Where to Eat in St Barths

It is no wonder that the powdery white beaches of St Barthelemy (often spelled St Barth’s, St Barts or St Barth) continues to attract the rich and famous yearly as they congregate for their Winter Caribbean holidays. This small, free-spirited island is more rugged and less lush than some of the other Caribbean islands, but it has culture, shopping, and all the amenities that cater to the jet set. Expect to find secluded beaches, fine restaurants and fashionable shopping hotspots on this mountainous island.

St Barths is an overseas territory of France and offers excellent cuisine generally derived from its French roots. There is a wide range of choice from hip brasseries in the Port of Gustavia, to local beach restaurants serving Creole food, and sophisticated French gourmet restaurants overlooking the sea. In the wake of 2017’s devastating Hurricane Irma, St. Barths rebuilt at an astonishing rate and high cost to get the island back close to what it was.

The Sand, The Eden Rock

A table at Eden Rock’s restaurant and bars is a priority reservation for epicureans.  The Sand Restaurant and Rémy Bar and the Bar on the Beach nearby, gleam in the reflected blue of the Caribbean. Cuisine is masterminded by world-famous Master Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten who exemplifies a career made stellar with the successful development of Michelin-starred kitchens and restaurants from NYC to Chicago to Tokyo and São Paulo and by writing seminal cookery books plus presenting TV cooking shows.The Sand is the culinary heart of the hotel and its unique setting represents St Barths’ character and its laid-back beach style. Signature Sand classics include truffle pizza, crispy salmon and new vegan matcha crème brûlée. In the evening, enjoy caramelised foie-gras with black-olive seasoning.

Le Tamarin

Le Tamarin has been newly renovated and is set within a shadowy garden near Saline Beach. Scenery is lush and relaxing – water features, low lighting and breezy palms and grasses. The restaurant is cosy with intimate tables tucked away along the walkway. Dishes include yellow fin tuna, wild shrimp ravioli with octopus in in lobster broth and taste aux pommes. This fabulous menu is accompanied by a fantastic wine list, including a 2006 Pétrus and a cocktail list with modern and classics cocktails. Be sure to visit during your Yacht Charter!

Shellona

Overlooking Shell Beach, Shellona is a Greek lunch Restaurant & Beach Club. Enjoy an exceptional setting facing the Caribbean Sea. With its unique location, have lunch while listening to the DJ or live music bands, relax on one of our sun beds or a cocktails admiring the most beautiful sunset on the island. Chef Yiannis Kioroglou and his team offer an authentic Mediterranean cuisine, acclaimed for their flavoured grilled food seasoned with the best aromatic herbs and marinades. Chef Yiannis bridges cultures and styles with cuisine that injects creativity into classic recipes featuring coconut milk-infused mahi-mahi fish or raspberry and watermelon lemonade.

Contact one of our Brokers today to book your St Barths Yacht Charter.

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New Caribbean Air Charter Service!

Following the tragedy of IRMA and MARIA, we at Boatbookings have watched the Caribbean rebuild after the devastating effects of these natural disasters.

The ever-popular holiday destination, the Caribbean, (Jeremy Clarkson voice) in the WORLD, has rebuilt its infrastructure from the routes up. This has paved the way to more visitors than ever before! We have been documenting it’s growth and are proud to say we have put hundreds, if not thousands of people onto the water since IRMA and MARIA struck.

Hurricane Irma Boatbookings Page

FLY BODE

Bode Aviation has launched a new Caribbean Air Charter service to the BVI. Their new private air charter service will trade as “Fly Bode Caribbean Air Charter” which offers an exclusive experience to start your vacation ahead of commercial airlines! This “On Demand” service will allow passengers to surpass the queues to get you to your desired island in luxury and style!

Fast Facts

  • Formed in 1994, based in the US.
  • Over 20 years of commercial and private aviation knowledge.
  • It offers flights to the British Virgin Islands (Tortola and Anegada) and other destinations in the Caribbean.
  • Private air charter.
  • Operating from their base in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
  • Flights to commence on the 1st of November to the BVI’s and other destinations in the Caribbean.
  • Capable of carrying up to 6 passengers

Hurricane Dorian Boatbookings Page

Destinations

Boatbookings Weather page

Thinking of a hot winter getaway? Speak to one of our team today to see how you can experience the beauty of the Caribbean.

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What to See in the British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands, more commonly known as the BVI, is yacht charter paradise. The BVI have all of the ingredients for a perfect Caribbean sailing holiday: consistent winds, gorgeous islands, a mixture of deserted beaches, luxury hotels, shipwrecks, beach party towns and a charm that perfectly fits the tranquillity of sailing. The BVI is one of the most prestigious yacht charter destinations in the world. Here are 3 of our favourite places to visit during your BVI Yacht Charter.

Jost Van Dyke

Jost Van Dyke (colloquially referred to as JVD or Jost) is the smallest of the four main islands of the British Virgin Islands, measuring roughly 8 square kilometres and is situated in the northern portion of the Virgin Islands. Jost Van Dyke lies about 8 km to the northwest of Tortola and like many of the neighbouring islands, it is volcanic in origin and mountainous.

Great Harbour and White Bay at Jost Van Dyke are perfect stops if you enjoy a cocktail or two. Have a few rounds of Pain Killers at The Soggy Dollar, home of the infamous cocktail and one of the top bars in the Caribbean. Head on to White Bay’s beach bar scene, one of the liveliest anchorages in the BVI. Hop from Coco Loco, to Seddy’s One Love, and Gertrude’s, which are just a few steps away from Ivan’s Stress-Free. An evening spent in Great Harbour wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Foxy’s. Incredibly fun, it is overflowing with island character, great food, dancing and Foxy’s Fire Water Rum.

The Baths

The Baths are BVI National Park located on the southwest tip of Virgin Gorda and are known as one of the most incredible experiences of the BVI. The Baths are large clear pools of water in a cave-like atmosphere that were naturally formed by the sea washing over large granite boulders. The boulders form natural tidal pools, tunnels, arches, and scenic grottoes that are open to the sea. The largest boulders are about 40 feet long. Light plays on the water in secret rock pools, which are bordered by cool white sand pathways.

Norman Island

Norman Island is an island at the southern tip of the British Virgin Islands. Norman Island is also known as Treasure Island with stories of pirate treasure being found in the Caves. A large harbour known as the Bight offers one of the most protected anchorages in the area. The Caves are just a short trip away in the tender and the snorkelling is fantastic. Norman Island is a well-known destination for cruisers and other tourists because of three water-level caves at the base of cliffs just outside the western edge of the Bight. With no permanent inhabitants other than wild goats, there are two restaurants on the island, Pirates Bight and The Club. Just outside of Norman Island is The Indians, an outstanding day stop for some of the best snorkelling in the BVI. The reefs showcase the most vibrant underwater life.

Contact one of our brokers today to help organise your BVI Yacht Charter!

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Where to Eat in the BVIs

The British Virgin Islands, more commonly known as the BVI, is a yacht charter paradise. The BVI have all of the ingredients for a perfect Caribbean sailing holiday: consistent winds, gorgeous islands, a mixture of deserted beaches, luxury hotels, shipwrecks, beach party towns and, of course, fantastic restaurants. 

The impeccable white sandy beaches beckon you to sit back, soak up the rays and chill out, or by the ideal sailing conditions from island to island, the culinary landscape of the BVI naturally reflects Caribbean influences that will dazzle your appetite with all you’re looking to enjoy. 

Cooper Island Beach Club

This breathtaking sunset stop is surrounded by a sandy white beach dotted with palm trees, connected by a lushly landscaped boardwalk. Happy hour, lunch and dinner menus are infused with delicious specialty options that can include Seared tuna salad and Josper grilled mahi mahi to Aberdeen Angus Steak and Vegan curry. Lunch is served between 12-3pm and dinner between 5:30 and 8:30 pm and is open between October 25th and August 11.

The connected Rum Bar has a collection of over 280 rums, meaning they have the largest selection in the Virgin Islands. Featured are a range of house-infusions, rare aged rums and classic cocktails made with rums from all over the world. Try a rum sampler board and their knowledgeable staff will explain the origins and history while you take in the atmosphere. Be sure to ask about their homemade rum infused chocolates.

Kick back on their comfy outdoor sofas and enjoy the sunshine with a cocktail. The beach bar and decked lounge faces west – perfect for watching a beautiful Caribbean sunset.

Saba Rock

Getting to Saba Rock near Virgin Gorda is just the beginning, as this tiny island resort is only accessible via yacht. Once you arrive, you’ll see why this has been a longtime favourite of both locals and tourists. The happy hour here is an especially lively scene. The food, however, is straightforward and comforting. A house specialty is Lobster Escargot, which features locally-caught Anegada lobster baked with lemon, garlic, and butter. Ben sure to take a look at one of the chef’s specialties, like the tropical beef stir fry or Caribbean spiced chicken. Wash it all down with a refreshing cocktail. Be warned that The Painkillers here are especially strong.

Note – Saba Rock has been closed since Hurricane Irma and is in the process of extensive renovations. It is slated for a reopening in the 2020 charter season!

CocoMaya

This beachfront restaurant in Virgin Gorda has a chic design – think basket pendant lighting, customised stone bar, and bamboo accents everywhere – and flavourful Asian-inspired menu of shared plates. Sip their signature cocktails in the open-air bar, or drink them right on the sand! Enjoy an exotic blend of Asian and Latin cuisines with creative twists. Try the Spicy Calamari Salad and Tempura Shrimp Lettuce Wraps or try our Sushi, including their famous CocoMaya roll.  The wine list is extensive, and the cocktail program is fun, too, with the best seller being the Cojito, a playful twist on the classic mojito that features coconut water and a coconut rim.

Contact one of our Brokers today to organise your Virgin Islands Yacht Charter.

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Women in Yachting

‘Are you okay to do that?’

I write this from the perspective of a woman who loves boats, yacht racing and all things on the water. I can safely say that the tides have not turned for women on the water. As a woman who has been brought up on boats, raced and competed in global and regional regattas and worked in the yachting industry, as soon as I get on a boat the question still remains ‘are you sure you’re okay to do that?’. The usual response is a fake smile and ‘I think I might be fine’.

I returned from a beautiful trip to Croatia a few weeks ago. Onboard there was a professional skipper, my two male colleagues and another female colleague. The two females onboard were the sailors. As soon as we stepped onboard, the boys were asked if they would be okay to help with throwing lines and assisting with the sailing in general. Growing up in Yorkshire, United Kingdom and seeing a woman who owned and took full ownership of a yacht was not a common phenomenon but it is something that certainly inspired me from a young age.

Start sailing, join a team or go on a charter with a group of women to enter into the amazing industry of sailing and yacht charter!

Women in Yachting

Florence Arthaud

She has become a household name for her solo circumnavigation on a trimaran. Her record and legend stood for many years as she inspired many women to start sailing and to stand up for the sailing capabilities.

The French sailor is the only woman to have won the Route du Rhum, a solo trans- Atlantic yacht race. This victory dominated the global news and that stole people’s hearts. The phrase to describe this victory is that ‘She demonstrated that it wasn’t just the muscle of man needed to win solo competitions. It was the brain accuracy in meteorology and working with yacht design’. Despite being involved in some of the most dangerous sailing in the world, with close calls including falling overboard in Corsica and retrieving her waterproof cellphone, she tragically was killed in a helicopter accident.

The Magenta Project

This organisation works with the aims of changing the sailing scene in women’s favour. It aims to increase the percentage of female sailors to 10% from 3% and to promote female role models within the yachting industry. https://themagentaproject.org

Chartering a yacht with a female crew

Chartering a yacht with a female crew is a very popular and growing charter request. Contact Boatbookings to help you, we are in contact with some of the best female captains and staff onboard global yachts. Boatbookings covers the globe with charter destinations and knows the best place to suit your group requirements. Boatbookings even has a female CEO, meet the team to get to know more about the brokers and team!

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