This is when you start to notice the smaller things; the bold splashes of colour that stand out amongst the avalanche of white tents and boats; the water toys.
When it comes to chartering a superyacht, in my opinion, the actual yacht itself is only half of the decision. That’s not to say it’s not important, however: this boat will be your home for the next week or so, so it has to be up to standard! Yet, to me, the purpose of chartering a yacht is not only to enjoy an incomparably luxurious experience, but it’s also make the most of the complete freedom and privacy that comes with being on open water- and how can you do that if you haven’t got a good selection of toys with which to stretch your legs on the high seas?
Nowadays, in a world of innovation and original thought, there seems to be an endless supply of imagination when it comes to the invention of toys and tenders to accompany your superyacht; with such a wide range of choice, and even more on the horizon, it’s hard to decide which aspects to even begin considering for your charter! One thing is for sure, though: whether you are with family or friends, with parents or young children, or maybe with clients and potential buyers; whatever the occasion, you will definitely want some water toys to go with your charter!
To some people, yacht-toys may seem a bit like overkill: when you take into consideration the size of the yacht, the completely bespoke interiors and luxuries one can only imagine in a top-star hotel, it’s understandable why some people don’t see the importance of such amenities. However, from some perspectives, the addition of yacht toys such as jet skis, waterskis and inflatables is a total necessity; it provides you with the opportunity to try new things, explore different places, and maybe even discover a new, adventurous side to your personality. For families, water toys can be the perfect option for tiring out the kids and getting some well-needed rest. They are also, however, the perfect family-bonding opportunity; just imagine the laughter, jokes and memories that accompany your first time trying to ski on water; or maybe getting some family competition stirred-up in the form of jet ski racing, or even shouting words of encouragement to whomever is holding on for dear life, being pulled at top speed on the back of a donut!
I have done some research and compiled a list of my favourite water toys, ranging from the universally popular ones to the most innovative:
The Sub-Wing began its story as a piece of driftwood and a waterski rope in 2010. Simon Sivertsen formulated the concept of mimicking flying underwater, and graduated from a plank of wood to two chopping boards tied to a pole and then, finally, after much careful crafting and calculation, to the professional piece-of-kit we see today.
The usability of the Sub-Wing is incredibly simple, with a range of sizes to suit different ages, the Sub-Wing is a piece of equipment that won’t take long to work out – hold on to both wings and twist forward or back to go up, down or barrel-roll – and, once you’ve got the hang of it, it can be one of the most rewarding, adrenaline-fuelled water activities!
The Seabreacher looks like it was taken straight out of an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie (I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s where the idea came from); a Frankenstein’s combination of, well, submarine missile, F1 fighter jet and- depending on which model you go for- either an orca whale, dolphin or shark.
For a taste of the tranquil life of dolphins, or the predatory, high-octane life of sharks, the Seabreacher is the only vessel that can provide it! Dive down to 5 feet, and then burst through the surface in true Jaws-fashion at speeds of up to 60mph! Step up your game by practicing the various stunts that are possible, such as barrel-rolling or launching out of the water.
These two inflatable amenities really speak for themselves in the world of water toys; who could say no to the thrill of sliding from the Flybridge of your yacht charter and being greeted by the refreshingly cool, clear waters of the Mediterranean or Caribbean? Perfect for every member of the family-including your dog- the yacht water slide is a welcome addition to the yachting world.
The Yacht Blob, however, is for those who seek more of a thrill than the slide can provide. Imagine a giant, inflatable…blob…floating next to your yacht. This blob has been designed in a way as to quench the thirst of the adrenaline junkies by literally launching them through the air. They will sit on one end of the blob, and a couple of other people will jump from the highest (and safest) point of their yacht, landing on the other end of the blob. The combined weight and force of the two people will cause the one at the other end to be launched away from the boat through the air and landing safely in the sea.
The Seabob has become a well-established amenity in yacht charters. This water toy could be likened to an underwater jet-pack, but you will have to hold on tight as it pulls you through the water!
The Seabob is a toy for confident swimmers, reaching speeds of up to 14km/h under water. Imagine being in the middle of a pod of dolphins or turtles, matching their pace as they race through the open water- that is the experience that a Seabob will allow you to achieve!
How could it be a water toys blog if it didn’t feature the Jetlev water jetpack? Every time I see one of these it reminds me of the imaginatively-absurd technology one sees in James Bond- but this is real!
This water-propelled jet-pack has taken the world of water toys by storm; a worthy opponent to parasailing, I’m 100% positive it’s one of those activities that looks easy until you actually attempt it yourself.
If you are interested in trying out these different toys, one of our charter brokers will be more than happy to discuss with you the best charter to suit your interests- just drop us a line, and we’ll be sure to get back to you!
Discover one of the world’s most prestigious culinary landscapes, from Naples and its pizza to magnificent seafood dishes served on this coast, there is a flavor for everyone and it is always fresh and tangy.
