Crewed catamaran charters are a wonderful vacation for active and adventurous travelers.
Most catamarans feature a large assortment of water toys. For instance, sea kayaks, towable tubes, snorkel gear, and towable bananas. Also included in watersports activities are hamster balls (clear ball for walking on water), trampolines (that sit on the water), SeaDoos, paddleboards, and skurfers. There are many fun activities and toys to enjoy on a catamaran vacation. The previous items are just a few.
Many catamarans also offer SCUBA for certified divers. If guests aren’t certified but want to try it, they are able! They can take a resort course from the yacht, as well!
Bahamas yacht charter catamarans receive special treatment. They are often visited by swimming pigs that live on Big Major Cay, better known as “Pig Beach.” The pigs swim out to the boats. You can also swim with them, give them approved treats, and take lots of selfies!
With the tight economy forcing American boaters to reconsider expensive trips abroad, the appeal of Florida yacht charters has increased dramatically in the past two years. Perhaps not on par with a Virgin Islands yacht charter, there are still plenty of points of interest while cruising along the South Florida coast, especially for charterers who also enjoy scuba diving.
While the Florida Keys may be known for their fishing and scuba diving locations, both Broward and Miami-Dade counties have some of the best spots to scuba dive in the nation. From natural reefs to sunken ships, it’s amazing what can be found off the shores of Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Many of the reefs and wrecks can be found in 60 to 80 feet of water, making South Florida a great choice for both novice and advanced divers.
Here are some of our top picks:
TUGBOAT JAY SCUTTI
First, Tugboat Jay Scutti (off Ft. Lauderdale)
Sunk in Sept. 1986, this 95 foot tug was seized by the government in a drug smuggling operation. It was bought at auction by a man who renamed it the “Jay Scutti,” after his son. The wreck lies in 70 feet of water and is centered between a 45 foot wreck named “Moonshot” and another named “Pride,” a 95 foot sailboat. All three wrecks are tethered together by a cable. Divers can usually explore two of the wrecks in one dive. Lots of fish inhabit the Jay Scutti, and it’s possible to enter the wreck through various openings.
HAMMERHEAD REEF
Second, Hammerhead Reef (off Ft. Lauderdale)
Located just south of Port Everglades and running to the Dania Pier, this two and a half mile reef is famous for its sharks, rays, and large grouper. The front portion of the reef is in 60 feet of water, while the back side plunges to 80 feet. In some spots, the reef rises to nearly 20 feet. Tons of marine life call this reef home and make it a great spot for reef diving.
MIAMI BEACH WRECK TREK
Third, Miami Beach Wreck Trek (off Miami Beach)
It’s pretty impressive how artificial reefs have been created by linking multiple wrecks together via a guide cable. The Miami Beach Wreck Trek is a shallow dive, about 50 to 60 feet of water. It begins with a pair of army tanks on the southern end. As they swim north, divers encounter several tons of limestone boulders and more wrecks like the “Rio Miami,” a 105 foot tug which sits upright in about 65 feet of water.
THE BELZONA TRIO
Fourth, also off the Miami Beach coast is a trio of sunken tug boats. The “Belzona Ona,” lies in 85 feet of water. About 75 feet away is the second tug, “Belzona Two,” in 60 feet of water. The deepest of the trio, “Belzona Three,” is a 100 foot tug at a depth of 85 feet.
BELCHER BARGE
Finally, not far away is the “Belcher Barge #27,” a 195 foot steel barge that was sunk in 1985. The barge flipped on its way to the bottom, but experienced divers can penetrate it and swim the ship’s entire length.
PLEASE CONTACT US WITH YOUR THOUGHTS
Please comment to let us know about your experiences diving these awesome Florida dive sites!
In addition to cruising in south Florida, Bahama yacht charters are great options for closer-to-home getaways. Contact our local charter guides for more details in Miami, the Florida Keys and nearby Bimini, Bahamas.
We have word from the crew of sail yacht catamaran BREANKER that they are also offering a special Thanksgiving charter – one with a unique twist.
DANISH THANKSGIVING
Captain Kristian Søndergård and Chef/First Mate Marianne Rasmussen are Danish citizens with over 25 years of sailing experience. Their plan for a Thanksgiving charter is to prepare a traditional American-style turkey but serve authentic Danish side dishes for a bi-cultural holiday feast.
MENU DETAILS
Marianne recently contacted us with the basic menu details. She said,
“We will serve Hassel baked potatoes with roasted sesame seeds, pickled cucumber salad, beet salad with walnuts, and warm sweet and sour red cabbage. These are all traditional Danish specialties. For dessert, we will serve Danish almond and rice pudding. It’s made with chopped almonds and one single whole almond in the bowl. The one who gets the almond wins a prize. This is a common dessert and game played in Denmark.“
SWEETER DEAL
To further “sweeten” the deal, Kristian and Marianne are offering a 10% price reduction off the regular charter rates for any full-week charter over the Thanksgiving holiday.
RATE
Sail catamaran BREANKER is priced at $14,500 per week for 2 to 4 passengers, $14,700 per week for 5 passengers, $14,900 per week for 6 passengers, $16,500 per week for 7 passengers, and finally, $17,500 per week for 8 guests. Charterers can take 10% off these rates.Price includes the yacht, crew, and all meals and ship’s bar and all local taxes.
SCUBA, ANYONE?
What an incredible bonus! SCUBA is included in the price and offered for up to 6 passengers (must be certified divers). Gear is available for rent for just $150 per week per diver.
ACCOMMODATIONS AND WATER TOYS
The sailing catamaran BREANKER is 55′ in length and features 4 queen cabins, each with ensuite bathroom. Onboard watertoys include a dinghy with 40 horsepower, water skis for children and adults, kneeboard, tube, and wakeboard, two kayaks, and snorkel gear.
The myriad of recreational toys offered by private yacht charter vessels continues to grow each year, as more and more yachts continue to battle for the same handful of HNWI for whom yachting is a lifestyle, not a once in a lifetime adventure.
WISH LISTED ITEMS
Gone are the days when a yacht only carried a windsurfer and some snorkel gear. Today, the onboard watertoy inventory sheet on most superyachts reads like a wish list from the Hammacher Schlemmer Christmas catalog. Jetlev hover boards, giant waterslides, even mini submarines are now the norm.
While most of the toys have straightforward names that define their intended use (for example, stand up paddleboards, water skis, etc.), some have downright funny names, associated with foods that come to mind when looking at the toys.
FAVORITE TASTY TOYS
Here are our favorite food-inspired charter toys, found on many Virgin Islands yacht charter vessels:
DONUT – There are actually several types of donut watertoys. The most common ones look like giant tire inner tubes, hence the term, “donut.” A totally new “spin” on the water donut is the BBQ Donut, where several people can sit inside a floating donut-shaped vessel, complete with sun awning and bbq grill.
BANANA – This colorful towable toy is pulled along by the charter yacht’s tender. It’s all about a fast, bumpy ride. Bananas aren’t typically “fast food,” but this banana fits the bill! Depending upon the size of the banana, some carry 2 riders, and some six or more. Hang on tight – falling off at high speed can sting a bit when you splash into the water!
HOT DOG – Take a towable banana, paint it red, and add a couple “buns” to the sides and voila, you’ve got a towable hot dog watertoy. The inflatable buns actually perform a purpose – by adding extra stability to the toy. In other words, you don’t fall off as much as you do on the banana…but hey, falling off is part of the fun!
BROWNIES THIRD LUNG – ok, so you don’t really “ride” this one. Work with me, here – it’s a watertoy, and its name sounds like food! This is basically an air compressor situated in a floating donut. (If you’d like, we can refer to it as YET ANOTHER TYPE OF DONUT WATERTOY!) The compressor pumps air into long tubes that tie into a snorkel mask. Swimmers wear the mask and breathe fresh air, allowing them to do very shallow dives, while safely tethered to the floating compressor. It’s a great way for novices to experience the sensation of SCUBA diving while snorkeling in shallow water.
Did you know? The British Virgin Islands (BVI or BVI’s) are home to reefs. Specifically, the largest barrier reef in the Caribbean? Moreover, the fourth largest ocean reef on earth?
The BVI reef stretches 18 miles from the island of Anegada to Virgin Gorda. It is considered by experts to offer some of the best snorkeling spots in the world!
SNORKEL PARADISE
Add to the allure of snorkeling and diving during your Virgin Islands crewed catamaran yacht charter. It is widely rumored that there is still Spanish gold buried in the sand on the reef. In addition, the gold is yet to be found! Many Spanish galleons, laden with gold and riches from the new world, traveled here. Further, they sank to their watery graves at the hands of pirates and hurricanes in the 1700’s.
Do you have a favorite snorkeling site in the Caribbean? Share your favorite spot with us, and we’ll send you a complimentary Eco-tote bag to carry your towels and snorkel gear. Leave a comment in the section below, and we’ll contact you for your address!
1-800 Yacht Charters announces a special charter opportunity with a filmmaker. It is time to discover Indonesia on an exclusive charter yacht excursion. It is special because the charter includes noted anthropologist Dr. Lawrence Blair as a personal guide.
ONBOARD CELEBRITY TOUR GUIDE
The yacht is available from December onwards in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. Dr. Blair is your host for an unforgettable superyacht experience.™ Welcome aboard the world’s largest wooden sailing yacht, LAMIMA. It is totally free of charge for Dr. Blair to join you for all or part of your yacht charter.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Experience Indonesia in the company of a true expert. Dr. Blair is born in the United Kingdom. He is a resident of Bali, and he has been for 35 years. Having witnessed and documented over three decades of Indonesia’s evolution and produced the Emmy award-winning series RING OF FIRE in 1988, Blair is a highly-respected anthropologist, author, explorer and filmmaker.
Blair and his brother, Lorne spent 10 years wandering the archipelago without any form of navigation, guides, radios, or compasses. During their mission to discover Indonesia, they encountered the Asmat tribesmen of Papua, Dukan healers in Bali, and the elusive Dream Wanderers of Borneo. They came face-to-face with the deadly Moluccan Blue-Ringed octopus, climbed erupting volcanoes, were washed away in monsoon flash-floods, and survived near drowning, starvation and illness.
ABOUT CHARTER YACHT LAMIMA
The 65 meter Indonesia yacht charter vessel LAMIMA offers luxury accommodations for up to 14 guests in seven staterooms. The vessel features contemporary elegance embellished with Asian-influenced styling, along with a long list of watersports toys and spa-type amenities. Built and outfitted for wellness yacht charter, the yacht offers hands-on spa therapy by the onboard #pijat masseuses, and incorporates guided shore excursions – all designed to invigorate mind, body, and spirit.
The weekly rate for up to 14 guests is $175,000 and is based on all-inclusive terms (+ 11% local taxes).
INCLUDED IN THE YACHT CHARTER FEE
All arrival/departure land transfers.
The services on of an onboard crew of 20
All meals onboard (additional charges will apply for any special food requests incurring charges relating to the transport of such items into Indonesia).
Refreshments and all beverages – including alcoholic beverages.
SCUBA Diving (Padi certification and Nitrox certification available upon request).
All watersports activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, etc…
Spa treatments and massages.
Shore excursions and island hopping, led by Dr. Laurence Blair.
All admission fees to National Parks and permits.
Fuel for cruising and for running generators.
KEY FEATURES OF YACHT LAMIMA
World’s largest wooden sailing yacht [built in 2014; LOA: 65.2m (213ft 10in)]
Just in time for the winter rental season, Trinity yacht charter vessel Motoryacht CARPE DIEM has added a new toy to her watersport equipment list. That toy is a unique “Jetovator.”
Be warned! This toy is for designed strictly for adrenaline junkies!
WHAT IS IT?
The Jetovator is a water sports accessory that undoubtably extends the ability of an existing personal watercraft (PWC). It redirects the water thrust from the propulsion unit of a waverunner or jetski along a forty foot hose to the Jetovator body. In addition, this water thrust is then used to propel and elevate the Jetovator up into the air…or down into the water!
The rider can also redirect the water thrust of the two front nozzles in order to maneuver the Jetovator in all directions (read between the lines – spin wildly in the air). It should be noted that the Jetovator can go vertical straight up to a dizzying 20-25 feet at speeds of up to 25 mph. Finally, for a wetter experience, you can take a nose-dive and actually cruise underwater (to approximately 4-5 feet deep).
SUPERYACHT HAS ONE ONBOARD
A stalwart in the Bahamas yacht charter marketplace, the 191 foot Trinity motor yacht CARPE DIEM already hosts an extensive array of watertoys before adding the Jetovator to her inventory. Other onboard recreational gear includes, for instance,
7 meter Novurania Chase tender with 260 hp engine
6.7 meter Nautica Landing Craft with 260 hp jet drive engine
4 wave runners
Trampoline
Waterskis
Wakeboard
Snorkel gear
Six sets of SCUBA gear and compressor (for certified divers only)
Spin bike
Pull-up machine
Weight bench
Free weights
Kaleidescape entertainment system
iPod docking stations throughout interior and exterior of yacht
Luxury motor yacht CARPE DIEM 191 sleeps 10 to 12 guests. Her accommodations feature, for instance, a full-beam master stateroom on the main deck, four double guest staterooms, and a convertible gym on the lower deck. Weekly charter rates begin at $395,000 per week, plus all expenses.
Q: “I’ve heard catamaran charters in the BVI are good for divers. Are there any dive sites there that are not ‘touristy?'”
A: “Ahoy, E. – TheBritish Virgin Islands(BVI) are famous for their island beauty. They are considered a top yacht charter destination in the world. However, few charterers are aware that the BVI are a fantastic diving destination, as well.”
WRECKS TO DIVE
There are numerous wrecks, both old and new, in the BVI, with one of the most famous being the RMS Rhone, a royal mail ship that sank in a hurricane in 1867. Movie fans are familiar with the Rhone as the location for most of the underwater scenes in the film, “The Deep.”
REMOTE DIVE SITES
When it comes to more remote dive sites, dives around the more exposed Cooper Island andCarvel Rock are rarer and more challenging. These can only be done by experienced divers. They are also only good if weather conditions are very calm. When the conditions are right, divers taking the plunge from the east side of Cooper Island at Dry Rocks East will be rewarded! They will see scores of marine life, including Horse-eye Jacks, African Pompano, Spadefish, Cobia, and Nurse sharks. If you’re lucky, Hawksbill turtles will also be there. In the same area the Devil’s Kitchen is a shelf. This shelf becomes more undercut with a rock structure. The structure forms a unique lattice with numerous hideouts for reef fish, turtles, and lobsters.
This gorgeous power catamaran is refit. The 115 foot (35 meter) wave-piercing New Zealand Yachts Limited power catamaran SPIRIT is amazing. Spirit is a new yacht to charter in Australia. She is based in Cairns. Spirit is available for $90,000 per week (plus expenses). Her schedule starts January 17, for charters in multiple areas. For instance, along the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays, Kimberley, and the Solomon Islands.
ROOM WITH A VIEW
She has a nearly 36 foot (11 meter) beam. This tri-deck motor yacht offers impressive space. Spirit accommodates 10 guests in 5 staterooms. In addition, Spirit has an upper deck master suite with private balcony. An exciting inventory of toys satisfies active adventure-travel guests.
SPIRIT’S MAIN FEATURES
Huge volume yacht – equivalent to a 45 meter yacht
The full beam Owner’s Suite is located on the upper deck with private balcony
Hydraulic main deck lowers below the water for diving and watersports
2016 refit completely upgraded interior, paint, and engineering
10 meter beam provides incredible stabilization and smooth cruising
One of the most impressive toy cupboards available including SCUBA gear (for certified divers) and dive compressor, wake board, kite board, tenders, fishing, Stand Up Paddleboards SUP’s
FYI: Dive master and kiteboarding instructors onboard
Sure, you can see the tropical fish and marine life while standing in a crowded tunnel of a glass aquarium at a glitzy high-rise Bahamian resort.
Is that why you chose to enjoy a Bahama yacht charter vacation on luxury sailing charter yacht? Of course not!
It’s time to get up-close and personal with Bahamas sea life, and the best way to do that is to rent a private yacht and snorkel with them!
To really get to know and understand the fish, coral reefs, and all those ship wrecks is to put on a pair of goggles, grab some flippers, and dive right in.
Explore on your own, right off the stern swim platform of your luxury sailing charter vessel.
Bahama yacht charters offer you a chance to snorkel in warm, clear, blue water that is calm almost every day. The sunlight that pierces the surface actually sparkles as the light reflects back from the white sandy bottom of the ocean floor. It is an unforgettable experience.
There are miles of lush coral reefs all around the islands of the Bahamas. This means snorkeling during Bahamas yacht charters is soooo easy for first-timers, yet is filled with plenty of excitement for repeat luxury sailing charter customers, as well. You see different fish and marine life on each dive.
Every island is surrounded by shallow reefs, many of them within a few feet of the surface.
The only prerequisite for a fun snorkel adventure (“skin diving”) is the ability to swim. In addition, a general curiosity for the world under the sea!
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The world of luxury yacht charter has finally arrived in the Seychelles. Motor yacht SEA STREAM, a 76 foot Ferretti with room for 8 guests, is now available for Caribbean yacht charter enthusiasts looking for a new destination. Ferretti yacht SEA STREAM is now available as the only high quality, luxury crewed motor yacht available […] read more
PLAN AND PACK Yikes! What to pack? In just over three weeks, you leave on a week-long Bahama yacht charter vacation. You choose a sleek, performance, basic sailing yacht with crew. Your menu provided to your yacht through your charter broker, and your crew is ready to welcome you aboard. Seriously, what do you pack? […] read more
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