Best Destinations to Charter a Yacht

Within the rain, snow and wreckage of already broken New Year’s resolutions of January, yuletide merriment seems a distant memory. Here at The Gentleman’s Journal we’re committed to breaking this melancholy. Imagine you’re on board Aglaia, your chartered yacht fresh out of the Vitters Yard, a glass of Nyetimber Blanc de Blanc in one hand and a Cohiba Esplendido in the other. Visualisations like this will keep you going in the office right up until July. In light of this, we’ve sifted through the best global destinations for your annual charter. From the Bahama’s to the Balearics we’ve selected the top three places to cast off for this summer.

1. The Ligurian Coast

Beloved by Byron, Keats and Shelley, the “Bay of Poets” provides a suitably dramatic setting to what is a suitably dramatic mode of holidaying. The jagged cliffs snake round a coast that will perfectly mirror the razor sharp hull of any contemporary super-yacht. If this wasn’t enough the coastline features some of the most picturesque harbour’s in the Mediterranean; Portofino and Portovenere. Private and intimate, the only danger is that you may not want to leave.

Craft of choice: Kokomo, visit Burgess Yachts for more details.

2. Barbados

If God chartered a yacht then he’d charter one to Barbados. Golden beaches, clear blue seas and palm trees and an abundance of luxury hotels are year round features on this Island that is quite simply paradise. With an ample sized marina in Bridgetown and some of the best nightlife in the Caribbean, including Priva Barbados, any yacht is capable of mooring here and is guaranteed to have a truly exceptional time.

Craft of choice: Indian Empress, more information via burgessyachts.com

3. Cote D’Azur

This is the catwalk of the Super-Yacht. This magnet for anyone-who’s-anyone is the perfect setting for the most luxurious and elaborate marine craft. Cape Ferrat provides the perfect place to drop anchor off shore whilst the soft, perfect sands of Pampelonne at St Tropez will entice you. If this wasn’t enough this stretch of coast offers some of the finest dining in the world, including Arnaud Donckele’s 3 Michelin starred La Vague d’Or at Hotel Le Residence’ de la Pinède.

Craft of choice: Wider 150, visitcharterworld.com

4. Adriatic Sea

Montenegro, often referred to as the pearl of the Mediterranean, is another stunning destination to begin your yacht charter. Situated in the south of the Adriatic, there are few other places in the world where you can you find so much natural wealth, mild beaches, clear lakes, fast rivers, and gorgeous mountains in such a compact area. With the crystal waters of the Adriatic as your playground, we defy anyone not to fall in love with it.

Craft of Choice: Barracuda, for more information visit yachtmasters.com

By James Somper