Cutting-edge toys to elevate your Mediterranean charter

Published 23 九月 2024

Whether you're looking to add something new to your own yacht’s toy box or you’re a charterer looking for a charter yacht offering adrenaline pumping experiences as part of your charter, the superyacht playground continues to deliver new, cool, cutting-edge toys to entertain all ages.

But which toys are the most popular amongst the superyacht crowd and where should you use them? This really depends on the yacht and the cruising area. Many motorised watertoys cannot be used in protected marine reserves, or close to shore, as maritime authorities throughout the Mediterranean have become more stringent over their use. Burgess looks at the latest toys found on board and the cruising grounds to best suit each activity.

Electric surfboards

The latest must-have accessory for any bonafide toy box is an electric surfboard (or eSurf). Allowing you to surf in any body of water, waves or no waves, eSurfs provide one of the most adrenaline-fuelled watersports experiences that can be enjoyed without relying on the elements. But not all electric surfboards are created equal.

The best types are lightweight, fast and easy to handle with just the right balance, with designs ranging from semi-inflatable basic models to customised carbon fibre options.

Awake RAVIK S

The Awake RAVIK 3 excels in all areas. Infused with tech that includes the biggest jet motor in is class, it's fast and fun to ride but also easy to use and learn on. With adaptable modes ranging from beginner to advanced, the rider can grow with the board, reaching speeds of up to 35mph once they are fully advanced.

Jetsurf Electric

The top end e-surf for all skill levels, Jetsurf Electric is an all-round board with a rig that gives a similar experience to wakeboarding, snowboarding and racing. With its racing style build, the Jetsurf Electric is also capable of speeds of up to 34mph. Its aggressive design features an upcurve of the hull and a small standing platform, making it fun for advanced riders. Meanwhile, its nose mounted, wired handle offers the rider more stability and control while learning, and gives skilled riders the option to lean into tight turns.

Where to eSurf in the Mediterranean?

Since electric surfboards don’t require any special conditions, other than perhaps warm water and enough space, and produce zero emissions, you can try it just about anywhere in the Mediterranean.

Electric hydrofoils

Combine the thrill of surfing with the lift of a hydrofoil fin and fly emission free over the water on an e-Foil. Similar to the electric jet boards, these revolutionary watercraft feature a surfboard deck connected to an electric motor, powering the rider across the water at speeds of up to 26 knots (30mph). But the main difference is that above a certain speed the rider rises into the air on the hydrofoil, giving a smooth ride even in choppy conditions and the sensation of flying.

There are a handful of manufacturers in the market, including Aerofoils, Awake, Fliteboard, Lift Foils and VeFoil. Some are better for beginners (SiFly E) or intermediate riders (Fliteboard Pro Series 3), and others are known for their advanced design (Aerofoil e-Tron e-Foil and Awake Vinga 3). Here we look at a cross selection of all-rounders suitable for all levels of rider.

Aerofoils e-Tron eFoil

Flying quietly over the water, Aerofoils' latest eFoil board is sleeker and more high-tech than most of the e-Foil boards on the market. Featuring two board options (Adventure and Performance), the eFoil can easily be customised with interchangeable wings and also features an enclosed propeller for increased safety. Designed in collaboration with Audi, the German-made eFoil combines beautiful engineering with a tactile elegance on the carbon fibre mast and wings, making all riders look stylish, whether cruising at a beginner friendly 18mph or a faster-paced maximum of 27mph.

Fliteboard ULTRA L2

Blurring the lines between an eFoil and surf foil, Fliteboard’s ULTRA L2 is light, slim and hydrodynamically efficient. Designed for increased aerodynamics and manoeuvrability, the slimmer board is more responsive, allowing the rider to make deeper carves and sharper cutbacks. Created from Japanese carbon fibre and powered by the world’s lightest eFoil battery, Flitecell Nano, the ULTRA L2 makes for the most agile and extended ride.

Excellent cruising grounds for e-Foiling

With zero emissions and almost no noise pollution, the electric hydrofoil watercraft is the perfect toy to use in protected zones where motorised fossil-fuel devices like jet skis are forbidden. Most of the Mediterranean therefore offers excellent opportunities for eFoiling, however, the adrenaline-fuelled watersport is particularly popular along the coastline of the French Riviera, the Balearics and Sardinia, where e-Foil enthusiasts can enjoy the thrilling sport in the protected bays and calm waters.

Waterparks

Release your inner child and embrace the sheer joy of messing about on the water with your own private waterpark. Make a splash with the seemingly never-ending inventory of inflatable toys ranging from floating islands, sea pools, slides, trampolines, obstacle courses and climbing walls up to entire waterparks containing all of the above.

Aquaglide Aquapark

For endless fun on the water, the Aquaglide Aquapark is an extensive playground collection made up from over 100 unique pieces. Connect the Ricochet Bounder or the Recoil Tramp with models like Thor and the Double Icecap for double the fun – you name it, they have made it inflatable.

If all that jumping around with or without the kids sounds too exhausting though, why not also ramp up the relaxation factor with the OG Lounge complete with inflatable bar and stools, or Ohana Lounge with sofas and coffee table.

FunAir

FunAir have just about every inflatable toy imaginable, many of which can be used in tandem to create one big waterpark. With a climbing frame, slide and FunSize Blob, the FunAir Playground is designed in multiple pieces and can be used alongside FunAir’s Water Joust, Glacier Extreme, Floating Bouncer and Sea Pool. Rather sit back and relax? FunAir’s Floating Shaded Island includes free floating loungers – although it’s probably best to tether yourself away from the playground for some peace and quiet.

Where to use your waterpark in the Mediterranean

The only thing you need for a waterpark is a calm bay with plenty of space, so anchored inside the harbour of a bustling port may not be the most sensible spot for the crew to set up. As long as the waters are calm and you have the room, you're guaranteed that the whole family will be helpless with laughter and the kids entertained all day long.

Hydrofoil bikes

Have fun on the water while also getting a workout as you combine the fun of watersports with the familiarity of cycling aboard a hydrofoil water bike. Paddlewheel boats and water trikes have all tried to provide the exhilaration of pedalling on land, but without a lot of success. The hydrofoil water bike is the first watercraft that allows the rider to steer and pedal as if on terra firma but with the thrilling sensation of flying over the water.

Manta5 SL3

The original hydrofoil bike creator’s latest model, the Manta SL3 offers a technologically advanced cycling experience for both novice and advanced riders. With three modes of operation (electric mode with variable electric assist throttle technology for ease of launch, pedal mode, or a combination of the two) it is one of the easiest hydrofoil water bikes to learn to operate.

Experienced riders can easily reach speeds of up to 13mph, whether zipping across flat waters or racing down waves, while those looking for a more leisurely ride can cruise along at 6mph in any one of 10 levels to choose from. For first time riders, it takes just a few minutes to get to grips with rise-up on the foil but once you're up it’s easy to take flight with a self-levelling balance mechanism there to help you adjust.

Schiller S1-C

The Schiller is one of the newest hydrofoil water bikes bringing the cycling experience to open waters. Similar to a spinning-calibre bicycle combined with inflatable pontoons, the Schiller S1-C can equally be used for a quad-burning workout on water or a leisurely afternoon ride with passengers. It even has an optional removable deck to chill out on if you find yourself in a secluded bay and feel like a rest.

Discover the coastlines of the Mediterranean with a hydrofoil water bike

Water bikes offer a fun and unconventional way to get away from the mothership and explore the coastline at close quarters. Plus, it can be used in any water, be it choppy, calm or swell.

Personal water craft

Over 50 years old, water scooters or personal water craft have changed significantly over the years. First it was standup jetskis, then came sit-down jet bikes or waverunners, ranging from two-seaters to three-seaters. Ideal for high-speed fun and exploration of larger areas around your yacht, jetskis and waverunners still remain one of the most popular toys on board a superyacht and can be a great way of exploring the local area.

yamaha waverunners — Serious hikers will grow familiar with the pine-scented interior

Sea-Doo RXP-X

Bombardier’s Sea-Doos have become almost the default personal water craft choice for many superyachts. Aside from their impressive performance and design, their primary appeal is that they are easy to handle for experienced and novice riders. The ‘Spark’ is Sea-Doo is the lightest and most compact PWC available, making it easy to use and also great for storage.

Yamaha FX Limited SVHO

Whether for high-speed rides, leisurely cruising or watersports, Yamaha’s FX Limited SVHO is one of the most comfortable and stable waverunners in varied water conditions.

Where can I use a Personal Water Craft in the Mediterranean?

Personal Water Craft are only allowed in authorised areas, if at all, and require a licence. A number of yachts are RYA Training Centres and can offer PW Safety Certificates on board to guests or crew after appropriate training from a crew member.

While using a Personal Water Craft in the Balearics, for example, the rider must keep a distance of 200 metres offshore and 100 metres from any other vessel. But in France and Greece the distance is 300 metres from the shore, and in Italy it is no less than 500 metres, and nowhere near beaches or within port areas. Around the islands of Capri and Ischia they are not allowed at all in many areas, while many protected marine areas forbid the use of PWC’s altogether (Cinque Terre and the Maddalena islands, for example).

Underwater scooters

No seafaring adventure would be complete without an underwater scooter like the SeaBob F5 SR or the iAQUA Nano. Providing a unique way to explore underwater environments with minimal physical effort, they allow the rider to glide through the water with speed and agility and can substantially increase your snorkelling range.

SeaBob F5 SR

Perfect for exploring the Mediterranean waters, SeaBobs are powered by an electric drive, which is both eco-friendly and quiet, reducing the impact on marine life. The high performance SeaBob F5 SR is powered by a pollution-free electric stream power system for a high-performance ride of up to 14mph, taking your diving or snorkelling experience to the next level.

iAQUA Nano

The iAqua Nano 720 Xtreme scooter is a compact and powerful underwater scooter for both beginners and experienced divers. Known for its sleek design and user-friendly features, it is capable of operating at depths of up to 20 metres, making it suitable for recreational diving and snorkelling in the often shallow waters of the Mediterranean.

Discover the Mediterranean’s best snorkelling spots

A treasure trove of diverse marine life lies beneath the surface of the Mediterranean. With its clear waters and diverse underwater landscapes, Malta's small island of Gozo offers some of the Med’s best snorkelling opportunities. Take the tender to the Blue Hole and delve beneath the surface of the natural rock formation that leads to an underwater cave system home to colourful coral formation, shoals of fish and an occasional loggerhead turtle. In Turkey explore the sunken city of Kekova, or the turquoise waters of Sardinia’s southern coast where the underwater caves are filled with colourful fish species.

Paddleboards & kayaks

A wide variety of waterscapes lend themselves to discovery by kayak or paddleboard, allowing the rider to explore coastlines close-up, paddle through secluded coves and discover hidden beaches that might be otherwise inaccessible, while also getting some exercise. Staples in every superyacht toy box these days, stand up paddleboards and kayaks offer an alternative, healthier and more sedate water experience than the likes of jetskis or hydrofoils.

Combining a mix of kayak paddling and the balance of surfing, paddleboarding is great for both exploring coastlines and gaining some fitness. Both kayaks and paddleboards are available in either inflatable or rigid form, and both can equally glide across flat water and ride smoothly across the waves.

Beau Lake

Inspired by the mid-century Riva Aquarama, Beau Lake’s retro paddle boards are the ultimate in style. Easy to paddle with superb glide, each limited-edition board is handcrafted and built in lightweight, ultra-durable carbon fibre featuring a custom exterior finish in mahogany and maple, coated with highly polished UV-resistant polyurethane for the ultimate waterside accessory.

Crystal Kayak

For a completely immersive experience on the water, a transparent kayak allows you to witness the marine life beneath you as you paddle across the water. The Crystal Kayak allows you to glide along the water and experience everything around and beneath you without getting wet.

The best cruising grounds for paddle boarding and kayaking in the Mediterranean

Whether you are looking for tranquil exploration in pristine waters, or some laid-back paddling, paddleboarding and kayaking are generally most enjoyable in calm waters. As long as the waters aren’t too choppy, any of the Mediterranean hotspots are ideal, but those with bewitching landscapes are the best (and occasionally those friendly locals should you need the encouragement after falling a few times).

The numerous small islands and islets in the Adriatic Sea are considered to be some of the best to explore by kayak, while the unspoilt coastlines, coves and caves around the coastlines of the Greek islands are just waiting to be discovered – the blue cave of Melissani in Kefalonia should equally not be missed if you enjoy exploring an interesting coastline.

Discover the cruising grounds of the Mediterranean with Burgess. Enquire now.

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Yachts, prices and availability are correct at the time of publication.