It is the 50th anniversary of the Antigua Charter Yacht Show and reasons for the longevity of the popular event abound. The show sets the stage for charter agents to view the stunning array of availabilities for the forthcoming Caribbean charter season, to meet with captains and crews, and to sample the delicacies of the many remarkably talented chefs.
The attending yachts, which range in length from 46 feet to 245 feet, are berthed in three marinas, Falmouth Harbour, English Harbour and Nelson`s Dockyard. Our charter experts have been on board several of the yachts in all three locations.
At English Harbor top yachts included the magnificent 184ft. Perini Navi, PANTHALASSA, a high-performance sailing yacht with a James Bond flare. BLISS, a striking 121ft. Dubois features stunning interiors embellished by exotic elements such as stingray skin and glass-embedded metal. The attractive crew of BLISS ranks highly for enthusiasm and charm.
The week-long annual event also features the popular Concours De Chef and table-setting competition. This year chefs are asked to prepare a Caribbean banquet celebrating the Antigua Charter Show’s 50th anniversary.
Piper Heidsieck is sponsoring the Steward/Stewardess Table Setting Challenge with a prize for the most imaginative and elegant Caribbean-themed anniversary table decoration incorporating the number 50.
Check back for continuous updates about top yachts and show events!
Follow this link for excellent information about Antigua and Caribbean Sea Yacht Charter and to launch your charter adventure through these breathtaking islands.
The Bitter End Yacht Club, North Sound, Virgin Gorda, shares their secret to stimulating holiday cheer. Celebrate the season with one of their favorite (and famous) 16 Sounders, the Lemon Crash:
1 ½ – 2 oz Mount Gay Rum
1 – 2 whole lemons cut up
½ ounce lime juice
2 oz simple syrup
Ice to fill glass
Blend all the ingredients together. Garnish with a lemon slice and a cherry. Enjoy!
They would also like to remind you that neuroscientists have concluded that the best naps take place in a hammock.
Green Marine has been building many of the world’s best known racing and performance cruisers for 28 years, including the Volvo Round the World Race contenders, America’s Cup challengers, and cutting-edge performance superyachts. Their newest build, the 100ft Wally Cento, is on schedule with the hull completed and released from its female mould last week.
The black hull was turned upside down and moved into a long build oven at a new facility in Hythe, UK. The Judel Vrolijk hull design is built to a very high specification exclusively using materials and processes that are typically applied for Grand Prix racing yachts. Green Marine has earned a world-wide reputation as a leading specialist in advanced carbon fiber molding techniques.
The boat will now be faired outside while the boat builders carry on installing secondary structures inside the hull. Marcel Müller, Managing Director of Green Marine said: “All our build ovens have the extraction system and air filtration of a spray booth. This way we can provide the optimal and safe work environment for both teams working on the boat.”
The system and interior fit out will start before Christmas. This Green Marine high performance racer-cruiser is built under the WALLY Cento class rules. As the first boat of its class hitting the water it will be the pace setter for this new generation of exiting and extremely power full race yachts.
The crew of JAMBALAYA invite charter clients aboard to discover Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, an island country in the Lesser Antilles chain. This alluring Caribbean region offers exciting adventures, captivating land and water activities, outstanding natural beauty and very friendly and welcoming people.
DAY ONE: Young Island to Bequia
Set sail from Young Island to Bequia, the largest island in the Grenadines and an easy 1.5-hour run. There are several wrecks and shallow caves accessible to advanced divers. Besides many species of parti-colored fish, snorkelers can view Hawksbill turtles, lobsters, even spot a moray eel. Swim in the sparkling, turquoise sea then relax on deck for cocktails and dinner. For nightlife ashore, visit the Frangipani and dance to the rocking rhythm of steel drums.
DAY TWO: Princess Margaret’s BaySwim and breakfast while anchored off the pristine beach of Princess Margaret’s Bay. Dingy ashore to explore this exquisite little island with its shops and bars encircling the harbor front, strung together by a beach and a path. Enjoy a superb lunch on board and then spend a relaxing afternoon of swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling or canoeing.
DAY THREE: Princess Margaret’s Bay to Mustique
Depart from Princess Margaret’s Bay on a delightful two to three hour sail to Mustique, a famously idyllic island with magnificent beaches and several coral reefs. Mustique has attracted many celebrities over the years from Queen Elizabeth II to Amy Winehouse. Traverse pristine beaches and hilly woodland on foot or horseback, or laze under a coconut palm hut at Macaroni Beach, #14 of the World’s 21 Sexiest Beaches according to The Travel Channel. Then go for cocktails at the internationally renowned Basil`s Bar, or the Firefly, or Cotton House.
DAY FOUR: Mustique to Tobago Cays
Sailing to the Tobago Cays entails a captivating four-hour, off wind ride that passes Canouan along the way. This is an excellent opportunity for the fishing enthusiasts on board to bait a line. Drop anchor in the arms of the horseshoe reef surrounding the Jewels of the Grenadines and spend a thrilling afternoon snorkeling over brilliant corals teeming with fish. Take a dinghy expedition to Jamesby to bask on the pristine white sand beach.
DAY FIVE: Tobago Cays
Jambalaya at anchor
Spend a leisurely day relaxing in the Tobago Cays, an intimate cluster of five uninhabited cays. This idyllic yachting anchorage is a dream for scuba divers, a paradise for beachcombers, and a film location for Pirates of the Caribbean. Tobago Cays Marine Park is one of the world’s most awe-inspiring island destinations. Swim with the turtles off Baradel, or snorkel on the south side of Petit Bateau among fantastic coral and really big fish. Kite surfing enthusiasts who usually launch from Petit Rameau and sail upwind to the inner edge of Horseshoe Reef revere these cays. Back on the yacht, the chef will prepare a gourmet selection of local produce and fresh seafood for a sublime dinner pared with a perfect wine.
Jambalaya anchored in Petit St. Vincent
DAY SIX: Tobago Cays to Petit St. Vincent
In takes just an hour sailing time to reach the private island of Petit St. Vincent. En route stop at miniature Mopion Island to do a bit of beachcombing and indulge in a refreshing swim. Most visitors to Petit St. Vincent come for the tranquility. Yet, if you are feeling energetic there are walking trails, superb fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and kayaking. The Petit St Vincent Resort features a spa as well as a lush garden bar with adjacent wine cellar, perfect for a celebration of the sunset.
DAY SEVEN: Petit St Vincent to Union Island
Happy Island, a man-made island in Clifton harbour
Sail to the final destination of Union Island, passing close to scenic Palm Island. Union Island is a breathtakingly beautiful place to swim, snorkel, dive, sea kayak, sunbath, read or stretch your legs on a hike. Dinghy over to Happy Island that is entirely made of conch shells. Then head back to the yacht to relish an amazing Creole dinner, a chef’s specialty.
DAY EIGHT: Union Island to Young Island
Peter & Sylvie
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and then an excursion to visit to the town before bidding a fond farewell to Clifton Harbour, Union. Set sail for Young Island capturing final memories of the beauty that surrounds you to treasure until your next charter vacation in the spectacular Grenadines.
Follow this link for details about chartering JAMBALAYA.
The gift of an adopted sea turtle makes a great stocking stuffer for kids, a unique gift for that hard to buy for friend, or the person who has everything. This special gift will spread feelings of good will in keeping with the true spirit of the season. Adopt a satellite-tagged sea turtle, or other endangered animal, in the name of someone you love and your loved ones will take pride in helping ensure the survival of these magnificent animals.
Sea turtles have been on the earth for more than 300 million
Leatherback hatchlings
years, but now face conditions that threaten their existence like never before because of man’s activities. Adopting a sea turtle helps fund research into caring for and protecting these magnificent creatures by supporting Sea Turtle.org and its partners in tracking their movements and behavior.
When you adopt a satellite-tagged animal, you can track their movements through the Sea Turtle.org website. This nonprofit and their partners have fitted more than 400 animals from 100 projects around the world with high-tech data transmitters that will relay information about their location via satellite. Tracking their movements helps researchers to better understand animal behavior and improve laws and regulations that protect sea turtles and other endangered species. Visit the wildlife adoption web page to find out which tracked animals are available for adoption.
To ensure delivery by Christmas, submit orders by Friday, 16th December for US deliveries and Saturday, 10th December for deliveries outside the US.
