Where to Cruise & Type of Yacht
Start your sailing plans by picking where to cruise and the type of yacht you want to be aboard. Vacations are about rest, relaxation, and of course indulgence. When you charter a fully crewed yacht you get all of that, plus the added bonus of privacy. No lines to wait in for diner. No timetable to keep. It really is the ultimate escape.
Yacht charters are offered at all levels of luxury and service in some of the world’s most beautiful locations. The number of reputable crewed yachts available for charter worldwide is approximately 1,800. This fleet includes Catamarans, Power Cats, Sailboats, and decadent Motor Yachts,
Popular Cruising Destinations
Most of these yachts roam the waters of the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and the Eastern shores of Maine, Florida, and the Bahamas.
Caribbean
The US Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands provide the largest concentration of charter yachts in the Caribbean. Other locations such as Sint, Martin/St. Maraarten, Antigua/Barbuda, Martinque, St. Lucia, St. Vincent/Grenadines and the Tobago Cays. provide ports for the rest of the Caribbean charter fleet. All these locations offer great sailing conditions and a variety of itineraries to choose from. In addition, they all are relatively easy destinations to reach by either a scheduled airline or chartered flight.
Mediterranean
Looking for a summer ‘hot spot’ for your sailing vacation? Consider a Mediterranean charter. Cruising off the coasts of the French Riviera, the Italian Riviera, or the waters of Spain’s Balearic Islands will have you hobnobbing with many of the world’s most rich and famous jet-setters.
Greece, Turkey & Croatia
If you prefer an adventure, there is nothing like a charter yacht vacation in the beautiful waters of the Greek Islands, Turkey, and Croatia. There you can explore the ruins of Greece, Turkey and the ruggedly beautiful coast of Croatia.
Florida
Closer to home, there is always the option of finding a luxury crewed yacht to cruise the Florida Inter-Coastal Waterway, departing either Ft. Lauderdale or Miami for ports in the Florida Keys or possibly the Bahamas. The crewed charter yacht fleet based in Florida is primarily made up of luxury motor yachts, with just a few crewed monohull sailboats, catamarans, and bareboats available.
Bahamas
The islands of the Bahamas offer a variety of cruising options and itineraries. Having access to a good sized airport makes Nassau a popular port to begin a charter yacht vacation cruise.
Like Florida, the crewed yacht fleet based in the Bahamas is primarily made up of luxury motor yachts, with only a few crewed monohull sailboats, catamarans and bareboats available. Most of the crewed sailing vessels based in the Bahamas are catamarans, with a couple of exceptions. For the most part, these yachts are based in Nassau and cruise in either the Abacos or the Exumas .
A word about chartering in Florida or the Bahamas in early winter—don’t. Mid March is the earliest you would want to charter in these waters for the most comfortable weather.
New England & Maine
There are two more great options for a summertime sailing vacation close to home. How about chartering a yacht to cruise the coasts of either New England, or Maine?
A cruise in New England can encompass such historic places as Boston, Newport, Block Island, Martha’s Vineyard, Mystic Seaport, and Nantucket Island. Here you’ll be, sailing the waters of the birthplace of America.
The rugged scenic coast of Maine offers a noticeably short season for cruising, but it’s well worth it. The water may be too cold, and the fog can be thick, but you go there for the fresh lobster, clam bakes, and the fall colors. Life doesn’t get any better than that.
At Charter the Caribbean, we have decades of experience helping clients plan the finest in charter yacht vacations around the world. Let us help you with plan yours.