Best Destinations for First Time Charterers
Best Yacht Charter Destinations for First Time Charterers
Everyone remembers their first time on a yacht charter vacation: the anticipation, the excitement and even the anxiousness, not knowing whether one will enjoy it or not. And then, inevitably, follows the torrid love affair that will, more often than not, last a lifetime. Casting off into the blue horizon on one of the world’s most idyllic destinations, aboard a luxury private yacht, is about as good as life can ever get. Having your every wish catered to, an array of luxurious gourmet experiences, attentive services and fun water sports at your beck and call is, as you can only imagine, not that difficult to love.
If you’re about to set off on your very first private yacht charter experience, choose one of the following five best places to charter a yacht. For first timers, we recommend short sailing distances, a variety of activities and attractions and, for greater comfort and security, never having to sail too far off to sea..
U.S. and British Virgin Islands
Hands down, the very best incentive travel destination for a group yacht charter is the US and British Virgin Islands. The reasons are numerous – calm seas, protected anchorages, an array of activities and shoreside venues, and our largest fleet of luxe catamarans anywhere in the world. Not to mention, easy access into St. Thomas from the U.S. Although many people have been to St. Thomas, few have ventured to the nature’s paradise of the BVI with its pristine beaches, teeming coral reefs, fun-splashed beach bars, and quaint villages. This is also the destination where you get the biggest bang for your buck!
Recommended Fleets: Catamarans for up to 350 guests in one sailing; sailing yachts for up to 50 guests; power cats for up to 50 guests; and superyachts for up to 150 guests in one sailing
Best Time to Travel: November through July
Leeward Islands – St. Maarten, St. Barths, and Anguilla
Along with the Virgin islands, the Leewards are renowned as a stellar incentive travel destination, brimming with an array of activities and attractions for just about anyone. What makes the Leewards unique is that they offer a taste of everything as well a mix of European and West Indian cultures. Anguilla still has that sleepy outpost feel yet has developed into an island known for its high end resorts, world class spas and a first class golf course. St. Barth’s and St. Martin offer up a scent of France with designer shopping, sugar sand beaches and high end dining. Charming and historical English Harbor in Antigua was just declared a World Heritage Site.
Recommended Fleets: Catamarans for up to 150 guests in one sailing; sailing yachts for up to 50 guests; and superyachts for up to 150 guests in one sailing
Best Time to Travel: November through July
St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada
A firmly-held insider secret of the Caribbean, St Vincent and the Grenadines archipelago have burst onto the group incentive travel market with delightful gusto. Pristine and non-commercialized, these islands are a marvel of nature: peaceful, low key and spectacularly picturesque. For nature-focused group charters, St Vincent, the Grenadines and Grenada are a top pick, with excellent snorkeling and diving, as well as a few luxury resorts, providing unique options for entertainment, activities and blissful relaxation.
Recommended Fleets: Catamarans for up to 80 guests in one sailing; sailing yachts for up to 50 guests; and superyachts for up to 100 guests in one sailing
Best Time to Travel: March through July
Bahamas
With over 700 islands, the Bahamas is another one of the best incentive travel destinations and has many itinerary choices. We recommend the Exuma Cays which are located about 50 miles south and east of Nassau. These off-the-beaten track islands are so close to the United States, yet feel miles away. The sapphire seas are among the most glorious in the world, and the waters are brimming with coral and fish. The sport fishing is superb. Start your charter in Nassau– perhaps at Atlantis or the new Baha Mar mega resort.
Recommended Fleet: Superyachts for groups up to 200
Best Time to Travel: April through July and November/December
New England
A close to home incentive travel destination in the summer. Lighthouses, lobsters, quaint fishing villages, historic seaports, strawberry festivals, and Yankee charm fill the long, lazy days of New England in the summer. Cast off from Newport, Rhode Island which the sailing capital of the eastern U.S. and is easily accessible from the airport in Providence, RI or Boston, MA. Newport is a grand coastal city with cobbled streets, historic mansions, fine dining, exquisite beaches and nature trails, and a captivating waterfront. Set sail for Cape Cod and the Islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard off the Massachusetts coast. You can be in the heart of the attractions in the morning and anchored off a deserted beach in the late afternoon, perhaps “gunkholing” through the salt marshes in a kayak, exploring a tidal pool, or fishing for the catch of the day. Ashore, you'll find great shopping, wineries, fine restaurants, interesting music, hiking, biking, tennis, spas, and golf.
Recommended fleets: Superyachts for up to 100 guests
Best time to travel: Mid-June through mid-September
Croatia
Croatia and its 1,000 islands is the newest of our Mediterranean yacht group travel destinations. The rugged coastline of Croatia borders the eastern edge of the Adriatic Sea. This very best incentive travel destination is known for its sun-soaked days, crystal clear waters, unspoiled and abundant harbors, wild natural beauty, and charming medieval cities that are brimming with old world charm and history. One day you're in an ancient city sizzling with art, fine architecture, and throbbing nightlife and the next day, you're swimming in a secluded cove with nary another human being in sight.
Recommended Fleets: Traditional gulets for up to 150 guests; catamarans for up to 50 guests; superyachts for up to 100 guests
Best time to travel: May to September with June and September being the ideal months for cost and weather
Greece
Cruising the Greek islands is on everyone’s dream vacation list. Nearly 300 islands are scattered across the Aegean and Ionian seas ... each one teeming with history, enchanting mythology, romance, shining faces and welcoming arms. You have not discovered the true meaning of hospitality until you’ve succumbed to the charm of the Greek people. The Cyclades chain of islands, close to Athens, is among the best group travel destinations for first-time visitors to the Greek Islands. Savor the lively beat of Mykonos and Santorini; soak in the serenity of ancient Delos, the birthplace of Apollo; kick back in Kea and Kythnos, sipping retsina with the locals.
Recommended Fleets: Superyachts for up to 200 guests; catamarans for up to 100 guests
Best time to travel: May to October with June and September being the ideal months for cost and weather
Western Mediterranean
The most dreamed about incentive travel destination of all, the Western Mediterranean is home to the talked about ports in Europe – St. Tropez in France, Monte Carlo, Portofino and Capri in Italy, and Ibiza in Spain. What will you find here? Outstanding history and architecture, old-school glamor, brilliant shopping, amazing gastronomy , dramatic scenery, and picturesque harbors. As a group incentive destination, the West Med offers a plethora of options, so whether you need to impress or reward, you really couldn’t choose a better destination for groups. From the dreamy Amalfi Coast in Italy to the glitzy French Riviera and the alluring Spanish Balearic Islands, your guests will feel like they’re living the lifestyle of the rich and famous.
Recommended Fleets: Superyachts for up to 200 guests; catamarans for up to 50 guests
Best time to travel: May to October with June and September being the ideal months for cost and weather
We are standing by to assist you in selecting the best incentive travel destination or the best group travel destination on luxury yachts