The Caribbean Virgin Islands are back in full swing following regeneration works required after Hurricane Irma. You will most likely start your charter from St Thomas in the US Virgin islands, which has fantastic flight connections to most of the US East Coast. It is therefore the perfect pitstop to get into the Caribbean zone ahead of your Virgin Islands crewed catamaran charter. But where should you stay?
Ritz-Carlton, St Thomas
The most exclusive hotel on the island of St Thomas was always The Ritz-Carlton, which overlooks Great Bay. After a thorough two year renovation, The Ritz-Calton is now accepting bookings from the 22nd November 2019, just in time for your BVI Christmas Catamaran charter.
Ritz-Carlton, St Thomas
Guests will experience a new era of refinement at the Ritz-Calton, which welcomes families, couples, and adventure-seekers to encounter the beauty of the Caribbean in a new light. Get ready for turquoise bays, spectacular scenic views, white sandy beaches and exhilarating water sports. Our Brokers love it and know you will too!
Get in touch with the Boatbookings Broker team to plan your BVI bareboat sailing vacation, crewed catamaran charter or luxury motor yacht vacation!
Following the hurricane IRMA and MARIA, it is a well-known fact that most of the BVI’s infrastructure, boats and marinas were completely destroyed. Most charter companies had entire fleets either damaged or destroyed. However, the BVI has taken this nightmare as an opportunity to renovate and re-establish itself as the best place to charter in the Caribbean. The resilience of a tight-knit community, devoted holidaymakers and a great tourist board has allowed the BVI to be completely rejuvenated for 2020.
Forbes magazine reported that 75% of the territory’s marine berths and 37% of land accommodation reopened this Spring. Airways and ferries have also opened back up to full capacity following the destruction with the hurricane.
Willy T’s comeback
The infamous William Thornton floating back is back on Norman Island for 2020. The new Willy T is rumored to be bigger than ever! As one of the most iconic floating bars in the world, the new Willy T was constructed in the US before returning to the BVI on May 10th. The New boat is very similar to the original vessel and is already making its comeback for being renowned for parties, food, shots, and tattoos! Be sure to visit the new Willy T when you can.
Scrub Island Resort and Marina
The resort has just reopened with ten new villas
and 52 guest rooms. This is the perfect place to relax and unwind before or
after your yacht charter.
Foxys – Jost Van Dyke
After all, having served food and drinks to sailors since 1968 this bar was not going to let a storm affect their service, There is still an infamous BBQ running on Friday and Saturday night and a great menu and party vibe throughout the week.
Have a read over the recommend Boatbookings post IRMA sailing itinerary to get an insight into your yacht charter with Boatbookings this winter!
Have you been chartering in the BVI for years and tempted to try a new Caribbean island? With an increasing number of quality catamarans heading down islands during the summer months, there has never been a better time to consider a Grenadines yacht charter.
One of our favourite Lagoon 620 crewed catamarans, DRAGONFLY, has confirmed that they will be down in the Grenadines from June 2020. DRAGONFLY is one of the newest Lagoon 620s in the Caribbean with a vastly experienced crew in Christiaan and Hanrie, who always offer exceptional service, food and enjoyment for guests of all ages.
DRAGONGLY Feedback
“ The most amazing start to a year anyone could dream of – thank you. We have been absolutely spoilt rotten by your food, hospitality and endless activities for the boys and you have chosen a spectacular backdrop for showcasing your skills. Whether swimming with turtles, stingrays or tarpons, tubing or snorkelling on incredible reefs, we had a series of unforgettable experiences. Thank you so much Boatbookings, we can`t wait to come back! ”
The Grenadines are the perfect catamaran cruising ground. They offer stunning sunsets, long sandy beaches and some of the clearest waters in the Caribbean. Embark in Grenada and head for the peaceful anchorages of Carriacou, before kite surfing on Union Islands and visiting the famous Basil’s Bar in Mustique.
The Grenadines really do offer something for everyone. Contact your Boatbookings Broker today to start planning your next adventure.
SUP boarding, originating in Hawaii is a spin-off from surfboards. As opposed to the paddle-less sister, sup boarding offers a range of activities perfect for your summer and winter charters!
Standing Up Paddleboards have become available to the masses, with almost all bareboat yacht owners offering SUP boards as an extra to their charters why not add one onto yours? Most crewed yacht charters will now have SUP boards, along with other water toys. But did you know there are so many ways to use them?! See below!
The classic – SUP Boarding.
In the Mediterranean, you will often see people push their sups off the side of the yacht and go for a paddle – join them! Bend your knees and make sure you have the paddle the right way around! As you become an expert over the week start to use some technique and draw a ‘J’ in the water. By doing this you only need to paddle on the one side.
Yoga
Downward dog!
Get up early, enjoy the stunning scenery of Croatia, Greece, Italy, Caribbean, wherever you are and get out on the SUP board. Go through some simple yoga exercises to get you ready for the day. Early morning around 6 am is the most special time on the water – so get out and enjoy it.
Balancing
Back in my Flotilla days in Greece, SUP boards were used for almost everything. Something which was seriously good fun, with not only the kids but also the adults was ‘The Balance’. Very simple – how many people can you get standing. Not as easy as it sounds!
Sun Bathing
Sup boards come with a wrist strap, to save you floating away to one of the other islands attach it to your bathing ladders or your anchor chain. It’s super relaxing – until someone thinks its a great idea to jump off the yacht and splash you! Yes – even the adults sometimes cannot resist making someone scream out of shock!
Darling, lets go to the races!
In your stunning anchorage, be it Greece or the Caribbean some people on the yacht might need to expel some extra energy! Or to get the whole group up with a little bit of competitive sport! This is a great way to have some quality time together and make memories. Try racing around the yacht and timing each other – or attach a fender to a kedge anchor and use it as a racing buoy! Make sure you use the correct knot to attach the kedge!
Wobble wars
It is what it says on the tin! Get two people to stand up on the board and wobble the yacht until someone falls off! A simple and effective game that brings hours of fun on the water. Very popular with kids, but it has been known for some 68-year-olds to get involved.. perhaps the G ‘n’ T had something to do with it!
If you would like to know more about adding sups to your charters, or interesting in chartering with us this coming summer or winter do email here!
After having competed in the Antigua sailing regatta last week and gaining third place in class, charter broker and regatta expert, Alice gives her personal insight into the best parties, races, sailing, and restaurants that the regatta has to offer.
Every April, thousands of competitive sailors gather from all corners of the world to compete in the unmissable Antigua Sail Week. For any yachtie, this rum-fueled week is not to be missed out!
Rum-fuelled racing
The warm Caribbean trade winds allow for some of the world’s finest yacht racing conditions. The regatta has many different classes for yacht racing and welcomes boats of all sizes including bareboat, sports boats and many larger vessels.
Since the 1950s this prestigious event has been the home to some of the finest yacht performances in boating history. The week includes 6 competitive racing days in some of the best sailing conditions throughout the regatta world.
Many different types of boats will compete in the regatta, giving many different class options to join. There is even the option of entering this regatta in a bareboat class if you wish to add a different dimension to a standard yacht charter!
Regardless of the size of boat you are on, at the beginning of every race everyone is in the same position, competition for victory at the end of the day.
Expect to see:
Crews hanging over the boat rail.
All boats in the realm of possibility
Bruises.
Sunburn everywhere
Windswept sailors with a rum in hand at all times.
Windward-leeward racing
Ripped sails and ruined sailors!
Global sailing champions
The sunsetting every night in Paradise
Après-sail
No Caribbean regatta can be complete without dancing, copious amounts of rum and live reggae bands. Notorious live parties, team-building competitions, prize giving ceremonies, and onboard cocktail parties allow the perfection combination of sailing and socializing.
Be sure to walk up to Shirley Heights to get the best sunset and I may add the best rum punch that the island has to offer. This year, the sailing event was sponsored by Fever Tree tonics, as such the traditional Caribbean rum had some very strong competition for being the tipple of choice for the 2019 Antigua Sailing Week.
Tough competition, idyllic racing winds, structured race courses, rum punch and of course lobster on the BBQ are the key ingredients to a world class regatta for novices, experts or even beginners!
Please click here to get in contact with Alice for your next regatta charter. We specialize in global regattas and travel extensively to review the best regatta charters for you!
