Adventure Awaits
These five charter destinations are all about making unique memories of a lifetime.
One of the most incredible experiences I’ve ever had was stepping off a yacht, onto a tender and then onto a beach in the Galapagos Islands. I’ve covered the global charter industry for 16 years, and I’ve had the good fortune to take that same tender ride everywhere from Monaco to Bora Bora. But precious few times have I ever felt my heart race with anticipation the way that it did on that day when I walked up a Galapagos beach, sat down in the sand and watched as a juvenile sea lion waddled up from the surf to check me out.
I can remember him (or her; I didn’t push my luck by snooping) staring me square in the eye as he made his way over. I can remember trying not to blink as I watched the way his body moved. I can remember him coming within inches and having honest curiosity in his eyes—which, who knows, may just have been a reflection of mine. I can remember smiling, tilting my head and trying to communicate without words. I can remember wondering what he might be thinking as he looked back at me and did the same. And I can remember thinking, in a moment of pure clarity, Civilization is for suckers. Apparently, I’m not alone. Demand for exotic-destination yacht charter is on the rise,
with more and more clients wanting memorable experiences that are theirs alone. Here’s a look at a few regions where such powerful moments can be found. Fortunately, only one thing is changing in the Galapagos Islands: the caliber of the charter yachts available yearround. The islands and animals are considered nothing short of national treasures and are guarded like masterworks to be admired without disturbance. Evolution, in this place that so inspired Charles Darwin, refers only to standards of luxury and onboard service—making the moments of natural wonder ashore seem all the more miles away from anything else on Earth. Some scientists are now predicting serious ice-cap melting that sounds utterly terrifying, but for now, Antarctica remains a frozen landscape that— thankfully— is awe-inspiring primarily for its natural beauty. As with Galapagos, larger and more luxurious yachts are visiting annually, offering charter dates from about December through February. Sir Ernest Shackleton may have gone for the adventure, but today’s charter clients can combine it with international cuisine and service while the ice-packed beauty remains: an adventure in the singular, to be savored. Charter yachts are now alternating the winter and summer seasons between the Komodo and Raja Ampat regions here. You can indeed see the “dragon” of the same name, and (take it from me) the untouched reefs are as vibrant and colorful as any in your dreams. Some of the Indonesiabased yachts, built by the Konjo tribe from locally harvested wood, are artworks unto themselves. Talking, through a translator, to the craftsmen who often work as deckhands and onboard carpenters can be a cultural experience all its own. From the Great Barrier Reef to the remote shores of The Kimberley, Australia is seeing an influx not only of luxury yachts, but also of international management companies ensuring that they are staffed and run to five-star standards. Whether you want civilization starting in Sydney or offshore sportfishing for massive marlin, Australia has a region where charter inquiries are now being accepted. Greenland is the last charter destination before you get to the northern end of the Earth and start cruising back around the other side again. (Sign me up, if only that were possible on a charter…) This Arctic landmass remains remote in the truest sense, with only a handful of crewed yachts offering availability each summer. The exclusivity, of course, adds to the uniqueness of the adventure, but it also means that booking early is key. You’ll need time to arrange everything from heli-skiing guides to chopper tours of the tundra, all of which can be enjoyed before returning to the yacht for a seven-course tasting dinner and a soak in the hot tub.