Discover Top 5 Beach Destinations for Yacht Charters

Warm sunshine, powder-soft sand, sparkling sea: for many yacht charterers, the single most important feature of a charter destination is the quality of its beaches. Yet with so many beautiful cruising grounds in the world, which are the best destinations on earth for a beach-lover’s yacht charter?

Related: Top California Yacht Charters

From the sun-drenched isles of the Mediterranean and the Caribbean to the tropical archipelagos of Asia and the South Pacific, we’ve looked at each major cruising region and come up with what we consider to be the best beach destinations for a yacht charter. We’ve also taken into consideration the ‘glamour factor’ and the yachting facilities available, to ensure the best yachting experience possible.

1. Western Europe; Best Beaches: Sardinia

Beach quality: Superb. With sugar-white sands and clear sapphire seas, Sardinia’s beaches are startling in their beauty. From swimming among the granite boulders in Isola di Mortorio to walking along the soft dunes of the Costa Smerelda, the coastline of Sardinia begs you to dive off your yacht and swim ashore to some of the prettiest beaches on the planet. The marine reserves also offer some of the best diving and snorkeling in the Mediterranean-while a luxury beach barbecue on the Sardinia sands will never be forgotten.

Glamour factor: Exceedingly high. The Costa Smerelda is a glittering playground for superyachts, with an A-list nightlife, gastronomic restaurants, and designer boutiques aplenty.

Yachting facilities: Top-notch. There are several luxury marinas in Sardinia and the island’s reputation as a premier superyacht destination ensures that all the necessary yachting services and supplies are in place.

2. Eastern Europe; Best Beaches: Ionian Islands, Greece

Beach quality: Mesmerizing. The Greek Islands have tens of thousands of beautiful beaches scattered across its archipelagos, emerald waters lapping against rocky coastlines, smooth pebbled beaches, and soft white sands. If you’re looking for unforgettable beaches, then a yacht charter in the Ionian Islands really delivers. Highlights include the utterly breathtaking Shipwreck Beach on Zakynthos, where an old smuggler’s ship rusts orange into powdery sands, and the spectacular swoop of limestone cliffs rising above Porto Katskiki on Lefkas. The Ionian Islands offer many beaches that can only be reached by yacht or goat path, meaning that you can drop anchor in a secluded paradise.

Glamour factor: Very Good. The Ionian Islands may not have the epic superyacht party vibe of Mykonos and Santorini in the Cyclades archipelago, but there are fantastic restaurants, great nightlife, and high-end spa resorts to be found across the Ionian chain.

Yachting facilities: Excellent. Because so many yachts visit the region each summer and have done so for decades, there are a multitude of superyacht marinas to choose between and a high standard of support and services.

3. The Caribbean; Best Beaches: The British Virgin Islands

Beach Quality: Tropical island bliss. This category was perhaps the most difficult of all, given the many thousands of astonishing beaches scattered across the Caribbean Sea. Where the BVIs excel is in the sheer number of exquisite beaches in a very small geographic area- making them an ideal cruising ground for beach-lovers. Whether it’s the blinding white sands and turquoise seas of tiny Sandy Spit or the fine pink sands of Anegada Beach, a yacht charter in the BVI’s is the perfect opportunity to float from one idyllic beach paradise to the next.

Glamour-factor: Very high (if you want it to be). The BVIs are one of the great superyacht meccas of the world, meaning that you’ll have no shortage whatsoever of fine restaurants, swanky resorts, and exclusive bars. The BVIs are also a historic haven for sailors and world-cruisers, meaning there’s an immensely fun, laid-back party vibe to the place if you prefer things a bit more low-key.

Yachting facilities: Fantastic. Because the BVIs are one of the great cruising grounds of the world, there are plentiful marinas, infrastructure and yachting services available.

4. South Pacific, Best Beaches: French Polynesia

Beach Quality: Paradise found. The South Pacific is simply littered with stunning island paradises, yet Tahiti and French Polynesia have a nose out in front when it comes to yacht charters, due to the luxurious hospitality and spectacular landscapes on offer. In these archipelagos you can expect to find turquoise lagoons fringed with palm trees, coconuts washing up on the shores, and sand so soft it feels like corn flour under your feet. Have lunch at a Bora Bora resort built on stilts over the water, laze about in a hammock, or walk along the endless miles of beaches past thick jungle and roaring waterfalls.

Glamour factor: Unbelievable. It’s true, you’ll only find fine dining and glitzy nightlife in the more well-known islands like Bora Bora and Tahiti…but can there be anything more glamorous than dropping anchor by a Polynesian lagoon, and eating dinner on deck under the starry South Pacific sky?

Yachting facilities: Decent in major destinations. The marinas in Tahiti and Bora-Bora are the epitome of superyacht luxury, yet you’ll find that infrastructure and services diminish in the more remote islands. However, your local yacht agent will always provide for your needs!

5. Asia; Best Beaches: Krabi Province, Thailand

Beach Quality: Postcard-perfect. When most people envision a beach in Asia, it is the curved-prow longboats, limestone outcrops and stunning beaches of Thailand’s Krabi Province that spring immediately to mind. The long curve of Railay Beach is an absolute vision of tropical paradise, while a trip to Kho Pi Pi (the place they filmed The Beach) will prove to you that perfection really does exist outside the movies. The white sands slope gently away into azure waters, and just offshore, vibrant coral reefs sit below the surface just waiting to be explored.

Glamour factor: Growing by the minute. Historically, Thailand has been a backpackers’ dream- a place of cheap beach bungalows, delicious food, and Thai massages by the water. Yet Thailand (and particularly the Krabi region) is going increasingly up-scale, with a profusion of celebrity-chef restaurants, seven star spa resorts, and celebrity haunts.

Yachting facilities: Improving. The Thai government is actively encouraging the yacht charter industry, with major marina developments and favorable regulations spurring a rapid growth in yachting infrastructure. Thailand is one of the rising superstars of the superyacht scene.

But wait, there’s more….

This list is but a tiny fragment of the stunning beaches available to you on a private yacht charter. We’ve covered some of the major players in this list, but it’s time for you to cast off on an adventure to discover your personal beach paradise. To find out more about chartering a yacht for a perfect beach vacation, contact Jackie at Denison Yacht Sales.

Contact Yacht Charter Manager Jackie Guenther for more information: