More than 100 Spectacular Luxury Charter Yachts in Attendance at the 2011 Antigua Charter Yacht Show

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.

Posted on December 6, 2011 by admin

Tropical Lemon Crash Cocktail Courtesy of The Bitter End Yacht Club, Virgin Gorda, BVI

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.

Here is a useful link to launch your exploration of Yacht Charter in the British Virgin Islands

Follow this link for information and nautical chart of Virgin Gorda, BVI

Posted on December 4, 2011 by admin — No Comments ↓

Ho Ho Holiday Gifts that Help Sea Turtles!

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

10534Leatherbackhatchling__c_GuillaumeFeuillet_8_-med — 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.

Be an environmentally savvy yachtsman. Follow this informative link to learn about Green Chartering for Low Carbon Emissions.

Here is a useful site to explore Luxury Yacht Charter Worldwide.

Posted on November 26, 2011 by admin — No Comments ↓

Awards Dinner at Tortola`s Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina: New Options for Yachtsmen at Upscale Marina

Scrub Island Resort, Spa and Marina, located on a 230-acre private island east of Tortola a couple of miles from Tortola Airport, hosted the Tortola Charter Boat Show Awards Dinner for yacht crews and brokers. The buffet was laden with excellent food and despite the crowd of about 200 guests there was more than enough for seconds and thirds.

The property opened for business in mid-2010 with resort accommodations and residences for purchase. Due to the BVIs strict development controls, and despite what became years of controversy, this private island resort is the first to open in the BVI in more than 15 years.

The Scrub Island staff kindly took those interested on a tour of the property, which offers a new, upscale destination for yachtsmen and vacationers. The marina boasts dockage for five megayachts with an LOA of up to 170 feet and 53 deep-water slips available for short or long term docking.

On site, the Marina Village shops include the Scrub Island Boutique, the well-equipped Dive BVI shop and the Gourmet Market & Café, with offerings that include a tempting deli counter and fine wine selections. The most opulent crew bathrooms we’ve seen to date are in this area, decorated in marble they house multiple sinks and huge glass showers.

Charter guests will enjoy stretching their sea legs on a bit of shore leave at the multi-level pool, the lovely terrace restaurant with great sea views, the spa with an impressive menu of treatments, or perhaps a work out in the fitness center or hike on a nature trail.

Accommodations are available in one bedroom or two bedroom suites handsomely decorated with an island flare, with impressive full kitchen, large living room and lovely balcony. These condominium apartments are also for sale starting at $1.5 million. Contact the resort for details.

For comprehensive information on the BVI access the following links:

Tortola Yacht Charter and Beach Guide

BVI Sailing Itineraries

BVI Yacht Charter

Posted on November 20, 2011 by admin — No Comments ↓

Acclaimed Marine Artist Guy Harvey Collaborates to Produce Documentary Film of REEF Grouper Moon Project

Grouper are normally solitary and territorial, yet during the winter full moons grouper travel together to spawn. Wherever spawning aggregations sites have been recorded throughout the Caribbean fishermen have also aggregated, resulting in endangerment to the species and the present dormancy of one-third to one half of these sites.

In the winter of 2002, REEF launched the Grouper Moon Project in the Cayman Islands to observe the Nassau grouper spawning aggregation off the western tip of Little Cayman. Renowned marine artist and conservationist Dr. Guy Harvey, with videographer George Schellenger, joined the Grouper Moon Project team in 2011 to document ongoing research. They spent seven days in the field with scientists from REEF, the Cayman Islands Department of the Environment, and Oregon State University.

This September, their documentary “The Mystery of the Grouper Moon”, premiered at the Harquail Theatre on Grand Cayman. Inspired by his time underwater with the grouper, Dr. Harvey also created a painting of the aggregation that is featured on the documentary promotional poster. The original artwork will soon be available for purchase, with all proceeds going to REEF to support the Grouper Moon Project.

REEF is a non profit organization dedicated to grassroots marine conservation programs. REEF partners with dive shops, dive clubs, individuals, and other organizations worldwide.

For information on dive charters to destinations hosting REEF field stations please follow this informative link to Caribbean Yacht Charter.

Posted on November 3, 2011 by admin — No Comments ↓