Category Archives: Yachting news

Yachting Industry News

The Puerto Rico experience

Visiting Puerto Rico and its surrounding islands enables a new vision of the Caribbean and adds an extra dimension to a yacht charter .Since the music video to the song Despacito captured the iconic streets of San Juan in 2017, the world has been curious what Puerto Rico really has to offer. If you’re in need of inspiration for your next bareboat or crewed catamaran, Puerto Rico will most definitely provide you with an unforgettable experience.

The colourful shores of Puerto Rico

Broker Alice gives tips on how to see the real Spanish Caribbean and how to make the most out of your yacht charter.

Top Tips for a Puerto Rico Charter

Eat like a local

The food in Puerto Rico is unrivalled. In 2017, Anthony Bourdain dedicated a televised episode to Puerto Rican cuisine. Bourdain entitled this episode ‘Parts Unknown’ due to a variation of recipes and tastes that put a Creole twist to Spanish cuisine. Local restaurants and street food are the best way to experience the best of Puerto Rico.

Expect casual diners, exceptional street food, variations of locally sourced plantain and importantly iconic tapas dishes with a unique Puerto Rican spin. The combination of tropical juices and rum make for perfect cocktails. Happy Hour never ends! The Puerto Rican archipelago created the Pina Colada however there are many other cocktails to sample!

Dance like no one’s watching

On the beaches and on every island, the nightlife and dancing is a crucial part of the Puerto Rican culture. An evening in Puerto Rico combines Latino and Caribbean traditional dancing, ensuring a truly unique experience.

Visit Flamenco Beach

This beach is home to many species of tropical fish including parrotfish and blue tang. Flamenco Beach is a popular surfing destination due to the waves created when the surf breaks on the reef. Located near to Culebra, this beach is a must see!

Gaze around Old San Juan

San Juan is known for being the backdrop for the song Despascito. Exuberant streets, vibrant culture and an amazing food scene depict the old streets of San Juan. The unexpected can be found from a city enriched with history, culture, secrets and all night latino dancing. San Juan is made up of a kaleidoscope of tropically-coloured houses. It is easy to become intoxicated by the blue cobblestone streets, artistic walls, restaurants and museums that San Juan has to offer its visitors. This city is an Instagrammers dream!

Contact the Boatbookings team to start planning your yacht charter in Puerto Rico today!

Posted on by

YACHT OF THE WEEK: LADY AMANDA

One of the Best Yachts Available for Charter on the French Riviera!

LADY AMANDA is the perfect yacht for a fun-filled week on the French Riviera with family and friends or a group of 4 couples! Her outstanding crew led by Captain Ashley, they are ready and waiting to show you the highlights of the French Riviera

With an amazing selection of water toys including jet ski, 2 sea bobs, 5m waterslide from the bridge deck, ocean pool for jellyfish protection, paddleboards, snorkeling gear, waterskis, wakeboard, wakeskate, donut, balloon blast and more to come for 2020!

She offers accommodation for up to 10 guests in 4 double cabins, 2 with Pullman berths and a stunning saloon area with a dining table on the interior complemented by her well-presented sundeck complete with dining, sunbathing area, and jacuzzi! LADY AMANDA really offers everything you could wish for!

Contact Cordy now to book your French Riviera Yacht Charter.

Posted on by

Inside the Sunseeker 161 Superyacht

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!

Posted on by

Sail into Spring

February is over and March shows no sign of heating up, the winter blues set in.. Wave goodbye to cold temperatures and charter a yacht with Boatbookings for an unforgettable Spring experience. Broker Alice provides an insight into the best places to sail in March, April and May to escape the April Showers.

Where to go when…

March

The BVI

Undoubtedly, the best destination for sailing in March is the British Virgin Islands. The trade winds are reliable and the islands are more tranquil than during the Christmas holidays. These islands profit from excellent sailing conditions, a dry climate, reliable trade winds and an excellent island hopping- bar culture. Visit the baths on Virgin Gorda, the new Willy T’s, the wreck of the Rhone. If you are feeling adventures head across to Anegada for some unforgettable conch fritters!

Guadeloupe

Get a taste of the outdoors in Guadeloupe. Whether you’re into remote beaches, exotic hikes in rainforests or scuba-diving amongst turtles on and coral gardens, this is the sailing destination for you. Tip- for those into French diving heroes, there is a statue of Jaques Cousteau located just off from Pigeon island (Bouillante, Basse Terre).

April

A favourite month of the year in the Caribbean. This month homes in some unforgettable regattas, idyllic trade wind conditions and consistently warm temperatures.

Antigua Race Week

Head over to Antigua at the end of April to take part in one of the most competitive sailing regattas on the globe. Not only is the sailing amazing, there is a mixture of great Caribbean BBQ’s and social events taking place during the week. The infamous Lay Day takes place on a neighbouring beach and is a must-do activity!

May

St Vincent and the Grenadines

As the rain and wind season begins in the Leewards head down to the Grenadines at the heart of the Windward Caribbean Islands to catch the last of the Caribbean sun and winds. The Grenadines are a quieter alternative than the Leeward islands and are home to some of the lushest vegetation across the Caribbean.

Turkey

An up and coming charter destination, Turkey hosts some of the best wind and climate conditions for a charter in the Mediterranean. Unspoilt beaches, historical ruins, a unique cultural experience, secluded bays and excellent marina facilities make Turkey one of the best destinations to visit.

Get in contact with the Boatbookings team today to start to plan your Spring Yacht Charter!

Posted on by

Sailing with a Child

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.

Posted on by