Destinations

Motoryacht, superyacht, sailing yacht, yacht charter, yacht destination, marina, boatyard, superyacht marina, yacht club, Thailand, Krabi, Phuket, Andaman Sea, Polawat ‘Matthew’ Na Nagara, Thai Yachting Business Association, TYBA

Port Takola: Krabi’s charming home port

Destinations / yachtstyle2020

Port Takola: Krabi’s charming home port

December 18, 2025
8:00 am

In Thailand, the family-owned Port Takola Yacht Marina & Boatyard offers a relaxing base for exploring “old town Krabi charm” along with nearby islands, Railay peninsula and Ao Nang town.
Words & Photos: Christoper Cottrell

“There, that’s where we will soon have the superyachts,” says Polawat ‘Matthew’ Na Nagara, owner and General Manager of Port Takola Yacht Marina & Boatyard in Krabi, along Thailand’s southwest Andaman Sea coast.

The genteel boatsman points past existing docks where a few dozen premier sailboats, mid-sized boats and fishing pleasure craft are moored. There is an expanse of calm waters with flashes of silvery seabass leaping about, framed with rolling, grassy embankments and a verdant, high canopy jungle peppered with coconut palms.

“This is my home and a slice of paradise. I never need to travel anywhere,” says Matthew, who is past Chairman of the Thai Yachting Business Association (TYBA).

Nestled across 100 acres of family property, going back to his grandfather’s coconut oil plantation, Port Takola is situated close to the mouth of the rivers that run through and around Krabi town.

The family-owned marina presently has 50 berths, with expansion in progress for 150 berths with stable 3m of minimum depth at all tides. It has a standing dockyard for repairs and that can lift boats up to 38 tonnes. The expansion of the marina features extra-wide concrete pontoons to accommodate yachts from 10m to 45m.

In 2026, Port Takola is set to launch a new marina clubhouse called the ‘Capitainerie’, which includes a 15m-long swimming pool. The single-storey building will feature a Thai architectural blend of “traditional heritage with modern functionality” and include a marina office, bathrooms and a meeting room.

The upcoming Capitainerie clubhouse and pool

“Many people don’t know about us or Krabi, thinking mainly of Phuket for sailing and yachting,” Matthew remarks. “But we’re happy to be changing that with ongoing upgrades and expansion here.”

ACROSS FROM PHUKET

Just 30nm east of Phuket across the Andaman Sea, Krabi has seen an uptick in interest for family travel from Europe, South Asia and the Middle East, bringing luxury appetites for quieter and pristine getaways in stunning nature. Renovations at the Krabi International Airport, which now features a third terminal, mean it has the capacity to accommodate 4 million to 8 million passengers per year.

“We can see ourselves leveraging new customers who can fly here in about 6½ hours directly from Dubai without the need to land in Bangkok or Phuket first. Singapore is about 1hr 50m away by plane,” he says.

Port Takola currently has 50 berths and is in its next phase of expansion

“We also welcome the regional boom of yachting and sailing in Phuket for taking trips here or coming in for boat servicing. There is so much to do here in Krabi province, which has over 150 islands and islets alone.”

To get a feel for the surrounding area, my host takes me southwest of Krabi in a sports boat to visit several small islands including Koh Poda and Koh Kai (chicken island), ringed by white powdered sand and ideal for diving and snorkelling due to their turquoise waters with multicoloured fish.

They also offer stunning frames of a horizon dotted by the karst limestone islands that this region is famously laden with.

Port Takola provided a personal tour of islands and destinations around Krabi

Heading back north to the mainland, we moor at Railay Beach on the famous Railay peninsula, southeast of the bustling beach town of Ao Nang.

“Even though this is a peninsula, the beaches and its caves and rock climbing can only be reached by sea,” Matthew says. “We envision our expansion for superyachts at Port Takola with concierge and boutique services to pristine natural spots like this, which are popular for couples or families.”

Families and young students cavort through a path cutting through towering rock formations, ending at a beach with rock climbing ropes and training, as we take in the sun-kissed scenery.

Railay, a peninsula east of Ao Nang, is an iconic beach and rock climbing destination, only accessible by water

In many ways, Krabi will be able to balance nature with the more mature travellers who are coming, he says. It’s no longer purely backpackers and budget travellers inspired by the likes of The Beach movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

Regionally, Thailand’s Andaman Sea coast is also seeing more private yachts for hire, with luxury cruises that feature exquisite seafood dining arranged by concierge services.

Visitors can enjoy crystal-clear water around Krabi

With regular regattas and other major boating events in Phuket, Matthew is confident that growing awareness through word of mouth will result in more people trickling over from the island for more exclusivity and privacy in the Krabi area without compromising standards of service.

LAID-BACK THAI CHARM

In fact, current customers at Port Takola include business executives from Singapore and Bangkok, as well as affluent retirees from Europe, Australia and the US.

The new Central Krabi mall has elevated shopping options in the area, while both Krabi and Ao Nang are honeycombed with restaurants running the gambit seaside glamour to alley-way authentic, whether traditional or modern Thai, European, Middle Eastern, Japanese or Korean.

Port Takola offers a relaxed vibe

There are also dozens of Indian and South Asia restaurants currying up distinction in the foodie scene. Guests can also luxuriate in traditional Thai massage and wellness treatments, including local saltwater spas.

At present, there are more than a dozen boats in Port Takola’s 10,000sqm dry-berth maintenance area, which is set to expand to 15,000sqm and include a boat lift that can carry 60 tonnes. This upgrade will include a 25m boatshed plus ancillary support businesses for diving and fishing, plus homes for proper seaside living.

“We are planning to build residential properties here for coastal living,” he says, pointing to a grassy plateau overlooking the harbour, which is graced by a statue of the Indian god Ganesha atop a classic China treasure ship that Admiral Zheng He sailed across the Indian Ocean on in the early 15th century.

On the Port Takola site, the family home created by Matthew’s grandfather has been refurbished

Past it, down a small road with a lake and lush jungle of coconut groves, Matthew has refurbished his grandfather’s family home made of old timber with fresh lacquer and lights as a tribute.

“Both my grandfather and father were in the Royal Thai Navy, so boating is my blood. I want to share old town Krabi charm and the easy-going sea and river way of life here.”

porttakola.com

Cruising the Andaman Sea in Style

Destinations / yachtstyle2020

Cruising the Andaman Sea in Style

February 7, 2025
7:27 pm

Boat Lagoon Yachting in Thailand offers yachts ideally suited for exploring the Phuket and Krabi areas of the Andaman Sea, all the way to Myanmar.
Words: Craig Hurst; Photos; Boat Lagoon Yachting

Boat Lagoon Yachting has represented Princess in Southeast Asia since 1994

Whether you’re a new or frequent visitor to Thailand, the value of privacy and novelty rises quickly in popular destinations such as Phuket. To escape the island’s crowds or the buzzing temptations on offer, chartering a yacht for a day or overnight is a perfect way to enjoy time with friends and family as you explore the unique geography, food and culture that lies within the vast and varied Andaman Sea.

Boat Lagoon Yachting, the reputable broker and charter agency started three decades ago, has a number of British-built Princess Yacht vessels in its fleet, due to being the exclusive dealer of Princess Yachts in Southeast Asia since 1994.

Maritimus, a Princess 78MY

The Princess 78 Motor Yacht Maritimus is a sophisticated and contemporary luxury vessel designed for exceptional charter experiences in Phuket. The spacious flybridge offers panoramic views, and the yacht comfortably accommodates up to 22 guests for day trips and eight guests overnight.

Other boat brands are also sold and chartered by Boat Lagoon Yachting – such as the smaller, dynamic Sacs Strider chase boats. And just like the company’s new or pre-owned larger yachts, smaller boats are usually paired with crews that are very familiar with the area.

Boat Lagoon Yachting’s Princess 60 and Princess 75 cruising in Krabi

Here we look at some of the accessible areas around the waters of Krabi that allow charter or sales clients to feel like they can really relax, switch off and enjoy life above and below the pristine waterline.

PHANG NGA BAY

Spanning some 400sqkm, Phang Nga Bay lies between Phuket and southern Thailand’s mainland. Also known as Ao Phang Nga National Park, it’s characterised by vertiginous karst limestone cliffs and rock formations that rise from the coastline and islands, as well as mangrove forests.

Among the bay’s islands are Koh Tapu, known as James Bond Island for its appearance in a Bond film, and Koh Phanak, which is visited for its caves and lagoons that can be explored by tender or kayak. The waters in this area are dotted with coral reefs that can be explored by snorkel or scuba.

Koh Tapu is known as James Bond Island for its appearance in The Man with the Golden Gun movie

Beyond this cinematic scenery, the adventure extends to Koh Panyee, a captivating Muslim fishing village built on stilts over the water. Here, guests can enjoy an authentic seafood lunch amid the charm of local culture.

KO PHAYAM, RANONG

Often called the ‘Maldives of Thailand’, Koh Phayam is an idyllic place to escape to, as it offers pristine, white sandy beaches and clear turquoise waters, perfect for a luxury yacht cruise. This island gem’s tranquil bays and cultural richness bring a ‘private paradise’ experience.

This eastern bay offers boutique accommodation, shops, and local transportation options. At the end of the beach, Wat Koh Phayam – a serene temple nestled by the sea – provides a unique cultural touchpoint and a picturesque sunrise viewpoint.

Koh Phayam’s crystal-clear waters are ideal for snorkelling and water sports

On the island’s western side lies Ao Khao Khwai, or ‘Buffalo Bay’ because it has a distinctive, curved shoreline that resembles a buffalo horn. The bay’s secluded beauty and natural rock formations such as the remarkable Hin Talu create a perfect setting for sunset views.

Further south, Moken village offers an opportunity to glimpse local coastal life. The widest and longest bay, Ao Yai spans about 4km and provides an ideal setting for water sports such as surfing.

A CRUISE IN ULTRA-LUXURY TO MYANMAR

The Princess X95 and Y95 models are exceptionally popular choices among Boat Lagoon Yachting’s brokerage and charter clients for extended cruises across Southeast Asia, including exclusive routes from Thailand to Myanmar.

The Princess X95 and Y95 charter yachts recently completed a voyage to Myanmar

An elegant journey crafted for superyachts sets out from Ranong towards the stunning shores of Myanmar. Sailing through the Andaman Sea unlocks a world of rare experiences. A highlight of the journey is a stop at Myanmar’s untouched Horseshoe Island – which appears on several lists of the world’s most paradise-like beaches and islands.

Another enchanting stop along this voyage is Emerald Heart Island, also known locally as Cock’s Comb Island. Its heart-shaped emerald lagoon, visible from above, is an adventurer’s dream with vibrant waters offering remarkable diving sites.

The Princess X95 and Y95 recently completed this invigorating journey to Myanmar and returned to Phuket, with the seamless support of the Boat Lagoon Yachting service team that includes skilled engineers, captains and knowledgeable guides and expedition leaders who attend to every detail and take pride in ensuring each voyage is as smooth as it is spectacular.

Guests enjoy exquisite cuisine and service

This exclusive route from Ranong cruises through the captivating Mergui Archipelago, where secluded, sandy beaches offer perfect settings for bonfires under the stars. On islands like Lampi and Kyun Philar (Great Swinton), charter guests can bask in the tranquillity of pristine landscapes.

VIKING CAVE, KRABI

For those keen on visiting the Viking Cave in Krabi, the Sacs Strider 11 is an exceptional chase boat for superyacht adventures – designed with safety, style and spaciousness in mind. Its sleek, robust lines offer great stability and comfort while delivering an exhilarating mix of relaxation and fun on the water.

The Sacs Strider 11 chase boat is ideal for visiting the Viking Cave in Krabi

This model boasts two generous sunbathing areas, an expansive swim platform, and an outdoor wet bar for socialising. Inside, a spacious forward cabin adds comfort, ensuring excellent liveability and abundant natural light.

Built for smooth, high-speed cruising, its powerful twin 350hp engines allow the Sacs Strider 11 to reach impressive speeds of over 40 knots. Accommodating up to eight guests at daytime and four overnight guests, the Sacs Strider 11 suits families or small groups eager to enjoy all the thrills of yachting with the convenience of bringing along their favourite water toys.

HONG ISLANDS, KRABI

The Hong Islands – locally known as Mu Koh Hong – in the Krabi region is one of the best anchorages for snorkelling and enjoying water toys. Known for its striking rock formations and unique scenery, it comprises around 12 islets stretching vertically from Phang Nga to the Krabi sea.

The Hong Archipelago features striking rock formations and unique scenery

The silhouettes of these islands are both inspiring and inviting. Visitors can kayak, snorkel, feed fish, or simply take in the breathtaking views – a perfect spot to enjoy time on and around the water.

For further exploration, Hong Lagoon provides a stunning viewpoint, while Phak Bia Island offers a quiet anchorage with sandy beaches and shallow waters perfect for snorkelling and relaxation.

FIVE-STAR SERVICE

The luxurious Princess 78 Motor Yacht W.J. LIP redefines the charter experience, offering elegance, comfort and versatility for both day trips and extended voyages.

The luxurious Princess 78 Motor Yacht W.J. LIP redefines the charter experience

This exceptional 24m yacht includes exclusive five-star service, featuring fine dining and expertly trained hospitality crews on board from the InterContinental Phuket Resort, ensuring an elevated journey. It’s a bit like staying in a floating five-star hotel.

This flybridge yacht accommodates up to 20 guests on a day charter and up to eight overnight guests in four beautifully appointed cabins. Perfectly equipped for adventure, W.J. LIP also features a dedicated davit crane for launching jet skis and water toys with ease into the Andaman Sea.

DAINTY DAY TRIPPER

Boat Lagoon Yachting’s recently added Princess F55 is crafted to create a serene, luxurious atmosphere in a compact design, making it the perfect choice for day excursions in Phuket. With a stabiliser system and space for up to eight guests for day cruises, this yacht blends refined style with comfort for yacht charter clients.

Experienced crew accompany guests throughout the journey

Whether for short getaways or extended charters, Boat Lagoon Yachting offers a promise of luxury, comfort and adventure.

boatlagoonyachting.com

princessyachts.com

Defying Wonder By Discovering The Garden Of Eden In The Galapagos Islands

Leave a Comment / Destinations / yachtstyle2020

Discovering The Garden Of Eden In The Galapagos Islands

August 15, 2024
7:46 pm

A place of unparalleled natural splendour, so untouched, so pure, it defies wonder. Crystal clear water, powder soft sands of red, black and white. Creatures so unique, so tame, they know not what it is to fear man.

The seductive lure of the Galapagos Islands, an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, about 400 miles off the coast of Ecuador. Eternally disconnected from mainland, the islands seem extremely inhospitable to life, and yet life found a way. Over thousands of years plants and animals inexplicably migrated from over the sea. They adapted and evolved to the unique conditions, morphing into species vastly different to their continental ancestors. Now, half of the plant life and almost all of the reptiles in the Galapagos are endemic to the islands. A living laboratory of creatures and plants still in an evolutionary phase, only existing in this space.

Seductive Lures Amid The Galapagos Islands Landscape

Lying on the equator, the Galapagos is an archipelago of 14 volcanic islands and over 40 small islets. These islands are in their infancy in geological terms, the oldest around 5 million years old, with the youngest islands still in the process of being formed through volcanic activity.

Each island has developed its own unique ecosystem from lush, green forests, powdery beaches and rocky islands, to stark, volcanic or desert landscapes. Unparalleled diversity, this Garden of Eden attracted the attention of Charles Darwin, and became the birth place of his theory of evolution.

It was here in the 1800s that Darwin noticed animal species specific to each of the islands that had undergone adaptations to better suit the particular conditions. This was most famously focused on the finches, as he observed they had different types of beaks depending on their food sources. Today, about 13 different species call the islands home. Darwin’s theory extended to countless species now endemic to each separate island. This makes the Galapagos the holy grail for scientists and conservationists alike.

This magical land was intriguingly featured in the novel Moby Dick. The story was famously based on the voyage of a ship called Essex that was sunk by a sperm whale, but its origins began in the Galapagos. The crew, having captured around 360 tortoises, managed to then set re to Floreana Island. They exited after complete destruction, wiping out the island and its animal inhabitants. Gratefully, Moby Dick remains a fictional story, and Floreana Island lives magnificently on. The true history of the Galapagos is no less destructive, and is also reminiscent of scary bedtime reading.

While today, the Galapagos attracts luxury cruises and mundane eco-conservationists, the islands possess a colourful history, beginning as a hideout for pirates in between all their pillaging escapades, and progressed to the delightful whalers and seal-fur hunters, who slaughtered several species, including the giant tortoise, close to extinction.

Galapagos Islands tortoises win battles with one another by competing to who can extent their neck the furthest

Fast forward through violent convict uprisings and settler assassinations to perhaps the most perplexing episode, where prisoners were forced to construct a massive wall in inhumane conditions, aptly named the “Wall of Tears’’, for no other purpose but to make them suffer. Remnants of this charming wall still remain.

Vegetation in the vicinity of Iguana Beach had many different features

The outbreak of World War II saw the location of the islands take on strategic military significance for protecting the Panama Canal. Santa Cruz and Baltra were used as a minor military base for the US to support their efforts in the Pacific theatre. Since then, they have been the tranquil site of some of the world’s foremost conservation efforts and marine and terrestrial research, as well as an epicentre of tourism in South America.

It was millions of years after life first appeared on these volcanic islands, after it was discovered by the western world, that humans came to populate the land. When travelling, often the strongest connections to a new land are formed through its people. One of our many misconceptions was that the archipelago would be home to a traditional native tribe, rich in culture and history. Thus began the slow realignment of expectations versus reality.

Ubiquitous red crabs, reminiscent of those on Australia’s Christmas Island south of Jakarta

Just 25 years ago the islands were home to 3,000 inhabitants who migrated primarily, but not exclusively, from Ecuador. Now it is a mix of various ethnicities, customs, and traditions and has cultural influences from Europe, America, as well as Ecuador.

This number has increased tenfold to 30,000 as migrants arrived to take advantage of growing economic opportunities geared around tourism and conservation. This is a slightly bumpy but well-oiled machine, and around 180,000 visitors each year flock here. The growing human population is threatening the health of the ecosystems and species tourism depends on, from the introduction of invasive species to rapid, largely unregulated construction in the towns.

It seems to be simultaneously supporting more scientific and conservation efforts and destroying the things that need to be studied and conserved. All of this results in more taxis, buses, boats, ferries, construction, garbage, sewage, and people.

Iguana in the water

There are so many people, it’s breathtaking, but more in a hyperventilating, did I get this all wrong, kind of way. Surely this isn’t the same place that complies with the countless glossy pictures of Garden of Eden-type environments, a showcase of evolution, a wonder of the world? It dawns with a thud that these “pure and untouched” islands are clearly not as pure and untouched as perceived. The disappointment is crushing.

Until it isn’t. The cacophony of barking sea lions that appear to populate every surface on land and sea in the bustling ports definitely have their charm. As does tip-toeing around baby sea wolves, gazing up at you with their deep soulful eyes, seemingly without the slightest concern about the presence of people. Watching on as these cheeky creatures jostle noisily for scraps amongst the fishermen in the fish markets like oversized puppies looking for treats.

Currently, only four of the 18 islands are inhabited by people – Isabela, Santa Cruz, Floreana, and San Cristobal. The rest of the islands are in pristine condition and carefully managed and maintained by the Galapagos National Park.

Our adventure begins with a wet landing by boat in Punta Pitt, San Cristobal Island. We traverse a steep gully path, up a rocky cliff face, to a vast plateau surface. Contours of barren, wind-eroded peaks surround us, a volcanic wasteland sparsely inhabited by saltbush and spiny shrubs. This predominantly black surface is pierced by the presence of lush carpets of Vesuvius in a startling re engine red hue.

Otherworldly, yet strikingly beautiful, this landscape is harsh. So it is unexpected to and it heavily populated by the world renowned Blue Footed Booby Birds. Few sights match seeing this strange bird for the first time. They nest on the ground within a ring of their own sprayed poo, so comfort isn’t high on their agenda.

Their fluffy little babies with white webbed feet grow to awkward, tufted adolescents with aqua coloured feet so bright it is as if they have been dipped in paint. The adults’ webbed feet are a deep, rich blue, their ungainly foot-slapping waddle and piercing eyes make for an entertaining sight. Seeing these iconic webbed creatures was definitely a bucket-list worthy highlight, though I discover that each new experience in this natural nirvana threatens to trump the last.”

We enter the water for our drift snorkel, traveling with the current off the coast of San Cristobal, along a small volcanic rock islet. Gently floating along the shore, we lock eyes with a giant bull sea wolf, or Lobos Marinos.

He does not back off, but dives under and around us, playfully yet territorially marking out his space. Galapagos and white-tipped sharks lurk in the depths below, rays majestically glide past. A colorful array of tropical shell the water as a puffer fish floats too close for his comfort and pops his little body out.

These sights feel precious, intimate, without the presence of crowds or other boats. Rather indulgently, the tender stands by in the lee of the islet where the currents ease, and we literally float to our pick up point.

Stepping from our boat onto the black rock shelf of Tortuga Bay, Santa Cruz Island, is somewhat like stepping onto another planet. The sharp surface is furnished by the odd, paddle-like Opuntia Cactus. A key species in the ecology of the Galapagos Islands, the pads form a major food source for tortoises and iguanas.

Walking gingerly along this prickly, strange trail, we are led to a completely contrasting landscape. Powder-soft white sand, silky soft underfoot, this surf beach is bizarrely populate with hundreds of prehistoric looking marine iguana, which Charles Darwin named, “imps of darkness”

Like all the creatures in this equatorial archipelago, they gaze at us unperturbed by our presence. These herbivores are the only iguanas in the world that feed entirely underwater. Their attended tail allows them to glide, crocodile style, below the water’s surface. Physically imposing, with their shedding skins and long spikes, they also appear to regularly and unpleasantly spit.

To be more precise, they filter out the excess salt from the sea water by sneezing it out through their blunt, spiny snouts. It’s not pretty. Though all signs point to a creature best avoided, it is their very weirdness that makes them completely enthralling.

Uneroded pahoehoe lava, hardened bubbles, and tree-trunk moulds texture the surface. Stretching as far as the eye can see, this century- old lava flow has solidified into a sheet that runs to the edge of the sea. Standing here, you can imagine how it would have once bubbled and flowed toward the water, engulfing everything in its path. The flat, long lava shorelines erodes into lava pools, caves and inlets to be explored. Santiago is one of the most volcanically active islands in the archipelago, and Sullivan Bay’s rough terrain of flowing lava fields was unsurprisingly an intriguing stop to Darwin’s itinerary. Off to the northwest of the island, James Bay holds a unique pahoehoe flow.

During his stop on the island, Charles Darwin found pieces of glass embedded in the flow. They were found to be from quince marmalade jars, and the year of their manufacture, 1684, was moulded in their base. The volcanic flow had permanently embedded a marmalade stash left by buccaneers. This ow, now referred to as the “Marmalade Pot Flow”, therefore must have erupted between the jars manufacturing in 1684 and Darwin’s arrival in 1835. Today the “Marmalade Pot Flow” remains frozen in time within a black shiny veneer of basaltic glass.

In the cool and misty highlands of Santa Cruz , surrounded by otherworldly cactus and scalesia forests, lie one of the oldest creatures in the world, the iconic Galapagos Tortoise. No visit to the islands are complete without seeing these giant lumbering creatures, and after hiking for over five hours in the searing heat to see only two small tortoises we decide to drive to Reserva El Chato.

Once farmland, the rangers have preserved the region by hunting predators and creating a safe space to prevent the further destruction of the tortoise population. As they are slow and meaty, they were almost hunted to extinction by humans, and are now very heavily protected in grounds such as this.

Here you can see huge, mature wild tortoises in their natural habitat. These primordial creatures grow up to five feet long, weigh over 500 pounds, and have been known to live over 150 years, making them the largest turtles on earth, and the world’s longest living vertebrates.

Galapagos Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas agassizi) underwater

Roam through the damp grounds, best done in enclosed wet weather shoe, around muddy ponds lined with their huge domes shapes, their heads buried under the mud. It is believed that they enjoy their pond baths as a thermoregulation mechanism for heating or cooling, depending on the temperature. They could be riddled themselves of ticks and mosquitoes, or it may just feel really good.

Most of these wild tortoises migrate to the lowlands for the wet season where they mate and nest before returning to the highlands for the dry season. It is said that the only way to be bitten by this creature is to place your hand within its open jaws and wait patiently. Though terribly unlikely, the tortoises jaws are strong and lined with sharp ridges, and could easily bite off a human finger if mistaken for food.

We are reminded to respect these docile, gentle animals with the two metre rule, which applies to most creatures within the Galapagos. Sudden movements or getting too close causes these sensitive beings to withdraw within their carapaces and make a hissing sound as air is being expelled from their lungs.

Sit patiently and quietly, and they may decide to take a closer look at you. I gently shift my position as one meanders past, almost nudging into me to get access to the rough pathway.

These gentle creatures have even come up with a passive aggressive means of fighting each other, where they face each other with their most ferocious glares, open their mouths and stretch their heads up as high as they can. The winner is the one whose head reaches the highest, while the loser pulls his head into his shell as a sign the battle is over.

In between the excitement of island visits, there’s plenty of time for reflection while travelling by boat. Some spend it looking over photographs from their last adventure, some disconnect completely from the hustle and bustle of ordinary life and lose themselves in the moment, while others struggle with the motion of the waves and nausea. I was all of these people, at different times.

Speaking of people, this is a problem that continues to be an issue for the growing Galapagos. There are so many recommendations and treaties in place from various levels of government and not-for-profit organisations that it is impossible to tell what is current and binding.

Since 2009, in an attempt to limit population growth, the government kicked out thousands of Ecuadorians from their residences in Puerto Ayora, the main economic hub. It is now impossible to apply for permanent residency within the islands. This has left the islands with an unsettling ethical dilemma, as many residents now feel that they are less important than the animals they protect for the benefit of a booming tourism market.

It is equally hard to argue with the government’s stance that without the wildlife there wouldn’t be a booming economy for the Ecuadoreans to benefit from. Regardless of the politics involved, the local population continue to dedicate their lives to not only protect and preserve, but also to provide access of this UNESCO awarded world heritage site.

Our guides were so informative and enthusiastic that by the end of the trip we felt like wildlife experts. Their local knowledge gave a deeper understanding to the history and nature of the archipelago, and enriched our experience.

Due to the fragile ecosystem of the Galapagos archipelago and its priceless natural resources, the Ecuadorian government heavily regulates the tourist industry on the islands. As much of the islands are National Parks, there are only one or two boats in a particular port or point of disembarkation at a time, and strict guidelines apply for the ship routes and island visits.

Permits to access the different islands and waterways are a premium cost, and no tenders are permitted to run to shore. Therefore, having arrived by superyacht presented many challenges for us. To set foot off the yacht requires a taxi boat, to access the islands takes planning, a registered local guide and heavily restricted boat hire. To expect the usual autonomy provided by travelling in your own vessel is to be gravely disappointed. It’s hard not to notice the many ways that the Galapagos Islands have been tainted by the immense growth in tourism over the years, to doubt that it can live up to its immense hype.

Documentaries play spectacular footage of the archipelago, capturing seemingly impossible angles of the countless endemic species. Fuelled by these images, I believed this famous archipelago to be a secret garden, a remote tropical paradise lled with indescribable wildlife, untamed yet unafraid.

I imagined perfectly. It was all of this and so much more. Some of these added extras may not have been what I expected or wanted, but they became a piece of the puzzle. The Galapagos lls the senses with the stuff of legend. The geography of the islands and variety of landscapes saw us peering over the rim of enormous crates, standing on rivers of lava ow, traversing salt water lagoons lled with amingos. And the wildlife. Nothing will prepare you for such close encounters with nature. Those impossible angles that the documentaries managed to capture? I caught them too.

Yes, there are a lot more people than you might expect.

Yes, it is expensive. You pay for the privilege of visiting one of the most remote and highly protected places in existence.

Will you regret it? Not for a second.

Book a cruise to the Galapagos Islands

Words & Photos: Melanie Jai, Who Visited Abroad A 50M Super-yacht

For more on the latest in travel reads, click here.

Island discoveries: Less-visited destinations to enjoy in Southeast Asia

Destinations / yachtstyle2020

Island discoveries: Less-visited destinations to enjoy in Southeast Asia

July 3, 2024
7:59 pm

From the clear waters of Malaysia’s Perhentian islands to the exciting nightlife of Cambodia Koh Rong, there is something for every travel-lover planning for their next tranquil sojourn.

Be it the hidden oases and uncrowded beaches of the Philippines to the picturesque sunsets and tranquil island getaways of Malaysia, this story explores the diverse charms and idyllic settings that Southeast Asia has to offer for the discerning traveler yearning for respite and relaxation. Be it the nature lover or the food and history enthusiasts, these lesser-known islands and locations are off the beaten track and primed for their enchanting tropical landscapes making them underrated escapes for any adventure-lover looking for an exciting getaway.

Belitung, Indonesia

Located off the east coast of Sumatra in Indonesia, Belitung is known for its unique cultural attractions that include pristine beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters alongside the island’s rich cultural and historical heritage. The island holds a colonial past which sees an array of Dutch and British-era landmarks while the island’s seafood-centric cuisine sees fresh fish and shellfish served with local spices, providing an authentic taste of Indonesian flavors. Aside from panoramic views, Belitung’s strategic location offers guests the opportunity to visit neighbouring islands including Pulau Lengkuas. A cluster of tiny sandbanks emerge during low tide and their close proximity to one another makes it ideal for island-hopping adventure via boat.

Must-See Holiday Highlight: Coffee lovers may want to try “Manggar Coffee” named after the town of Manggar known for its coffee culture and marked with the 1001 Coffee Shop Monument. Located at Manggar Kota 1,001 Warung Kopi, this cafe is a favourite amongst locals and offers a variety of traditional caffeinated beverages.

Perhentian Islands, Malaysia

The Perhentian islands consist of two separate islands; Perhentian Besar (Big Island) and Perhentian Kecil (Small Island) and both are known for their clear waters teeming with marine life and lush tropical jungles that are ideal for hiking and wildlife spotting. With coral reefs housing a diverse array of marine species, the islands are a haven for snorkelers and divers who can go on excursions to popular sites like Shark Point, Turtle Bay, and the Sugar Wreck. The Perhentian Islands are also known for its ecotourism and the sustainable practices set in place to conserve the area’s marine ecosystem and preservation of its coral reefs.

Must-See Holiday Highlight:Participate in an all-day diving excursion. From Turtle Bay Divers to Sea Voice Divers, diving institutions are aplenty on this island with scuba diving courses for beginners to professionals. A full day should be dedicated to this underwater activity. Click here to make a booking.

Bohol, Philippines

Among the various attractions in the Bohol islands of the Philippines is the opportunity for various forms of adventure tourism which includes river cruises along the Loboc River, zip-lining at the Chocolate Hills Adventure Park, and exploring the Hinagdanan Cave in Panglao Island. One of the island’s most famed attractions are the island’s “Chocolate Hills”. The name is derived from the brown hue of the hills during dry season which resembles Hersey’s chocolate kisses. Visitors can climb the viewing deck for panoramic views of this geological formation of around 1,200 hills spread over an area of more than 50 square kilometers.

Must-See Holiday Highlight: Hinagdanan Cave. The Hinagdanan Caves are easily accessible caves comprised of hundreds of stalactites and stalagmites that surround an underground lagoon which comes to life as sun rays illuminate the cave naturally, creating a visual spectacle to behold. Click here to book a trip.

Koh Rong, Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Koh Rong provides a tranquil escape from the bustle of mainland Cambodia with its serene beaches including the vast stretch of Sok San Beach (a good option for swimming and sunbathing) to Bai Dau Beach, which secluded setting makes it ideal for those seeking privacy and relaxation. The island’s diverse coral formations and numerous diving opportunities make Koh Rong a popular destination for beach lovers and nature enthusiasts. Koh Rong’s exciting nightlife is centered around beach bars and restaurants with breathtaking sunsets and an array of fresh seafood and dishes cocktails.

Cubadak Island, West Sumatra, Indonesia

Cubadak Island remains relatively untouched by mass tourism offering visitors a tranquil sojourn. The accommodations on the island range from quiet eco-lodges to expansive bungalows and beachfront resorts with stunning views of the sea. Accessible via boat from Padang, the capital city of West Sumatra, Cubadak Island provides opportunities for cultural immersion through interactions with local communities. Visitors can learn about traditional fishing techniques, participate in cooking classes, and witness traditional dance performances showcasing the island’s cultural heritage. With limited tourist infrastructure, Cubadak Island offers a serene and relaxing atmosphere ideal for those seeking peace and rejuvenation without the worry of overcrowding.

Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam

The coastline of Ninh Thuan Province includes various beaches and coastal attractions including the golden sand of Ninh Chu Beach and Bai Trang’s white sand dunes near Vinh Hy Bay. Beautiful beaches and water activities aside, the Ninh Thuan Province is also known for its protected areas and natural reserves including the Nui Chua National Park which offers birdwatching opportunities, hiking trails, and panoramic views of the surrounding forested mountains and coastal plains. The region’s grape cultivation has resulted in the emergence of vineyards where visitors are welcomed to tour vineyards, learn about high-quality wine production processes, and enjoy a wine tasting session. Lastly, lovers of culture and heritage can visit the Po Klong Garai Cham Temple complex, a notable cultural site showcasing the architecture and religious practices of the Cham people, (a Vietnamese ethnic minority) where visitors can explore local artisans practicing traditional crafts such as pottery and weaving.

Must-Visit Holiday Highlight: The Tanyoli Sand Dunes. Tanyoli is an adventure resort and in the sunshine of Ninh Thuan, the sand dunes are reflected like a miniature desert and host various games and entertainment, making it an ideal spot for thrill-seeking travellers. Click here to make a booking.

Luang Prabang, Laos

Luang Prabang is surrounded by lush green mountains, cascading waterfalls, and verdant rice paddies. The island’s environmental beauty offers visitors the chance to participate in various forms of nature-driven activities. Travellers can embark on trekking and hiking adventures to nearby villages, make a trip to the turquoise pools of Kuang Si Falls or set off on a boat trip along the Mekong River to explore the area’s caves and visit local riverside communities. Situated at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, Luang Prabang boasts a picturesque riverside setting. The town’s laid-back atmosphere and French colonial-era architecture, only add to its charm while riverside cafes and guesthouses offer stunning views of the rivers and surrounding mountains, creating a serene ambiance to remember.

Must-Visit Holiday Highlight: The Kuang Si Falls. Less than an hour away from Luang Prabang, Kuang Si Falls is known for its lush waters with multiple pools scattered throughout the area. There is a lookout point just a short hike away, which offers panoramic views of Lao’s countryside. Click here to make a booking.

Sibu Island, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Sandy beaches framed by lush greenery and swaying coconut palm trees make Sibu Island an ideal tourist destination for snorkeling, kayaking and paddleboarding. The island’s water is rich in marine biodiversity with coral reefs teeming with colourful sea creatures, tropical fish, and sea turtles making the island a snorkeller’s haven. Visitors can participate in snorkeling trips organised by local resorts and diving operators, for an opportunity to explore vibrant underwater ecosystems. Sibu Island’s pristine landscapes allow nature lovers the opportunity to witness monitor lizards, monkeys, and various bird species along jungle trekking trails through dense forests and mangrove swamps. The island’s rustic beachfront chalets and comfortable resorts are designed to blend harmoniously with the island’s natural surroundings, adding to the island’s peaceful ambiance.

Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai, Thailand

Located in Phang Nga Bay, these islands offer a quieter and more traditional Thai island experience compared to Thailand’s more tourist-heavy locations like Phuket or Koh Phi Phi. They are great for adventure-driven travellers who enjoy a combination of relaxation, biking, and exploring the local culture. Tha Khao Bay is known for its tranquil beaches while the local fishing villages allow tourists the opportunity to learn about the island’s traditional lifestyle. Laem Haad Beach on the other hand, is known as a snorkelling destination where one can enjoy a sunset cruise around Koh Yao Yai. Take a kayak or long-tail boat tour through the limestone karsts and mangrove forests or explore hidden lagoons, caves, and snorkel in clear waters. Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai both have several resorts offering spa treatments, yoga classes, and wellness retreats making it a great destination to unwind and relax.

Must-Experience Holiday Highlight: Leela Massage Hinkong At Koh Yao Yai. Experience a traditional Thai massage offering an array of well-being services guaranteed to leave one feeling rejuvenated.

Special Mention:

Trincomalee, Sri Lanka

While not located in Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka’s Trincomalee is a captivating travel destination for whale watching, water sports, relaxation treatments, and historical sites. Gentle waves make it underrated location for water sports such as snorkeling and diving while boat tours take wildlife enthusiasts out to see blue whales, sperm whales, and dolphins in their natural habitat from March to August. With a rich history dating back thousands of years, one of the most prominent historical sites is the Koneswaram Temple perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean, offering panoramic views of the coastline. Nearby sits Fort Frederick, built by the Portuguese in the 17th century and later developed by the Dutch and British. The fort provides insights into the nation’s colonial architecture and history. These are but a few reasons that make Trincomalee one of Sri Lanka’s most stunning beaches to visit.

Must-See Holiday Highlight: Koneswaram Temple. The Koneswara Hindu temple in Trincomalee is a must-visit location, perched on the edge of a cliff, overlooking the sprawling blues of the Indian Ocean. The ancient Hindu temple stands as a beacon of culture, history, and spirituality.

For more on the latest in travel and holiday reads, click here.

Immersion in Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Destinations / yachtstyle2020

Immersion in Raja Ampat, Indonesia

May 19, 2023
1:49 pm

Following earlier festivals along the Amazon River and in the Sahara desert, the latest edition of Immersion was held in Raja Ampat, which provided a spectacular backdrop for an alluring cocktail of dancing and diving, meditation and music.
Words: Olivia Michel Photos: Nicolas de Panam

Isolated within the towering karsts of Raja Ampat, a commune of over 100 travellers have arrived by boat on Wayag Island. On this uninhabited and near-inaccessible atoll, the wayward wanderers are performing a cacao ceremony.

Participants are gathered in a circle, praying, singing and meditating while sipping on the natural elixir sanctified by the ancient Aztecs and Mayans. This esoteric exercise, taking part in an unspoiled corner of the globe, is part of a New Age festival known as Immersion.

It might seem like a scene straight out of Danny Boyle’s film The Beach, but rather than gathering a group of backpackers in Thailand, Immersion has attracted these luxury charter guests to West Papua in east Indonesia.

MORE THAN MUSIC

Three luxury phinisis, Prana (55m), Dancing Wind (45m) and Nala (37m), plus the liveaboards Seaisee (45m) and Raja Manta (36m), played host to the Immersion community as they journeyed through the sapphire seas of this remote corner of the world.

Nala was among five superyachts organised by Yacht Sourcing

Raja Ampat was the seventh Immersion gathering organised by Greg Habib, a French-Brazilian entrepreneur. Previous editions of the music and wellness event have taken place in adventurous regions including along the Amazon River, amid the dunes of the Sahara desert and on the salt flats of Bolivia.

And while there are always parties and performances, Immersion events are not simply a music festival. Habib calls them an invitation to “immerse yourself in a cultural universe”. They’re also a maritime festival, often tied to superyachts that serve as their primary mode of accommodation and transport.

“As a festival that seeks to showcase epic locations off the beaten path, Immersion chose Raja Ampat this year for its spectacular natural beauty both on land and underwater,” Habib says.

“However, Immersion events are more than just gatherings in beautiful locations. Immersion is a global community that aims to bring people together to experience new cultures, nature, music, gastronomy, self-knowledge and friendship, and to give back to the local community.”

The six-day programme included a give-back initiative, encouraging participants to volunteer in a local village. The group then continued sailing around the archipelago and indulging in a variety of activities to fully experience the stunning scenery.

Diving, snorkelling and feasting were complemented by holistic experiences such as cacao drinking ceremonies, sound healing rituals, primal movement sessions and massage therapies.

Each day was followed by a hedonistic evening of dancing under the stars, be it on a beach or a boat, or in the water.

The guests represented over 40 different nationalities, with their ages ranging from six months to 73 years. Attendees were joined by a production crew, professional musicians and spiritual leaders, although Habib emphasises that there’s little distinction between guests and staff at Immersion events.

YACHT SOURCING

The phinisis were among the main attractions. Yacht Sourcing is the worldwide charter Central Agent for the gorgeous five-cabin Nala launched last year.

However, the company coordinated the logistics for all the hosting superyachts including the white-hulled, nine-cabin Prana, which the company built at its own shipyard in south Sulawesi and launched in 2018.

Together with the white-and-blue-hulled Dancing Wind, the presence of these wooden phinisis flying their sails added an aesthetic charm to the event and fulfilled Habib’s desire to immerse participants fully in the local culture and traditions.

While each vessel boasts luxurious spaces to unwind, from outdoor cinemas and alfresco cocktail bars to spa rooms and yoga decks, they were also equipped with full gear for diving and other water sports to help guests fully experience the destination.

Yacht Sourcing’s access to Indonesia’s finest superyachts and intimate knowledge of Raja Ampat’s cruising grounds made it “the ideal fleet partner for Immersion,” according to Habib.

“We needed a partner who could understand and accommodate our complex needs, and Yacht Sourcing went above and beyond in helping us create an unforgettable experience for all participants,” he says.

“From negotiating and securing the perfect vessels, to assisting with logistics, menu planning and licensing requirements, Yacht Sourcing’s understanding of the remote location of Raja Ampat was critical in enabling us to make the event accessible to as many people as possible.”

By the end of the event, Habib received feedback from guests “describing the experience as the most beautiful trip of their lives”.

The success of the festival, the support of the local Indonesian yachting community and the pristine beauty of the region have encouraged Habib to consider returning for another edition of the festival in the future.

“While Immersion is committed to exploring new locations, Raja Ampat is likely to be revisited due to its exceptional appeal,” says Habib. “It’s a destination that many people dream of visiting.”

www.immersioncommunity.com

www.yachtsourcing.com

Thailand’s Super Charter: Ocean Emerald

Destinations / yachtstyle2020

Thailand’s Super Charter: Ocean Emerald

August 4, 2021
2:34 pm

With Thailand reopening to tourism, Phuket is back on the wish list of holiday-goers and there are few more memorable ways of cruising the area’s coastal delights than on Ocean Emerald, one of Asia’s most iconic resident superyachts.
Words: Chrissie McClatchie. Photos: Camper & Nicholsons.

Designed by Lord Norman Foster, the 41.3m Ocean Emerald had a refit in 2009

A country where natural beauty collides with a rich fabric of cultural influences and a bounty of fresh flavours, Thailand is a traveller’s dream. Here, in the heart of Asia, gentle crystalline waters lap against a shock of pure white sand, framed by lush forests of green that hint at the verdant interiors that await.

It’s a country that promises clear blue skies and the good life, whether that means stripped-back yoga on the beach or five-star fanfare.

As a superyacht destination, Thailand’s appeal has been on the rise for the last decade or more, especially with the investments in infrastructure both the public and private sector have made. It’s hardly a surprise. Along with the natural attractions, easy flight connections from around the globe plus a selection of first-class marinas and other facilities and services are driving this growth.

The sundeck includes a Jacuzzi, sunpads and bar

As we start to dip our toes back into travel, Thailand is emerging as one of the first countries in the Asia-Pacific region to reopen to visitors. And with the advantages of private yacht holidays in this current climate needing little explanation, the realisation that this slice of tropical paradise is now within reach is welcome news for all.

CAMPER & NICHOLSONS

Currently based in Phuket, Ocean Emerald is a renowned yacht for charter with Camper & Nicholsons and her core Thai crew can’t wait to welcome guests back on board to share their beautiful country.

With her distinctive grey exterior and sweeping, curved superstructure, the 41.3m yacht was designed by Lord Norman Foster and launched by Rodriquez Yachts in 2009, and she’s been revitalised following a 2019 refit. As always, she turns heads wherever she goes.

Ocean Emerald’s superstructure is iconic

With a tremendous amount of interior space compared to many yachts of her size, she can sleep 10 guests comfortably in five luxurious staterooms. Her accommodation is wonderfully versatile.

Most notably, two of the lower-deck double cabins can transform into a second full-beam master suite with his and her bathrooms. Such a configuration is a fantastic value-add for two families wishing to charter together.

Her two spacious saloons both enjoy a powerful connection with the surrounding scenery and plenty of natural light through floor-to-ceiling windows. Her interior spaces offer a choice of formal dining options, a bar, games station and an extensive movie library.

The main-deck saloon benefited from the 2019 refit

As dusk falls after sunset aperitifs on the sundeck, the upper saloon can be transformed into ‘party central’ complete with a state-of-the-art lighting system – it’s the perfect venue to dance the night away.

Other attractions include a fully-stocked toy garage, sundeck Jacuzzi surrounded by sunpads, on-deck barbecue, and ample lounging and dining spaces all protected by sunshades. The alfresco life can be enjoyed any time of the day on her characteristic cascading decks.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

A seven-day sample itinerary on Ocean Emerald will see you arriving at Phuket Yacht Haven or Ao Po Grand Marina to a warm welcome from the captain and crew, then a cool drink and tour of the yacht as you settle in for departure.

The upper-deck saloon can be adapted for special occasions

Day two will feature memorable cruising through Phang Nga, with its storied landscape of limestone cliffs (karsts), rocks and small beaches.

At anchor off Koh Hong, it’s time to test your kayaking skills as you explore the labyrinth of lagoons while spotting the area’s unique animal life such as fiddler crabs, mudskippers and crab-eating macaques.

In the afternoon, set sail for the Phi Phi Islands, one of the settings that has made this stretch of paradise a star of the silver screen. Away from the crowds, there are plenty of quieter bays to drop anchor for a spot of snorkelling or to find land-based attractions such as caves or sublime viewpoints.

The upper deck also offers alfresco dining

The following day’s destination is Koh Lanta National Park and its wealth of islands, home to dramatic limestone cliffs, winding mangrove rivers and secluded beaches. Together, the sparsely populated Koh Ngai and neighbouring Koh Muk and Koh Kradan form a golden triangle made for island hopping.

On day five, sail to Koh Rok Nok and Koh Rok Nai, two remote islands regarded among the most beautiful in southern Thailand – you’ll feel like you’ve escaped from the rest of the world. Both islands have sublime beaches and are a delight to explore by tender or kayak, while the surrounding reef is an explosion of vibrant colours.

Accommodation is headed by a luxurious master suite

Koh Ha, which means ‘Five Islands’ in Thai, is your treat on day six and divers can come face to face with a rich array of marine life in a central lagoon framed by a large sandy bay. Your last night in Thailand will be memorable, whether it’s an intimate beach barbecue arranged by the crew or a louder celebration onboard the yacht before you set sail for Phuket the following morning.
www.camperandnicholsons.com

Charter in Asia 2021: Camper & Nicholsons
Camper & Nicholsons highlights some of its top superyachts for charter in Asia, as published in Yacht Style’s annual feature in Issue 60.

Charter in Norway: A Stunning Cruise Powered by Nature

Destinations / yachtstyle2020

Charter in Norway: A Stunning Cruise Powered by Nature

December 10, 2020
1:20 am

Norway’s sheltered fjords are ideal for calm charter cruises, yet also offer stunning hiking, climbing, fishing, diving, paragliding and helicopter rides.

When I was invited to spend a few days exploring Norway on board the 43m charter superyacht Daydream , my confirmation was almost instant. Located on similar latitudes to Iceland, much of it even further north, Norway has a reputation for spectacular scenery and adventure.

Norway is an emerging cruising and charter destination, so most superyachts will have the seas, rivers and spectacular scenery to themselves; Photo: Matt Porteous

During the flight, I read up and discover some impressive facts. The Human Development Index, published regularly by the United Nations, classifies Norway as the world’s most developed country. According to the Democracy Index of British magazine The Economist, the Scandinavian state is the most democratic and its GPD per capita ranks third globally.

Norway only has a population of 5.3 million, but is one of Europe’s largest countries in terms of area and has an enormous coastline due to its enormous number of islands. It’s frequently listed third among countries with the most islands, behind Scandinavian neighbours Sweden and Finland.

As such, it’s an ideal place to explore by yacht, even if charter activity in this area is still in its infancy. There are just a handful of megayachts here each summer, as well as newly built yachts from German and Dutch shipyards whose maiden voyages often take place in Norway.

As our plane descends over the breathtaking Norwegian landscape, rugged rock faces tower above gently rolling hills, fringed by crisp green meadows. The glassy swathes of deep blue fjord water are dotted with an occasional boat, while on the horizon, snow-topped mountains complete the picturesque backdrop.

Norway’s spectacular fjords are great for cruising and hiking; Photo: Matt Porteous

Such remarkable geography helps explain why this country has produced renowned explorers such as Roald Amundsen, the first person to reach both the South Pole and North Pole, and Thor Heyerdahl, famous for his Kon-Tiki voyage of 1947 in which he sailed more than 8,000km across the Pacific in a wooden raft.

As we finally land, it’s a surprisingly pleasant 18 degrees Celsius, warmer than anticipated, and the real adventure begins.

Adventure Playground

Arriving on board the Christensen-built Daydream, myself and my fellow guests receive a warm welcome from Captain Damion and his seven-strong professional crew. Handed warm, scented towels to refresh us after our travels, we then enjoy champagne and canapés before being shown to our staterooms.

I then join the other guests in the beautiful, open-plan saloon to receive a briefing from the Captain on the itinerary for the next few days. We are advised that not only will this include paragliding, diving and fishing but there will also be an exhilarating helicopter flight over the fjord-strewn landscape and visits to Preikestolen – one of the country’s highest vantage points – and the exquisite gardens on the private island of Flor and Fjære.

Preikestolen is a steep cliff that rises 604m and offers remarkable views from its flat top: Photo: Matt Porteous

Departing from Stavanger, one of the biggest cities in this sparsely populated country, we begin our thrilling exploration of the serene fjords in the Rogaland municipality.

Norway is a paradise for fishing enthusiasts. Daydream pulls up behind a well-equipped Jeanneau Merry Fisher tender, enabling guests to get a little closer to the coast or angle in shallow waters. Differing from many other European areas, Norway’s calm coastal waters are extremely rich in fish, so it’s almost impossible not to catch something.

We learn that experienced anglers often hook large halibut, impressive Atlantic salmon or the tasty but rather unattractive wolfish, as well as coalfish, haddock and cod. Parts of the fjords are sometimes over 1,000m deep and this is where unusual species such as the ice shark can be found.

The peaceful fjords provide the perfect conditions for watersports and we enjoy some exhilarating jetski rides before kayaking up close to waterfalls.

Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible – Fallout, hanging off Preikestolen

Following a quiet cruise along the exceptional Lysefjord, we find a helicopter waiting for us. Swooping over the landscape, our fascinating bird’s-eye view encompasses majestic peaks, tranquil bands of water, and flat, rocky platforms strewn with massive boulders.

The sight of Preikestolen is phenomenal. Also known as Pulpit Rock, it famously features in the recent Tom Cruise hit, Mission: Impossible – Fallout, as Ethan Hunt hangs by his fingers on the edge of the cliff, fighting for survival, while below him is a sheer 604m drop into the watery depths. If this is free climbing, I might just leave this to the experts and special agents.

On Board Attractions

Far below, Captain Damion provides the perfect photo opportunity by driving Daydream in loops . This is also the sign for our pilot that he should bring us back on board and although it’s getting late, one could almost think it is early afternoon. After all, Norway benefits from almost constant daylight in the summer months.

Norway is an action-lover’s paradise, with the calm waters perfect for everything from jetskiing to diving and kayaking; Photo: Tom Van Oossanen

Fortunately, we’re not too late for the sensational dinner awaiting us on the sun deck. Chef David is a master of creating fusion foods and wows us with a combination of king crab risotto, duck breast, smoked salmon and of course Norwegian wild fish.

A nightcap in the jacuzzi concludes this and every evening of our trip as it provides the perfect spot to catch up on the day’s adventures with fellow guests – from the exhilaration of jet-skiing, to the adrenalin-buzz of paragliding and the majestic views from the helicopter.

One of the many benefits of a yacht charter in Norway is the opportunity to enjoy a digital detox, as there are some areas of the fjords where the high cliffs mean your mobile phone signal is limited. However, communication with the outside world is always possible via the yacht’s satellite system, should it be required.

A glass of champagne in the jacuzzi is an ideal way to unwind at the end of the day, especially in Norway’s summer when it remains light most of the time

As we depart and I soak up the last views of this incredible landscape, I was actually heartened to realise that chartering in Norway is still in its infancy. For those looking for a new travel experience, offering more seclusion, outdoor adventure and rare opportunities in a remote landscape, Norway holds a powerful appeal.

Daydream

Length: 42.6m Beam: 8.2m Capacity: 10 guests Crew: 7

Weekly Charter: €89,000-99,000 Charter Broker: Ocean Independence

www.oceanindependence.com

The original article appears in Yacht Style Issue 48. Email subscribe@lux-inc.com for print subscription enquiries or subscribe to the Magzter version at: www.magzter.com/SG/Lux-Inc-Media/Yacht-Style/Fashion/

Yacht Style 48: The 2019 Charter Issue Out Now!
Yacht Style 48: The 2019 Charter Issue Out Now! SHARE Share on facebook Share on linkedin Yacht Style's annual Charter Issue covers Asia's greatest getaways, the 2019-20 racing calendar, and yachts...

New Zealand’s Sights & Sounds: South Island

Destinations / yachtstyle2020

New Zealand’s Sights & Sounds: South Island

October 15, 2020
11:26 am

Yacht Style concludes a two-part feature on New Zealand with the South Island, as local experts explain the amazing array of cruising options for visitors to the America’s Cup host nation. By Marieke Derks.

Situated at the top of the South Island, the Marlborough Sounds are a network of drowned valleys, islands, coves, bays and beaches © Rob Suisted

SOUTH ISLAND: MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS

Marlborough Sounds is at the northern tip of the South Island, west of Wellington across the Cook Strait. Captain Andy Grocott, master on the 39m expedition catamaran The Beast, says relocating the yacht here is often done without guests on board. The distance from Auckland down the east coast is about 500nm and smaller superyachts may need a reasonable weather window to cross seas that larger yachts can plough through.

“There are a few stops along the way, but for guests there’s not so much to see or do from the water,” says Grocott, who also says yachts visiting the Bay of Islands and the very north could consider cruising down the North Island’s west coast depending on the weather.

New Zealand's Sights & Sounds: North Island | Yacht Style
New Zealand is a spectacular country to visit at any time of year. However, the 36th America's Cup in March 2021 and its lead-up events starting with its World Series this December welcome you to explore the country during its stunning summer, when there's typically plenty of sunshine and pleasant on-land temperatures of 20-25°C.

Click above to read the first article, including cruising suggestions for the North Island.

Marlborough Sounds’ myriad bays offer an estimated 1,500km of coastline and encompass pristine native forest with 800-year old towering rimu trees, lush ponga tree ferns – or silver ferns – native orchids, farmland and forestry.

Kayaks are a great way of exploring this intricate maze of waterways, while on land there’s the historical Queen Charlotte Track, a 70km trail connecting Queen Charlotte Sound to the Kenepuru Sound that’s renowned for its stunning views and contrasting landscapes.

Biking is another great activity in the Marlborough region, also renowned for producing three-quarters of New Zealand’s wine © Marlborough NZ

Day hikes and bike rides can be organised with drop offs and pickups by water, while a visit to picturesque Picton can be planned along with a short drive to the wine region of Marlborough for an afternoon of sampling wines and local produce.

SOUTH ISLAND: FIORDLAND & STEWART ISLAND

It’s another 600nm to reach the Fiordland National Park on the South Island’s southwest corner, a region with deep majestic fjords, towering cliffs and mountains, numerous waterfalls and breathtaking scenery.

An alternative for visitors is to sail along the South Island’s east coast, where potential stops along the way include cities like Christchurch and Dunedin, before considering the chance to explore southerly Stewart Island before heading back up to Fiordland.

Over The Top offers helicopter tours around Fiordland and the Queenstown area in the South Island’s spectacular southwest

If time’s short, crew can take the yacht down the west coast, which is spectacular but offers few places to stop. Charter guests, for example, can fly to Queenstown and take a breathtaking helicopter ride across the Southern Alps right into Milford Sound or Deep Cove in Doubtful Sound.

Alternatively, those who have sailed around the coast can helicopter into Queenstown to explore this spectacular lakeside resort town featuring luxury lodges, wineries, excellent restaurants, world-class golf courses, and numerous adrenalin-based activities and adventures.

For scuba divers, diving in Fiordland is a treat and should there be time to visit Stewart Island, diving is also a must. “Stewart
Island offers pristine sandy beaches and great hiking, fishing and scuba diving,” he says. “Most of the island is national park and it’s the place to see kiwi birds in their natural habitat.”

A highlight of Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound (Piopiotahi) is arguably New Zealand’s most spectacular natural attraction © Will Patino

The four main cruising grounds all offer lots of sheltered anchorages, Grocott says. Prevailing winds in the summer (December-February) are easterlies, although some passing weather systems can last for a few days, which means smaller superyachts may need to plan for longer passages.

Grocott warns: “Sometimes a swell from the east makes the east-facing beaches less accessible by tender and being in the Southern Ocean means you need to be prepared for the weather to change quickly.”

CHARTER CHOICES, NORTH AND SOUTH

Fleur Tomlinson, Charter Director at 37South, manages New Zealand-based yachts like The Beast, Sea Breeze III, Yonder Star and the new Rua Moana.

“We can easily build an itinerary for one, two or three weeks or longer depending on the client’s wishes,” Tomlinson says. “When clients want to experience both the North Island and South Island, we can make suggestions for on-land stays and excursions while the yacht is relocating. Normally the relocation from the North Island to South Island takes about a week.”

Paragliding is one of New Zealand’s many adrenalin-fuelled activities © Colin Watts/Unsplash

On land, guests can choose from a great network of luxury accommodation, wineries, culinary experiences and breathtaking golf courses such as Tara Iti and Kauri Cliffs in Northland, Cape Kidnappers in Hawke’s Bay, and The Hills and Millbrook Resort near Queenstown, to name a few.

Tomlinson adds: “While on the North Island, consider a visit to the geothermal area of Rotorua with its boiling mud pools and geysers, Maori villages or a heli-tour over one of the world’s most active volcanic regions. Then there are the glow worm caves of Waitomo, the quirky cafés of Wellington, and if you’re a fan of The Lord of the Rings, a visit to Hobbiton will be on your list.”

If you have time before joining or re-joining your boat on the South Island, you can consider a ride on the TranzAlpine train from Christchurch, crossing the Southern Alps including Arthur’s Pass National Park before finishing in Greymouth on the west coast.

PREPARING FOR YOUR VISIT

Whether you visit New Zealand with your own yacht, wish to book a charter or plan to charter out your yacht, “planning ahead of time is highly recommended,” says Duthie Lidgard, Director of Catalano Shipping Services New Zealand, which is managing berth allocation for visiting yachts during the America’s Cup as the endorsed superyacht agent for Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.

The golden colours around Arrowtown near Queenstown © David Wall

“We encourage captains to contact us early in order to detail their requirements for itineraries and line up the paperwork and
procedures for visas, quarantine and permits,” Lidgard says.

“There are different requirements for yachts of different lengths and tonnage regarding pilotage and access to protected areas, while hull cleaning is required for certain areas because of biosecurity. A lot can be arranged, but we need to start in good time. We also provide fast-track visa processing for owners, guests and crew not from a visa-exempt country.”

NZ Marine, which represents the country’s yachting industry, has created a good overview of regulations that can be downloaded from their website, although Lidgard encourages captains to contact him in person. “We can even advise captains who have cruised New Zealand and know the area well, as regulations have changed.”

A beach in Moeraki, a fishing town on the South Island’s east coast © Miles Holden

Tomlinson also stresses early contact – from six weeks to three months, to be safe – for those wishing to operate charters in New Zealand waters as a foreign-flagged vessel as there’s “paperwork and survey work to schedule with NZ Marine ahead of time”.

As a final reassurance, Lidgard emphasises that the country offers great facilities and expertise for maintenance and refit,
highlighting the New Zealand chapter in the 2020/21 Superyacht Services Guide for Pacific, Australia and Asia as a comprehensive guide to local yacht services.

Resources and contacts:

37South – Fleur Tomlinson, Charter Director, fleur@37southyachts.com Catalano Shipping Services NZ – Duthie Lidgard, Managing Director, duthie@catalanoshipping.com

NZ Marine – info@nzmarine.com, www.nzmarine.com

SUPERYACHT SERVICES GUIDE

Marieke Derks, Zara Tremlett and Bert van Muylwijk form the Superyacht Services Guide’s author team for Asia, the Indian Ocean and Australia. The SSG features personal recommendations from professional yacht captains and crew for
the best services used around the world, not only to run a superyacht but to receive owners and guests, and to live and work on board as crew. The quick-search online directory is regularly updated, fast-tracking users to the most reliable, efficient and effective services available globally.

marieke@superyachtpublications.com

www.superyachtservicesguide.com

www.issuu.com/superyachtservicesgu

New Zealand’s Sights & Sounds: North Island

Destinations / yachtstyle2020

New Zealand’s Sights & Sounds: North Island

October 14, 2020
3:15 pm

Yacht Style kicks off a two-part feature on New Zealand with the North Island, as local experts talk about the amazing array of cruising options for visitors to the America’s Cup host nation. By Marieke Derks.

Situated in Hawke’s Bay on the North Island’s east coast, Cape Kidnappers is regularly named among the world’s top golf courses © Jacob Sjoman

New Zealand is a spectacular country to visit at any time of year. However, the 36th America’s Cup in March 2021 and its lead-up events starting with its World Series this December welcome you to explore the country during its stunning summer, when there’s typically plenty of sunshine and pleasant on-land temperatures of 20-25°C.

Aotearoa (‘long white cloud’) is a country proud of its indigenous culture, with English and Maori the official languages. It offers clean air and a colourful array of landscapes and seascapes to explore across and around its North and South Islands.

About a sixth of New Zealanders identify as Maori; visitors can enjoy cultural programmes and experiences © ATEED

Natural wonders range from giant shifting sand dunes and the iconic Bay of Islands at the top of the country, volcanic and geothermal areas around Rotorua, down to the South Island’s 500km-long Southern Alps, capped by the 3,724m Mount Cook (Aoraki), with glaciers flowing from its sides.

Cruising yachts are in their element in New Zealand, which has 15,000km of coastline and 600 islands to explore. Although most of the sailing is in the North Island, the most spectacular scenery is on the South Island, where you’ll also find the Marlborough Sounds and its many inlets and waterways in the north, while the majestic fjords of Fiordland National Park are down in the southwest.

New Zealand offers spectacular dining, in both the north and south © ATEED

New Zealand delights the taste buds, producing stunning local food and wine, as grapes seem to happily grow all over the country. You’ll find award-winning vineyards on both main islands, along with a vast river network and 3,820 freshwater lakes, led by the 616sqkm Lake Taupo in the centre of the North Island.

Fittingly for a nation that’s home to Queenstown, ‘Adventure Capital of the World’, New Zealand offers a head-spinning range of action both coastal and inland. On land there’s spectacular golf, hiking and biking plus skiing and snowboarding in the winter. Parachuting and paragliding are among air-based thrills, while water-based activities include scuba diving, fishing, white-water rafting and kayaking.

In fact, oceangoing canoes (waka) were used by Polynesians to travel across the Pacific to New Zealand from about 1320 onwards, with the first human arrivals establishing themselves as the Maori almost 450 years before British Captain James Cook and his crew landed in 1769.

We now welcome today’s yachting experts to be your cruising guides to this amazing country.

CRUISING IN NEW ZEALAND

Captain Andy Grocott is master on The Beast, a rugged New Zealand-built expedition catamaran measuring a solid 39m (129ft) by 12m (39ft) and notable for its camouflage-grey exterior.

Built for action, this charter yacht offers guests a whopping 4,000sqft of living space and lots of toys including a 48ft sports fishing boat, 30ft amphibious tender and full scuba diving gear. It also offers a journey into the distinct yachting experience to be found in New Zealand.

Captain Andy Grocott of The Beast details New Zealand’s four best cruising grounds

“As well as the country’s natural and cultural beauty, cruising here creates a completely different atmosphere on board compared to the Med or the Caribbean. It’s a genuine yacht cruise and not a restaurant run,” Grocott says.

“There are no shops, few towns, we are away from the crowds and stay in stunningly peaceful anchorages. All meals are enjoyed together on board or sometimes on the beach. That’s what I cherish most about being a charter captain in New Zealand. I haven’t found this experience anywhere else.”

Grocott has explored New Zealand’s waters on different yachts and recommends the following four main cruising grounds (see areas in three and four in Part Two).

NORTH ISLAND: AUCKLAND & HAURAKI GULF

New Zealanders love the water and Auckland has the highest ratio of boats per capita in the world, hence its nickname ‘City of Sails’. Many famous sailors learned to sail in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, the setting for the 36th America’s Cup and many of the supporting events.

“We most often pick up guests in Auckland as there is easy access from the airport, excellent logistics and we do all our provisioning there,” Grocott says.

Hauraki Gulf offers sensational cruising with lots of anchorages and sights including Waiheke Island, the Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island.

“All places feature great walks ashore, excellent fishing and protected bays for watersports,” he says. “Distances are 20-30nm, offering relaxed day trips to great anchorages. Guests can easily spend several days here with a different experience around each corner.”

NORTH ISLAND: BAY OF ISLANDS & NORTHLAND

The Bay of Islands and its turquoise waters are a gorgeous 120nm voyage up the coast to Northland, the northernmost of the country’s 16 regions. There are many places to stop along the way. Halfway along the route, Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve is a world-famous destination for scuba divers, with a choice of over 50 different dive sites in clear waters, stunning underwater scenery and abundant underwater life.

New Zealand’s most popular cruising destination, Bay of Islands is home the Millennium Cup superyacht regatta © Jeff Brown

Bay of Islands is New Zealand’s most popular cruising ground with scenic bays, many islands, beautiful beaches and pleasant historical villages like Russell with its iconic Duke of Marlborough Hotel.

Guests who choose to start their journey in Bay of Islands can either fly 40 minutes from Auckland to Kerikeri Airport or take a helicopter ride to the beach and hop into the tender.

About a sixth of New Zealand’s 4.9 million population identify as Maori and this area has plenty of Maori history and culture to explore, such as the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and museum. You can ask to visit a marae (Maori meeting ground), while Grocott often organises a hangi (Maori method of cooking in a pit) on the beach and sometimes even a cultural Maori experience on board.

Heading further north, sheltered Whangaroa Harbour is relatively close to the exclusive Kauri Cliffs Golf Course and not far from Cavalli Islands, which has nice beaches and anchorages, great fishing and superb scuba diving on the Rainbow Warrior wreck.

“And if you continue all the way over the top,” Grocott adds, “I suggest stopping at Three Kings Islands for some unreal big-game fishing or walk the shifting Giant Sand Dunes in Cape Reinga.”

Read Part Two for the South Island and details of local operators

New Zealand Packs Calendar Around 36th America’s Cup

Destinations / yachtstyle2020

New Zealand Packs Calendar Around 36th America’s Cup

July 16, 2020
10:46 am

Yacht Style looks at the array of regattas, competitions, meetings, parties and other events scheduled around the 36th America’s Cup, at the same time as the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in Auckland celebrates its 150th anniversary.

By Marieke Derks

After the 2017 win in Bermuda, Emirates Team New Zealand parades the America’s Cup by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (also below), the trophy’s new home

Good news arrives from New Zealand as I am interviewing Linda Berry, Managing Director of The Superyacht Gathering. The New Zealand government has not only decided to welcome the America’s Cup Teams and their boats into the country but also to open country’s borders again for superyachts intending to do maintenance or refit in New Zealand.

Contrary to Australia, where sea borders remained open for visiting superyachts and their captains and crew throughout Covid-19, New Zealand opted for a stricter approach to fight the virus.

The announcement came as a big relief to New Zealanders, America’s Cup teams and their global fanbase. It was also encouraging for yacht owners, guests, crew and sailing enthusiasts planning to follow or attend the plethora of sailing events in New Zealand from this December through next March.

Aaron Young, Chair AC36 and Vice Commodore of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, the America’s Cup holder, comments: “The RNZYS was certainly very happy to hear of the border restrictions allowing AC36 teams and is working on the superyacht visiting process.

“These visitors to New Zealand will bring a welcome boost to our economy. Aside from adding to all the maritime events in 2021, the greater marine industry will welcome yachts for refits and maintenance given the expertise New Zealand has in this field.”

Peter Busfield, Executive Director of NZ Marine, New Zealand’s marine industry association, was also delighted with the decision.

“Normally between 30-40 superyachts cruise in New Zealand for the high season, but this time we had a total of 160 wanting to join us for the events and further cruising. And although it is hard to predict how Covid-19 will evolve over the next months, the decision to allow AC36 teams is a great step towards making this all happen.”

The Kiwis have lined-up an impressive array of 20-plus waterbased events and a large number of on-land events from December to March – before, during and after the 36th America’s Cup when Emirates Team New Zealand will be defending the trophy they won back in 2017 in Bermuda by beating defender Oracle Team USA.

“Sailing in New Zealand is an inclusive sport and leisure time activity,” says Michelle Khan, Major Event Organiser at the RNZYS and a keen sailor herself.

“Together with sponsors, people in the yachting industry and many volunteers, we are creating a series of events to everyone’s liking. We are celebrating our ocean, the freedom of boating and excitement of being on the water. Don’t forget, it’s also the club’s 150th anniversary.”

This country of great natural beauty has sailing in its veins. Many famous Kiwi sailors learned to sail on Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, the setting for the America’s Cup and many of the other events. Almost every populated area in New Zealand is close to water. The country has 15,000km of coastline (the ninth-longest of any country), 600 islands and 3,820 freshwater lakes.

Khan explains there are boating events planned for everyone: for sailors with and without boats, owners of everything from small sailing dinghies to megayachts, and captains, crew, spectators, and any other sailing and water enthusiasts.

“By removing barriers and sharing our love for the sea and for boating, we would like to involve as many people and hearts as we can,” Khan says. “It does not get better than this!”

WHAT’S GOING ON: EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

With so much happening in so many places, here’s a round-up of the main events.

36TH AMERICA’S CUP (DEC-MAR)
After building, testing and refining their boats in their home waters, the challenger AC36 teams can now ship the yachts and teams over to New Zealand for further preparations. The 23m carbon-fibre AC75 boats are handled by a crew of 11 sailors with a maximum weight of 960-990kg. Twin canting T-foils sticking out like spider legs raise the hull out of the water and a mast of 26.5m above deck carries the max 400sqm sail surface that can take the boats flying over water up to 50 knots (almost 100kmh). Due to Covid-19, the World Series in Auckland in December will be the first time they race their spectacular, elegant foiling monohulls. The Prada Challenger Series in January and February will produce the final challenger to take on defender Emirates Team New Zealand during the Finals from March 6-21. Best of all, Young says, “the racing will be able to be viewed from the shore and the city itself, as it’s happening in Auckland Harbour”.

The America’s Cup features the 75ft AC75 foiling monohulls

A festive day for all, the Ports of Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta is held each year to celebrate the birthday of the City of Sails, with watercraft of all shapes and sizes putting to the water across the Waitemata Harbour and Hauraki Gulf under paddle, sail and steam power. This will be the 181st edition of this much-loved event.

MOONEN YACHTS SYDNEY TO AUCKLAND OCEAN RACE (JAN 30-FEB 9)
Organised by the Royal Prince Albert Yacht Club together with RNZYS, the 1,250nm category 1 ocean regatta starts in Sydney Harbour on January 30 and finishes in Auckland Harbour in time to help the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron celebrate its 150th anniversary. It’s open to offshore cruising and racing yachts, superyachts and ocean racing multihulls, and also incorporates a rally for cruisers.

SUPERYACHT FISHING COMPETITION (FEB 13)
Billed as the ‘world’s first superyacht fishing competition’, the event takes place 120nm (220 km) north of the AC36 venue in scenic Bay of Islands, one of New Zealand’s most popular cruising grounds. A sporty and fun event for yacht owners and guests who will go out on fishing tenders for the winning catch.

NEW ZEALAND MILLENNIUM CUP (FEB 15-17)
The 23rd edition of the famous Millennium Cup regatta is run from the historic village of Russell, gateway to the Bay of Islands. Organised by the Russell Boating Club and NZ Marine, the Millennium Cup is the world’s southernmost regatta and among a series of global superyacht regattas for yachts over 25m. The iconic Duke of Marlborough Hotel is the beating heart of the on-land part of this prestigious regatta. Some fun competitions are not to be missed, like the Tawera Rum Barrel Challenge skiff race.

February’s New Zealand Millennium Cup in the Bay of Islands is among several exciting superyacht events held around the 36th America’s Cup in early 2021; the Tawera Rum Barrel Challenge skiff race is part of the Millennium Cup

MASTERCARD SUPERYACHT REGATTA (FEB 23-27)
Held just days ahead of the AC36 Finals, the RNZYS-organised superyacht regatta will take place in the heart of the Hauraki Gulf, offering more brilliant sailing, amazing scenery and Kiwi hospitality as part of the club’s 150th anniversary celebrations. After a welcome function on February 23, there are four days of racing and a final prizegiving party.

BRIDGE TO BEAN DINGHY RACE (FEB 28)
Auckland’s most fun regatta has 300 dinghies and foiling boats on the water and is open to anyone, including hangers-on, yacht crew, superyacht owners and guests, and who knows … maybe some of the foiling boats that did not make it to the finals?

AUCKLAND ANNIVERSARY REGATTA (FEB 1)
A festive day for all, the Ports of Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta is held each year to celebrate the birthday of the City of Sails, with watercraft of all shapes and sizes putting to the water across the Waitemata Harbour and Hauraki Gulf under paddle, sail and steam power. This will be the 181st edition of this much-loved event.

RNZYS INTERNATIONAL CLASSICS REGATTA (FEB 27-MAR 1), THE 100TH LIPTON CUP REGATTA (MAR 20)

For lovers of sailing history, there are two classics regattas on the menu. The RNZYS International Classics Regatta includes local and international classic vessels, while the 100th Lipton Cup could see Mullet Boats (traditional fishing boats) of all sizes coming out of the woodwork. The trophy was donated by Sir Thomas Lipton and was crafted by the same silversmith as the America’s Cup.

THE SUPERYACHT GATHERING (MAR 24-26)
Good things happen when people truly connect, care and share. That is the adage of The Superyacht Gathering. Linda Berry, Commercial Director and co-founder of the event, says: “We offer an intimate, small-scale event for people who want to make a difference and do good for our oceans and coastal communities.” The three-day event starts with a meet-and-greet evening, features a symposium in Auckland, and concludes with a joint breakfast with RNZYS giving an AC36 presentation, then a leisurely lunch at Waiheke Island. “It’s so different to other superyacht events,” Berry says. “It almost feels like a group hug.”

AUCKLAND REGATTA (MAR 26-28)
Designed by sailors for sailors, the Auckland Regatta is a joint initiative between the RNZYS and Bucklands Beach Yacht Club. The regatta includes multiple divisions and features windwardleeward racing and longer harbour courses. For sailors who don’t have their own boats, the Pacific Keel Boat Challenge also returns and is an invitational fleet racing event for 10 leading yacht clubs, classes or crews.

www.americascup.com

www.rnzys.org.nz

VISITING NEW ZEALAND AROUND AC36

Here are some key contacts for enquiries:

If you wish to visit with your yacht and attend any events, Duthie Lidgard, Director of Superyacht Support and RNZYS-endorsed agent for AC36 events, advises to contact him as early as possible to discuss berthing, itineraries and cruising permits:duthie@superyachtsupport.nz
To learn more about chartering in New Zealand, Fleur Tomlinson, Charter Director of 37 South, has itineraries and yachts available for charter before, during and after AC36 and related events:fleur@37southyachts.com
One of the more exciting New Zealand-based charter options isThe Beast, a 39m camouflage-hulled catamaran explorer with over 370sqm of living space and diverse itineraries. Contact: fleur@37southyachts.com

SUPERYACHT SERVICES GUIDE

Marieke Derks, Zara Tremlett and Bert van Muylwijk form the Superyacht Services Guide’s author team for Asia, the Indian Ocean and Australia. The SSG features personal recommendations from professional yacht Captains and crew for the best services used around the world not only to run a superyacht but to receive owners and guests, and to live and work on board as crew. The quick-search online directory is regularly updated, fast-tracking users to the most reliable, efficient and effective services available globally. Some Captains say the SSG is ‘by far the most used publication on board’.

marieke@superyachtpublications.com

www.superyachtservicesguide.com

https://issuu.com/superyachtservicesguide

The original article first appeared in Yacht Style Issue 54 (Charter Issue 2020) – see below:

To subscribe to Magzter version, visit: magzter.com/SG/Lux-Inc-Media/Yacht-Style/Fashion/

For more information or print subscription enquiries, email: info@lux-inc.com

Yacht Style Issue 54 Out Now: The Charter Issue 2020 - LUXUO
Yacht Style has released Issue 54 (July-August), its Charter Issue for 2020. Flying Fox, the world's largest charter yacht, stars on the front cover of the 208-page magazine, as the 136m megayacht prepares to return to Asia later this year.

Exploring Okinawa, Japan, on a Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40

Destinations / yachtstyle2020

Exploring Okinawa, Japan, on a Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40

July 15, 2020
8:38 pm

Ocean Nomad’s adventurous young owners tested themselves and their Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40 as they headed east of Taiwan to explore the stunning islands across Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture, sailing for almost four weeks before being forced home.

The spirit of adventure is still alive and well in Kaohsiung where the owners of a Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40, Ocean Nomad, extended their longest journey aboard their yacht from a couple of days to 26 earlier this year, having completed their first sailing trip outside of Taiwan.

Lin Yu-yang and Lee Chien-yu (top row, middle and right), known as Yang and Yo respectively, on Ocean Nomad at the Kha Shing Pier 22 marina in Kaohsiung

All in their late 20s, Lin Yu-yang (‘Yang’), Lee Chien-yu (‘Yo’) and Lee Yu-hsiu (‘Kevin’) are friends and also partners in YeMan Sailing, the company that owns the charter boat and is also a popular social media platform, with over 16,000 Likes on Facebook as of mid-June, as well as Instagram and YouTube channels.

“We love the ocean and the sailing life, exploring the coastline and taking our clients with us. Our goal is to let people in Taiwan know more about our ocean and promote this kind of lifestyle,” says the tall, goateed Yang, the main videographer, a selfie-stick lover and the driving force behind the voyage to Japan.

“Another reason we bought a sailboat is to travel around the world. We hope we can encourage everyone to be more adventurous and dare to take risks.”

The trip to Okinawa marked the first sailing trip outside Taiwan for both the boat and the crew, who rented a car in the first stop at Miyako Island

The group describe themselves as ‘Taiwan’s first ocean adventure YouTubers’, while the Chinese name of the company loosely translates as ‘barbaric tribe’.

However, until exploring Okinawa – Japan’s southernmost prefecture – during an almost four-week trip, the longest offshore trip they had made was a day’s sail from Kaohsiung to Dongji island in the Penghu archipelago in the Taiwan Strait.

EXPLORING SOUTHWEST TAIWAN
After ordering the Lucia 40 (hull number 221) in 2018, Ocean Nomad was delivered in July 2019 to Kaohsiung – the hub of yacht building in Taiwan – where it’s an active charter boat, sailing south of Kaohsiung to the likes of Xiao Liuqiu (Little Liuqiu or Lambai Island), north to Tainan City or as far northwest as Penghu.

The Ocean Nomad crew have a tradition of swimming, snorkelling and paddling wherever they stop in their Lucia 40 and were stunned at the water clarity

“We often look for an anchorage to stay overnight at sea,” says Yang. “This summer we’ll search for more great anchorages around Taiwan.”

Before committing full-time to YeMan Sailing, Yang used to run a small business in Taipei, Yo was a technology project manager and Kevin was an HR manager. Of the three, Kevin has the most sailing
experience, having been an RYA-certified dinghy instructor for five years, so he played a key role on the Japan trip.

The original plan was to sail as far north as Kyushu and explore more of Japan, but with the onset of Covid-19 closing in, they decided “We often look for an anchorage to stay overnight at sea,” says Yang. “This summer we’ll search for more great anchorages around Taiwan.

”Yo was a little nervous ahead of the trip, as was the fourth member of the crew, Yang’s dad Chih-hsin (‘Hsin’) who’s in his late 50s and had little sailing experience.

Yang (far right), Kevin (bottom left), Yang’s dad Hsin (top left) and Yo (top right) make friends in Miyako

“This was our first time sailing to another country and Yo and my dad were very anxious about this unknown adventure. The only thing we could all think of is that we’re gonna vomit a lot,” smiled Yang, who admitted Kevin took on one of the key responsibilities.

“Yu-hsiu is the only one who can cook in big waves and doesn’t get seasick, so he was responsible for all the meals. During the trip, we mostly ate simple food like instant noodles, fruit and juice, and sometimes beer.”

Nagannu Island, between Okinawa Island and Kerama National Park, features pristine beaches and turquoise water, like many other islands in Okinawa

SETTING SAIL FOR MIYAKO-JIMA
The team spent time training for the big adventure and also preparing the boat, even equipping it with solar panels that were able to power most household items except the watermaker and airconditioners.

After taking a couple of days to sail from Kaohsiung to Hualin on Taiwan’s east coast, the team’s first port of call in Japan was Miyako Island (Miyako-jima), 200nm to the east. The guys were up and running, and loving what they were seeing, but the restrictions enforced due to the coronavirus plagued them early in their trip.

“In Miyako, there are a bunch of beautiful beaches like Yonaha Maehama, Shigara and Sawada, and we thought there would be definitely a lot of great anchorages,” says Yang.

“Unfortunately, because of the coronavirus, the local coast guard didn’t let us leave the port. We ended up renting a car and looked around the island. There are a lot of restaurants and supermarkets on the island, and we weren’t far from Hirara Port, so our bikes also helped a lot.”

Ginowan Marina (above) on the island of Okinawa, 465nm from Kaohsiung; Yo takes a team photo (below)

Jumping into water is the tradition of the Ocean Nomad crew, who leap into the sea every time they stop, and on this journey, this included Hirara Port and even into the Kuroshio Current, 12nm from Miyako.

Like most water lovers, they spent a lot of their time at anchor swimming and snorkelling, and using stand-up paddleboards to explore bays, while taking advantage of their wheels on land.

“On the remote islands, we rode bicycles to explore the various paths and it sometimes took less than an hour to travel around these smaller islands. We always try to find a nice location where you can overlook the whole island.”

PARADISE IN THE KERAMA ISLANDS
They eventually sailed as far as Okinawa Island itself, another 160nm, berthing at Ginowan Marina. However, it was the Kerama Islands just 20nm west of southern Okinawa that really captured their attention, as they anchored off the likes of Aharen Beach in Tokashiki Island and in Agonoura Bay in Zamami Island.

The crew were able to explore bays and reach beaches in their tender, which was well used for watersports and also enabled them to buy groceries on land

“We all think the Kerama Islands are the most beautiful, amazing place we visited. The water is so clean that you can see through it, even though it’s about 20m deep, plus the beaches were clean and so
empty at this time,” Yang says.

“All the coastlines are natural and well preserved, so the landscapes are very different from southwestern Taiwan where we usually sail. For us, the Kerama Islands are the real paradise, especially as there are a few little villages, so we drove our dinghy and landed it on the beach to get to the grocery store.”

However, as Covid-19 became more widespread and worrying, and travel restrictions started to be imposed, the crew realised it was time to head back.

Returning by way of Miyako again, Ocean Nomad eventually sailed in to Wushi Marina in Yilan County in Taiwan’s northeast, 26 days after leaving Kaohsiung.

“Overall, the whole voyage was great and better than we expected, and we were very fortunate to have wonderful weather windows. The islands and beaches we visited were simply amazing. The islands were more beautiful than we could imagine and each one made us want to
live there forever,” Yang says.

Aharen Beach in Tokashiki Island in the Kerama National Park, just west of Okinawa Island, was among the highlights of the 26-day trip

“We went to a lot of beaches and each had their unique features. Some were clean and peaceful, while some were very rich ecologically, with lots of special fishes and coral. The only pity is that this journey ended too early because of Covid-19, which also limited our interaction with local people.”

For the Ocean Nomad crew, the trip to Okinawa wasn’t as extensive as they had hoped for and featured limited social interaction due to the exceptional circumstances, but it did show them there’s a big, wide world out there waiting to be explored.

“We’re more and more in love with this kind of lifestyle,” Yang says. “We’ll continue this unfinished voyage, for sure.”

www.fountaine-pajot.com
www.facebook.com/yemansailing

The original article first appeared in Yacht Style Issue 54 (Charter Issue 2020) – see below:
To subscribe to Magzter version, visit: magzter.com/SG/Lux-Inc-Media/Yacht-Style/Fashion/
For more information or print subscription enquiries, email: info@lux-inc.com

Yacht Style Issue 54 Out Now: The Charter Issue 2020 - LUXUO
Yacht Style has released Issue 54 (July-August), its Charter Issue for 2020. Flying Fox, the world's largest charter yacht, stars on the front cover of the 208-page magazine, as the 136m megayacht prepares to return to Asia later this year.

Jeanneau Merry Fisher Braves NZ’s Stewart Island for Fish of the Day TV Show

Destinations / yachtstyle2020

Jeanneau Merry Fisher Braves NZ’s Stewart Island for Fish of the Day TV Show

October 15, 2019
2:35 am

Sanlorenzo Asia has started 2020 with sales of five yachts in five months into Hong Kong, ranging in size from 76-146ft.

New Zealand’s Stewart Island is a long way from most places. In fact, it’s a mission just getting to the island known in Maori as Rakiura, which is situated south of the iconic South Island and was recently home of the Asia-Pacific in-water release of Jeanneau’s Merry Fisher 895 Marlin.Stewart Island is New Zealand’s third-largest island, but only about 400 people live there

Travelling to Stewart Island from Hong Kong, for example, starts with an 11-hour flight to Auckland, then two internal flights – and that’s just to reach Invercargill, near the southern tip of the South Island. From Singapore, it’s just two flights to Invercargill, transiting at Christchurch.

From Invercargill, it’s a taxi or bus ride to the southernmost town of Bluff and then finally an hour-long ferry crossing to Oban on Stewart Island. Weather permitting, the ferry makes two return trips to the island each day, morning and evening, while a water taxi service is also available, again depending on the weather.

Sitting 46-47 degrees south – on the same latitudes as the southern reaches of Chile and Argentina – the 1,746sqkm Stewart Island is separated from the South Island by the notorious Foveaux Strait, a treacherous, 30km-wide stretch of water that ensures Rakiura remains relatively isolated. There’s very little else around it and if you were to head south across the Southern Ocean, your next stop would be Antarctica.The Jeanneau Merry Fisher 895 Marlin on the run in Stewart Island

Getting a new Merry Fisher 895 Marlin to Stewart Island was also an adventure. One of the latest models from prolific French builder Jeanneau, the boat was cast to play a starring role in an episode of the popular television series Fish of the Day, which screens in more than 80 countries and is now also available on National Geographic’s People channel, further extending its reach.

Having arrived in Auckland from the Jeanneau facility in Poland two months earlier for an on-land display at the New Zealand Boat Show, the sport fisher was carried almost 1,700km down the length of the country on a road transporter, including crossing Cook Strait on an overnight ferry between the North and South Islands.

After a two-day journey, the yacht was then splashed for the first time as it was launched into the chilly waters of Bluff Harbour before it motored across Foveaux Strait to Halfmoon Bay, where the crew picked up a mooring in a sheltered cove close to the island’s commercial wharf at Oban.

FISH OF THE DAY

The 895 Marlin was the latest vehicle for Fish of the Day presenter Clarke Gayford, also well known as the fiancé of Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s Prime Minister. The wife of the US President is called ‘America’s First Lady’, so Gayford is sometimes jokingly referred to as ‘New Zealand’s First Man of Fishing’.Clarke Gayford filming Fish of the Day on the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 895 Marlin

A passionate sport fisher, Gayford is also an environmental advocate deeply invested in caring for our oceans and all the creatures that live in it. Along with Fish of the Day Producer-Director Mike Bhana, Gayford has partnered with Jeanneau, using its boats to access exotic locations all over the world and film the series.

Almost 9m-long, the Merry Fisher 895 is a full-bodied , walk-around vessel with generous accommodation for up to six. It has a comfortable, spacious wheelhouse, an enclosed toilet and shower, a second cockpit shower and cooking facilities, making it suitable for family days and overnighters.

The Marlin layout is fishing-oriented and ideal for sport fishing adventures. Twin Yamaha 225hp V6 outboards provide 40-knot performance, while clever use of space has resulted in a large , clean cockpit for fishing, diving and water sports. There are plenty of rod holders, a wash down, live-bait tank and a generous wet locker under the cockpit sole.Gayford was full of praise for Jeanneau’s new 895 Marlin, having also worked on the 795

Folding seating and a drop-in table cater for al fresco entertaining or relaxing outside, and the table can also be mounted on the foredeck, which has wraparound railings and is also a great place for fishing – or launching a drone for filming!

The wheelhouse is slightly offset to port while the helm station is starboard side, where a sliding side door affords the driver quick access to the side deck, very handy when securing lines or coming alongside.

This model has two ‘oversize’ 300-litre fuel tanks, allowing multi-day expeditions like our Stewart Island adventure. Petrol is not available at the wharf on Stewart Island, so the crew had to be confident they could carry enough for three days of fishing and filming, plus two crossings of Foveaux Strait.

In the previous Fish of the Day series, Clarke and his team had used the smaller Merry Fisher 795 for several programmes in New Zealand, enjoying the boat’s combination of space and fishing facilities, but the host thought the new 895 Marlin better still.Gayford is an environmental advocate and the fiancé of Prime Minister Jacinda Adern

“It’s just that much bigger again, with a larger cockpit,” Clarke said. “It’s really stable, which is great for filming, and there’s an amazing amount of space in the wheelhouse and below decks. We carry a mountain of camera and sound gear, along with fishing tackle and dive gear, but the 895 swallows it all.”

Fish of the Day takes Clarke and crew around the world, including Asia, the Pacific and North America. It has a simple premise: set out to catch a particular fish, local to the region, cook it and eat it.

Gayford shares his journey of discovery with the show’s viewers, before presenting his fish to a local chef who prepares it in local fashion. The dish is then enjoyed by the TV crew and, vicariously, the viewers. And for this spectacular episode, Stewart Island proved a dramatic setting with fish aplenty.

REMOTE AND WILD

Stewart Island boasts superb cold-water sport fishing, as its isolation and unforgiving weather protects the fishery from over-exploitation. Around the island’s shores, rocky reefs and offshore archipelagos, giant blue cod, butter fish/greenbone, trumpeter, blue moki and wrasse inhabit vast kelp forests that grow almost to the surface in places. Spear fishing, free diving and scuba diving are spectacular.Spectacular scenery and lots of wildlife are part of the experience of Stewart Island

The island’s cold, clear water is also home to seven-gill and great white sharks, which hunt seals around the shoreline and occasionally frighten skin divers! Further offshore, migrating southern bluefin tuna pass close by.

The Merry Fisher 895 Marlin was the vehicle for one day’s filming and the target that day was trumpeter, a popular table fish with Stewart Island locals. Rakiura trumpeter grow to around 10kg, but any fish over 2kg is a good one. Trumpeter are known for fighting hard on the line, but the first challenge is hooking them, as we found out.

To someone who hasn’t experienced fishing in this part of the world, the best way to describe it is frenetic. Bites are instantaneous and multiple hook-ups common. However, everywhere we went, blue cod were so abundant that they snaffled our baits and lures long before the target species could be tempted.Clarke with the designated ‘fish of the day’, trumpeter, which took a while to find

Great to eat, blue cod is the island’s most popular catch, also with commercial fishers who use baited pots. Stewart Island’s cod are rated among the best tasting of all and visitors can enjoy them at the South Sea Hotel and various other restaurants on the island.

Next in popularity is the trumpeter, but unlike blue cod, it’s not found everywhere. Local fishers generously shared their knowledge of where to fish for them, but they still weren’t easy to catch. Eventually, though, we enjoyed some success, putting several modest specimens on ice.

Stewart Island is also famous for its paua, a large blue/black-footed abalone native to New Zealand. Stewart Island paua grow large, almost as big as dinner plates, and are plentiful. Clarke free-dived a half-dozen fat paua to accompany the trumpeter, along with a few super-sized kina (sea urchins), some of which we devoured straight out of the water.

While collecting shell fish, Gayford made friends with a curious octopus and was continuously surrounded by fish including greenbone, wrasse and trumpeter, which had finally proved not so elusive.Gayford in the water collecting paua and kina; lobsters are also common

Winter days this far south are short, so our fishing and diving adventure wrapped up well before 4pm. With the light fading and the temperature falling fast, the Merry Fisher’s cosy wheelhouse was welcome during the long run back to Halfmoon Bay.

CRUISING, CAMPING AND KIWIS

For cruising yachts, visiting Stewart Island is usually part of a more extensive cruise taking in the magnificent fjords of southern New Zealand. Crossing the Foveaux Strait is best reserved for calm conditions, but once made, boaters are spoiled for choice. There’s so much coast to explore and as much solitude and unspoiled nature as anyone could wish for.

Visitors coming by sea can expect to see several species of albatross in large numbers, giant petrels and other Southern Ocean seabirds, as well as seals, penguins and whales. The island’s convoluted coastline has miles of pristine white beaches, wide bays, secluded coves and deeply indented natural harbours. These provide safe anchorages and shelter from the fierce gales that periodically blow in off the Southern Ocean.The Jeanneau Merry Fisher 895 Marlin anchors close inshore for protection

And then there’s the wildlife. Guided tours of nature reserves such as Ulva Island, with its thriving populations of native birds, are popular with visitors, but there is also plenty for independent travellers to see, including beach-loving kiwis. Kiwis are normally nocturnal, but the Stewart Island sub-species often walks about during the day and is the only kiwi to frequent beaches to feed.

Walking tracks, including the Rakiura Great Walk, traverse the whole island, taking in the stunning coast and forested interior. Many are furnished with cosy huts, used by hunters as well as walkers, but bookings are essential. Cycling tours are also popular.

Camping is possible at a few locations, but facilities are basic and bookings may be required. In addition, there is a variety of backpackers and lodge-style accommodation on the island. The South Sea Hotel is a popular choice with visitors, offering comfortable accommodation, a lively bar and a restaurant.The South Sea Hotel is a Stewart Island icon

Stewart Island may be remote, but that’s what keeps its landscape unspoilt, its waters full of fish and any visit an adventure to remember.

WHEN TO VISIT: The southern-hemisphere summer, December to March, is the most popular time to visit Stewart Island. There are fewer tourists during winter, when many popular activities such as kiwi spotting are suspended. The climate is cool temperate and has relatively high rainfall, with February the driest month and May the wettest. The average high in January, the peak of summer, is 17°C, down to 8-9°C overnight, while July is the coldest month, with an average daytime high of 9°C and overnight low of 1-2°C.

www.fishoftheday.tv

www.jeanneau.com

Yacht Style Issue 49: The 2019 'World Premieres Issue' Out Now!
Yacht Style's Issue 48, the fifth edition of 2019, is out now in print and on Magzter, with Riva's stunning flagship 50m Race on the cover. This special 'Premieres Issue' focused on many of the exciting world premieres at Europe's leading autumn boats, primarily the Cannes Yachting Festival and Monaco Yacht Show with a nod to some new British builds at the Southampton International Boat Show.

Asia's leading yachting lifestyle media

Destinations

Port Takola: Krabi’s charming home port

SHARE

SHARE

Editor's Picks

EDITOR'S PICKS

Cruising the Andaman Sea in Style

SHARE

SHARE

Editor's Picks

EDITOR'S PICKS

Discovering The Garden Of Eden In The Galapagos Islands

SHARE

SHARE

Editor's Picks

Island discoveries: Less-visited destinations to enjoy in Southeast Asia

SHARE

SHARE

Editor's Picks

Immersion in Raja Ampat, Indonesia

SHARE

SHARE

Editor's Picks

EDITOR'S PICKS

Thailand’s Super Charter: Ocean Emerald

SHARE

SHARE

Editor's Picks

EDITOR'S PICKS

Charter in Norway: A Stunning Cruise Powered by Nature

SHARE

SHARE

Editor's Picks

EDITOR'S PICKS

New Zealand’s Sights & Sounds: South Island

SHARE

SHARE

Editor's Picks

EDITOR'S PICKS

New Zealand’s Sights & Sounds: North Island

SHARE

SHARE

Editor's Picks

EDITOR'S PICKS

New Zealand Packs Calendar Around 36th America’s Cup

SHARE

SHARE

Editor's Picks

EDITOR'S PICKS

Exploring Okinawa, Japan, on a Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40

SHARE

SHARE

Editor's Picks

EDITOR'S PICKS

Jeanneau Merry Fisher Braves NZ’s Stewart Island for Fish of the Day TV Show

SHARE

SHARE

Editor's Picks

EDITOR'S PICKS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Subscribe To Our Newsletter