Summer in the Mediterranean may be coming to a close but your winter getaway is just around the corner. With just over 100 days until Christmas, it’s time to start planning for your 2020 Caribbean adventure. Our crewed motor yacht destination of choice has to be St Barths!
If you love St Tropez, the Pampelonne Beach Club culture and chic nightlife, St Barths is the Caribbean island for you! Spend your days anchored of Nikki Beach St Barths, shop till you drop in Gustavia and enjoy dinner in Bagatelle or La Guérite. What more could you want for your 2020 Spring Break getaway? The only thing we can think of is a yacht to take you there. Welcome the Benetti 108 Supreme, LULU!
LULU may be a small package but she packs a punch! You will benefit from a superb tri-deck layout, offering lounging, dining and social spaces galore, as well as a jacuzzi! An experienced captain, a top chef, a service orientated crew take your Caribbean yacht charter experience to new heights. We are excited for you!
If you have already experienced St Barths, why not try the Bahamas for Spring Break 2020? Go swimming with the pigs, dive Thunderball Grotto or just kick back and relax in some of the clearest waters on the planet! We look forward to showing you the way in 2020.
“The best thing you can currently do for the Bahamas to simply visit the Bahamas”
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation
Where did Dorian hit?
Hurricane Dorian made landfall across the Bahamas, hitting the northern portion of the region the hardest. Grand Bahama and the Abaco Islands were the worst affected islands. However, many of the islands that make up the 259,000 square kilometers of the Bahamas were not affected.
The Exumas escaped the worst of the storm, reporting only heavy winds and rain in the north of the region with no serious damage to infrastructure. Highbourne Cay, Staniel Cay Yacht Club, and Compass Cay Marina and others remain open for business. The Exumas offers plenty to see and do when exploring the area by yacht, including the famous Pig Beach, the Thunderball Grotto and Pablo Escobar’s Sunken Plane.
Pig Beach
Where?
While there are several islands in the Bahamas with a wild pig population, Exuma is the most well known. The island is located in the southern Bahamas, outside of the reach of Hurricane Dorian. Pig Beach is located on Big Major Cay and allows charter guests to swim with swimming pigs in unrivaled surroundings.
How?
Easily accessible by yacht from Nassau, this unique destination has become one of the most exclusive spots to experience in the Bahamas and is protected from natural storms, offering attractive tranquility throughout the year.
Why?
Rumored to have been left by passing sailors, the pigs are renowned for being approachable to all the visitors to the cay. Graciously accepting carrots and attention, these remarkably singular animals make for a fantastic company and even better photo opportunities.
Thunderball Grotto
Where?
Hidden away in the rocky Staniel Cay, the Thunderball Grotto is an extensive cave system that has been carved away by the ocean waters over the years to form this hidden oasis. Thunderball Grotto over the years, and it even received its name in the 1960s when the James Bond movie, Thunderball, was filmed there and was later returned to for Never Say Never Again.
How?
Part of the Exuma Cays, the Thunderball Grotto is easily accessible by yacht and can be enjoyed as part of an itinerary which includes Pig Beach. Perfect for many group configurations, Thunderball Grotto is an unmissable attraction for anyone taking a Bahamas yacht charter vacation.
Snorkeling paradise!
Accessed by interior entrance points leading off from the beach, the underwater caves surround a hollow center that makes the destination a veritable haven for intrepid divers.
Wildlife
Populated by exotic fish, the wide tunnels are illuminated by the rays of sunlight reflecting around the center, making a diving excursion here an experience that’s as colourful as it is unique. James Bond fans and non-fans alike, be sure to visit this fantastic destination.
Pablo Escobar’s Plane
Where?
Norman’s Cay is relatively inaccessible without a yacht, nestled about as far away from anything significant as you can get. Just offshore, however, you will come across a sunken WWII-era military transport plane that was once flipped to fuel Pablo Escobar’s expanding cocaine trade to the USA. Fortunately, there were no casualties, and the passengers even managed to rescue their cargo before the plane came to its final resting place on a sandbar.
Wildlife
Quite unlike any other wreck dive, the former smuggler’s plane provides an intimate glimpse into a criminal underworld. Now populated by various species of fish and coral, exploring the compartments of the submerged plane makes for a truly kaleidoscopic experience. Ideal for beginners and more experienced snorkelers, the plane is only ten feet below the waterline. The warm and bright water is perfect for swimming in, and the nearby beach is perfect place to dry off.
Get in touch with one of our expert brokers today for your unparalleled charter around the stunning Exumas!
After visiting the Bahamas in January 2019, I was so impressed by the beautiful shores, incredible sailing conditions and sandy white beaches. The most striking part of the Abacos Islands are the beautiful people who call these islands home. The landscape, culture and sense of community make the Abacos Islands one of the most striking sailing destinations on this globe.
The effects of the Dorian
Devastatingly, the Abacos Islands of the Bahamas have suffered great loss and tragedy following the 185 mile an hour hurricane on the 1st of September that ripped away the lives and community of the Abacos Islands. Lives and jobs have been destroyed which risks in damaging the entire spirit and livelihood of many islands in the Abacos.
After visiting the Bahamas in January 2019, I was so impressed by the beautiful shores, incredible sailing conditions and sandy white-beaches however the most striking part of the Abacos Islands are the beautiful people who call these islands home. The landscape, culture and sense of community makes the AbacosIslands one of the most striking destinations on this globe.
Broker, Alice’s photographs of the Abacos and Marsh Harbour prior to destruction by the hurricane
When will it be back to normal?
Almost 90% of the infrastructure in the Abacos Islands has been destroyed in the force 5 hurricane. Not only homes, business and boats, but human life has also been lost due to the devastating hurricane Dorian.
The likelihood is that by April 2020 the Abacos infrastructure will be on its way back to normality. The best thing to do to support the people of the Abacos is to visit this destination to promote jobs and the economy to help save the Abacos Islands and the long-standing community within Bahamian paradise.
What is being done to help the situation in the Bahamas?
The USAID has reported to allocate $2.8 million in emergency supplies alongside the Red Cross. The UK Royal Navy will aim to evacuate Abacos sufferers to Nassau. If you are looking to fly to help this situation, the flight to Marsh harbor would be required.
How can you help the situation in the Abacos?
To support the Bahamas, do not stop visiting the island as the islands of the Exumas. They have not been greatly affected by hurricane damage and rely on tourism to thrive.
Pre-planning spared most of the boats in the Abacos and these boats were safely moved to the Exumas. Most of the Bahamas is safe to visit with minimalistic damage. The Abacos are the main sufferers of this natural disaster.
Based on the iconic Port Hercules in the principality of Monaco, the Monaco Yacht Show represents the height of exclusivity. Each year, the Monaco Yacht Show curates a display of more than 125 extraordinary one-off superyachts built by the world’s most respected and well-known shipyards and welcomes leaders from the yachting industry.
Yachts line the Harbour in Monaco – Monte Carlo
What’s at the Monaco Yacht show?
Here, around forty new launches are annually unveiled in a worldwide debut, attracting the yachting industry’s exclusive focus. 580 exhibiting companies and partners participate, with the show providing the ultimate showcase for industry influencers from the most reputable names in the yachting industry.
The MYS is the premier luxury event worldwide where visitors can discover the greatest aspects of superyachting against the glamorous backdrop of Monaco.
Here’s what we can’t wait to see!
BASH
BASH’s sophisticated black hull and cool beige superstructure exudes class. The elegant interior has a regal feel, showing traditional soft style furnishings in red and gold with ivory carpets and polished wood flooring.
The interior elevator gives access to all decks. BASH has spacious outdoor decks with shaded lounging areas and plenty of seating. The sun deck offers an outdoor cinema, Jacuzzi, sun pads and bar area with a beer tap. A teak beach club can be found at the swim platform allowing easy access to the water.
BASH presents a rare mixture of classical design with modern features both of which add to her exemplary status as one of Benetti’s finest productions.
ELYSIUM I is a breathtaking, brand new 2019 Riva Dolce Vita 110 crewed motor yacht.
The Riva 110 project, Riva’s new fiberglass flagship, is a promise of style, design, and performance to reach levels never seen before. The Riva 110 promises to be a magnificent and beautiful flybridge yacht, as well as larger than ever before.
The completely renewed hull design measures almost 110 feet in overall length, with a beam larger than 11 feet.
Characterized by a super sporty profile, the Riva 110 exhibits a large window in the hull with an integrated porthole. On deck, a long glass ceiling that stretches along the entire living room and it is formed by glass framed in stainless steel.
The aft is equipped with the innovative Submersible bathing platform, the exclusive movement system that Ferretti Group has patented, which has already convinced experts and triumphed during the Boat Builder Awards 2016 in Amsterdam.
Available for charter in the Balearics, we can’t wait to see this stunning yacht.
INCEPTION
The impressive ultra-modern interior features ebony wood with black steel accents and luxurious grey fabrics and brown leather.
Situated on the Main deck is a well-appointed study which converts seamlessly into a massage room, with the onboard masseuse available from 4pm onwards. There is also a formal dining on the Main Deck and further dining available on the spacious sun deck as well as a tiger’s eye stone bar with seating for four. The sun deck has a huge Jacuzzi for 12 people and a vast shaded area which is retractable over the bar area.
The Master cabin has a king size bed which rotates 360 degrees with panoramic views. The Owner’s deck has a private Jacuzzi, two hammocks which can be mounted either side, 4 sunloungers, an icemaker and fridge.
The full-beam VIP situated on the Main deck has a fold down balcony which sits directly over the water and gives exterior privacy to the guests. The views can be enjoyed from the chaises longues inside the cabin or from deck chairs on the balcony.
The forward deck has a seating area with a retractable canopy and incorporated surround sound speakers for when the 50″ tv is set up to make an exterior cinema.
80 SUNREEF POWER
The 80 Sunreef Power is a versatile yacht for long cruises in ultimate comfort, blending performance, autonomy and stability. Taking luxury and seaworthiness to a new dimension this exclusive multihull craft offers infinite options for a bespoke décor and layout. The vast alfresco relaxation areas of the catamaran include a full-beam forward terrace and an impressive flybridge. The power catamaran option will give an insight into the space available on 7X, a sailing 80 Sunreef available in Croatia.
Boasting huge volumes, with more than 340 square meters of living spaces and classically-inspired lines.
An expansive main saloon forms the heart of the yacht, as a gathering place to socialise, entertain and relax. The modern, minimalist décor includes teak paneling, backlit quartz, leathers, and chic styling. The main saloon is flooded with light and boasts stunning views out across the water, while large doors connect inside and out to create one huge living area. The saloon leads smoothly to the aft deck cockpit, which features an alfresco dining space, sun pads and easy stepped access down to the water.
In 2019, Storm Dorian destroyed the Abacos and Grand Bahama before skirting up the eastern seaboard making landfall on the eastern tip of Canada. Please see our “Bahamas after Dorian” page for current status of chartering and sailing in the Bahamas.
How did Dorian form?
Dorian forming
Dorian was formed on the 24th of August by a tropical wave. A tropical wave is a low pressure, orientated from North to South which moves eastwards. This then combined with the high air pressure which lies in the doldrums or Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), located close to the termal equator.
Tropical waves in the Atlantic develop from disruptions, which develop as far east as Sudan. They then drift across the continent into the Atlantic. These waves are either formed or enhanced by African Easterly Jet (The African easterly jet is a region of the lowest layer of the earth atmosphere, over West Africa where the seasonal mean wind speed is at a maximum and the wind is easterly).
The clockwise circulation of the large transoceanic high-pressure cell or anticyclone centered near the Azores islands, labeled the Azores high above image produces easterly waves away from the coastal areas of Africa towards North America.
When was Dorian at her peak intensity?
Peak intensity over the Abaco Islands on September 1.
Dorian intensified while moving toward the Abacos and close by islands, before becoming a hurricane on August 28th. The rapid intensification of Dorian meant that on August 31st, she was placed into Category 4 – a major hurricane. Less than 24 hours later, Dorian reached Category 5 intensity, peaking with winds of 185 mph and gusts of much more. A minimum central pressure of 910 millibars, the ‘normal’ atmosphere is 1013.13 mbar a huge decrease of pressure meant that she would become to be one of the most devastating hurricanes to hit the Bahamas.
This question is not to be confused with her wind and gust level. This is in relation to her track. Dorian stalled over the Bahamas for roughly 24 hours, 24 hours of heavy rain and gusts which lead to a 24ft storm surge.
Dorian in the Southern hemisphere over the Bahamas.
Data has shown that she was traveling as little as 1 mph. This is due to a rare natural phenomenon called the Bermuda high. As the name states, this is a high-pressure atmospheric system. Until the Bermuda high relinquished its ‘hold’ over Dorian, a low-pressure system moved across releasing Dorian, thus allowing her to move in a northerly direction
How can you help?
You can support the relief effort here Send/order any of these items listed below, to this address: Global Empowerment Mission 340 NE 59th Terrace, Miami, FL 33137
Life Jackets/Floatation Device
Large sturdy waterproof bags
Heavy-duty garbage bags
Solar fans/lights
Large tarps
Chain saws
Generators
Fuel/oil for generators
Non-perishable food items
Dry formula and dry milk products
Cleaning supplies
Mold remediation items
Hygiene products
Feminine products
First aid items and kits
Advil, Tylenol etc for adults and children
Hand sanitizer
Medical gloves
Masks
Diapers and Wipes
Baby food and formula
Pedialite (powder packs)
Gator aide/Electrolites/hydration powder
Rehydration salts
Tents
Flashlight
Batteries (especially D)
Matches/lighters
Repellent
Solar battery and solar chargers
30 gallon or larger storage containers with lids
Plastic wrap
Duct tape / packing tape
Hand saws
Work gloves
Can openers
Sanitizer/Sanitizer wipes
Water purification devices
Disposable plates and cups
Camp stoves
Butane tanks
Utensils
Nails
Wrenches/Hammers/Tools
Candles
Pet food canned and dry
Toilet paper
At this time we are in the Search, Rescue and Recovery phase and currently NOT accepting: Clothing, furniture, bedding, toys, charcoal and wood.
To the people of the Bahamas, on behalf of Boatbookings, we look forward to seeing your recovery and booking many more life-changing and memorable charters in your stunning country. You are all in our prayers.
