Category Archives: Destination Information

Post about great (or not so great) places to charter and see

Caribbean Family Yacht Charter: Destinations That Top the Charts

The Bahamas and Caribbean offer a variety of spectacular luxury charter yacht winter destinations with something to delight everyone. Whether you are planning an adventure on a bareboat charter or chartering a luxury superyacht to unwind and be pampered, there is an ideal itinerary for you. Sharon Bahmer, Boatbookings Charter Director for the Caribbean and USA shares her personal favorites for chartering with children.

The BVI is always a top destination, especially for smaller boats during the holidays. I have a lot of bookings already for Christmas, New Year and spring break all the way through April next year. The BVI is very low key and an excellent destination for families with children because of the fabulous snorkeling and the Baths at Virgin Gorda that children love to explore. If your kids are into the outdoors and being in the water paddling kayaks, snorkeling and seeing things they will love the BVI.

The Grenadines are becoming increasingly popular because the weather is fantastic and our repeat charter guests often want a different destination. The Grenadines include some very interesting islands, such as Mustique and Little Palm Island, playgrounds of the rich and famous, and then you’ve got the Tobago Keys, which are very good for diving and snorkeling. The islands are not populated with many boats and are a little more remote and somewhat more distance from one another, so although more time is spent getting underway it’s well worth having your own private bay at anchor for the night.

The Bahamas offer fantastic diving and snorkeling but there’s another aspect that kids get a kick out of and that is petting the nurse shark that has beached itself on a dock just to get petted. Then there’s swimming with the pigs. The pigs love it too.

It is important to realize that a Bahamas luxury yacht charter does not have to start in Nassau or Atlantis, which is where most people go. For a far more exotic destination, Plana Cays and Samana Cay, west of Mayaguana Island, on the southernmost tip of the Bahamas chain, offer snorkeling and diving that is absolutely phenomenal. These islands are thought to be the first place Christopher Columbus stepped ashore in 1492, so you might even surface with a couple of doubloons. The Cays are located about 60 miles from Provo in the Turks and Caicos. Charter guests can fly into either Georgetown or Provo and be in this really remote, beautiful place with no other boats, no facilities, and no people. For clients who want a spectacular dive charter it is a superb destination.

Boatbookings website features extensive destination information. Here are just a few helpful links:

BVI Yacht Charter Guide, Bahamas Yacht Charter Guide, St Vincent and the Grenadines Yacht Charter

Posted on by — No Comments ↓

Feadship Superyacht Future Concept BREATHE at Monaco Yacht Show

In a recent press release Feadship tantalized the yachting industry with their announcement to unveil the virtual futuristic concept yacht BREATHE at the Monaco Show. Feadship describes BREATHE as a radical yacht that integrates the models, systems and processes in nature to achieve the next generation in forward-thinking design.

Shipbuilders are continually striving to build more environmentally friendly yachts and Feadship implies a quantum leap in this direction with BREATHE. Feadship apparently intends to keep all details under wraps until the Monaco Yacht Show, which runs from September 22-25, where this bio-inspired concept yacht is certain to attract much attention. Visit the Feadship stand at GT3 on the central T-jetty to catch a glimpse of the virtual future of yachting. For information on Boatbookings environmentally friendly charters please see Green Chartering – Low Carbon Emissions Charter

Posted on by

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 by

Kingship to Reveal New Projects at Monaco Yacht Show

Superyacht builder Kingship is set to reveal details about cutting-edge new designs at the Monaco Yacht Show. The Hong Kong shipyard is working with Donald Starkey and Azure Naval Architects in the design and development of a 156-foot megayacht. The profile reflects a striking yet subtle juxtaposition of classic and futuristic lines. While plumb bow hull design is a recent trend, it actually originated in classic commuter yacht design.

The plumb bow, circular port lights on the forward main deck and sweeping sheer line are reminiscent of the Golden Age of yachting. These elements integrated with a very futuristic dynamism of exterior styling succeed in producing what Kingship terms a œmodern gentleman’s yacht.

The general arrangement features six suites, spacious lounges and plentiful deck spaces for entertaining including a partially shaded sun deck with a bar/dining area and sizeable Jacuzzi on the forward sunning area.

Kingship also raises the bar on efficient long-range explorers, an increasingly popular alternative to the classic white yacht. The HT116’Explorer reaches a maximum speed of 13 knots with a 7,000Nm range. Two additional models in the series, a 148-footer and an 87-footer, are new versions that vary little other than in size. All three incorporate a novel stabilization system at anchor based on two non-retractable fins.

Posted on by

Newfoundland Marina To Attract Yachts From Eastern Seaboard and Great Lakes

Channel-Port aux Basques, a quaint fishing village nestled on the extreme southwestern tip of the island of Newfoundland, Canada, is finally realizing plans for a recreational marina. According to a report in the local Gulf News, the marina will expand the existing government wharf with the addition of several floating docks and new wharves.

Channel-Port aux Basques is the gateway to Newfoundland and Labrador. To date, full advantage of the strategic location of the town has not been developed. Annually visited by half a million tourists that include many yachts from the Great Lakes and locations along the Eastern Seaboard, improvements in facilities are aimed to increase tourism and boost economic development.

The easternmost Canadian province comprises the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador. Newfoundland and the surrounding smaller islands offer an intriguing destination to adventuresome yachtsmen. Small communities sprinkled along the coast maintain French, English and Irish dialects and cultural traditions. In Labrador, Innu-aimun and Inuktit dialects are also spoken due to a significant presence of founding Algonquin and Inuit cultures.

For a dramatically beautiful and culturally rewarding charter itinerary, consider Newfoundland, Labrador, the  Great Lakes and amazing destinations along the Eastern Seaboard on your next charter.  We'd be happy to help!

Posted on by