The Best Yachting Islands in Greece - Sporades

The Sporades are a cluster of eleven islands in the north Aegean of Greece which boast a myriad of easy moorings, crystalline bays and mesmerising landscapes. The four inhabited islands in the group; Skopelos, Skyros, Alonnisos and Skiathos, are prime hubs for yachting enthusiasts because of their picturesque charm, natural beauty and abundance of coastal coves. Reaching the area via the straits of Evia, the Sporades are also a great springboard from which to explore the northeastern territory of the Aegean with the largest marinas in the area; those of Aretsou in Thessaloniki, Porto Sani in Halkidiki and Porto Karras.

Skyros
Ideal for yachting enthusiasts because of the playful Meltemi wind throughout the summer, the region provides challenging but exhilarating sailing conditions with sheltered seas on the southern island coasts. Skiathos is the main harbour from which to explore the waters surrounding the other islands while enjoying the stunning emerald sea and its inviting golden beaches. A popular destination for snorkellers and divers, the Sporades are also home to the endangered Mediterranean Monk Seal and the National Marine Park of Alonnisos.

Skiathos
The best kept Sporadic secrets for the ultimate yachting experience include the islet of Kyra Panagia or ‘Pelagos’, with its inhabitants of goats and a handful of monks. Two small inlets provide the perfect anchorage for a tranquil stay over. About eighteen nautical miles from Alonnisos lies the southerly island of Skantzoura, a paradise for those seeking aquamarine coves and complete escapism. Peristeri, also known as Aspro or Xero, is a dry, uninhabited islet with a safe harbour for mooring once you have explored its exquisite little bays and beaches.

Enjoying lovely warm summers and temperatures reaching up to 35°C in July and August, the Sporades in Greece are also ideal for cruising in May or October, when the average temperature ranges from 23-25°C. In fact, the region is a superb destination for all seasons!

There is no better way to explore the astonishing Greece islands than on a private yacht charter. Royalty Yachts offer a great selection of private luxury yachts for charter as Greece is such a popular destination. Options include motor yachts, catamarans and sailing yachts that will surpass all your expectations.

For more information please visit: 

https://royaltyyachts.com/destinations/greece-yacht-charter/

Exceptional Yacht Charters in the BVI

Today, the BVI (British Virgin Islands) are as popular with yachties as they once were with the Caribbean pirates of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and for many of the same reasons. Sailors are spoilt by the vast choice of hidden bays and sheltered coves and with safe anchorages and, with most places only accessible from the sea, a yacht is essential. The BVI's tiny population of 19,000 is spread around only 15 of the islands, leaving the rest uninhabited and untouched by industry. A coral island which lies about 15 miles to the north east of the main archipelago, the rest were once volcanic; the result is a varied and often dramatic landscape with many unusual rock formations and caves with the exception of Anegada.

BVI Yacht charters have risen greatly in popularity as a holiday activity and add to the excitement of a sunshine that is perfect.

There are two types of yacht charters:

Crewed Charters

A charter that is crewed provided with an experienced crew to sail the yacht for you and provide other services like cooking, cleaning and serving the guests. The size of the crew depends on the size of the yacht but will include a skipper, a chef and a hostess to make your stay on the yacht as pleasurable as possible.

Bareboat Charters

This is the perfect option if you are an experienced sailor, or someone else in the family is a skipper that is qualified. This option gives you complete freedom you want and when you feel like it as you can explore the destinations. It is a much cheaper option than a charter that is crewed gives you much more flexibility to do what you like.

Tortola, BVI

Royalty Yachts always provides professional personal attention to each and every customer with exceptional customer service. With their experience in uniquely identifying a hand-picked vessel from a worldwide fleet of yachts, Royalty Yachts will provide each client their ideal yacht charter experience to satisfy all their expectations.

The Sunset Islands of Greece - Cyclades

The 39 islands of the Cyclades are spread around the Aegean to the south-east of the mainland with sacred Delos as their central point of reference. Although only 24 of them are inhabited, each one has its own identity, history, traditions and landscape that is unique. The most well known isles are Santorini, Mykonos, Amorgos, Anafi, Andros, Antiparos, Delos, Ios, Kea, Kimolos, Kythnos, Milos, Naxos, Paros, Folegandros, Serifos, Sifnos, Sikinos, Syros, Tinos and Thira. Each island you visit will undoubtedly have that typical Cycladic architecture of little whitewashed houses and fishing that is small and once you are in the region, it is very easy to hop from one island to the other due to their relative proximities.

The Island Winds
The Cyclades are quite exposed in the Aegean Sea to the ‘Meltemi’ that is notorious which dominates the area, especially in the summer months. It can reach 7 Beaufort and last for a couple of days, but there are a multitude of small protected bays on most of the islands providing harbour that is safe. Best left to experienced seamen, the Cyclades are an invigorating sail for those seeking a excitement that is little. The crystalline waters of the Aegean and the marine that is rich make for truly pleasurable sailing with an abundance of beaches approachable only by boat offering small pieces of paradise to all who visit.

Charms of the Cyclades
Beginning from the north-west, Kea is close to the Attica coast and hence is a hub that is busy weekends for local motor yachts. Kithnos lies just to the south of Kea and is famous for its cheese while its neighbour, Serifos, is well known for being the island of Perseus. The spectacular bay of the main port is an often crowded but mooring location that is beautiful. 9 miles on lies Sifnos, with its large bay that is sheltered its beautiful fishing village at Vathi. Milos, like the more Santorini that is famous a volcanic island of startling landscapes and beaches surrounded by pumice and basalt cliffs with several hot springs. Paros and Antiparos are graphic yachting favourites, while Mykonos, attracts visitors for its night that is fervent life.

Santorini

The Cyclades enjoy mild winters and summer that is fresh with little rainfall. The period that is hottest is from July to August. The sea temperature averages 23°C, perfect for those who enjoy a dive that is refreshing the air temperature can reach up to 27°C degrees.

There is no better way to explore the astonishing Greece islands than on a private yacht charter. Royalty Yachts offer a great selection of private luxury yachts for charter as Greece is such a popular destination. Options include motor yachts, catamarans and sailing yachts that will surpass all your expectations.

For more information please visit: 

https://royaltyyachts.com/destinations/greece-yacht-charter/

Yacht Charters in the Leeward Islands

The Leeward Islands are named due to the prevailing winds blowing from the northeast. Those islands that receive the Trade Winds first, that is, the Windward Islands, are exposed to the (windward) northeast trade winds (north easterlies), and those that are a bit to the west, the Leeward Islands, are away from the northeast trade winds and in the "lee".

The Caribbean Leeward Islands, consisting of, St. Martin, St. Barts, Anguilla, Saba, St. Kitts, Antigua, Montserrat, Nevis, Barbuda, Guadeloupe, The Saints, Dominica, and Martinique are situated in the Caribbean and form a major part of a line of land masses called the Lesser Antilles.

Temperatures generally range from around 24°C in the winter to 29°C in the summer. With over 7,000 islands, the Caribbean offers a multitude of choice. Explore nature up close and enjoy the amazing coral reefs, which makes for ideal conditions for scuba diving. Visit the rainforests, discover the stunning waterfalls, which cascade over the mountains and view the mysterious volcanoes.

From the barefoot chic island of St Barts to the lively French/ Dutch island of St Martin/ St Maarten, both ashore and on the water, the diverse history and varied nationalities, cultures and cuisines make this island chain a microcosm of the world.

Popular Leeward Islands:

St. Martin
The Dutch side has the casinos and duty free shopping; the French side has charming Marigot Bay with many cafes and beautiful anchorages. St Martin's secluded beaches, lavish accommodations and dining experiences are among the best in the Caribbean. Anchor off Grand Case and dine in any one of the varied establishments onshore. Take time to explore Marigot, the picturesque capital of the French side.

St. Bart's
St. Bart's is home to the "rich and famous". This island is filled with excellent shopping, dining and the right mix of beaches and views. Tiny St Barts has no large resorts, casinos or golf courses: It makes do with elegance, history, gastronomy and shopping, as embodied by the delightful capital Gustavia. Don't forget to visit some of the beaches on the windward side of the island.

Antigua
British base under Lord Nelson, filled with great beaches. A yacht charter paradise, English Harbor is filled with sailing charter yachts and the Antigua Yacht Club typically hosts the larger mega charter yachts. Antigua is the largest of the British Leeward Islands, with deeply indented bays and perfect sailing conditions year-round. Jolly Harbour is the largest marina, golf and beach resort in the Caribbean.

Deep Bay is just north of Jolly Harbour. Here, you can dive to the wreck of Andes, a three-masted barque seven metres under the surface of the bay. Another short hop away, Five Islands is a beautiful, protected bay situated between Deep Bay and Jolly Harbour. Anchor off Hermitage Beach and swim ashore to collect shells and snorkel at the entrance to the bay.

St. Kitts and Nevis
Mountainous islands basking in the blue waters of the Caribbean sea with idyllic beaches and rain forests. Nevis features lots of wonderful colonial architecture, as well as excellent diving opportunities. Those more interested in man-made exploration can visit the botanical garden or try their hand at archaeology. Intoxicating St Kitts is only a brief sail away. Anchor in White House Bay to explore Bug's Hole, Shitten Bay and the colonial Batik Factory. Contemplate the old enmity between the English and French as you admire the wonderful fort on Brimstone Hill and embark for an exhilarating sail to St Barts.

This cruising area is not only diverse in geography, but also in nationality and history, strong in French, Dutch, and English tradition, each island has become a unique melting pot of those cultures with their own distinct feel. St. Barts with a strong French history offers excellent shore side cuisine and wines with quayside shops displaying the latest in resort haute couture. St. Kitts with a strong colonial sugar plantations history has one of the largest colonial forts still standing, and remnants across the island of this colonial plantation life. Look closely and you may see a Green Vervet Monkey, brought originally to the island by plantation owners as family pets, now run wild. Nevis was the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, whose family home is open as a museum.

With warm temperatures, and temperate breezes year round, the region attracts people seeking a vacation in an idyllic tropical Caribbean island paradise, making the Leeward Islands one of the most popular tourist travel destinations in the world.

For more information please visit:
https://royaltyyachts.com/destinations/caribbean-leeward-yacht-charter/

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Windward Islands Yacht Itinerary

A private yacht charter in the Caribbean would not be complete without a visit to the Windward Islands. Located on the southern end of the Caribbean chain, the Windward Islands consist of tropical volcanic islands with misty rain forests and palm lined white sandy beaches.

St. Lucia to Union Island including St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Day 1: Your charter yacht awaits you at Marigot Bay, a small, sheltered anchorage known for excellent sunset rum punches. Enjoy an afternoon swim and dinner aboard.

Day 2: Head south to Soufriere, a small town dominated by the towering twin Pitons, and take a walk in the rain forest or explore the sulphur springs. Enjoy lunch and a swim before leaving for St. Vincent on a beautiful broad reach of about 30 nautical miles.

Day 3: Enjoy lunch at Cumberland Bay, where a forest of coconut and banana trees flows down the valley to the beach. Enjoy the towering mountains and craggy peaks as you motor your luxury charter yacht along the steep and wild terrain of St. Vincent. Arrive at Young Island for a swim and cocktails before dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 4: Leave early for Bequia. Once an active whaling station, Bequia offers a fun, tropical marketplace and sought after hand-carved wooden sailing boats. Enjoy your first night at anchor in Admiralty Bay, and step a shore to visit the well know Frangipani Hotel for cocktails on the lawn overlooking the bay.

Day 5: After breakfast pull up anchor for Mustique. An exclusive island for the rich and famous, visit Basil’s Bar, rent a Moke or a horse to explore, or dive a few of the shipwrecks in the waters around the island.

Day 6: Leave early for a sail to Canouan and relax in a peaceful anchorage off Charlestown Bay for a quiet lunch, before going ashore to explore. Sail to Tobago Cays & Horseshoe Reef after lunch, considered the best snorkeling and diving in the Grenadines and enjoy a beautiful night under the stars.

Day 7: Leave for Palm Island and wade along Casuarina Beach, a gorgeous expanse of golden sand and turquoise water. Enjoy a cocktail at the Sunset Bar before heading back to the yacht for dinner.

Day 8: After breakfast motor to Union Island for your flight home, ending your luxury Windward Islands yacht charter.

For more information please visit:
https://royaltyyachts.com/destinations/caribbean-windward-yacht-charter/

Yacht Charter Inquiries