Giving thanks this year can be celebrated in a special way. With smooth sailing ahead, why not consider a family yacht charter for Thanksgiving to make the 2021 holiday truly one to remember?
With so many of the Caribbean islands now open to travelers, as well as Florida, it’s the perfect time for a luxury yacht charter. Head to the tropical turquoise waters and enjoy one of these four spectacular destinations for a truly delightful Thanksgiving.
The Bahamas
Less than 200 miles off the coast of Florida, The Bahamas welcomes private yachts to one of its many exceptional marinas. With 16 major islands and a further 365 spread across the Exumas, there’s plenty to see and explore on a luxury yacht charter.
Head to Freeport, the second-largest city in The Bahamas, on Grand Bahama Island, and visit the 12-acre Garden of the Groves, with its stunning waterfalls and fountains, nature trails that meander through lush vegetation, and colorful indigenous birds.
The best snorkeling is off Gold Rock Beach on Grand Bahama Island (parts of “Pirates of the Caribbean” were filmed there). For a unique snorkeling experience, check out the blue holes of East Grand Bahama. Fish life thrives in these underwater caverns, which appear to be “boiling” due to the action of the tides.
Be sure to visit the open-air Port Lucaya Marketplace with its straw market and craft centers, in addition to many duty-free shops. Enjoy a coconut daiquiri and live Bahamian music for a lively evening onshore.
Prefer a more tranquil getaway? Sail over to family-friendly Green Turtle Cay in the outer islands of the Abacos. Stroll through the quaint village of New Plymouth and browse its gift shops and galleries, or stop for lunch at one of several restaurants. This 18th-century village is small enough to be explored on foot or by bicycle and offers a relaxing respite during the holiday season.
Alternatively, explore the Exumas, boasting azure blue waters and paradisiacal uninhabited islands. Finally, don’t miss Big Major Cay, home to the world-famous swimming pigs!
Costa Rica
With coastlines on the Caribbean and the Pacific, Costa Rica is a popular destination for cruisers for so many reasons. And, thanks to a recent change in the country’s maritime laws, luxury charter yachts over 24-meters can now charter in Costa Rica for up to a year.
Costa Rica has it all: superb beaches, rugged mountains, lush tropical rainforests, mangroves, valleys, and volcanoes. It is also one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet, boasting expansive national parks and reserves, making it a must for nature enthusiasts.
Tour Arenal Volcano Park and view the massive volcano from a safe distance with a tour guide. You may spot an old lava floor and likely will see a variety of exotic wildlife.
The most challenging thing about your luxury yacht charter to Costa Rica will be deciding which activities (or how many!) to sign on for: zip lining, fishing, rafting, rappelling, surfing, diving, horseback riding, golfing, soaking in hot springs, spelunking, kayaking or trekking through jungles, just to name a few!
St. Barts
Enjoy the charm and glamour of the French West Indies on this exquisite island, also called Saint-Barthélemy. The eight square miles of tropical paradise features five-star dining, shopping, and spas, in addition to nightlife worthy of the glitterati, making this a popular superyacht destination and a favored holiday getaway with VIPs, celebrities, and royalty.
Of course, there are beaches galore to explore, including Shell Beach, where a variety of gorgeous seashells wash ashore, and the more adventurous may take to cliff diving from a rocky promontory. The Lorient District’s beach, with its calm waters, is popular with families, as is quiet Salines Beach, which attracts both seabirds and freshwater birds. Stroll along the sand and look for tiny natural sculptures of salt.
The island’s crystal-clear waters also make it the ideal Thanksgiving yacht charter destination for making use of all your yacht’s tenders and toys.
If you arrive a few days ahead of Thanksgiving, you’ll be able to catch the small catamaran races around the island that run for five days.
Florida Keys
The most popular cruising in the country starts in Key West, the gateway to the Florida Keys in the Atlantic Ocean. The southernmost point in the continental U.S. is known for its gatherings to watch the sunset in Mallory Square: Ernest Hemingway’s house; and the signature lighthouse. Climb the 88 steps to the top for the most scenic view of Key West and the ocean.
If sportfishing is on your bucket list, cruise northward to Islamorada, where the waters abound with marlin, tarpon, and barracuda. Islamorada, which actually encompasses six of the Florida Keys, also features family-friendly parks and beaches, walking trails, playgrounds, and a marine mammal park, Theater of the Sea.
Marathon, called “the heart of the Florida Keys,” is known for its care and protection of green and loggerhead sea turtles. Mingle with dolphins at the Dolphin Research Center, and take advantage of excellent fishing, snorkeling, and reef diving in the pristine waters.
Venture on to Key Largo — the northernmost island of the Florida Keys — where you’ll find a national marine sanctuary and the only living coral reef in the continental United States. On the Florida Bay side of the island, Everglades National Park is a must-see destination. It is the largest subtropical wilderness in the country and is host to crocodiles, manatees, and Florida panthers.
The holiday is fast approaching, so now is the time to peruse and select your family yachts for charter for Thanksgiving!
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