Your travel plans don’t have to fluctuate with the coronavirus pandemic when you choose a luxury yacht charter in the Caribbean – cruise with complete safety and peace of mind in this incredible tropical paradise. You need never step off your private yacht if you choose to, with all the entertainments available onboard inside and out, and your highly trained chef will prepare a new delectable creation every mealtime that caters to all dietary requirements. Read about the best locations for the winter 2020 and 2021 that include US Virgin Islands, St Barths or Antigua & Barbuda.
Luxury yacht Far Niente available for yacht charter – Photo Credit David Wright
Spend your days travelling from one white sand beach to the next, discovering underwater wrecks, magnificent reefs and sheltered playgrounds for your water toys along the way. Need some ideas? Here are three popular destinations for a luxury yacht charter designed to satisfy all ages, activity levels and interests in your group.
US Virgin Islands
US Virgin Islands – Photo credit US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.
- St. Thomas is the most populated of the three main islands in the USVIs and has fantastic duty-free shopping, golf clubs and casinos on land, while guests looking for nature and water sports have their choice of white sand beaches. One of the favourites with luxury yacht charter groups is Christmas Cove on Great St. James Island, and there are hiking and biking trails that will take guests all the way from one side to the other. The Coral Bowl on St. Thomas is a must-see dive spot, where stingrays and turtles cruise past ledges and crevices in this colourful coral wonderland.
- St. John is home to the Virgin Islands National Park, arguably the greatest attraction within the US Virgin Islands. Trunk Bay is renowned for its underwater nature trail, while Maho Bay has a combination of sand and seagrass that attracts stingrays and turtles. Salt Pond Bay is another sensational location for snorkelling and Scuba diving in clear turquoise waters, and a short hike will take visitors to the salt pond for which it is named.
- St. Croix is a great choice for honeymooners, culture seekers, adventurers and family and friends groups looking for a more laidback town ambience without feeling like they’ve travelled to the ends of the Earth: There are over 200 historic sites and mesmerising dive sites from as little as 8m/26ft below glass-like blue waters. The Pier is one such dive site, where seahorses and turtles join colourful reef fish as they swim around the pillars being reclaimed by nature. For more experienced Scuba divers, The Wall is a treat not to be missed because of the beautiful sea fans and sponges covering its surface as it plunges straight down into the depths. Parrotfish and grouper are just two of the species found in these waters amongst the swim-throughs and canyons.
- Buck Island is a National Wildlife Refuge to the south of St. Thomas and is a popular destination for Scuba diving, snorkelling, paddle boarding and kayaking along the shore before an afternoon of sunbathing along the beach. The Cartanser Senior dive site is a 1970s wreck that has broken up into several pieces and lies just 15m/49ft below the surface. Snorkelers and divers of all ages will be engaged by the beauty of the wreck and its vibrant residents, and this is a great photo opportunity.
Antigua & Barbuda
Antigua
- Antigua is a blend of picturesque colonial architecture and paradisiacal tropical beaches that make it the epitome of a Caribbean luxury yacht charter – and its proximity to other desirable destinations only adds to its success. In April there’s the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta and the Antigua Sailing Week for roaring action on the waves, and you can take your water toys to one of the 365 sandy beaches to race through the crystal clear waters yourselves. St. John’s is the main town and its cathedral by the same name is a worthy attraction to add to your itinerary, as is the UNESCO World Heritage Site that is the working Edwardian Docks. The town also has great shopping opportunities and a thriving night life, should you wish to step ashore for a change to the wonderful entertainments you have on board.
- Barbuda is sparsely populated and a perfect place to experience that ‘desert island’ feeling without going anywhere truly remote. Pristine white sand beaches greet you and make a desirable spot to watch the sunset over a meal by candlelight. Frigate birds flock to Barbuda to make their nests and raise their young, and visitors will have the opportunity to observe them up close and capture some amazing camera shots in the nature reserve.
St. Barth’s
- Saint Barthelemy is famed for the magnificent St. Barth’s Bucket, a regatta which takes place over the winter charter season, as well as the Saint Barth’s Cup and Les Voiles de St. Barth in April and the International Regatta in May. The seafront is filled with international brands, boutique shops and high quality restaurants, while those looking to keep active have ideal conditions for surfing and kitesurfing at Baie de Grand Cul de Sac and Anse des Cayes. There is plenty of choice for snorkelling, Scuba diving and playing in shallow waters on the inflatable and towable toys, and fishing enthusiasts can catch a fresh lunch each day with the tuna, marlin, wahoo and much more.
- Arguably the most picturesque beach on Saint Barthelemy is Anse de Colombier to the north west: Away from the towns and awash in natural flora and fauna, this is a preferred anchorage for many luxury yachts, who savour the peace and privacy.
Travel under Covid-19
Conditions for entry into the Caribbean grounds vary from country to country, however, most require a negative PCR test no older than 48 hours on arrival at the border. Once you decide upon your preferred destinations, the country website will be able to keep you up to date with the latest requirements and restrictions for entry.
For your best and safest luxury yacht charter in the Caribbean over the 2020-21 winter period, take a look at the impressive fleet available and don’t hesitate to contact CharterWorld.
