Blue & Beyond #11 - Ready For The Caribbean Yacht Charter Season

When choosing your Caribbean yacht charter destination this year, why not consider St Barths and the British Virgin Islands?

30 September 2018

St Barths

Chartering a yacht in the Caribbean reaches beyond its famous destinations brimming with rich history, vibrant cultures and spectacular beaches.

St Barths, or St Barts, is one of the most popular islands to visit when on a Caribbean yacht charter and attracts an exclusive crowd of superyachts, crewed charter yachts and sailing vessels.
Charter clients looking for a Christmas or New Year getaway will find St Barths operating as usual for the 2018 winter charter season. For yacht charters that include St Barths in their itinerary, there are plenty of options to pick up and restock with freight flights going into St Thomas, St Maarten and Antigua two or three days per week, as well as duty-free imports for yachts in transit.

The port town Gustavia is the thriving capital of St Barths and you will find the luxury designer shops and best restaurants are open for business. Soak up the joie de vivre of a destination with tropical flair - head to Colombier Beach and swim with sea turtles, discover the vibrant nightlife or enjoy delicious cuisine with a distinctly French flavour.

Those who appreciate beach vacations are spoilt for choice in St Barths – clear turquoise waters for using your yachts water toys and postcard-perfect white sand beaches such as Anse du Gouverneur, Lorient Beach, St Jean Beach or Anse de Grande Saline.

Eden Rock St Barths, part of the Oetker Collection, is the ultimate luxury getaway. As one of the Top 100 hotels in the world, we are delighted to hear it will be reopening in December where it will unveil a transformation of its rooms and public areas, as well as a new restaurant, Spa, and a larger Rockshop boutique selling high-end jewellery, luxury luggage and beachwear.

If you’re looking for world-class beaches and a unique blend of history and culture, St Barths is ideal for all types of Caribbean yacht charters ranging from families wanting to charter a sailing boat for vacation, or friends looking for a crewed yacht.

British Virgin Islands (BVIs)

The 2017 hurricane season in the Caribbean was like no other. Since Hurricanes Irma and Maria, information regarding the British Virgin Islands (BVIs) has been hard to source.

The territory is committed to re-establishing tourism, especially for the yachting industry, so it’s important to give clear information to our customers.

As at July 2018, things were much rosier. The BVI Tourist Board reported that almost all of the sailing charter companies were back in business, though with reduced fleet capacity of around 60%. By year end, many charter companies are forecast to be at pre-Irma capacity.

One of the most popular Caribbean yacht charter destinations, the BVIs are sending an invitation to the yachting industry that they’ve bounced back and ready for Christmas and New Year visitors.
The famous Soggy Dollar Bar reopened on Jost van Dyke last winter. Moorings, Nanny Cay and Leverick Bay Resort & Marina have been repaired and rebuilt. Anegada Beach Club, Cooper Island Beach Club, Oil Nut Bay and Guana Island have reopened. Necker Island and Scrub Island are due to reopen in October.

The BVIs has fantastic options for winter charter guests and Bluewater’s expert brokers can help you with an inspiring charter itinerary for Christmas, New Year’s Eve or beyond. Don’t miss visiting the stunning Baths of Virgin Gouda that were undamaged after the hurricanes, or fabulous diving and snorkelling spots including Norman Island, the Dog Islands or the BVI Art Reef, a historic naval vessel turned into a dive site that Richard Branson and other stakeholders opened in April.

Key holiday 2018 dates are Christmas (Tuesday 25th December) and New Year’s Eve (Monday 31st December) so you can ensure you plan and provision early for your Caribbean winter yacht charter. Contact our yacht charter specialists for further information.

Featured Yacht - M/Y Just Enough

Available for charter this Winter in the Caribbean, including Christmas out of St. Barths, St. Martin, or the British Virgin Islands.

A stunning 2012 tri-deck yacht equipped with the perfect selection of water toys, including Waverunners, Seabobs, Paddle Boards, a Hot Tub, Water Slide, and a smokin’ brand new 34’ Custom Power Cat, perfect for beach excursions, waterskiing, diving, and exploring.