Luxury Yacht Charter in the Spanish Virgin Islands

Found just west of the US Virgin Islands, Vieques and Culebra (collectively know as the Spanish Virgin Islands) are geographically part of Puerto Rico. Separated from the hustle-bustle and commercialism of the Puerto Rico mainland by a 90-minute boat ride, the islands offer stunning natural vistas that are so far completely unspoiled by commercialism.

Vieques:

Between 1941 and 2003 the majority of the island of Vieques was closed off by the US Navy, who used the area as a training range. As a result, Vieques remained almost entirely undeveloped for tourism and it is this lack of development that is now considered to be a key attraction. Even during peak season you will be lucky to spot another group of tourists on the beach within 50 yards.

Following the withdrawal of the US Navy, Vieques was classified as a “Fish and Wildlife refuge”. It is now promoted as an ecotourism destination that offers unspoiled beaches famous for their wild horses, which roam freely around several areas of the island.

Vieques is home to one of the most spectacular natural phenomena found in the Caribbean. The bioluminescent bay in Puerto Mosquito has officially been declared the brightest in the world. The luminescence is caused by billions of tiny micro-organisms which give a neon-blue glow whenever the water is disturbed.

Snorkeling on the island is excellent, especially at Blue Beach (Bahía de la Chiva) and Sun Bay, while for the evenings Vieques offers some of the finest food in Puerto Rico, including the famous carne guisada puertorriqueña (Puerto Rican beef stew).

Culebra:

The smaller of the two main Spanish Virgin Islands, Culebra is a great destination for nature lovers. With shallow waters and magnificent reefs full of tropical fish, Culebra’s quiet bays are perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving. The island is well-known for its beautiful countryside and offers plenty of opportunities for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding.

One of the most popular places for both locals and tourists to eat on the island is the Dinghy Dock bar. Dinghy Dock offers an unlimited salad bar and specializes in locally caught fresh fish such as swordfish and snapper.

It is impossible to leave Culebra without a visit to Flamenco Beach, which is home to many different species of Caribbean Sea fish including parrotfish and blue tang. Flamenco Beach is a very popular surfing destination due the waves created when the surf breaks on the reef a quarter mile out to sea.

One of our favorite yachts available for charter in Puerto Rico is the Lagoon 45 Crewed Catamaran MISS KITTY, with accommodation for up to 4 guests in 2 queen cabins. MISS KITTY offers a wide variety of watersports and toys and is perfect for a romantic vacation or time spent with close family.

For more information on chartering a yacht in Puerto Rico please have a look at our recent blog post on Luxury Yacht Charteres in Puerto Rico or our Puerto Rico Yacht Charter Guide. Alternatively, you can send an enquiry email to [email protected].

Posted on November 22, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓

Benetti Reveals Three Upcoming Super Yachts

Renowned Italian yacht-builder Benetti has given us a sneak preview of three upcoming super yachts which are soon to be delivered from its shipyards. Every Benetti yacht is unique and crafted around her owner’s needs, and these yachts really show why Benetti is the only yacht builder to have won Showboats International magazine’s “Shipyard Number 1” award six times in a row.

Benetti FB265

Currently being built at the Benetti shipyard in Livorno, the new 63 meter Benetti FB265 made her first appearance in October as she moved to the outfitting area of the yard. The FB625 is the second-largest Benetti currently in production. She has a steel hull with aluminium superstructure and is powered by twin Catepillar engines, giving her a 16 knot cruising speed. She won’t be seen again until she is officially launched in 2014.

Tradition Supreme 108

The new Tradition Supreme 108 (BK001), designed by Stefano Righini, was also recently transferred to the outfitting area of the yard. For the first time in the history of the Benetti Class range, the sun deck, roll-bar and hard top incorporate the use of fiberglass-carbon composites, creating a lighter and stronger deck structure.

With 3 decks, the Tradition Supreme 108 has considerable living space that provides guaranteed privacy, with a more complete separation of guest and crew living areas. She can comfortably accommodate ten guests in five cabins: an Owners Suite on the main deck and four Guest Cabins (two doubles and two twin) on the lower deck.

Full-height windows on the main deck allow plenty of natural light and provide stunning views, while a vertical window in the wheelhouse gives 180° visibility to the helmsman. One of the Tradition Supreme’s main features is a large sky lounge and sun-deck, which were designed to give the owner and his guests the maximum enjoyment of open air living.

The Tradition Supreme 108 has twin MAN engines which give a top speed of 13.5 knots, and a cruising speed of 12.5 knots. She will be delivered in October 2013.

Delfino 93 ZAPHIRA

The fifth Benetti Delfino 93’, ZAPHIRA (BD005), was also launched last month. ZAPHIRA is the third Delfino 93’ launched in 2012, after AZUL in April and OCEAN DRIVE in June, and is easily distinguishable by her fantastic blue hull. She is due to be delivered at the end of 2012. ZAPHIRA has a beautiful interior, with dark Ebony paneling, designed by Carlo Galeazzi. She can accommodate up to twelve guests in a fantastic Owner’s Suite and four Guest Cabins (two doubles, and two twins with folding berths). Two Caterpillar engines give this super yacht a top speed of 14 knots and a cruising speed of 13 knots.

One of our favorite Benetti yachts currently available for charter is the Benetti Classic WILD THYME, with accommodation for up to 10 guests in 5 luxurious en-suite cabins. WILD THYME is a 120ft super yacht available for charter along the French Riviera and Corsica with a professional crew of 7. She features a beautiful top deck with Jacuzzi, a collection of fantastic water toys and a very luxurious interior. Please also have a read of our blog post on the Benetti 46m ILLUSION.

If you are interested in chartering a Benetti yacht then please have a look at our Benetti Luxury Yacht Charter page or or send an enquiry email to [email protected].

Posted on November 21, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓

Chartering a Crewed Catamaran in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands

St Thomas is one of the most popular destinations to begin a luxury yacht charter in the Caribbean. As it is part of the USA, the island is well connected with the US mainland, making it the perfect place to start exploring both the US Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.

Charlotte Amalie, the largest city and capital of the USVI, is home to more than half of the island’s 51,000 residents. The city is famous for its deep-water harbor that was previously home to many pirates but is now a popular destination for cruise ships and charter yachts. Cyril E. King Airport, just outside the city, is connected to numerous destinations along the east coast of the United States.

Charlotte Amalie lies at the base of several steep hills, with specially constructed walkways leading up the hillsides of Government Hill. The 99 Steps is the most famous of these walkways. Built in the 18^th century using bricks sent over from Denmark, this trail offers panoramic views over the harbour in St Thomas and of the stunning Caribbean scenery. It can be found between Government House and Hotel 1829.

St. Thomas is a sport-lovers paradise. The beautiful crystal-clear and turquoise waters surrounding the island are perfect for snorkeling, scuba diving, windsurfing and waterskiing (just to name a few!), while the renowned Mahogany Run Golf Course attracts thousands of visitors each year.

St Thomas also offers miles of white sandy beaches, perfect for those simply seeking rest and relaxation. Located on the North side of the island, the beach at Magens Bay stretches for nearly three quarters of a mile and is one of the most frequented tourist beach destinations on the island. It is thought that Sir Francis Drake used Magens Bay as an anchorage while he was waiting for other ships to ransack.

One of our favourite charters on offer in the Caribbean is BARBUDA BELLE, a lagoon 620 crewed catamaran with accommodation for 10 guests in five ensuite cabins. BARBUDA BELLE offers a wide range of water toys and is an ideal for families and friends. She was recently chosen as one of our top 10 catamarans at the 2012 BVI Yacht Show.

For more information on yachts available in the US Virgin Islands, please have a look at our St Thomas Yacht Charter Overview or email us at [email protected].

Posted on November 19, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓

Corporate Entertainment in Singapore Onboard a Luxury Yacht Charter

Singapore is well known as one of the most exciting and busy cities in the Far East. Home to a great marina, and some fantastic sights, a charter to host a corporate event is not only a great idea for the experience, but a great idea for your company as you can show your colleagues and clients some extraordinary sights whilst enjoying a meal and drinks from the splendour of the seas.

Events held on luxury yachts are far more impressive than just hiring another hotel meeting room. Luxury yachts are a fantastic way to entertain clients and to make a brilliant impression. During the day, yachts can act as an office and conference venue for meetings and presentations. In the evening, yachts are perfect for cocktail parties, formal dinners and other events. Not only do they give your corporate event that extra great feel, but it relieves stress on the client, as we organise the placement of the yacht, and help you to organise a smoothly run charter.

Singapore is well known for its cultural diversity, colonial history, world-class shopping and fantastic beaches, especially those found on Sentosa Island. It is also home to numerous high-class restaurants and the world’s only “Night Safari”, which houses more than 1,000 wild animals. A sailing cruise around the southern islands of Singapore, which offer spectacular views of the city skyline, is ideal for a corporate event yacht charter. Luxury yachts also offer a range of activities such as fishing, snorkelling, swimming and diving.
Chartering a yacht for corporate entertainment at the Singapore Grand Prix is becoming very popular. Many of the greatest yachts in Asia make their way to Singapore just for the race. The race circuit is just over 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) long, running adjacent to the harbour in the Marina Bay area. Only three other races in Formula One (the Monaco, Abu Dhabi and Valencia street circuits) run past a marina. However, Singapore stands out as the first night race in Formula One history. The timing of the race means that it can be broadcast live at a convenient time for European audiences.

Conclusion
Singapore is the perfect destination for a corporate entertainment event on a yacht, whether you want it during the Singapore Grand Prix, Chinese New Year, or just during the year for a conference meeting or to meet and greet with your colleagues and clients. To see the yachts we have listed for corporate entertainment in Singapore, please see here.

If you’re interested in chartering a yacht, please go to boatbookings.com or email us at [email protected] and one of our Charter Specialists would be delighted to help you.

Posted on November 16, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓

Watersports on a Luxury Crewed Yacht Charter in the BVI

Whether you wish to try your hand at water-skiing, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, knee boarding, windsurfing or Seabobs (among other sports), there are always boats on offer that meet all the necessary water sport requirements. Chartering a crewed yacht with a variety of sea toys is a fantastic way to ensure a family vacation with plenty of excitement and adventure. Below you will find brief descriptions of just some of the fantastic water sport opportunities on offer.

Scuba Diving / Snorkeling

The beautiful waters of the Caribbean are the perfect place for exploration and discovery. Dive down to sites that include the wreckages of Spanish galleons and British warships, or snorkel through the stunning coral reefs that are home to a host of tropical fish and other rare species of marine life.

Many crewed yachts offer diving instructors on board who will ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable scuba-diving experience. Rendezvous diving means that you are joined by a professional diving company who bring their own boat and diving equipment. These companies offer only the most experienced diving staff who have unrivalled knowledge of all the best local dive sites.

As the only coral reef island in the Virgin Islands, Anegada is an extremely popular charter destination for snorkelers and scuba divers. Other popular diving and snorkeling destinations include the Maldives, Seychelles and the Great Barrier Reef.

Waterskiing, Wakeboarding and Kneeboarding

The easiest and quickest way to learn how to ski is by starting on a kneeboard. Kneeling on the board gives you a much lower centre of gravity than conventional waterskiing, which makes it easier to balance and keep control when you are being towed at speeds of around 30-50km/h.

In contrast, water skiing not only requires exceptional upper and lower body strength but also extremely good balance. Many boats offer both adult and children’s waterskis. Children often find learning to waterski easier than adults due to their lower centre of gravity.

Wakeboarding was originally developed from a combination of water skiing, snowboarding and surfing. Wakeboards are usually made of foam or honeycomb, which is mixed with resin and coated with fibreglass.

Given the obvious dangers of falling into the water at speed, a third person is required as a spotter for the person in the water. The spotter’s job is to ensure that all necessary safety measures are taken.

Interesting fact: The most skiers towed behind one boat is 145. This world record was set by the Horsehead Water Ski Club in Strahan, Tasmania, in January 2012.

Personal Water Craft / Water scooter

Personal Water Craft (PWCs) are often referred to by their more well-known brand names such as Jet Ski, WaveRunner and SeaDoo. These vehicles are normally designed for one or two people, although three- and four-man models do exist.

PWCs are popular because they are small, very fast and easy to manoeuvre. They are also an extremely fun way to explore the ocean and are safer around swimmers because they do not have external propellers.

Riders should probably try their best not to fall off though, as there is a risk of similar injuries to those that can be picked up on waterskis.

With accommodation for 6 guests in 2 cabins, the Jongert 27m crewed sailing yacht ICARUS is ideal for sailing charters around Europe and the Virgin Islands. ICARUS offers a variety of exciting water toys including snorkelling equipment, waterskis, tube, towing ring, wake board and fishing gear, while rendezvous diving is also an option.

If you would like some advice and help in planning a trip to the BVI, please have a look at our BVI Catamaran Charter Guide or send us an email to [email protected], where one of our Brokers would be delighted to assist you.

Posted on November 14, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓