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Yachting Industry News

Spring Break – Phuket’s top beach clubs

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.

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5 Reasons to charter a yacht in Newport this summer

A yacht charter from Newport offers some of the best cruising grounds in the USA. This sailing area and itinerary offers over 400 miles of beautiful coastline, reliable sailing conditions, interesting cities to explore and a rich history. Try a Newport yacht charter for a city sailing break with Boatbookings.

1-Visit The Hamptons

A yacht is the only way to arrive at The Hamptons this summer. Sail to the Hamptons to enjoy some of the best bars, restaurants and boutiques in the US. The Hamptons is different to the rest of the itinerary and provides a sense of glamour. If you charter for a week this will be the furthest point on the itinerary however if you charter for a whole week this will be your last stop before entering New York!

2- Explore the maritime history of the US

The best part of the sailing itinerary from Newport is discovering cities in in the US that retain a maritime vibe and a sense of passion for the water amongst the community beliefs. For example, villages on Martha’s Vineyard consist of historic buildings named after seafaring owners. You will have the chance to visit a yacht cub in almost every location and the locals will love to tell you about their cultural heritage!

3- Hikes

Hikes and nature can be a large part of this itinerary. The best places to visit for hikes and nature are at Cape Pogue Wildlife Refuge on Chippaquiddick, . This itinerary has many different hikes and great places to lose yourself if you’re up for invigorating, scenic hikes.

Whale and bird watching

Nature and beauty dominates the area. The natural beauty is highlighted by the protected species that are both on and offshore. Cape Pogue Wildlife Refuge centre on Chappaquiddick Island,  Nantucket Conservation Foundation which owns more than 7,700 acres of land for you to explore and lastly the beautiful island of Cuttyhuck which profits from a great fishing area!

Lighthouses, beaches and leaf lined streets

Most stops of the itinerary include miles of protected beaches, lighthouses and spectacular sunset views. Beaches to visit include Lighthouse Beach, off the entrance to Edgartown. Some of the most beautiful sunsets are backed by a lighthouse and provide spectacular evenings onboard.

Sail into New York City on a 14 day itinerary

A two week sailing itinerary can take you to New York. This itinerary provides the perfect blend of city and nature sailing locations to visit. If you want to see New York from afar then this itinerary is definitely the one for you.

Note that some of the places along the itinerary such as Cuttyhuck are dry-islands so be prepared to bring your own alcohol if you wish to have a drink onboard!

Contact one of the Boatbookings brokers to find out more about a yacht charter from Newport this summer!

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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!

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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.

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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!

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