The ‘Escape Reality’ series continues…

The ‘escape reality’ series is back with another bespoke itinerary for you! Read through our Bahamas Itinerary and escape to the turquoise waters! Written by us, imagined by you!

Has your summer vacation been put on hold, and now you’re longing for a Christmas escape? Look no further because this could be the itinerary for you. Did I mention, these itineraries are also great for kids?!

This week we explore one of the most captivating itineraries we have ever sailed – the Bahamas, Exumas. Imagine turquoise crystal clear waters, white-sand beaches and baron islands. Could this be for you?

Day 1 – Highborne Cay

Begin your charter in a beach village on the eastern shores of Nassau and spend a few days relaxing around a pool before embarking upon your charter! Although the Bahamas is home to over 300 islands, but the Boatbookings brokers asure you that the different islands that you can visit from your yacht charter in the Bahamas are the best islands in the Bahamas! Sailing around the Exumas allows for some of the best wildlife on the globe, swimming pigs, wild iguanas, crystal blue waters for swimming, Thunderball Grotto (as seen in James Bond) and amazing restaurants for every island you visit in the Exuma island collection.

Day 2 – Allen Cay

The first day of sailing will be long, but it will be worth it! The first leg is just over 40 nautical miles, and would take you roughly 7 hours to get there. So wake up, have a hearty breakfast and shake those sails out! Your first day will give you the chance to get a lot of sailing in, surrounded by the bluest water on the globe! When you reach the Exuma islands, it is worth the long sail due to the sheer beauty of each individal island, called a Cay in true Bahamian fashion. The first island to visit on your charter is Highborne Cay, known as the gateway to the Exumas – a great location for the first overnight stay.

Enquire now!

Day 3 – Hawksbill Cay

Visit the uninhabited beaches of Hawksbill Cay and have a relaxing evening. This cay is a key part of the Exuma Cays Land and Sea National park and has no other facilities than mooring balls in this beautiful location. Anchoring is not permitted however there are plenty of mooring balls for this idyllic spot.

See our Bahamas bareboats here!

Day 4 – Waderick Wells Cay

One of the most sheltered cays in the Exumas, this National Park offers the best conditions for kayaking, snorkelling or taking a hike around the island. There is a large selection of boats anchored within the bay here as it is sheltered from any wind. Our top recommendation is the dead whale construction and a stroll along one of the 30 deserted beaches here!

Day 5 – Staniel Cay and Pig Beach

Wild pigs on Big Majors Island in The Bahamas, lounging and walking around in the sand and ocean.

Take a slightly longer sail from Waderick Wells cay to Staniel Cay and Anchor in the sheltered yachting paradise of Staniel Cay amongst many other catamarans. Visit Staniel Cay yacht club for a lunch and visit the beautiful island. Take your dinghy to shores and tie up amongst nurse sharks in the bluest waters in the world. Be sure to take the dinghy to visit the pigs at Pig Beach the swimming pigs at Big Majors Cay will swim out to you to visit you on your dinghy! Bring some food to feed them! Visiting the swimming pigs is an absolute must in the Bahamas and does not disappoint. Be sure to charter a yacht to get this ticked off the bucket list this winter!

Day 6 – Norman’s Cay

Before sailing off to Normans Cay be sure to go snorkelling before you leave Staniel Cay and visit Thunderball Grotto at low tide, see where James Bond was filmed and swim with tropical fish. Sail north to Norman’s Cay have dinner at Mcduffs at Normans Cay- go snorkelling with the nurse sharks and spend time on your own private island to have lunch.

Day 7 – Nassau

Set off early for your sail back to Nassau – factoring in Rose Island if you have time before getting back to Palm cay marina for 6 PM to disembark the following morning. Spend another few nights in your own private beach villa at the marina and relax after a fun-filled yacht charter.

Enquire today with one of our expert brokers who can personalise an itinerary that suits you and your guests! The Boatbookings brokers have personally sailed and reviewed the best sailing grounds, activities, restaurants and boats in the Bahamas. Be in touch to get the most from your yacht charter this winter!

Posted on April 14, 2020 by Alice Newnham

3 New Boats to Explore the Caribbean

The Caribbean is one of the most diverse yachting hotspots in the world. Offering everything from the chic beach clubs of St Barths to the isolated anchorages of the Grenadines, there really is a Caribbean island for everyone. We have shared the latest Caribbean crewed catamarans to inspire your next vacation.

The New BVI Scuba Diving Boat

SCUBA DOO 50 | Lagoon 50 Crewed Catamaran

Join Captain Jesse and Christian onboard SCUBA DOO 50 and enjoy one of the most breathtaking BVI yacht charter vacations. Captain Jesse has been delivering memorable charters in the Virgin Islands for over 5 years. Therefore, he will show you his favourite anchorages designed around your snorkelling and scuba diving preferences.

Chef Christian has worked in some of the British Virgin Islands top restaurants. As your dedicated private chef, she will dazzle your tastebuds. Their joint passion to pamper and entertain your guests make this BVI charter crew the perfect team to guide you through this Caribbean gem.

The New BVI Gourmet Charter Boat

GRACE | Lagoon 52 Crewed Catamaran

Are you looking for the ultimate diving and water sports experience in the British Virgin Islands? Look no further than chartering the brand new Lagoon 52 GRACE with Captain Joseph and Britta next year. No matter whether you’re a beginner snorkeler or advanced scuba diver, Britta’s knowledge and expertise always deliver unforgettable experiences.

Joseph and Britta have fantastic connections with the local Virgin Islands community. Their contacts ensure that they have access to the freshest ingredients. Chef Joseph spent 5 years perfecting the art of fine dining with Caribbean influences aboard 120 Broward Motor Yacht Freedom. Get ready to be mesmerised by his incredible creations.

The New Grenadines Catamaran

ILLUSION | Nautitech 46 Crewed Catamaran

Join Captain Bruno and his daughter aboard the brand new Nautitech 46 in Martinique and the Grenadines. As one of the only crewed catamarans with a flexible cruising area, you will have unrivalled flexibility to discover a new Caribbean island. Captain Bruno loves nothing more than showing his guests the beauty of the different islands aboard sailing catamaran ILLUSION.

Chef Jessica has been sailing with Bruno ever since she was a toddler! Jessica has an extensive culinary repertoire, specialising in French and Mediterranean cuisine. As a result, she can easily adapt her menu to suit any guest preferences. Her hosting skills will make you feel right at home aboard ILLUSION!

So, what are you waiting for?

The Caribbean crewed catamarans book 12 months in advance. So speak to the Boatbookings Team today to plan the best 2021 yacht charter.

Posted on April 10, 2020 by Ben Sutton

3 off the beaten track destinations

You want to go sailing, but want to avoid the crowds. But where? How? Can I still go to Greece and escape the crowds? Find the Boatbookings secrets below to ensure you have a crowd-less charter!

Northern Hemisphere

Places like the Mediterranean see thousands of sailors flock to visit these gorgeous islands and quaint medieval towns. The only issue is is that these islands can get so saturated over the summer it leaves some sailors lusting for the quiet secluded bays. find below the top 4 places in the Northern Hemisphere that offer perfect sailing, in quiet destination

Number one: The Azores

Say goodbye to the crowds of Athens, and say hello to nature, dramatic land formations and some of the best sailing in the Atlantic! The Azores offers long-distance sailing for the gung-ho sailor type during April/May/June, and island hopping with the family during the July and August months! Check out our 7-day itinerary and our 14-day itinerary for some inspiration!

Number two: Corsica

Calanches de Piana in Corsica, France, late spring.

Corsica, a French island located south of the French Riviera and north of Sardinia. This rocky oasis offers some of the most picturesque bays that the Meditteranean has to offer. There’s only a small amount of yachts based in Corsica so our advice would be to start on the northeastern tip of Sardinia and sail up towards the east coast of Corsica stopping off at one of our favorite anchorages: Santa Guilia. Check out of Corsica sailing itinerary for some inspiration!

Number three: Croatia

Croatia has seen the rise in nautical tourism over the past 5 years, with it nearly topping the sailing capital of the world – Greece. This long skinny country, with thousands of islands, is the perfect playground for sailors. Islands such as Brac, Hvar, Solta are heavily visited during the summer months (unsurprising as they are truly unique). One area which is sometimes forgotten is the national park – Kornati. Located north of Sibenik, and just south of Zadar, the Kornati national park provides some of the most exquisite sailing. The islands are easy to navigate through and offers protection from Jungo and Bora winds. Read our various Croatia itineraries to get a feel for what you can experience!

Number four: Turkey

Turkey, where east meets west. A culturally diverse corner of the Mediterranean perfect for first-timers looking for some stress-free sailing. As the political unrest comes to a halt, Turkey is dying for people to come back sailing, it has the infrastructure to berth thousands of yachts and used to be an exciting hub of sailing. Turkey is mainly coastal sailing with a few islands laying close to Gocek and Fethiye.

If you are looking to explore and off the beaten track location, speak to one of our worldwide brokers today!

Posted on April 7, 2020 by Alice Newnham

Summer Getaways to the St Tropez Beach Clubs

Spending the summer in the Mediterranean is always special, and it doesn’t get much better than St Tropez. At the heart of the French Riviera, St Tropez oozes traditional Provencal charm. The town also has the best beach clubs, restaurants and nightlife in the South of France. Check out our St Tropez Beach Club Guide for full inspiration.

Club 55 St Tropez

Made famous by the iconic French actress Brigitte Bardot whilst filming ‘And God Created Women’ on Pampelonne Beach, Club 55 has been synonymous with the St Tropez Beach scene since then. It never disappoints! You are guaranteed a joyful atmosphere and excellent food designed around the finest produce. For all those celebrating a summer birthday, the famous Strawberry Tarte is a must. Furthermore, a day boat charter from Cannes to St Tropez is the perfect present!

Nikki Beach St Tropez

The St Tropez edition of the Nikki Beach empire is one of our favourites! With a collection of sunbeds lying next to an open-air swimming pool and tables leading down towards the beach, Nikki Beach is quintessential summer fun. Offering a global repertoire of dishes, you will be able to sample everything from Provencal Rotisserie Chicken to Sushi and Ceviche.

Bagatelle Beach St Tropez

At the heart of Pampelonne Beach next to Les Palmiers, Chef Nicolas Cantrel is famous for his Poulet Fermier Entier du Sud-Ouest à la Truffe, a Whole organic truffle roasted chicken served with country potatoes. Get ready for your tastebuds to be dazzled! The Bagatelle Team deliver energetic events, so book in for the second sitting for a proper party afternoon!

As your spending time at home with your family, get your heads together to think about how you plan on spending your next vacations. St Tropez is perfect for families of all ages. The Boatbookings Team look forward to working with you on your next yacht charter vacation.

Posted on April 2, 2020 by Ben Sutton

A Very British (Virgin Islands) Christmas!

Specializing in Caribbean charters, here are our top 5 reasons to charter a yacht and why the British Virgin Islands is officially one of the best places in the world to charter for your 2020 holiday season!

Escape the bleak mid-winter and spend Christmas 2020 island hopping between the white sand beaches of the British Virgin Islands. The world’s best sailing conditions, island hopping, world-class scuba diving grounds, and a Christmas day conch meal. All of this plus an unforgettable New Year’s Eve makes the British Virgin Islands the only place to charter a yacht this Christmas!!

Christmas day on the yacht

Whether you’re a seasoned yachtie or sailing around the best sailing grounds of the Caribbean is something you’ve always dreamt of, a yacht charter in the BVI is guaranteed to make 2020 your best Christmas yet.

Although you’ll be on a yacht in the Caribbean, don’t worry there’s still plenty of decorations to make you feel just at home. Expect to see masts with fairy lights going to the top, red and white bikinis and palm Christmas trees!

Spend this Christmas walking around the white sand-beaches of Anegada and join in the local celebrations! Chose from having your own personal crew onboard to sailing solo around the many BVI white-sand beached islands.

New years eve at Foxy’s

Be sure to head to the island of Jost Van Dyke to bring in the New Year. Foxy’s on the island is renowned as being one of the top 5 parties in the world on New Year’s Eve.

Instead of celebrating the ‘New Year’, this bar celebrates the ‘Old Year’s Night’, making this iconic location different from every other New Year Party on the globe.

Hop off your boat and enjoy being in one of the best places in the world this New Year. Be sure to catch the theme before deciding on your outfits!

December diving

Switch the traditional family board games on Christmas day for a scuba diving lesson! Scuba dives are an extremely popular Christmas day activity and really make it a Christmas day to remember.

The BVI waters surrounding the islands of Norman Island are renowned for being extremely clear during the months of December and January. The Caribbean waters are full of different corals, turtles, shipwrecks and thousands of different species of fish.

Surprise your loved ones with a diving course and give the gift of the ocean this Christmas!

A Caribbean Christmas lunch

Eat like a local and celebrate the festivities with a freshly grilled lobster or conch! Head over to the Bitter End Yacht Club in Virgin Gorda for your Christmas lunch, be sure to book early this year as most restaurants serving local Caribbean Christmas delicacies tend to get booked up very quickly.

Unrivalled weather conditions

The trade winds blowing across the islands of the BVI offer a consistent breeze, ideal for sailing and for keeping slightly cool during this period. Christmas is without a doubt one of the best times of year to visit the BVI due to long, sunny days with ocean breezes coming through in the afternoon and slightly cooler evenings.

The BVI is known for ‘line of sight’ sailing and protected bays for anchorages and sailing. Unlike other locations in the Caribbean, the waters in the BVI are usually a lot calmer than many other locations.

Despite the saddening damage, caused by hurricane IRMA in 2017, the BVI’s are being cared for and maintained. The process of rebuilding infrastructure has been a work in progress since the hurricane struck, however, the BVI is back on track and the boat standards and sailing grounds are as popular as ever.

Don’t let the damage caused in 2017 put you off from a yacht charter in the BVI this Christmas – the BVI is up and running. For current information, we please see our “what is open in the BVI after Irma” page, which is updated regularly.

Give Santa a change from the chimney and let him slide down your mast this Christmas! Get in touch today!

Posted on March 30, 2020 by Alice Newnham