Necker Island Family Fun: Luxury Yacht Charter with Luxury Stay

Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island is an entire island with superlative facilities generally hired privately or by an individual group. Family Fun Weeks offers a rare opportunity for families to book rooms individually and share the island with others. This stunning 74-acre island with all-inclusive resort facilities offers a great opportunity to have some fun with the kids and awaken your inner child. Necker Island is a fabulous way to extend your yacht charter vacation with an island stay of three, four or seven nights.

Kids will delight in boat races around the island, grand slam tennis tournaments, beach Olympics with egg and spoon races, or somersault competitions from the aqua trampoline into the sea. In the evenings, little kids are whisked away for their own evening adventures, complete with Pirate of the Caribbean treasure hunts, where the big kids can pillage their own chest of buried treasure during a beach BBQ feast.

The impeccable staff of 60 pampers guests with everything from exotic cocktails and extraordinary meals to relaxing massages. Whether your sport of choice is windsurfing, kite surfing, snorkeling or fishing an expert team of instructors are always on hand to help perfect skills at any level.

Necker Island is an exclusive venue with limited reservations. Contact the yacht charter professionals at Boatbookings.com now to make reservations for an incomparable sail and stay Caribbean vacation. Please see also our Yacht Charter BVI Guide for further information about the BVI and our BVI Attractions Guide for additional great things to do while in the BVI!

Photo Credits: Virgin Limited Edition

Posted on September 7, 2010 by admin

Lionfish: Dangerous, Dramatic and Delectable

If you are planning to dive or snorkel the reefs on your next charter voyage to the Caribbean, Bahamas or Florida Keys you may encounter the astonishingly beautiful lionfish. Beware, the graceful profusion of colorful fins belies venomous spines that, although not known to be fatal, are extremely painful and can (rarely) come with severe complications. In addition, some scientists consider them as one of the top 15 threats to biodiversity worldwide.

Lionfish are native to the Indo-Pacific region but in recent decades have invaded the waters of the Caribbean, the Bahamas, the east coast of the Americas as far north as Rhode Island, and as far south as Columbia. Their infiltration is likely the result of releases from tanks of saltwater hobbyists. With few known natural enemies, lionfish present a major threat to coral reef ecosystems as predators and competitors for food.

Humans are becoming the most lethal threat to date, as the fish emerges as a gourmet delicacy. Facebook groups promoting lionfish consumption include œI Spear Lionfish, œLionfish Derby and œEat the Lionfish. According to an article published by the Washington Post, July 7, 2010, chefs, spear fisherman and seafood distributors are plotting to eat the fish out of non-native existence. The REEF Environmental Education Foundation, a leading organization in the research and development of lionfish control programs, is preparing to publish a cookbook this fall on how to prepare the lionfish, described with a flavor between snapper and grouper.

What you should you do if you see the foot-long lionfish? They are glamorous and peaceful creatures, so use the photo opportunity. Otherwise, unless you are a savvy fisherman, or have the proper training and equipment, leave it alone but report the sighting location to the local island authorities and/or REEF when you surface.

Photo credit: REEF

Visit REEF Environmental Education Foundation: www.reef.org/lionfish

Lionfish Recipes: www.lionfishhunters.org/Recipes.html

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/06/AR2010070601003.htm

Posted on August 18, 2010 by admin — No Comments ↓

Peter Island Resort’s Unique Programs Welcome Charter Yachts

Peter Island is traditionally a very popular destination on every BVI charter itinerary. This season Peter Island Resort features two exceptional opportunities; photo documentation of your snorkel or dive adventure and professional cooking classes. Both will let you cherish a bit of the island color and flavor long after your return home.

Peter Island has some of the most awe-inspiring reefs in the BVI. Hundreds of brilliantly colored species of fish, coral and numerous shipwrecks set the stage for an extraordinary underwater quest. Armando Jenik is available to escort charterers undersea and professionally photograph their experience.

Armando is a highly acclaimed underwater photographer and cinematographer, with published images in Geo Magazine, GQ and others. His work has appeared in commercials, documentaries and feature films and he was honored with the Mobius award for best commercial in 1990. He will organize the optimum snorkel or dive adventure and create a personalized photo document that captures your experience as a work of art.

October 24-31 is the resort’s first Guest Chef Program of the season, with Corporate Executive Chef Jason Drysdale of the Norwegian Caribbean Line. Jason is the Culinary Trainer for NCL America and a genius at preparing trendy gourmet cuisine. Jason, along with the resort’s executive chef, Lisa Sellers, offer this creative, intimate cooking class limited to ten couples. The class will ferry to a working farm on Tortola to select produce, then return to the kitchen at Falcon’s Nest to create signature items that will be featured on the restaurant’s menu. This is an ongoing program so if you are interested please inquire as to future dates.

To participate in either the underwater photography experience or the Guest Chef Program at Peter Island Resort charter guests are not required to be guests of the resort but should consider program registration in advance, especially during peak periods, due to very limited space. Please read more about Peter Island in our Peter Island Yacht Charter Guide.

Posted on August 11, 2010 by admin — 1 Comment ↓

Virgin Gorda Tip: Free WIFI Connections at BEYC

Should you need Internet access while on your Boatbookings Yacht Charter vacation, the Bitter End Yacht Club provides free WIFI at the Almond Walk Terrace, the Clubhouse Restaurant, and the Pub.

The Bitter End also has two Internet connected computers available for guest use, which includes mooring and dockage guests, available at the front desk. Children are welcome to connect their games and iPads as well. BEYC would like everyone to know that strong Cellular/GSM phone coverage on the island provides excellent connectivity to the States and Europe.

Posted on July 29, 2010 by admin

Bareboat Charter Galley Tip: Enjoy the Taste of Paradise with this amazing Lemongrass Shrimp and Mango Salad

Whatever type of bareboat charter you plan in the Bahamas or Caribbean you'll want to impress family and friends with this enticing yet simple dish. The recipe is provided exclusively to Boatbookings clients by Lisa Sellers, executive chef at Peter Island Resort. Be a gourmet chef on your next charter by using the cornucopia of fresh ingredients locally available in paradise.

Chef Sellers' Signature Shrimp Dish

Lemongrass infused Shrimp, Green Papaya & Mango œSalad

Serves 4 People

12 shrimp- size 16/20, peeled & deveined

1 stick fresh lemongrass

Sea Salt & Freshly ground black pepper

1 ripe mango

1 green Papaya

½ Sweet red peppers

½ Sweet Green Peppers

Dried Mango slices

Dried Green Papaya Slices

A small pinch fresh Chilies

Extra virgin Olive Oil

Method:

Crush the lemongrass and chop, mix with shrimp & salt & Pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil cover and marinate for a few hours

Finely chop mango, green papaya, peppers & mix, add chili and season to taste, bind with a small amount of mango puree

Arrange the mango & green papaya salad in a mold; place the shrimp on the plate, putting dried papaya & Mango slices in between the shrimp

Garnish with Micro greens or arugula.

Enjoy!

Posted on July 16, 2010 by admin