Thinking of a stylish getaway to ring in the New Year? A luxury yacht charter is the holiday of choice for those seeking a winter holiday to see in 2023, and there is no better place to enjoy sun-filled festive fun than the Caribbean.
It’s not too late to book a New Year’s Eve yacht charter and enjoy barefoot elegance on a Caribbean winter holiday with loved ones. But, with thousands of islands to drop anchor at, choosing where to cruise can be somewhat of a challenge. Here we explore some of the best New Year’s Eve yacht charter destinations for a Caribbean getaway, from superyacht hot spots to under-the-radar destinations.
Jamaica
Jamaica is a rising superyacht destination, and the land of reggae rhythms offers fun in abundance for the entire family on a Caribbean holiday. You’ll find plenty of New Year’s Eve celebrations too, from relaxed beach parties to extravagant black-tie affairs.
The Caribbean island boasts a storied past that has inspired writers and artists. Soak up the warm Caribbean sun on sugar-white sandy beaches, explore fascinating sugar and coffee plantations, or enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the Blue Mountains, Jamaica’s longest mountain range filled with stunning natural flora and fauna.
A must for music lovers is a visit to Bob Marley’s house in Kingston, now a fascinating museum dedicated to the legendary musician, as well as the Trench Town & Cultural Yard Museum, a tenement yard where Marley lived until his early 20s and which inspired and shaped much of his music.
For those seeking luxury in abundance during a New Year’s Eve yacht charter, head to Montego Bay, home to lavish resorts, an 18-hole championship golf course, an equestrian centre, and gourmet restaurants.
Don’t forget to sample some local jerk while in Jamaica! The best is often found at road-side jerk stands, where lip-smacking chicken or pork is rubbed in jerk (a dry hot and spicy marinade) and then gently smoked over traditional pimento wood. Wash it down with a cool Red Stripe, Jamaica’s best-known locally brewed beer.
The Cayman Islands
While the Cayman Islands is the insignia of choice for luxury yachts, it is a lesser-known yachting destination, predominately because of its lack of harbour facilities. But don’t let that put you off visiting this British Overseas Territory during a New Year’s Eve yacht charter.
Drop anchor off Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach – often named one of the world’s best beaches – and enjoy the island’s vibrant offerings, from luxury spas to some of the Caribbean’s best gourmet restaurants, including the Caribbean’s only AAA Five Diamond restaurant; Blue By Eric Ripert. Seven Mile Beach and the luxury resorts that pepper it is the place to be to ring in the New Year with extravagant parties and firework shows.
A must is a visit to Grand Cayman’s legendary Stingray City, which can easily be reached by your yacht’s tender. Here, you can swim with the friendly southern stingrays in their natural habitat, then enjoy a Mudslide or Rum Runner at Rum Point – a popular beach bar with both residents and visitors alike.
Just a short cruise from Grand Cayman is the Sister Islands of Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. The tiny island of Little Cayman is home to just a hundred or so residents and offers peace and tranquillity. For diving enthusiasts, it is a must-visit – home to the legendary Blood Bay Wall, which boasts a sheer vertical drop-off that drops about a mile under the waves. Here you’ll find spectacular coral reefs teeming with marine life.
The Exumas, Bahamas
The Exumas is a popular cruising destination with superyachts, and for good reason too – boasting 100s of paradisiacal islands and cays lapped by some of the bluest waters on Earth, they offer an unbeatable island-hopping adventure.
Nassau is often the starting point for a New Year’s Eve yacht charter in the Exumas and offers plenty of attractions.
For a day of thrills and spill make sure you head to the 141-acre waterpark at Atlantis Bahamas, Paradise Island, boasting 20 swimming pools, a mile-long river ride, and hair-raising water slides, including the six-story Mayan Temple slide that plummets through a shark-filled lagoon.
Paradise Island is also home to multiple attractions for those seeking an action-packed Christmas yacht charter. Beyond the waterpark, you’ll find world-class spas, gourmet restaurants, designer boutiques, and a championship golf course. For those wishing to try their luck, Paradise Island also features one of the world’s largest casinos.
Once you’ve enjoyed the action of Paradise Island, cruise the Exumas and enjoy sun-drenched days with loved ones – the perfect way to celebrate New Year and the holiday season.
A must-visit is Pig Beach on the uninhabited island of Big Major Cay, where a group of free-roaming pigs and piglets have taken up residence. The pink-hued residents love nothing more than rolling in the white sand, enjoying a cooling dip in the Caribbean Sea, and munching on some tasty (healthy) treats from visitors.
Which Caribbean island will you head to on a Christmas and New Year’s Eve yacht charter?
