Double the countries, double the fun in the sun in French Saint-Martin and Dutch St. Maarten. Enjoy the beautiful beaches, delectable dining and unique museums found on the twin sides of this tropical island getaway in the Leeward group of the Lesser Antilles.

Orient Bay Beach

Often called the St. Tropez of the Caribbean, this white-sand beach along the northeast coast of Saint-Martin is as well known for its turquoise waters and breathtaking scenery as for the clothing-optional section at its southern end. There’s a lively beach-bar scene, with venues serving French food and barbecue, and offering chairs and umbrellas for rental. Boaters seeking a less-sedated day at the beach can find adventure outfitters for parasailing, personal-watercraft rentals, tubing, snorkeling and other watersports.

Loterie Farm

Choose your own adventure at this 135-acre private nature preserve off the beaten path in Saint-Martin. Self-guided hikes along marked trails wind past mango and mahogany trees in the tropical forest en route to Pic du Paradis (Paradise Peak)—elevation about 1,400 feet—for views of the whole island as well as Anguilla, Saba and St. Eustatius. Adrenaline junkies can traverse the forest by zip-line, on runs as long as 1,600 feet. Many visitors opt to lounge by the jungle pool, strong cocktail in hand, or take in the views while dining in the Jungle Room.

Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit

British makeup and creature-effects designer Nick Maley is best known for helping bring Yoda, the wise and ancient Jedi master, to life for the original Star Wars trilogy. He now brings the series from a galaxy far, far away to St. Maarten in this fun and unique museum in Philipsburg. Visitors can see Yoda, Han Solo in carbonite, Darth Vader and more memorabilia from Star Wars and some of the other 50-plus movies that Maley worked on throughout his career. On days when The Force is with you, you might find Maley on-site, sharing his many behind-the-scenes stories.

Bistrot Caraibes

Opened in 1994, Bistrot Caraibes still shines brightly on the stellar foodie scene in Grand Case in Saint-Martin. It retains its standing as one of the best dining destinations on the island. Customers rave consistently and enthusiastically about this restaurant’s romantic atmosphere, top-notch service, well-curated wine list and fabulous French fare—especially the signature lobster thermidor.

Pineapple Pete/Wasabi Charlie

Just about everyone can find something to please their palate on the expansive menu at this casual, family-friendly dual venue in Philipsburg. It’s known for its attentive staff, friendly atmosphere and live music. Choose among sushi and steaks, pub grub and grilled seafood. There’s also a teppanyaki table during dinner hours.

The post Cruising Saint-Martin and St. Maarten. appeared first on Yachting.

Northern Europe is not a destination that pops up very often in charter-yacht promotions. Most of the superyachts that accept charter inquiries in that part of the world base in the West and East Mediterranean, offering itineraries that focus on the beaches and high life all along the French and Italian rivieras, the Croatian coastline and the Greek Isles.

The owner and crew aboard the 200-foot Feadship Samadhi have a plan to do things differently. Through the yacht’s management company, Edmiston, charter availability for this summer was just announced for bookings in Northern Europe, starting toward the end of July.

Why toward the end of July? Because right now, Samadhi is in the shipyard for a substantial refit that’s expected to be completed by that time. This yacht, which launched in 2006, is going to come out of the yard with a 13-foot-long heated swimming pool on the main deck aft, a wholly refitted sky lounge with more creature comforts for guests, and a private spa with a sauna, cold plunge pool, massage room and hair salon. (That sauna sounds perfect for colder-climate charters in certain parts of Northern Europe.)

And, those guest areas will be in addition to existing spaces such as the sundeck, which has a gymnasium, a bar, loungers, a raised hot tub and a barbecue. Guests also have access to two tenders for watersports fun, along with Seabobs, personal watercraft, Fliteboards, foiling boards, wakeboards, standup paddleboards, kayaks, inflatables, and snorkeling and diving gear.

Accommodations aboard Samadhi are for 12 guests in six staterooms, one of which has bunks that are ideal for the kids, a nanny or staff. All of the guest staterooms are belowdecks, while the master stateroom is forward on the main deck with a shower and a tub, a sauna, a walk-in closet and a private office.

Samadhi charters with 16 crew who have experience in expeditions and wildlife charters, making them a good match for lots of locations around Northern Europe.

The refit work is being done back at the original shipyard, Feadship, which is located in Holland. It’s expected to be completed on July 12, after which Samadhi will reposition to London ahead of offering charters in broader Northern Europe.

What’s the lowest weekly base rate for a charter aboard Samadhi? It’s about $416,500, with fluctuations depending on the exchange rate between the US dollar and the euro. The high-season charter rate is about $466,000.

How to book a week on board: contact a charter broker at edmiston.com

The post Want to Charter in Northern Europe? appeared first on Yachting.

Here’s a fun fact: According to a recent survey of adults 18 and older, nearly 20 percent of Americans are now planning road trips with itineraries that are fully contained within 100 miles of home. People traveling really long distances for vacations—say, 1,000 or more miles from home—make up less than 7 percent of the US population.

The takeaway is that it sometimes pays big dividends to think small when it comes to planning an escape. With a boat, it’s entirely possible to spend an afternoon or a long weekend away from the grind, often right up the coast from home.

In fact, more and more marinas are adding waterfront dining and other amenities that make them great destinations unto themselves. Some marinas are also within walking distance or a quick cab ride of vibrant downtowns with all kinds of options for an afternoon escape or a long-weekend getaway.

One good example is Marina Jack in Sarasota, Florida. It’s part of the Suntex Marinas network, and its waterfront dining room is open daily for lunch and dinner. Specialties include steaks, seafood and pasta, along with gluten-free and vegetarian dishes. The marina is also within walking distance of downtown attractions, including off-site restaurants, for yachtsmen to explore.

Up the coast from there, for cruisers in the Chesapeake Bay region, is Little Creek Marina in Norfolk, Virginia. The Cutty Sark bar and restaurant is on-site at this Morningstar Marinas property, with another fun waterfront-dining option, Longboards, just a five-minute walk away (try the crab mac ’n’ cheese or the blackened yellowfin tuna tacos).

Another option for a quick escape is Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard in Rhode Island. It has on-site dining with Belle’s Cafe, which serves breakfast and lunch daily (don’t miss the lobster rolls), and the marina is within walking distance of historical downtown Newport. Visiting boaters can enjoy the views at the shipyard and then stroll over to the photography gallery owned by renowned yacht photographer Onne van der Wal at Bannister’s Wharf. Grab a keepsake souvenir that shows the city or that inspires future escapes to other boating locales.

Yet another example is Bahia Mar in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, which is part of the Suntex network and great for exploring the shops along Las Olas Boulevard. It’s also near the Riverwalk arts-and-entertainment district, which has galleries, dining and concerts.

The point is this: Yachtsmen who want to stay a bit closer to home often have fantastic options for a great escape. And sometimes a little change of pace can make a world of difference.

Notable Marinas for Waterfront Dining

• Dockside Marina in Milford, Connecticut, makes build-your-own pizzas, along with specialty versions such as the Mutha Shuka, which is topped with fresh clams and bacon.
• Chesapeake Inn Restaurant and Marina in Chesapeake City, Maryland, makes memorable sushi, along with a duet of crab and lobster ravioli.
• The Boca Raton on Florida’s East Coast is home to The Flamingo Grill for serious steaks and chops.

The post Great Dayboating Cruising Options appeared first on Yachting.

Y.CO has just welcomed the 298-foot Lürssen Lady Lara to the charter fleet. The lowest weekly base rate is $1.4 million for bookings this winter in the Caribbean and Bahamas.

The yacht is also listed for sale—at more than $254 million—for the first time since the German shipyard delivered it in 2015. Y.CO’s Max Bulley and Gary Wright, along with Merle Wood of Merle Wood & Associates, represented the yacht at the recent Monaco Yacht Show.

“With Lürssen quality and stunning Reymond Langton design, Lady Lara is an exceptional yacht that was conceived with family living in mind,” Wright stated in a press release. “Her adaptable spaces, variety and flexibility, in addition to all the amazing features like the breathtaking spa area, the beach club and two pools, are ideal for multigenerational groups and put Lady Lara into a league of her own.”

Accommodations are for 12 guests in their choice of eight staterooms (for private use, the yacht is built to accommodate 16 guests). Six of the guest staterooms are on the main deck, with one on the lower deck. The master suite has its own private deck with an exterior terrace, outdoor hot tub, and indoor library. The aft-deck space in the owner’s area is called a “winter garden,” with sliding glass panels that can be closed to shelter diners from the elements.

There also are two cabins for owner’s staff or supernumeraries, in addition to the yacht’s quarters for 27 crew.

Onboard amenities include an aft-deck pool whose floor can be raised to create a dance floor. A sound system on this deck helps to create a discotheque-style environment for parties. There’s another pool up on the sundeck, this one with a swim-up bar.

On the bridge deck, guests have access to the spa, which includes a hammam, massage room, treatment room, beauty salon and gymnasium. Guests who prefer to get their exercise outdoors can do so from the beach club at water level, which has a steam room and a sauna along with a sunbathing area.

For rainy days and relaxing nights, the lower deck aboard Lady Lara includes a cinema. There’s also a touch-and-go helipad on board, if guests want to escape to a different spot up the coast.

How fast can Lady Lara cruise? According to Y.CO, the yacht has a top speed of 17 knots and a cruising speed of 14 knots, which is plenty fast for exploring the islands.

How to book a week on board: contact a charter broker at y.co

The post A $1.4 Million-Per-Week Yacht Charter Experience appeared first on Yachting.

Two decidedly different builds from the Sanlorenzo shipyard in Italy have entered the charter market, one booking through IYC and the other listed with Westport Yachts charter management.

The newer of the two yachts is the 145-foot La La Land, a 2023 build that’s now part of the IYC charter fleet. It’s a Lissoni Limited Edition Sanlorenzo X-Space whose owner invested about $3.3 million in options to further enhance the cruising experience.

Accommodations aboard La La Land are for 12 guests in five staterooms—including an owner’s deck with a sky lounge, an alfresco lounge with a freestanding fire pit, a private pantry, an office, a walk-in closet and a head built with a heated sole and steam shower. The master stateroom also has direct access to one of two outdoor hydro massage pools that are on board.

Additional features aboard La La Land include two foldout platforms, a gymnasium, a hammam and a massage room.

The lowest weekly base rate to charter La La Land is about $317,500, with inquiries being accepted for the East and West Mediterranean through September 2024. For winter 2024-25, La La Land is expected to charter in the Caribbean.

Also now chartering is the 108-foot Sanlorenzo Daddy, which is new to the Westport Yachts fleet in the Bahamas this winter.

Daddy is a 2008 build. The charter agent says an extensive 2023 refit has left the yacht presenting in like-new condition. Daddy accommodates eight guests in four staterooms, including a belowdecks amidships master with a king-size berth, espresso machine and fridge. The VIP stateroom is forward with a queen-size berth.

Gathering areas for all eight guests include aft-deck dining, foredeck lounging, and flybridge entertaining with dining, a bar and barbecues. The retractable sunroof has a removable enclosure for extra protection from the elements as needed.

Daddy is also kitted-out for fun in the sun in the Bahamas. The yacht charters with two tenders: a 30-foot Jupiter powered by twin 300-horsepower Yamaha engines, and a 14-foot Walker Bay Venture with a 70-horsepower Yamaha. Watertoys include a two-seat PWC, inflatable paddleboards, tow toys and snorkeling gear.

The lowest weekly base rate to charter Daddy is $65,000. The owner is reportedly eager to secure holiday bookings this winter at a weekly base rate of $70,000, with a one-week holiday minimum.

Are tenders important for yacht charter in the Bahamas? Yes, if you want to make the most of water sports. The area is known for being shallow, which means the mothership can’t get into some areas that a good set of tenders can access for fishing, snorkeling and other activities.

Take the next step: contact a charter broker at iyc.com or westportyachts.com

The post Two New Ways to Charter a Sanlorenzo appeared first on Yachting.

About a decade ago, when the MegaDock opened at Safe Harbor Charleston City, the 454-foot Lürssen Rising Sun pulled in. Folks in South Carolina were treated to a sight normally reserved for the likes of Southeast Florida, Monaco or St. Barts.

Now, the marina is building a new MegaDock to welcome even more of the world’s biggest yachts. While the original MegaDock held Rising Sun, the new one will be big enough to take four or five of them.

“We’re planning to have a portion of the new MegaDock up and running by January,” says David Isom, the marina’s general manager. “These new concrete floating docks that are being custom made for us—they make the original MegaDock look small.”

Plans are for the whole project to be completed by December 2024. The superyacht spots will have high-speed in-slip fueling that can pump 150 gallons per minute as well as shore-power plug-ins capable of handling vessels that size. And the amenities will be accessible to smaller yachts too, Isom says: “The MegaDock typically does around 5,000 transients per year, all kinds of boats, and we sell over a million gallons of diesel fuel. The goal with this project is to double that business.”

Inside the marina, docks are also being built to handle catamarans, whose owners often have trouble finding wide enough slips. Isom says for all types of boats that pull in at Safe Harbor Charleston City, the goal is to make sure they receive the same level of service and amenities found at top locations in South Florida or Newport, Rhode Island.

“The marina space is stuck in the motel world. Thirty, 40, 50 years ago, our parents went to motels,” he says. “Now, we have hotels. Safe Harbor is turning the motel business into the hotel business of marinas. There’s a network. Every property is different, but the goal is the same: to have high-end amenities, first-class service and state-of-the-art facilities. That’s what we’re making.”

Safe Harbor

Safe Harbor Charleston City is part of a network of more than 130 marinas. Superyachts are a focus at locations such as Rybovich and Lauderdale Marine Center in Southeast Florida, as well as at Newport Shipyard in Rhode Island.

• Membership in the network includes unlimited complimentary transient nights wherever there’s availability, making the marinas a fan favorite among long-distance cruisers.
• E-Boat experiences are an option at some of the properties. The company has a partnership with e-boat builder X Shore.
• Amazon lockers are also available at some locations, giving cruisers a place to have packages delivered and waiting.

Charleston

Downtown Charleston is a blend of history and modern expansion, with the city dating to 1670 and still growing today.

• King Street is the heart of the historic downtown, with shopping, restaurants, art and antiques.
• South Carolina Aquarium overlooks the harbor and has touch tanks, educational exhibits and kid-friendly experiences.
• The Gibbes Museum of Art has a first floor that is free and open to the public, with tours available on Wednesdays and Fridays.
• Fort Sumter is at the entrance to Charleston Harbor. It’s overseen by the National Park Service, whose ranger tours offer a chance to learn about where the Civil War began. 

The post Safe Harbor’s MegaDock Is Expanding appeared first on Yachting.

The Dutch island of Curaçao is a Technicolor getaway. Its reef-rich seas shimmer with every possible shade of blue. Vivid hues glow from the historical architecture and street art of the capital, Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Cruisers can soak in the vibrant offerings by land and by sea.

Curaçao by Land

Christoffel National Park in the Westpunt end of the island offers an enticing array of guided activities in the largest and most diverse protected nature area of the Leeward Dutch islands. Choose among mountain climbs, bird-watching walks, history tours and Jeep safaris; check out the park’s website for more details. (En route to the park, keep an eye out for flamingos in the salt flat near Kokomo.) Afterward, head to nearby Restaurant Playa Forti for breathtaking sea views, cliff jumpers, and delicious seafood and local specialties such as keshi yena.

In Willemstad, a stroll along the colorful, mural-lined lanes in the neighborhoods on both sides of the iconic Queen Emma pontoon bridge reveals one incredible creative tour de force after another. Dancers leap and gardens sprawl across entire buildings. Parakeets the size of humans perch on a corner; a row of regal women returns your gaze. The free Amazing Punda Art & Culture Walk on Google Maps can get you started in the Punda neighborhood. Many of the murals in the Otrobanda neighborhood are pinned on Google Maps of Willemstad.

While in Otrobanda, dine at Ceviche 91 in Rif Fort, built in 1828 to protect the island against pirates. You can take in the waterfront views as you select from mouthwatering ceviches, tapas, sashimi, sushi rolls and Peruvian entrees.

If you have room for dessert, stop at Don’s Ice Cream Shop before exiting Rif Fort for the nearby Curaçao Maritime Museum. Models, maps, charts and other artifacts chronicle more than 500 years of Curaçao’s nautical and national history. Docents offer a historical harbor-walking tour every Wednesday from 2 to 3 p.m.

And by Sea

The fringing reef surrounding Curaçao makes the island a top destination for scuba divers and snorkelers of all skill levels. There are around 100 dive sites, the vast majority of which are shore dives. Tugboat, which lies in just 15 feet of water, is a popular site for its easy access and variety of marine life. Pair it with nearby Director’s Bay for a rewarding two-tank outing. Connect with one of the island’s 15 PADI 5-star dive shops to line up dives during your stay.

If you’re more of a beach person, check out either Cas Abao or Playa PortoMari. Both beautiful white-sand beaches along the west coast of Curaçao offer clean bathroom facilities, chair rentals, food and drinks, and even massages.

The post Cruising to Colorful Curaçao appeared first on Yachting.

With the winter yacht charter season about to kick into high gear in the Bahamas and Caribbean, several top management companies have welcomed notable motoryachts into their fleets.

Perhaps the largest yacht in this category is Samsara, a 290-foot Oceanco that recently joined the Y.CO charter fleet. Brokers are now accepting inquiries for winter charters in the Bahamas and Caribbean (and for summer 2024 bookings in Greenland and Iceland) at a lowest weekly base rate of $1.1 million.

Samsara is a 2015 build that most recently was refitted in 2023, with accommodations for 12 guests in seven staterooms. This yacht has a private owners’ deck, swimming pool, gymnasium, massage room and hair salon, along with an elevator for guest use. “Her seven-cabin layout is ideal for multigenerational groups or two families traveling together,” says David Price of Y.CO Charter Management. “It offers the flexibility to suit many kinds of charter groups.”

Meanwhile, over at Edmiston, two notable yachts have joined the charter fleet.

First is Wayfinder, 223-foot powercat that Astilleros Armon built in 2021. This yacht has an unusual layout, with 11 en suite staterooms (nine singles and two with twin berths) for 12 guests, along with quarters for 20 crew. It can be booked as either its own charter yacht or as a support vessel for more traditional charter yachts.

Wayfinder has an open aft deck with a helipad that doubles as a pickleball court. This yacht also has belowdecks storage for six tenders and four Sea-Doos. The lowest base rate to book a week in the Caribbean is $300,000, with inquiries also being accepted for the Mediterranean and other destinations in summer 2024.

Also new to the Edmiston charter fleet is the 164-foot Home, a 2017 Heesen that will be in the Bahamas this winter at a lowest weekly base rate of $245,000.

Home accommodates 12 guests in six staterooms, and charters with nine crew. Interiors are by Cristiano Gatto—Edmiston describes them as “crisp, light-filled and Ibiza-inspired.” For outdoor fun, the complement of tenders and toys includes a 34-foot Jupiter towed tender, a 21-foot Williams jet tender that can reportedly hit 35 knots, Sea-Doos, standup paddleboards, skis, inflatables, snorkeling gear and scuba equipment.

And, last but not least, IYC has added the 162-foot Christensen Remember When to the charter fleet, with bookings available this winter in the Bahamas at a lowest weekly base rate of $230,000. It’s a 2011 build that was most recently refitted in 2020, with accommodations for 12 guests in six staterooms. An elevator services all four decks, and the full-beam main-deck master has a private office.

Is it too early to call for summer 2024 yacht charter bookings? Nope. In fact, IYC also just welcomed the 90-foot Sanlorenzo SAL to the charter fleet. It’s a brand-new build for 2023 that’s currently accepting bookings for the West Mediterranean, Croatia and Montenegro in summer 2024.

Take the next step: head over to y.co, edmiston.com or iyc.com

The post New Options for Winter Yacht Charter appeared first on Yachting.

IYC has welcomed the 153-foot Dunya KB6 to the charter fleet, with a model on display at the recent Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

The actual yacht is expected to be delivered to its owner in 2024, with the charter debut planned for spring 2024, ahead of the Mediterranean charter season.

KB6 is a Greg Marshall design with interiors by Design Unlimited. According to IYC, the interior will be built with natural woods, “environmental feature walls” and a mixture of textures.

Charter-wise, IYC is promoting KB6 for families or couples. The yacht is capable of going to destinations that are off the beaten course, and inquiries are being accepted now for the East and West Mediterranean.

What’s the lowest weekly base rate to book KB6? It’s about $293,500 for 10 guests in five staterooms.

How to book a week on board: contact a charter broker at iyc.com

The post Coming to Charter in 2024: ‘KB6’ appeared first on Yachting.

The management company IYC proudly describes its charter fleet as having more Mangustas than any other, with the yachts ranging in size from 92 to nearly 150 feet length overall. Charter manager Monisha Issac in Monaco personally oversees several of them, including the 131-foot Beachouse, which recently returned to the IYC fleet.

“It has always stood out among the other Mangusta 130s because of its layout, its selection of water toys and the standards of its crew on board,” Issac says. “It’s very strong—one of the best Mangusta 130s on the market.”

The yacht, which is accepting inquiries for the Caribbean and Bahamas this winter, has numerous repeat clients, several of whom have returned four or five times. In some cases, the clients will not even consider any other brand of yacht for charter, Issac says.

“Some will only charter a Mangusta,” she says. “They love the sleek lines, the speed—so many things. I have one client doing a one-month charter on a Mangusta. Some clients will change their destination just to get a Mangusta.”

The Italian builder currently offers the 104 REV, 165 REV and 132E in its Maxi Open line, in addition to two additional lines of yachts: the Gransport line, from 109 to 177 feet long; and the Oceano line, from 128 to 196 feet length overall. But it’s the Mangusta 130 that tends to populate the charter market—and with Beachouse, there’s an unusually long list of tenders and water toys.

Charter clients have access to a 33-foot Scorpion, Sea-Doo Sparks, Seabobs, an electric foiling board, paddleboards, tow toys and floats. Fitness enthusiasts will find a surprising list of onboard equipment too, including a boxing bag, a speed ball, dumbbells, kettlebells and a suspension training kit.

And, when it’s time to relax, the yacht has Starlink unlimited satellite internet. That’s a feature Issac says she’s seeing aboard an increasing number of charter yachts in the IYC fleet: “If you’re in the middle of nowhere, it’s really useful.”

Easy Water Access

Port and starboard staircases with railings lead down to the swim platform from the aft deck, making it easy for charter guests to use the yacht’s extensive list of water toys.

The Mangusta Story

When Mangusta premiered its 80-footer in 1985, it was a revelation. Until that time, open yachts had been smaller. The 80 became the basis for the Maxi Open line that is still in production today.

The post Charter the Mangusta ‘Beachouse’ in the Caribbean appeared first on Yachting.