The Best Super Yacht in New Zealand and the South Pacific!

New Zealand and the South Pacific are two of the most beautiful parts of the world, with striking geographical features, crystal blue waters and bounteous sunshine. It was no surprise when the casting crew of The Lord of the Rings chose New Zealand to film one of the most successful trilogies in history there. Home to some of the worlds best lamb, rugby and white wine, New Zealand is waiting to be explored and will certainly not disappoint.

One of the best ways to experience New Zealand and to travel around the South Pacific is by motor yacht and we would highly recommend VVS1, a 34m Luxury Alloy Yacht.  She is often described as the diamond of the South Pacific and has won many awards, including the best motor yacht sub 40m at the World Super Yacht Awards in Venice 2008 and three awards at the World Yacht Trophies 2013. Her interior and general design is second to none and features sleek lines, elegance and the very latest equipment and technology. For example, she features a Tepinyaki bar which would be ideal for holding a fun dinner party.

She charters in both New Zealand and the Pacific Islands and we would definitely recommend her in both places. If you are looking for a specific place to charter, we would recommend chartering her during the summer in Fiji to visit both Suva and Nadi. If you would like more information on VVS1 or how to charter her, please enquire through our website or send an email to [email protected]. We would be delighted to help you organise an experience of a lifetime in one on the worlds most beautiful areas. Watch this space for the latest yachting news, destination updates and luxury products.

Luxury Yacht Charter in the Spanish Virgin Islands

Found just west of the US Virgin Islands, Vieques and Culebra (collectively know as the Spanish Virgin Islands) are geographically part of Puerto Rico. Separated from the hustle-bustle and commercialism of the Puerto Rico mainland by a 90-minute boat ride, the islands offer stunning natural vistas that are so far completely unspoiled by commercialism.

Vieques:

Between 1941 and 2003 the majority of the island of Vieques was closed off by the US Navy, who used the area as a training range. As a result, Vieques remained almost entirely undeveloped for tourism and it is this lack of development that is now considered to be a key attraction. Even during peak season you will be lucky to spot another group of tourists on the beach within 50 yards.

Following the withdrawal of the US Navy, Vieques was classified as a “Fish and Wildlife refuge”. It is now promoted as an ecotourism destination that offers unspoiled beaches famous for their wild horses, which roam freely around several areas of the island.

Vieques is home to one of the most spectacular natural phenomena found in the Caribbean. The bioluminescent bay in Puerto Mosquito has officially been declared the brightest in the world. The luminescence is caused by billions of tiny micro-organisms which give a neon-blue glow whenever the water is disturbed.

Snorkeling on the island is excellent, especially at Blue Beach (Bahía de la Chiva) and Sun Bay, while for the evenings Vieques offers some of the finest food in Puerto Rico, including the famous carne guisada puertorriqueña (Puerto Rican beef stew).

Culebra:

The smaller of the two main Spanish Virgin Islands, Culebra is a great destination for nature lovers. With shallow waters and magnificent reefs full of tropical fish, Culebra’s quiet bays are perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving. The island is well-known for its beautiful countryside and offers plenty of opportunities for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding.

One of the most popular places for both locals and tourists to eat on the island is the Dinghy Dock bar. Dinghy Dock offers an unlimited salad bar and specializes in locally caught fresh fish such as swordfish and snapper.

It is impossible to leave Culebra without a visit to Flamenco Beach, which is home to many different species of Caribbean Sea fish including parrotfish and blue tang. Flamenco Beach is a very popular surfing destination due the waves created when the surf breaks on the reef a quarter mile out to sea.

One of our favorite yachts available for charter in Puerto Rico is the Lagoon 45 Crewed Catamaran MISS KITTYwith accommodation for up to 4 guests in 2 queen cabins. MISS KITTY offers a wide variety of watersports and toys and is perfect for a romantic vacation or time spent with close family.

For more information on chartering a yacht in Puerto Rico please have a look at our recent blog post on Luxury Yacht Charteres in Puerto Rico or our Puerto Rico Yacht Charter Guide. Alternatively, you can send an enquiry email to [email protected].

Top 10 Caribbean Crewed Catamaran Charter Yacht, TIGER LILY

There is no better way to experience the Caribbean than on a crewed catamaran charter and one of our favourites is TIGER LILY, a 66ft Gunboat. She was voted as the third best crewed catamaran at the BVI Yacht Show by our Senior Broker for Greece and the Caribbean, Lambros Tsolakis. Check out the video below and you will see why she is one of our favourites and why you should charter her in the BVI this winter.

Watch this space for up to date information on yachts available for your next vacation, including offers, destination itineraries and yachting news. To enquire about a yacht, please send an email to [email protected] or through the yacht page. We look forward to helping you organise an experience of a lifetime.

Luxury Yacht Charter in Puerto Rico

With beautiful white sandy beaches, fantastic sporting opportunities and many family-friendly resorts, Puerto Rico is an extremely popular destination for luxury sailing charters. The fact that visitors from the United States do not need a passport to enter Puerto Rico attracts a large number of tourists from the US mainland each year.

With a population of nearly 400,000, the capital city of San Juan is one of the busiest cities in the Caribbean. Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport connects the island with major US cities such as New York, Miami, Philidelphia and Boston. The airport is also connected to several key cities in Europe (London, Madrid and Frankfurt) and most of the top destinations in the Virgin Islands. It is estimated that over 4 million passengers use the airport each year. The Port of San Juan is the fourth busiest seaport in the Western Hemisphere, with piers for up to 4 cruise ships located along the San Antonio Canal. However, the cities of Humacao and Farjado are equally popular with private yacht charterers looking for rest and relaxation.

Humacao, found on the eastern coast of the island, is home to Palmas de Mar – a megaresort that covers an area of more than 3,000 acres (12 km2). The resort contains over 20 tennis courts, two world-class golf courses, a health club and spa, a casino, many fantastic restaurants, a world class riding centre and, of course, miles of stunning beaches. The nearby Punta Santiago beach is the perfect place to relax and offers a stunning view of Coyo Santiago (Monkey Island).

Many of restaurants found in Humacao serve typical Puerto Rican cuisine. These foods are the result of a blend of Spanish, African and American influences. Puerto Ricans pride themselves on their use of local fruits, herbs and spices such as coriander, papaya, cacao, plantains, and yampee. Chicken, fresh fish and shellfish are all extremely popular dishes.

The nearby city of Fajardo is the main hub of recreational boating in Puerto Rico and a popular point from which to travel to the Spanish Virgin Islands of Vieques and Culebra. Found just west of the US Virgin Islands, Vieques and Culebra are geographically part of Puerto Rico.

Luquillo Beach has coral reefs that protect the waters from the often rough Atlantic currents, making it a good place for young children to swim and ideal for snorkeling. Luquillo also has tent sites and picnic areas with changing rooms, lockers and showers. Fajardo is also home to one of the only Bioluminescent Lagoons in the world. The luminescence is caused by microorganisms which glow whenever the water is disturbed, leaving a mesmerising trail of neon blue.

One of our favorite yachts available for charter in Puerto Rico is the Lagoon 45 Crewed Catamaran MISS KITTY. With accommodation for up to 4 guests in 2 queen cabins, MISS KITTY is perfect for a romantic vacation and spending time with close family. She is an ideal charter for families with children, as there are endless water toys and board games to keep them entertained.

For more information on chartering a yacht in Puerto Rico please have a look at our Puerto Rico Yacht Charter Guide or or send an enquiry email to [email protected]Keep your eyes open for an article on the Spanish Virgin Islands.

Race in a Regatta from the Luxury of Your Own Home

A new phenomenon is taking a hold in the world of sailing fanatics, having already signed up some 300,000 players. “Virtual Regatta” is a fantastic new way to skipper your own sailboat, but from the warmth and safety of your own home. Think about this – you can navigate through day and night, storms and calm seas, all from a computer.

We think this is absolutely fantastic, and while 20 real-life skippers are navigating the globe for three months, a large group of virtual skippers are sailing the Vendee Globe too, but from their own homes.

The program has taken the sailing world by storm (excuse the pun), and with great additions such as a worldwide real-time weather simulator, virtual skippers are sure to experience all different types of sailing. Not only does this simulator encompass rain and sun, but accurate wind speed and direction.

Loads of extras are available throughout the regatta, one virtual skipper has paid €20 / $25 to have an autopilot for the night, and an extra choice of sales. It’s not just about being a one man team though, many a group have taken to joining, taking hours each and relaying the race, so they can be as fresh and awake as possible.

Although players don’t have to deal with real life situations of navigating storms and terrible tides, they might have to deal with more expected problems – the Internet. Unfortunately thousands of virtual skippers were left behind recently when the site was off limits for 5 hours due to a technical hitch.

Although we encourage people to give this great program a try, we also very much encourage you to look at being a real life skipper, with a bareboat charter of a catamaran in the BVI this Winter.  Interested in chartering a catamaran in the BVI? See our blog on the Top 3 Crewed Catamarans of the BVI Yacht Show 2012.

If you’re interested in chartering a yacht, please go to boatbookings.com, or email us at [email protected] and one of our charter specialists will get back to you shortly.