Looking ahead to 2024 - winter yacht charters

Imagine waking up on Christmas morning and instead of a winter wonderland you find yourself in a different sort of magical landscape. Surrounded by turquoise waters, there’s a balmy beach on the horizon and a sky full of sun. And you’re floating through this Eden on your own private luxury yacht. From the palm-fringed beaches of the Caribbean to the emerald peaks of Tahiti and fish-filled dive sites of the Maldives, a winter yacht charter will take you there.   

Planning a winter yacht charter - our five favourite destinations

Whether you travel with family or friends, there’s no better way to enjoy quality time together this winter than being together on board a yacht in a stunning locale with your every whim catered to. The islands of The Bahamas and Caribbean are a popular choice for their easy accessibility and proven cruising grounds. But consider looking further afield as well, adventuring down to the Indian Ocean, South Pacific or even New Zealand where new vistas and experiences await.  

Plan your visit during New Year’s Eve to witness a traditional Junkanoo parade, a spectacle of vibrant colours and a cacophony of celebratory music that will serve as a rousing start to your New Year. You can find Junkanoo parades on many of the far-flung Bahamian Out Islands, but for a bit more nightlife, have your captain book a berth on Paradise Island so you can dine at Nobu and dance the night away at Aura nightclub in the Atlantis Resort. Then you can watch the massive Junkanoo parade in Nassau on New Year’s Day. 

Hike Gros Piton, the taller of the two conical peaks that are emblematic of St Lucia. Head ashore on the exclusive isle of Mustique for a spa treatment at the Cotton House Hotel or enjoy sundowners at Basil’s Bar, an institution on this private hideaway of an island. In Grenada, you can visit an organic chocolate farm, walk to a waterfall, shop for cinnamon and saffron in the fragrant spice markets and snorkel over an underwater sculpture garden. 

All the way south, you’ll find Trinidad and Tobago. The petite island of Tobago packs an astounding amount of biodiversity into its small size. Traipse through the rainforest for a birdwatching, waterfall, and rainforest tour, or go for a snorkel right off your yacht, looking out for the giant leatherback sea turtles that are abundant here.

Dip below the water’s surface and snorkel among schools of colourful fish, or dive down to explore shipwrecks. The most popular wrecks in Tahiti are found in depths ranging from 13-29m, making them accessible for all dive abilities. Tahiti is regarded as the birthplace of surfing, and avid surfers should make tracks for Tahiti Iti, a little undeveloped peninsula where you can ride powerful waves, while nature lovers in the group can explore the untamed wilderness.  

Or perhaps you’ll tender ashore, with the crew inviting children on board to take part in an epic treasure hunt while the grown-ups enjoy a luxe beachside picnic. There’s much to see under the water in the Maldives, especially in Hanifaru Bay, an uninhabited isle that’s part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve for manta rays and whale sharks. For the activity seekers on board, the Maldives has areas for kite surfing as well as reef wave breaks for surfers. Fishermen will also rejoice as there is excellent big-game fishing with a chance to reel in sizeable snappers and mahi mahi. 

Instead of a winter trip to the slopes, swap your skis for a surfboard and catch a wave or two. On the west coast, you’ll find wild waves crashing into black sand beaches. Or pay a visit to the northerly Shipwreck Bay, considered one of the best surf breaks in the country, which fittingly played a starring role in the classic surfer film Endless Summer. 

New Zealand is a nature lover’s paradise, and so much of its wild coastlines are best explored by yacht. Cruise through the protected Bay of Islands. Pay a visit to the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve, which has a dive site that Jacques Cousteau himself called one of the best in the world. Play castaway on the largely undeveloped Great Barrier Island where you can kayak along its rugged shoreline or ride mountain bikes through its untamed interior. Wine lovers will want to make a beeline to Waiheke Island, which has more than 30 wineries where you can sip chilled Sauvignon Blanc while drinking in views of the bay below.  

Escape cold weather

Feeling the warm sun on your skin is a salve for the soul in the winter. Instead of snow boots, you can walk barefoot on board your luxury yacht — and put your toes in the sand while visiting islands throughout the Caribbean, Maldives, or French Polynesia. Instead of bundling up against the cold, you can start the morning with a swim in warm waters right off your yacht. Head ashore for adventures, or simply spend the day playing with the yacht’s watertoys and sunbathing. Of course, the yacht will also have plenty of shady areas should you wish to enjoy the warm water while protecting your skin.  

Luxury service to take away January blues

As the light dwindles in the winter, our mood can as well. The happy chaos of Christmas holidays helps to tide us over through the darker days of winter. But once the New Year comes and the excitement slows down, it’s easy to be hit with a bout of the January blues. Trade these internal blues for the blue waters of a winter charter destination. Stepping on board a superyacht, you’ll find your seasonally incited sadness slipping away as you sail among picturesque islands. 

You’ll be in the lap of luxury, spending time on board a gorgeously designed yacht that has every comfort you could need. And, unlike a resort on land, you’ll have it all to yourself. All the while, you’ll be looked after by a doting crew who will make your every wish a reality, and the yacht’s private chef will cook up exactly what you desire. What could be a better way to escape the doldrums of January?