Top Cruising Grounds for a Family-Friendly Charter
Time spent together is particularly special when on vacation, with long, lazy breakfasts, expeditions, beach picnics and family dinners all presenting unique opportunities to explore and connect. Navigator looks at the best cruising grounds for all the family and the family-friendly charter yachts to take you there.
The Bahamas
You will love…
The clear, shallow waters.
Children will love…
Playing around on inflatables.
The Bahamas – in particular, the Exumas – is a popular destination for winter charters. Providing the perfect combination of fun and laid-back charm, with ample island-hopping opportunities, this region allows for a new vibe every day. “The string of cays known as the Exumas are perfect for families as they offer amazing beaches at every anchorage,” says Senior Charter Broker Ann Landry. “Compass Cay, in particular, stands out from the crowd with its stunning beaches, including the long Crescent Beach where the children can have fun collecting sea fans and shells.”
PARTY GIRL
You will love…
A rum punch on the beach.
Children will love…
Pirate-themed treasure hunts and water toys for all ages.
With a great track record for successful family yacht charters, the 205’ (62.5m) PARTY GIRL is a fabulous playground for any child. Not only does she have a great array of exciting watersports equipment, flexible accommodations and a large beach club, the highly trained crew are experts at organizing exciting excursions ashore. From treasure hunts for the little ones to sundowners on the beach for the parents, every guest will be thoroughly entertained.
The Grenadines
You will love…
Basil’s Bar on the private island of Mustique.
Children will love…
Swimming with sea turtles in the Tobago Cays.
Stretching out at the tail end of the eastern Caribbean, the Grenadines offer the finest combination of warm, steady trade winds, stunning waters and very short cruising distances between. “The most popular itineraries for family charters involve hopping between islands without too many long transits between places,” says Charter Broker LeAnn Pliske. “This is when the Grenadines come into their own; it is only a short cruise from one island to the next, allowing for families to continuously feel stimulated and avoiding restless children on long passages.” Charters can be as hectic or as relaxed as you like – swing from hammocks under palm trees, drift along the beach collecting shells or jump in for a unique marine adventure. “An abundance of colorful tropical fish are accessible to even the youngest of snorkelers,” says Charter Broker Natascha Weber. “Set a course for the Tobago Cays – the white sand beaches and clear waters provided some of the backdrops for the blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean movies.”
SKYFALL
You will love…
Selecting wine from the cellars built into the salon walls.
Children will love…
Basketball on the sundeck.
The 190’ (57.9m) SKYFALL will keep the family entertained while on board with her sundeck Jacuzzi, inflatable pool with jellyfish net and basketball hoop – perfect for active adults and children alike. Over 3,000 square feet of exterior deck spaces divided into sections to cater to different occasions will ensure that your charter doesn’t end in family mutiny. To add to her outstanding achievements in being a family-friendly superyacht, SKYFALL’s spacious and beautifully appointed accommodations include a split-level master stateroom and a full-beam VIP on the lower deck, with an adjacent twin cabin with Pullman berth. A guest elevator also runs from the accommodations deck to the sky lounge, making the yacht suitable for wheelchair users.
Croatia
You will love…
Wine tasting on Hvar, strolling around the medieval streets of Split and Dubrovnik and relaxing on deserted beaches, accessible only by boat during your Croatian itinerary.
Children will love…
The thrill of whitewater rafting through the rivers ashore or paddling, swimming, and snorkeling in the beautiful warm waters of the Adriatic Sea.
Croatia is for those who want to see from their yacht and not necessarily be seen: a haven of tranquility and a place to simply be on the water, amble along cobblestoned streets or sit on ancient promenades and watch the world go by. The Dalmatian Coast is the Eastern Mediterranean’s take on the French Riviera. Here, you will find glorious remnants of the past piled up one on top of another that will keep your children’s eyes wide with wonder. “Spending time as a family, exploring new places and educating the children on the various locations, all while enjoying amazing cuisine with a crew to look after your every need – what could be better than a superyacht?” says Ann.
RoMa
You will love…
Learning to dive with the onboard dive instructors (there are five qualified instructors within RoMa’s crew).
Children will love…
Tumbling from the sundeck waterslide into the cool waves in a matter of seconds.
Family charters onboard the 203’ (62m) RoMa are all about fun, variety and keeping the children entertained, while at the same time allowing you to close yours for a well-deserved rest. Luxurious, sophisticated and packed from bow to stern with impressive facilities, RoMa stands out from the crowd. Her extensive range of water toys include seabobs, kayaks and a 65’ (20m) waterslide. She is also a PADI superyacht scuba dive center, enabling guests to obtain official PADI scuba diving licenses valid worldwide.
The Côte d’Azur
You will love…
A long lunch at one of the beach clubs along Pampelonne Beach or a stroll among the designer boutiques that line the stylish Croisette in Cannes.
Children will love…
The lively Pampelonne Beach for watersports.
During the summer months, the West Med offers countless cruising possibilities, especially for those looking for some culture. The South of France, in particular, is great for its range of family activities, including the dramatically perched medieval villages of Saint-Paul-de-Vence and Èze, and the plentiful swimming, diving and snorkeling opportunities around the peaceful and idyllic coves of Île Saint-Honorat and Île Sainte-Marguerite.
JACOZAMI
You will love…
The beach club with infinity pool, gym and hammam.
Children will love…
The toy box, including plenty of towable toys, seabobs, paddleboards and an E-foil.
One of the best things about a superyacht comparable to the 164’ (50m) JACOZAMI is her capacity to provide a luxurious, secure and private setting in which your family can spend quality time together. Equipped with fantastic watersports equipment, she also has a 37’ tender with
a cabin and dedicated skipper. While the children are entertained on the water, you can enjoy a stroll along the Croisette, or take a trip ashore to Monaco’s Casino Square. With a main-deck master stateroom with a private balcony and four further staterooms, JACOZAMI is ideally suited for multi-generational families.
