Destinations
The warmth and consistent trade wind breeze, coupled with the beautiful beaches and scenery make the Caribbean a popular sailing location. Indeed, many charter sailing yachts are either based in the Caribbean or sail there during the winter months. The area also plays host to famous social yacht races such as the St Barts Bucket Regatta and the Antigua SuperYacht Cup. The Caribbean offers famous cruising locations in the Leeward and Windward Islands, as well as the Virgin Islands, St Marten, Anguilla, St Barts, Antigua and the Grenadines.
Caribbean island information
Another popular destination for sailing yacht vacations
during the summer months is the Mediterranean Sea. Here,
there is a huge selection of yachts available, larger
than any other area worldwide. As well as every type
of sailing yacht imaginable, the Western Mediterranean
can give you locations such as the South of France (Riviera),
Sardinia and Italy, each offering beautiful scenery,
culture and food. Mediterranean wind is typically not
as consistent and settled as provided by the Caribbean
trade winds, but the beauty and cultural experiences
of the Western ‘Med’ more than make up for reduced time
under sail.
The other end of the Mediterranean, the Eastern ‘Med’,
tends to have more wind for sailing yachts. The area
includes Croatia, Greece and Turkey; this part of the
Mediterranean is more relaxed, but there are some amazing
sights and experiences to be found, with literally thousands
of islands to sail around.
Further afield, other sailing vacation locations include
the Bahamas, New England, the Pacific North West, the
South Pacific, the Seychelles and Maldives, as well
as South East Asia, and Australasia. Each one can offer
the luxury yacht vacationer something unique from a
landscape point of view and also weather conditions.
Best Yachting Destinations of the World:
Cote d’Azur
One of the most exclusive holiday locations in the world, the Cote d’Azur is also know as the French Riviera. Famous resorts such as St Tropez and Cannes are popular with the rich, famous and those wishing to sample the luxurious lifestyle, and the Cote d’Azur also offers the finer things in life. You can dock at Monaco and take a taste of the life for yourself.
Balearic Islands
Ibiza is probably the most well-known island in the area, but the rest of the Balearics are Mallorca, Menorca and Formentera, between them boasting some of the most attractive and secluded beaches in the Mediterranean, making them ideal destinations for yacht cruisers looking for peace and relaxation on European coasts. In addition there are a variety of water sports, luxury hotels, busy bars and restaurants, and a vibrant nightlife reachable from the harbours.
The Adriatic
The coastline of Croatia in the Mediterranean across the Adriatic from eastern Italy has few peers, with its 1,800 islands and many reefs and rocky coves; it’s a sailor’s paradise! Add to that many of the finest examples of Roman architecture to be found and you have a stunning Dalmation coast to explore. When you have docked the seaside resort towns of Dubrovnik and Split will keep you occupied, as will Porec, with its stores, boutiques and winding streets, plus, of course, the ever-popular bars and restaurants.
The Caribbean
Imagine white sandy beaches and crystal clear blue seas, blessed with sun all year round, and you’re imagining the Caribbean. It’s a popular spot for tourists and holidaymakers, with hundreds of stunning destinations to suit all budgets and lifestyles. When travelling to the region by yacht, make sure you stop off at some of the many islands, including Antigua, Barbados and the Bahamas.
Phuket
The region of Phuket – also known as the ‘Pearl of
the South’ – in Thailand is in Andaman Sea in the Indian
Ocean. It consists of coves and bays and is famed for
its tasty seafood and picturesque beaches. Yachting
enthusiasts love Phuket, which is popularly considered
to be the prime yachting destination in Asia, and it
is host to the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta – the largest
sailing event in Asia, attended by hundreds of visitors
from all around the world. It is also pertinent to note
that there are a number of other water-based activities
in the Phuket area, such as speed boating, deep sea
fishing, surfing, snorkelling and scuba diving.
French and Italian RivieraStroll down the narrow alleyways of Eze with their delightful cobblestones and picturesque Provençal shops, and then have dinner at the Château de la Chèvre d’Or with its views of the Mediterranean. The Côte d’Azur is a marvellous destination for a cruise. The large number of ports means that the travelling time between stops enables a relaxing itinerary to be constructed. If you head east to the Italian coast, the long crossing from Monaco to Portofino or San Remo can be made overnight. You can discover some local secrets – such as the antique and flower markets on the Cours Saleya in Nice, or the Provençal food market of Forville in Cannes. Or what about the unspoilt Porquerolles Islands and their Marine Reserve or the five villages of the Unesco world heritage site of the Cinque Terre: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza (with its excellent local wine) and Monterosso. Or you might like just to lie back and luxuriate in the sun, with your yacht anchored off one of the Caps or a beach club at St Tropez. Royalty Yachts can book you a table at a top restaurant on the coast. It could be the Oasis in Cannes; the LeMoulin de Mougins; Alain Ducasse’s Louis XV at the Hotel de Paris; or La Terrazza at Hotel Splendido in Portofino. |
Iles D’hyères, Côte D'Azur, France
You might fancy the popular destinations like Antibes, St Tropez, Cannes and Cap Ferrat, but to get away from the crowds, you could try the attractive wildness of islands such as those in the Gulf of Hyères – more popularly known as the Iles d’Or thanks to the reflection of golden light seen at sunset. The largest island of the group is Porquerolles, with its wonderful arboreal landscape of eucalyptus trees, umbrella pines and sub-tropical plants, and its crystalline coves. Plage Nôtre Dame is the best beach, and the small colonial-style village is famous for its narrow streets, its inviting rustic cafés, and the ochre-painted church. The dwelling was founded in 1820 by Napoleon as a haven for the honourable veterans of the Grand Armée. In modern times it has become a haven away from the hustle and bustle of the Côte d'Azur. In the daytime you can explore the botanical trails of Porquerolles by mountain bike; in the evening you can taste Provençal cooking at the Mas du Langoustier, a large manor house on the western end of the island.
Southern Italy
In Capri’s second town of Anacapri, you can dine on the terrace at the classy L’Olivio restaurant in the Capri Palace Hotel. Southern Italy has the fiery passion that wills you to live life to the full, and it has the taste to raise it above the rest. Many clients often ask for the authentic Italian experience and the Neapolitan Coast and the islands of Southern Italy can give you exactly that.
As well as the well-known and undeniably alluring historical attractions such as Pompeii, there are the more immediate pleasures such as dining at the Palazzo Sasso in Ravello and attending a concert at Villa Rufolo. The best way to see Capri is, of course, from your own private super-yacht. One famous destination is the Blue Grotto, but you shouldn’t miss the Villa Jovis, the ruin of Roman Emperor Tiberius’s home, and taking the chairlift to the island’s high point, Mount Solaro (1,932 feet) is an exciting trip. Take a look at the Faraglioni Rocks, but don’t miss a glass of wine and a plate of olives at Da Luigi.
You should try to make room in your itinerary for the Pontine Islands – further north – too. There is Ponza for dining on the waterfront and Palmarola for peace, as it is uninhabited.
Aeolian Islands, Italy
On the western side of Italy, when sailing out of Naples, you can find the Aeolian (or Lipari) Islands – an archipelago of hidden gems north east of Sicily. Here you might see the erupting volcano on Stromboli, and you can try fresh seafood at Kasbah on Lipari, or visit Hotel Raya and explore its boutique for exclusive gifts. The beaches at Stromboli are black volcanic and the smouldering volcano sits behind you. In the evening you could even have dinner on your yacht, with the sky lit by the volcanic glow. The capital of the islands is Lipari, but the best has to be Panarea, a delightful escape from the Capri crowds which combines the simplicity of life and barefoot chic as only the Italians can. Hotel Raya on Panarea can provide a wonderful lunch or dinner on its whitewashed terraces with a spectacular sea view.
Sardinia and Corsica
The combination of these two islands gives you the full contrast of cultures and geography. Sardinia has 1,800 km of coastline, but the best cruising is saved for the well kept Costa Smeralda, including Porto Cervo and Cala di Volpe. You cannot afford to miss the bar at Hotel Cala di Volpe, the jewel in the Aga Khan’s coastline vision, and the Cipriani restaurant at Porto Cervo is part of the Billionaire Club – a truly exclusive summer nightclub. If you are a party person then Nikki Beach and Sottovento will keep you busy until the small hours. While Sardinia scores highly for luxury, that’s not what it’s all about. Secluded beaches nestle away out of reach by land, but within the compass of your yacht. Costa Smeralda is called the Emerald Coast and with good reason – the rest of the Mediterranean can barely match the stunning seascapes here.
Just two cruising hours away from Sardinia is mountainous Corsica – more relaxed and not famous for nightlife or clubs. Nevertheless, Via Notte, just south of Porto Vecchio, is known as a glamorous alternative to Ibiza. The island can boast two Michelin-starred restaurants: L’Alivu at La Villa above Calvi, and the restaurant at the Grand Hôtel de Cala Rossa in Porto Vecchio. Of course, as the island is French, there is fine dining everywhere – from the total gourmet experience to chargrilled seafood on a wooden fire on the beach. A highlight of your visit to Corsica would have to be the harbour at Bonifacio – natural, and back-dropped with steep and dramatic limestone cliffs. The perched Citadel gives memorable views and wonderful seafood is served at La Caravelle restaurant on the quayside.
Turkey and Greece
If the Meltemi wind is blowing then your captain might advise a change of itinerary and move crossing times and anchorages. The Mediterranean southern coast of Turkey has a wonderful combination of small quaint towns, quiet, beautiful, sapphire sea and white sand bays, and archaeological sites to please the most intense history buff. Try the Gulf of Fethiye to explore the many inlets, or pass the dramatic Lycian rock tombs while cruising up the Dalyan River to the site of Ancient Caunos and the hot sulphur mud baths. The ruined city of Ancient Knidos and the Castle of St Peter at Bodrum are other highlights. The latter has a museum of underwater archaeology and offers snorkelling among the ruins of the memorable island of Kekova. A good starting point for a Turkish cruise is Göçek, and a stopover at Kuadasi gives you a chance to explore the marvellous Ephesus and allows you to combine Turkey with an island hopping trip around the Dodecanese islands of Greece. These include Patmos, Samos, Kos, Leros and Kalymnos.
If it’s just Greece you’re interested in, then why not start at Athens from where you can visit islands at Hydra, Mykonos, Ios, Santorini and Paros. In July and August the Ionian islands are to be recommended as they provide shelter from the prevailing Aegean winds. Corfu is a good place to start – in the south there are numerous sandy beaches, and in the north a number of quiet, unspoilt villages. The islands of Paxos and Anti-Paxos have lovely harbours, and, for a range of culture, villages, beaches and lovely seafront tavernas try Cephalonia, Zakinthos and Ithaca. If you are in this part of the world, give yourself at least ten days to really get a feel for life here.
Croatia
The Croatian Adriatic can be an ideal place to relax and enjoy peaceful cruising. More than a thousand islands offer so many coves, anchorages, islets and inlets that you couldn’t possibly explore them all. The Dalmation islands give you a chance to cruise through scenery that combines quiet bays, picturesque villages and empty beaches with wooded islands, the mountains of the mainland and crystal clear waters. Croatia’s geography ensures that as you head south the scenery takes even more of your breath away. The history and archaeology of the region is influenced by the culture of Greece, Rome and Venice. The scenery gives you a tranquillity, but there are plenty of waterfront towns to give you the night time buzz, if you want it. Hvar, Split and Dubrovnik can all offer shops, restaurants and night clubs. In addition, consider Trogir, Vis, Korcula and Mijet for your itinerary.
Croatia Special:MABLU Croatia Yacht Charter
MABLU Brochure |
Kvarner Gulf, Istria, Croatia
If you start your cruise from Venice, then don’t
be in too much of a hurry, because you don’t want to
miss the Istrian Peninsula as you cruise down to Dubrovnik
and the Dalmation Coast. The Kvarner Gulf sits in between
the eastern flank of the Peninsula and the mainland
of Croatia, and in here are a number of interesting
islands, including Cres, Krk, Rab and Losinj – all hosts
to lively and colourful medieval towns, working fishing
villages and private coves. Rab is an alluring pine-clad
island, with a picturesque old town and many secluded
lagoons and bays.
Antarctica
Sailing Antarctica will give you an experience of
a lifetime that you cannot surpass.
Last Border will take you sailing around icebergs,
through narrow mountain passes, among whales and seals,
right to the limit of the Earth.
Antarctica, the southern most continent, is truly a
land of records. It is the highest, windiest, driest,
and coldest continent, with the most dynamic glacial
activity. In such harsh conditions, the quantity of
wildlife will astound you as you marvel at their lack
of fear.
The Antarctic Peninsula offers the opportunity to have
an amazing experience, sailing through narrow channels
between steep mountains with ice caps and glaciers.
Visiting breeding penguin colonies, seals and whales
along the way. Truly a land of spirit, visiting the
Arctic is a cultural and wildlife experience not to
be missed. Haunted by explorers past, roamed by the
great white bear, and navigated by your yacht,
Last Border will take you to see the very best that
this region has to offer.
More info:
Last Border - privateyachtexpeditions.com
Reservations
Sailing Destinations of the World:
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Western Mediterranean
Yacht Charters Capraia Corsica Costa Bravo Elba French Riviera Ibiza and Formentera Italy (West Coast) Mallorca Malta and Gozo Menorca Sardinia Sicily South East Spain Southern Spain and Portugal Tunisia Eastern Mediterranean Yacht Charters Croatia Greece Italy (Adriatic) Turkey Europe Atlantic Coast Yacht Charters Baltics Belgium Denmark England France Atlantic Germany Ireland Netherlands Norway Portugal Scotland Spain Atlantic Sweden North Atlantic Yacht Charters Azores Bermuda Canaries Cape Verdes Herb Hilgenberg Madeira Rabat |
US Atlantic Coast Yacht
Charters Atlantic Canada Chesapeake Florida Intracoastal Waterway Maine New England Caribbean Yacht Charters Bonaire British Virgin Islands Cancun Caymans Cuba Dominican Republic Jamaica Leeward Islands Panama Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Venezuela Windward Islands Bahamas Yacht Charters Abacos Andros Berry Islands Bimini Cat Island Eleuthera Exumas Grand Bahama Island Great Sale Cay Long Island Nassau Rum Cay San Salvador South America Yacht Charters Bahia de Isla Grande Belem Fortaleza French Guiana Punta del Este Recife Rio de Janeiro Salvador de Bahia Victoria |
South Atlantic Yacht Charters Ascension Island Falklands (Malvinas) Fernando de Noronha Gough Island Ilha Trinidade S. Georgia, S. Sandwich I. St Helena Tristan da Cunha Pacific Yacht Charters Alaska British Columbia Central America Cook Islands Easter Island Fiji French Polynesia Galapagos Hawaii Kiribati Mexico Samoa Tonga Tuamotus US Pacific Coast Australasia Yacht Charters Brisbane Darwin New Zealand Perth South Australia Sydney-Melbourne Tasmania Indian Ocean Yacht Charters Andaman Islands Cocos (Keeling) India Madagascar Maldives Mauritius Philipines Reunion Seychelles Thailand |