Caribbean Yacht Charter | Luxury Yachts Rentals (2024)

A Caribbean yachting vacationincorporates vast expanses of crystalline waters and endless clusters of idyllic paradisical islands, making for a picture-perfect family getaway. With its beautiful climate and spectacular coastlines that comprise iconic superyacht hotspots like theVirgin Islands,St BartsandAntigua, a yacht rental in the Caribbean has an alluringly evergreen appeal.

Caribbean Yacht Charters: At a Glance

• Ideal winter destination
  Boastingall-year-round pleasant weather, its powdery sand beaches and alluringly clear waters make it anespecially popular choice for winter yacht charters.
• Easy-to-reach
  The Caribbean is well-connected to the US, with a high number of international airports flying directly into the region.
• Secluded anchorages
  With more than 7,000 islands and only a small percentage being inhabited, the world is your oyster when it comes to finding serenely beautiful anchorages.
• Snorkeling and diving paradise
  The Caribbean is home to some of the world's most impressive snorkeling and diving sites, meaning plenty of exciting underwater adventures where your eyes will be wide with wonder.
• Excellent superyacht marinas
  The Caribbean has numerous well-provisioned superyacht marinas to take your pick from, many of which have fantastic dining and shopping opportunities.

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Are the Bahamas and the Caribbean the same thing?

While the Bahamasistechnically part of the Caribbean region, it is an island nation in its own right, forming part of the Lucayan Archipelago in the Atlantic. That said, the Caribbeanis a vast area occupied by thousands of islands, coral reefs and islets, of which the Bahamas forms a part,along with strong political and cultural ties that have created a natural bond withits Caribbean neighbour.

Practically speaking, however, if you are interested in cruisingthe Bahamasin conjunction with your Caribbean yacht charter, it is highly unlikely you'll be able to manage the distance during atypical 7-daycharter, especially for itineraries that incorporate East Caribbean destinations such as Antigua and Saint Martin.You will need to decidewhich destination you prefer to spend your time in, or extend your charter vacation to incorporate both.

To find out more about chartering in the region, check out our in-depth Bahamasdestination guide for more information.

Popular Destinations for Yacht Rentals in the Caribbean

The most popular destinations for renting a yacht in the Caribbean arethose located in the Lesser Antilles region, primarily the island groups of the Leeward Islands.and theWindward Islands.

For Leeward Island yacht rentals, Antigua, the Virgin Islands, St Martin, StBarts and St Kitts and Nevis garner the most attention,thanks to not only their splendid tropical landscapes but also their extremely well-provisioned superyacht marinas, fine dining options, impossibly hip bars and medley of designer boutiques bound to keep guests entertained from dawn till dusk.

Scattered like pearls along the aquamarine seas,you'll find sun-drenchedMartinique, gorgeous Grenada and the ultra-secluded St Vincent and the Grenadinesare the top picks for slow-pacedWindward Island yacht charters.

Although not as popular, the islands that form the Greater Antilles, such as Jamaica, Cuba and Puerto Rico, are just as beautiful and offer an array of spectaculardestinations to explore and discover on a luxury yacht charter.

Popular Sub-Regions in the Caribbean

Looking for the best superyacht hotspots in the Caribbean? These are the spellbinding locations guests find most enticing. If you are interested in any of these cruising grounds, we strongly advise booking as far in advance as possible.

• Antigua: the jet-set adore its unbelievable scenery, intriguing historical landmarks, lavish shopping optionsand a cluster of ivory-white sands coupled withgin-clear waters.
• St Martin/Sint Maarten: French and Dutch sides of the island combine to bring a fascinating fusion of influences, replete with outstanding diving spots and awe-inspiring topography.
• St Lucia:considered the tropical jewelof the Windward Islands, it's virtually unspoiled. Borderedby lush rainforest and darkvolcanic sands, it makesfor a trulyunique anchorage spot.
• Grenada: known as the Isle of Spice thanks to being one of the world's largest exporters of mace and nutmeg, its capital St George is regularly called the Caribbean's most picture-perfect town.
• St Barts: Well-known for its moniker "St Moritz of the Caribbean" due to its unique Swedish-French colonial heritage, this iconic tiny islandis synonymous with glamour, movie stars and designer shopping.
• St Croix, US Virgin Islands: The largest of the USVIs boasts a National Park, breath-taking scenic beauty and some of the best dive spots in the Caribbean.
• Puerto Rico: Affectionately known locally as the ‘island of enchantment’, Puerto Rico is a profusion of vibrant Latin culture entwined with the laid back rhythm of the Caribbean, with pristine beaches, excellent diving spots and exquisite local dishes.

Highlights of a Caribbean Yacht Charter

Don't Miss:

• Eden Rock St. Barts: one of the most in-demand hotels in the Caribbean, with a seven-star bar and spa.
• Hermitage Bay, Antigua: kick back and relax on this tropical beach that delivers on sensational views.
• Bagatelle, St. Barts: overlooking the glittering Gustavia harbor, this sophisticated bar and restaurant is a hugely popular superyacht spot, showcasing the finest of French-Caribbean cuisine.
• Basil's Bar, Mustique: legendary bar and restaurant designed by Philippe Starck, frequented by royals, supermodels and rockstars for decades.
• The Cotton House, Mustique: a wellness center unsurpassed in beauty.
• Watermelon Cay, St John, US Virgin Islands: dreamy islet surrounded by coral reefs and a veritable snorkeling wonderland
• Rhone Marine Park, British Virgin Islands: the wreck of the RMS Rhone is the BVIs' most popular dive site, and arguably one of the best in the Caribbean.
• Trunk Bay, St John, US Virgin Islands: all dazzling white sand lapped by the bluer-than-blue ocean, this island paradise ranks consistently among the world’s top 10 beaches.
• Jardines del Rey archipelago, Cuba: known locally as the ‘King’s Gardens’, this collection of islands is a registered UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and an island-hopper's paradise, offering myriad secluded beaches and sensational sunsets.

Who Goes on a Caribbean Yacht Charter?

For anyonelooking to get a dose of serious sunshine during the Northern Hemisphere winter, a yacht charter in the Caribbean is a seriously enticing prospect, with St Barts being the clear favorite for Christmas and New Year's Eve,thanks to the showstopping celebrations that take place in Gustavia Harbour.

For avid island hoppers, the Windward islands offer an enchanting itinerary full of sun-kissed isles and laid back charm juxtaposed with chic resorts and heavenly French-based cuisine, not to mention unrivalled vistas and sultry sunsets accompanied by warm rum-laced winds.

Across all Caribbean destinations, keen divers and snorkelers will be in for a subaquatic treat, and you'll find a wide range of designer boutiques and ultra-high-end resorts pepperedacross the isles wherever you go.

History and Culture

The Caribbean is a mesmerizing melting pot of cultures and influences, rooted in its rich heritage and undeniably shaped by its history of colonization and waves of immigration.Each island group ishighly diverse in terms of its language, music, customs, architectureand cuisine, but it's mainlyEnglish,Dutch, French or Spanish colonial influences that are keenly felt.While the mix of languages spoken will differ between island groups, English is widely spoken.

Caribbean cuisine seesinfluences from Africa, Europe, Latin America and Spain, Meat, seafood, coconut, potatoes, beans and tomatoes tend to feature heavily in local dishes.

Locals are friendly and regularly celebrate theirculture, with music, food and wildly colorfulfestivals held throughout the year.

Types of Yacht Charters in the Caribbean

A luxuryyacht rental vacation in the Caribbean is, without doubt,the most sublime way to experience this region, giving you exclusive access to heavenly anchoragesthat are otherwise impossible to reach or arefar from the typical tourist trail.

Guests have boundless fleet options when it comes to a crewed Caribbean charter.If you don't know whether to go for amotor yacht, sailing yacht or catamaran to cruise Caribbeanwaters, we've laid out the main points worth considering.

Motor Yacht Charters in the Caribbean

Aluxury motor yacht charterin the Caribbean is a seven-star way of uncovering the epic beauty of the Caribbean in total privacy.

For regions with minimalwater depththe ideal choice is a motor yachtwith low draft, perfect for accessing shallow lagoons and secluded bays.

For those who have their heart set on a superyachtwithout a shallow draft, dropping anchor further out into deeper waters and then getting a tender ride ashore, so you can get up close and personal to exquisite island reefs and blue lagoons, is the preferred option.

Sailing Yacht Charters in the Caribbean

Chartering a sailing yacht in the Caribbeanis ideal for guests looking for a slower pace to fullylap up the Caribbeanrays with more outdoor deck space, and add a little old-school charm to their cruising adventure.

Even better, the majority ofsailing charter yachts come equipped with a retractable keel, meaning reaching turquoise shallows is a breeze. But, if you are keen to charter a larger sailing yacht, keep in mind that some may still find their draft too deep for some areas, even with the keelup.

Catamaran Charters in the Caribbean

How Much Does It Cost to Charter a Yacht in the Caribbean?

Thecharter cost of amotor yacht,sailing yacht or luxury catamaran rental in the Caribbean will vary according to the vessel's size, age, type, number of crew, as well as the location and duration of the vacation as well as the season it takes place.

With so many options available, there’s something to suit every type of budget. For convenience we have listed the average prices for motor yacht and sailing yacht charters in the Caribbean below;

• For motor yacht rentals in the Caribbean, prices can range from $39,167 to $1.4m per week, plus expenses
• For luxury sailing yacht rentals in the Caribbean, prices can go from $29,855 to $276,495 weekly, plus expenses

When is the Best Time for Caribbean Yacht Charters?

The best time for luxuryyacht charters in the Caribbean is between November and March, when guests can expect clement weather and vividly blue cloudless skies.

Another aspect to keep in mind is that this is also the time when you will have the largest selection of yachts to choose from, as most charter yachts descend on the Caribbean around November after the Mediterranean season has ended and any yacht maintenance has been carried out, before returning back to the Mediterranean in March/April.

Where Should I Begin My Caribbean Yacht Charter?

The most popular starting point for a Caribbean yacht rental is usually in either Saint Martin/Sint Maarten orAntigua,both of which have international airports.

It is certainly possible to begin your charter in other Caribbean destinations, providing this has been agreed with the Owner and charter broker.

Where to End a Caribbean Yacht Charter

Popular Marinas and Moorings in the Caribbean

The Caribbean offers some of the most spellbinding berthing spotsin the world. These tropical, barefoot hotspots are of the finest calibre, surrounded by jaw-dropping scenery, and often feature award-winning restaurants, hip boutiques, beach bars and more.

But which marinas are the best? Below are some charter favorites:

• Falmouth Harbour,Antigua: impressive marina facilities and scenery, catering to yachts up to 100m.
• Marina Fort Louis, SaintMartin: offers 150 berths for yachts up to 79m.
• Crown Bay in St Thomas (USVI): full-serviced marina with 99 slips, including 16 berths for superyachts up to 60m
• Port Louis Marina,Grenada: idyllically located, with 227 moorings for yachts up to 91m.
• Port de Gustavia, Saint Barts: widely regarded as one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the world, accommodating up to 152 yachts up to 152m.
• Puerto Del Rey, Puerto Rico: conveniently located as a jumping off point for yacht charters incorporating the Virgin Islands and Lesser Antilles, this marina has plentiful wet slips, including capacityfor yachts up to 200ft (60m) LOA.

How to Book Your Yacht Charter in the Caribbean

Westrongly advise booking through a qualifiedyacht charterbroker at least three months in advance for all Caribbean yacht charters.By doing so, you will increase the likelihood of securing your preferred dates and you will have a greater selection of yachts on offer to choose from.

This also ensures your yacht broker has enough time to craft a carefully curated itinerary and securean overnight berth in the most popular Caribbean marinas.