Whether you plan to explore Asia, cruise the Caribbean or enjoy the culinary delights of the Amalfi Coast, Greece or French Riviera it is always best to book early. While it might seem logical to assume that last minute bookings would offer the best value when it comes to yacht charter, this is not the case. Booking in advance can reduce costs and also have an effect on demand of berths as well as other factors.
Better Availability
With a large number of yachts to choose from, you’ll have the best choice of yachts for your preferred yachts, especially as the newest yachts just on the charter market often book up extremely early. The best yachts will often have bookings over a year in advance, particularly from repeat clients. When enquiring, your broker will send you a selection of yachts available for your dates, to suit your budget and your desired location. Finding the perfect yacht to suit you is key to your overall enjoyment, whether it’s the cuisine expertise of the chef, the water toys on offer, the al fresco dining options, or the spa facilities.
More Time to Plan
As well as having a larger selection of yachts to chose from, you will also get more time to plan your charter. Travel considerations, cruising areas, the food and wine you’d like on board, special activities and more, can all be tailored to perfection to ensure that you have the best possible charter. Whether you are looking to explore the islands of Croatia, travel along the Amalfi Coast or enjoy the tranquility of Sardinia, booking early allows the crew and your broker to plan all the details.
Avoid Price Rise
If a yacht has had a very successful season with back-to-back charters, it isn’t uncommon for owners to raise the prices leading into the next season. By booking in advance you lock in the current figures and ensure you pay the best price. Moreover, some owners will offer early booking discounts or are more likely to accept offers on charters that are booked early.
The British Virgin Islands remain the must-visit sailing mecca in 2020. With the finest selection of BVI crewed and bareboat catamarans in the Caribbean, you will be dazzled by hidden anchorages, spectacular snorkelling and unforgettable sunsets. Trust us, our Broker team keep coming back every year! We continue to review the best islands for your specific requirements, including the beach clubs, bars and restaurants.
Nova at Oil Nut Bay, Virgin Gorda
You have to add NOVA at Oil Nut Bay in Virgin Gorda to your 2020 BVI yacht charter itinerary. Nova floats on top of the cerulean Virgin Islands water and is the perfect venue to bring family and friends together this winter. The philosophy is all-around sharing delicious small plates in an exquisite setting that’s both energizing and relaxing. You will be able to sample global dishes featuring the highest quality local ingredients that will dazzle your tastebuds.
3-for-$10 cans of Carib, Leatherback IPA and Stowford Press Cider
2-for-$12 Doombar Beer
Bottles of Peyrassol Rosé $30
Bottles of Taittinger Champagne $70
$5 off Special Flatbread
SUNDAY BRUNCH
Bloody Mary Bar: Bring a new hot sauce for the bar and receive your first Bloody Mary free
$5 Absolute Vodka
Bottles of Taittinger Champagne $70 includes fresh-squeezed citrus juice for mimosas
Oil Nut Bay is located at the far eastern tip of Virgin Gorda. Spend the morning swimming at The Baths, before sailing onto Oil Nut Bay for dinner. You can then spend the next day sailing up to Anegada for your lobster feast. We would highly recommend adding a stop to your BVI bareboat or crewed yacht charter itinerary this year. Speak to Ben in the Broker Team today to start planning the best BVI vacation to date!
Phuket features more than 30 beaches available around the island, so it is no surprise that beach clubs are a popular choice in Phuket. There’s a varied selection available in size to please all looking for a party on the beach. All of them share the same qualities of fun and sophistication and are fantastic places to enjoy a chilled-out day.
These beach clubs generally include a stylish modern restaurant and bar made from natural elements as near to the sea and sand as possible, organising the occasional party with internationally recognised DJs and artists and a talented chef who can create delicious tapas and snacks, perfectly topped off with an amazing sunset. Here are our top Phuket Beach clubs for Spring Break.
Café del Mar Phuket
One of Ibiza’s most iconic venues, Café del Mar, has now opened its doors with a new beach club at Kamala Beach in Phuket. It combines a sophisticated party atmosphere with a high-quality setting and a great soundtrack of chill-out beats the northern end of Kamala Beach.
The club has a rustic beach-hut look, with a thatch-roofed main bar in the centre. To one side of it is shaded seating on comfortable sofas, while cabanas and large beds occupy a patch of sand to the other side. Behind the bar is a large swimming pool, with single sun loungers and more beds and cabanas around it, as well as a poolside swim-up bar. There’s also a restaurant nearby with indoor and outdoor seating. Reflecting the belief that we are what we eat, their cuisine aims to nourish the soul. Cafe Del Mar is has become one of the most popular beach clubs in Phuket.
HQ Beach Lounge Phuket
HQ Beach Lounge Phuket is a very chic and stylish beach club at the northern end of Kamala Beach. Kamala offers a beautiful stretch of sand to enjoy days on the beach and is found in the next bay over from the infamous party town of Patong. Opened in 2016, it is in a fairly isolated spot, with the nearest neighbour about 200m further along the beach. Modest in size, it is one of the few such places with direct beach access and even a couple of sun pads under the trees, as well as an impressive selection of drinks and classy cuisine in a cool, laid-back setting. The centrepiece is the large smooth marble main bar in the shade of a large sail and surrounded by stools with a rather novel design, featuring a swing-like foot rest. The entire lounge is surrounded by woodland, adding to the sense of privacy and isolation, as well as the available shade. This contemporary seaside hangout offers a casual menu with a healthy focus and fine flavours, HQ Beach Lounge Restaurant presents abundant choices including colourful salads, zesty dishes, comfort food and fresh seafood alongside amazing carefully crafted drink selection ranging from fresh smoothies to slightly more indulgent tipples.
Catch Beach Club
Catch Beach was the first real beach club opening in Phuket many years ago, and by doing so, they triggered a veritable chain reaction all over the island. Catch Beach Club is a bar, restaurant and lounge spot right on the beautiful Bangtao Beach, renowned for its great party atmosphere and international DJ appearances. With a superb beachfront location, excellent food and drinks and great music, it is one of the top chill-out spots throughout the day and a popular party venue at night. Belonging to the same brand as Palm Seaside, HQ Beach Lounge and Twinpalms Phuket, quality and class are absolutely assured. A well-established name in Phuket, Catch gained its notoriety on Surin Beach, but moved to the southern end of Bangtao. After extensive refurbishment, they reopened in 2016 and rapidly reaffirmed their reputation as one of the best beach clubs on the island. Now boasting the unmistakable Catch style, you will find indoor and outdoor dining areas, a large canopy-covered bar, sun loungers, a small splash pool and a selection of poolside salas.
Bluesiam Beach Club
The beach club is difficult to miss from the roadside as it’s constructed from old shipping containers, with a bright red, classic pick-up truck parked outside, among the tall palm trees. The setting of Bluesiam Beach Club is splendid; the entire terrace is right on the beach and is shaded by coconut palms. Bluesiam Beach Club offers a very quiet and laidback place to chill out on Bangtao Beach. You’ll find shaded cabanas, sun loungers and sofas to lay on, with the soft sand just a few steps away. Much of the seating is in the form of stylish rattan sofas with white cushions and low tables. Adding to the atmosphere of the place, beautiful Thai statues are displayed throughout the property. Soft Latino music mingles with the gentle swish of the sea and the occasional spluttering of a local fisherman’s boat engine.A menu of well-made Thai cuisine and skilfully crafted cocktails makes this a great spot for those who like their beach days to be calm and comfortable.
Contact one of our Brokers today to organise your Yacht Charter.
The prestigious British shipyard Sunseeker continues to push the boundaries of yacht design. In collaboration with the Dutch shipyard Icon Yachts, the Sunseeker 161 will be the largest yacht in the manufacturer’s history. It will also be the first that they have ever built in metal. Sunseeker has already sold one hull and we look forward to many more models entering the Mediterranean charter market in the near future.
So what can you expect from the largest Sunseeker ever built?
The Sunseeker 161 will offer unrivalled deck spaces for alfresco dining, socialising with friends and holding cocktail events. Moreover, you will enjoy a plethora of sunbathing spaces and a contemporary beach club. Imagine anchoring in the cerulean waters of the Bahamas each winter before crossing to Croatia and the Greek Islands. Heaven!
Sunseekers are established and sought-after charter yachts. Their designs and features like zero-speed stabilisers make them extremely comfortable for the first time charter guest, as well as an experienced yachtsman. While you wait for the next models to be released, there is already a fantastic selection for you to try in 2020. AQUA LIBRA in Greece is one of our top recommendations which is already booking for summer 2021!
The Broker Team know the best Sunseeker yacht for your next charter. Whether it is a day charter on the French Riviera onboard the Predator 68 REHAB, or a week on the 28m Sunseeker PLAY THE GAME in Ibiza, you’re in expert hands. We look forward to making 2020 the best year of holidays yet!
Even for the most seasoned of sailors, choosing the right yacht that meets your family’s needs on holiday is essential, whether in Greece, the Amalfi Coast or the Caribbean. We are often asked whether it is safe to take a young child sailing. This does, of course, depend on the yacht and location, but here are our top tips for sailing with children.
The Boat
It’s important to select a boat that is going to work for the kids. You don’t want them to get scared with the boat heeling over too much or them feeling unsafe. Therefore, I’d recommend a catamaran for first-timers, particularly as these are considerably more stable than a monohull. With a catamaran, the salon is spacious, providing the kids with a good amount of space in case of bad weather. In a monohull, the salon is downstairs with little outside visibility, which may result in seasickness.
Safety Net
If you have very young children on board, it may be a good idea to install a safety net before you start sailing. If you need this, it is best to add this option well in advance to avoid the yacht manager running out. The safety net offers good protection for children playing or sunbathing on the deck, and it stops any sliding overboard. A harness is an extra safety measure you might consider for protecting your kids when sailing.
Air conditioning
It is becoming more and more common for modern sailing yachts to have a generator, allowing them to have air conditioners and ceiling fans. This is of huge importance when with children as it allows you to quickly regulate their temperature in particularly hot weather and during the warmest part of the day.
Life jackets
It is essential to advise your broker about the age of your children to ensure the owner has life jackets in your child’s size. It is always a good idea to consider buying your own life jackets, particularly as children will wear these more than adults. A more comfortable life jacket that fits well will encourage children to wear life jackets at all times outside.
Itinerary Planning
Depending on your location, there may be long distances between certain destinations. Therefore, it’s always good to consider your itinerary to allow often breaks. In case of bad weather, it is always good to have a back-up itinerary. In situations where cruising does not permit stops, consider playing games with your children or giving them colouring.
Contact a Boatbookings Broker Today to book your family yacht charter.
