The top charter destinations, by the experts

At Edmiston, our brokers are on the ground, either living in or spending large amounts of time in key chartering territories throughout the year and they know their region inside out. Not only that, but when it comes to the desires and needs of their charter guests, they’ve seen it all. Quite simply: they know what makes an amazing charter destination.

Here, four Edmiston charter brokers reveal their favourite charter destinations.

Sea of Cortez

According to broker Hannah Wolstenholme, the Sea of Cortez is a hidden jewel that still offers you that feeling of discovery as you encounter few other yachts as you cruise from uninhabited island to uninhabited island, surrounded by rich marine life and opportunities to step ashore onto white sandy beaches exclusively for you and your loved ones.

“I have been lucky enough to cruise all of the Med, most of the Caribbean and even the Galapagos and while these are wonderful destinations that I love dearly, still nothing beats the Sea of Cortez for me,” Hannah says.

“It has it all: snorkelling with whale sharks, scuba diving with a wall of bigeye jack fish, dune buggying across arid desert, world-class waves for surfing, kite surfing, plus golf at some of the world’s finest and most exclusive golf courses.”

Insider tip
Hannah’s favourite restaurant is Arbol, situated in Las Ventanas as Paraiso, a Rosewood hotel. “You must try the local delicacy of ‘almejas chocolates’, or chocolate clams,” she says. “You eat them raw on the half shell with just a squeeze of lime and sprinkle of salt. You know you have fresh clams when they move slightly with the juice of the lime.”

Tahiti

Meanwhile, broker Matthew Gant, often directs his clients to Tahiti: “From relaxing around Bora Bora or diving at incredible reefs, a day can fill up quickly,” he says.

“If you are an action junkie then the surf is some of the best in the world. Watch some of the world’s best surfers at the Teahupoo wave. It’s incredible.”

Insider tip
“Diving is a must in Tahiti, as is visiting a pearl farm, “ Matthew says. “There are also some exceptional hikes to be had with guides to stunning waterfalls.”

Croatia

Matthew is also a big fan of chartering in Croatia.

“Croatia has stunning landscapes and is full of history,” he says. “Seven days on board can go quickly here. It also helps that you can go from jet to yacht in just 15 minutes!”

Insider tip
“I always recommend guests visit the national park of Krka, just 10km inland from Sibenik in Dalmatia,” he says. “Another place that always delights and gives a deep sense of the history of Croatia, is Dubrovnik’s ancient city walls.”

Greece

For broker Vanessa Lebreton, the choice of charter destinations is easy: “If I had to pick only one destination, I would go for Greece”, she says.

“This destination has so much character and is full of colour. The scenery is beautiful, authentic and so well preserved and the Greek hospitality, the ‘philoxenia’ (love of strangers) is like nowhere else.

“Anything seems possible in Greece – you really are made to feel at home, the cuisine is healthy and exquisite, and the products are local and so tasty.

“There is a wide range of activities, depending on what you are looking for, as the atmosphere can be different from one island to another one. You can charter with your family, with young or older children or with your friends and you will have a fantastic time that you will always remember.”

Insider tip
If you are looking for really nice places to swim or to relax, Vanessa recommends Milos, while for a party, you should head to Paros, Santorini and Mykonos.

“For historical sites, you need to visit Athens and the Acropolis,” Vanessa says, “then you also have Delos, with the Sanctuary of Apollo.

“In Paros and Santorini, you will find amazing restaurants like Siparos, a traditional Greek seaside restaurant serving authentic Greek cuisine. Selene is also an excellent choice for fine dining.”

The Caribbean

Broker Charles Crane is equally unwavering in his recommendations: “The Caribbean is my favourite charter destination”, he says, “In particular, the Leeward Islands and BVIs.

“The Caribbean encompasses everything I (and many others!) love about yachting. From the warm, crystal clear and shallow waters to white sandy beaches, the Caribbean is the ideal place to enjoy a superyacht.

“Whether you are into sailing or a motor yacht fan, it is easy to find a secluded and protected anchorage. The beaches and smaller islands lend themselves perfectly to a private beach and barbecue setup. The weather is the ideal combination of being generally sunny but not too hot. There is so much to explore that you never have to be in a crowded anchorage and there are stunning views wherever you look.”

Charles also asserts that the Caribbean is the place for trying out a huge number of activities. “All watersports are covered, from waterskiing/wakeboarding to Seabobs for exploring underwater sealife. Jet-skis are allowed in some places (they are prohibited in the BVIs) or you can try hydrofoiling, jetsurfing and, of course, fishing! Or you can take it easy and relax with a cocktail instead.

“There are plenty of on land adventures throughout the Caribbean, too, if you wish to leave the yacht – from shopping in St Barths to ATV tours, hiking, golf, tennis, beach clubs and zip lining in St Maarten.”

Insider tips
“The Baths in the BVIs is a particular favourite place of mine, if you like a beautiful beach,” Charles says, “but St Barths offers up a bit of European chic with designer shops, spectacular beach clubs and restaurants, plus a host of onshore activities such as ATV tours.”

And when it comes to partying? “Nikki Beach on St Barths is a favourite hot spot – offering chic service with a stunning white sandy beach backdrop and a host of famous DJs to get the party going,” Charles says.

To find out more on yacht charter, please contact us.