Are you dreaming of a vacation but have not decided on the specifics yet? If so, why not consider an unforgettable yacht charter adventure in a beautiful, exciting, and fun place?
What Makes a Yacht Charter ‘Adventurous’?
A yacht charter is a private yacht rental you can take out onto the water for an adventurous vacation. It allows you to enjoy a luxurious, memorable getaway without the high cost of owning a boat.
Most people think of yacht charters as sailboats where you sip champagne while admiring the views of the islands and waters around you. However, a yacht charter can be truly adventurous when you do more than relax on the boat. It can also allow you to enjoy several thrilling activities on and off the water, such as hiking, swimming, snorkeling, and exploring the remote coastlines of nearby islands.
If you have always dreamed about planning an exhilarating escape from civilization, a yacht charter is the best solution. All you need to do is pick the ideal destination location for your yacht charter adventure. It should be a place that offers unique experiences where you can explore cultural wonders, cliffside ruins, picturesque seascapes, and rich marine life and wildlife.
Below are five recommended adventure yacht charter destinations perfect for thrill-seeking travelers.
1) The Exumas, Bahamas: Swimming with Sharks and Exploring Grottoes
The Exuma district, known as the Exumas, comprises more than 365 islands and cays in the Bahamas. The most popular island among the group is Great Exuma, the largest of the islands. It is approximately 37 miles in length and features a connecting bridge to a smaller island, Little Exuma. Most vacationers will sail their yachts to this area to explore both islands.
The Exumas can give you a mixture of several thrilling adventures. The most notable is the snorkel adventure inside the Thunderball Grotto, a famous underwater cave seen in the James Bond film “Thunderball.” It is a must-see for James Bond fans or any snorkeler or diver who wants to see a picturesque cave with sunlight beaming through the top and a diverse array of marine life swimming below. Some of which include sea turtles, lobsters, stingrays, and conchs.
Are you interested in swimming with sharks? Head on over to the Exuma island of Compass Cay, where you can literally swim with sharks in the marina. Fortunately, these docile nurse sharks are not dangerous to people. They will peacefully glide next to you as you swim in the water. It will be an adrenaline-pumped experience you will never forget.
2) Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast: Ancient Ruins and Cliff Diving
How would you like to dive off tall cliffs and explore ancient ruins? Take your private yacht charter to Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast to experience nearly 3,600 miles of breathtaking coastline, comprising the mainland and over 1,200 islands and islets. It is a historical region with architecture from several different notable eras, including the Roman Empire, the Republic of Venice, the Kingdom of Croatia, and the Austrian Empire.
Anchor your yacht on the Adriatic Sea next to the coastline and take walks through the medieval walled towns of the region, such as Ston, Dubrovnik, and Trogir. It will make you feel like you have been transported back in time, despite the modern upgrades and conveniences present today. Perhaps the most beautiful sites are the hidden coves and tall karst cliffs rising over the turquoise blue waters.
You will find ancient ruins scattered all over the islands of the Dalmatian Coast. The Croatian Island of Vis is one example. It holds the remains of an ancient Roman amphitheater and a British fort. On Hvar Island, you can hike up a steep hill to see the Španjola Fortress from the 16th century. The surrounding panoramic views of the Pakleni Islands below are a bonus to this hike as well.
3) The British Virgin Islands: A Sailor’s Paradise
Sailors have historically loved traveling to the British Virgin Islands for a good reason. It is a destination with predictable and consistent trade winds, creating the perfect conditions for sailing. Sailors can depend on steady wind speeds of 10 to 25 knots to ensure a strong enough force to take their sailboats around the gorgeous 60 islands and cays comprising the British Virgin Islands.
Adventurous yacht charter vacationers have a lot to see on these islands. For starters, try snorkeling through the Caves of Norman Island. They are a group of sea caves most notable for inspiring author Robert Louis Stevenson to write about similar hidden coves and shipwrecks in his famous novel “Treasure Island.”
When you finish exploring the caves, let the winds take your yacht to the Island of Virgin Gorda, the third-largest island in the British Virgin Islands. Adventurers love exploring and climbing through The Baths, a natural phenomenon of massive granite boulders that form grottos, tunnels, and sea pools. Think of it as a fun, natural obstacle course with a nice hidden beach at the end of it.
4) Thailand’s Phuket & Phi Phi Islands: Karst Landscapes and Hidden Lagoons
The Phi Phi Islands are an archipelago within the Andaman Sea in southern Thailand. They are about 29 miles southeast of Phuket, Thailand’s largest island. Many travelers visit Phuket and the Phi Phi Islands because both are gorgeous and offer much to those with adventurous spirits.
Phuket can offer a truly exotic adventure thanks to its karst landscapes, with towering limestone cliffs hovering over the majestic emerald-green and blue waters. Then you can go island hopping to the Phi Phi Islands for water sports like kayaking, snorkeling, and diving, or for land-based activities like ATV tours, ziplining, and jungle tours. Don’t forget to visit the elephant sanctuaries, as they offer opportunities to interact with the elephants up close.
The most notable local attraction is Khao Phing Kan, better known as James Bond Island, in Phang Nga Bay northeast of Phuket. It is the island featured in the 1974 James Bond film “The Man with the Golden Gun” with Roger Moore. Tours are available to take you alongside the 300-foot cliffs and the hidden lagoons within them. You don’t even need to have seen the movie to appreciate these lagoons and dark caves, as they are only accessible by kayaking through them.
5) The Galápagos Islands: A Wildlife Encounter Like No Other
Wildlife lovers will feel like they’re in paradise at the Galápagos Islands. Sail your yacht charter to this remote Ecuadorian archipelago for unmatched wildlife encounters with unique species not found in most other places on Earth. You will get to see iconic creatures that you have only seen in movies, such as sea lions, penguins, finches, iguanas, and giant tortoises.
Many of the wildlife animals are fearless by nature and don’t mind getting close to humans. You don’t have to worry because these are friendly, non-predatory animals that do not attack humans. Of course, you should always be respectful of the animals by avoiding any attempts to intimidate them. That will ensure the encounters stay friendly.
The Galápagos Islands are volcanic. Explorers can walk across solidified lava fields at Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island. They formed from eruptions that took place during the 19th and 20th centuries. During this time, you will likely see marine iguanas basking on the coastal rocks and vibrant red Sally Lightfoot crabs running around the edges of the shoreline.
Ready to Start Your Adventure?
As you can see, there are plenty of thrilling activities to enjoy at these five adventure yacht charter destinations. Whether you want to explore limestone caves in Thailand or swim alongside docile sharks in the Bahamas, there is no end to the number of adventures you can have in the world with your yacht charter.
Plan your yacht charter itinerary today! It will be the adventure of a lifetime.
