Palm-fringed beaches and crystal-clear water sound mighty attractive to many of us Americans currently subjected to wintry weather. So, too, does having a cruising anchorage all to ourselves. We’re not alone. More and more yachts are venturing farther afield. In the process, they’re enjoying spectacular cruising grounds in less-traveled (and therefore less-crowded) regions. This winter, in fact, we’ve learned of a number of charter yachts doing just that, offering exotic charter vacations.
So, where can you go, and more important, why? Here, four superyacht captains from Y.CO’s fleet tell us why they’re available in five off-the-beaten-path destinations.
Costa Rica. “The weather is perfect here in the winter, with mild temperatures,” says Capt. Dane Tarr of Chasing Daylight (above). “The hillsides are still lush and tropical.” Chasing Daylight spent the spring here last year, quite successfully, too. That inspired the owners for this season. “This area is relatively undiscovered by the yachting community, even though they have the infrastructure to support it,” Tarr explains. “This is one of the easiest destinations to put together an unforgettable itinerary.” In fact, charter guests enjoy a variety of exceptional experiences. Try catching record-sized blue marlin, for example, and swimming with a huge pod of dolphins, he recommends. You can drift down rivers, seeing monkeys and toucans as well. “The best part is that you have it all to yourself!” Tarr asserts. Chasing Daylight is here through late January from $95,000 per week.
Fiji. Fiji is the base for Endless Summer this season. Capt. Anthony Hodgson says it’s convenient for venturing to other South Pacific islands. (Endless Summer charters for $250,000 per week in the region.) The owner had long wanted to cruise the area. Recently, he and guests enjoyed diving, snorkeling, and seeing humpback whales up close in French Polynesia. “We are visiting Fiji for much the same reasons,” Hodgson comments. Diving is definitely on Endless Summer’s itinerary. So, too, is visiting famous filming locales for movies like Castaway and Blue Lagoon. Hodgson says you can “visit the villages and take part in the cava ceremonies, wonder at the fire walking and cultural dance displays, and stop at some of the resorts along the way as well for golf, dining, and shopping.”
Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. If you prefer exotic charter vacations over common cruising grounds, you’ll find a kindred spirit in Big Fish’s owner. Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu are particularly interesting, explains Capt. Brett Lubben. “Both offer a broad variety of anchorages, landscapes, cultural attractions, and world-class diving and fishing,” he says. “Their lack of development in most areas makes cruising there feel like a passage back in time.” Each is safe, too, he adds, plus “the villagers are friendly and fascinating.” Expect to have most anchorages to yourself. Lubben recommends jungle hikes to see native wildlife like the Bird of Paradise, and scanning the waters to see the albino hammerhead shark. He can arrange helicopter rides over active volcanoes and diving the SS President Coolidge wreck. In fact, “thousands of relics of the battles fought in WWII” exist, making for singular sights above and below the water.
Patagonia. It doesn’t offer beach weather right now. But, Patagonia does offer quite exotic charter vacations. “The Patagonian fjords are full of wildlife, and the country is home to many vast glaciers,” explains Capt. Gerhard Veldsman of Aquijo. Aquijo (above) is currently on a circumnavigation, available from €450,000 per week in Patagonia in January. “More and more yachts are realizing that Patagonia is an incredible yachting destination, but it does take a lot of forward planning,” Veldsman says. He cautions, for example, that “the weather can be challenging.” However, even if it’s not sunny, “amazing excursions” await. Aquijo will have expert local guides aboard to take guests glacier trekking, dry-suit diving, kayaking, and even fly fishing in the mountains.
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