The Ultimate Guide to Yachting Adventures Around the Globe
The Allure of Island Hopping in Greece
With over 1,400 picturesque islands dotting aquamarine waters, Greece is a sailor’s paradise. From the cosmopolitan Cyclades to the lush Ionian islands, there is endless natural beauty and rich history to uncover hopping from one island to the next aboard a luxury yacht.
Santorini’s stunning caldera and whitewashed villages perched on cliffs draw visitors from around the world. Mykonos is renowned for its vibrant nightlife, chic ambience, and iconic windmills. More remote islands like Milos, Paros, and Naxos offer quainter harbors, hidden coves, ancient ruins, and delicious local cuisine made from the bounty of the Aegean Sea.
A sailing trip through the Greek isles lets you experience the very best of the Mediterranean. Awaken docked in a tranquil bay where the water is so clear you can see to the sandy bottom. Spend sunny days lounging on deck taking in dramatic seascapes or dive into sapphire waters for a refreshing swim. Then explore charming waterfront villages and dine al fresco on fresh seafood at a seaside taverna as the sun sets. With over 200 inhabited islands to choose from, you could sail Greek waters for weeks and never get bored.
Discovering Paradise Islands in the Caribbean
For tropical tranquility and natural beauty, the Caribbean offers some of the world’s most idyllic destinations for yachting escapes. With turquoise waters, swaying palm trees, and coral reefs teeming with marine life, it’s a sailor’s version of paradise.
The British Virgin Islands host a sailing mecca, with the protected waters surrounding islands like Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, and Peter Island making for easy navigation between pristine anchorages. St. Barts is a glitzy French island favored by the rich and famous, with exquisite beaches and fine dining. Turks and Caicos impresses visitors with stunning Grace Bay Beach and some of the best snorkeling and diving spots in the region.
A classic Caribbean charter usually includes hopping between white sand beaches for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding and island exploration by day while enjoying sundowners and delicious local seafood on board at sunset. The tropical climate stays sublime year-round, with warm air and water temperatures inviting endless time spent soaking up the easy island vibes.
With so many picturesque isles and cays to choose from, planning the ultimate Caribbean yacht itinerary can be daunting. But you truly can’t go wrong when everywhere you sail evokes feelings of paradise.
Luxurious Charter Trips Along the French Riviera
For those seeking a refined yachting sojourn infused with luxury, art, and culture, the stunning French Riviera beckons. From glitzy Monaco and Cannes to the charming villages and magnificent calanques along the rocky coastline, the Côte d’Azur impresses at every turn.
Many visitors begin their Riviera adventure in Nice, taking in the colorful buildings, open-air markets, and fragrant flower stalls of the Old Town before charting a course along the dazzling coastline. Must-visit ports of call include the posh principality of Monaco to try your luck at Monte Carlo’s famed casino and St. Tropez to people watch beautiful people over a café au lait in the Place des Lices.
No French Riviera yachting expedition is complete without anchoring in the sparkling blue Calanques south of Marseilles to soak in the sun, swim in aquamarine waters and dine on fabulously fresh and simple Provençal cuisine paired with local rosé wines as your yacht rocks gently at anchor.
With so much glamour and beauty condensed in such a small area, the French Riviera offers a world-class yachting vacation right in the heart of Europe.
Planning Your Round-the-World Yacht Expedition
For those with ample time, budget and sense of adventure, planning a round-the-world yacht trip is the ultimate dream. With thoughtful planning, you can sail between exotic locales most people only ever see in glossy magazines.
Popular routings often start in the Mediterranean, sailing along the storied coasts of France, Italy and Greece before transiting the Suez Canal to the Red Sea. From there, brave sailors cross the Indian Ocean to South Asia stopping at the Maldives and Seychelles along the way.
After exploring exquisite spots like Phuket, Thailand and Bali, Indonesia, the next major passage crosses the South Pacific to French Polynesia where you can bliss out for weeks drifting between Tahitian paradise isles. Continuing east, the Cook Islands and islands dotting the South Pacific offer remote tranquility before reaching New Zealand.
From Auckland, voyagers cruise up to Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia before embarking on the final open ocean passage to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. After exploring Down Under, the last leg returns west across the Indian Ocean, around the Cape of Good Hope, and back to the Mediterranean – completing a breathtaking circumnavigation.
While requiring extensive planning, support crews, and a well-found yacht, those seduced by the freedom of world cruising will revel in a sailing adventure most can only dream of with memories – and stories – that will last a lifetime.