Florida and the Bahamas can be great charter destinations all year round, and several companies are promoting yachts with dates open this summer.

For starters, Fraser recently announced that the 206-foot Rossinavi Utopia IV has joined the fleet with availability this summer in Florida, the Bahamas and New England.

Utopia IV is a 2018 build that most recently was refitted in 2022. This is a U.S.-flagged vessel, which is why it’s advertised for charter in Florida and New England, in addition to the Bahamas. Utopia IV has several notable spaces on board, including a beach club that spans more than 760 square feet, a master stateroom with a private salon, office and balcony, and a dedicated children’s playroom adjacent to the formal dining area. There’s also a glass-bottom pool on the main deck aft.

Accommodations aboard Utopia IV are for 12 guests in six staterooms. The yacht charters with 13 crew.

Also advertising availability in the Bahamas is the 164-foot Westport Second Love, which recently joined the IYC charter fleet.

Second Love is a 2010 build that most recently was refitted this year, accommodating 12 guests in six staterooms, and chartering with a crew of 10. The master stateroom spans the full beam with a private office, while the bridge-deck VIP stateroom has a private balcony for expansive views. Cruising speed is reportedly 15 knots with a top hop of 25 knots, which is plenty fast for cruising from island to island to check out the beach bars, restaurants and live music.

Yet another yacht advertising Bahamas availability is Lady Elaine, a 163-foot Christensen that’s part of the RJC Yachts charter fleet.

Lady Elaine just announced a reduction in the yacht’s lowest weekly base rate, which previously was $225,000 and is now $200,000. This is a 2008 build that most recently was refitted in 2024, and that previously was known as Casino Royale.

Accommodations aboard Lady Elaine are for 12 guests, and the yacht charters with nine crew. The tenders and toys setup is well-suited for the Bahamas, with a 37-foot Intrepid tender powered by triple 300 hp Yamahas, a quartet of personal watercraft, a trio of Seabobs, and an assortment of paddleboards, kayaks, tow toys, snorkeling and fishing gear, and more.

Looking for a smaller yacht to charter in the Bahamas? Hill Robinson says the 113-foot Ocean Alexander A Salt Weapon is also in these islands this summer, accommodating 10 guests in five staterooms. A Salt Weapon charters with a 36-foot Boston Whaler tender for watersports fun.

How to book a charter on board Utopia IV, Second Love, Lady Elaine or A Salt Weapon: contact a charter broker at fraseryachts.com, iyc.com, rjcyachts.com or hillrobinson.com

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As an increasing number of new-build charter yachts flood the seasonal hot spots all across the Caribbean and Mediterranean, older vessels can have a hard time standing out in the fleet. They simply don’t have the same look and feel as newer models, and their vintage style sometimes leaves them being wrongfully overlooked when it comes time to book a vacation.

What’s so sad about that reality is that in some cases, those older charter yachts have the better charter programs. The nicest, newest, sexiest yacht in a harbor can have a terrible crew or a lousy chef, while a well-kept, older yacht can have a dialed-in team that provides top-notch service and watersports.

A good example of this phenomenon is the 142-foot Christensen Grade I. Built in 1995 and most recently refitted in 2018, Grade I is currently available for bookings in the Caribbean at a reduced weekly base rate of $120,000 for 12 guests. The yacht has six staterooms, a scuba program for certified divers, and recent client feedback that shows just how special a charter vacation on a yacht of this age can be.

“I wanted to write you a note to formally thank you for a wonderful week on Grade I,” a client wrote to the crew. “My mother and our family felt right at home and truly relaxed to the point of time slipping right by. However, I would feel remiss if I didn’t share a few thoughts of ours from the experience. From the inside to the outside, every crew member was on point and with a smile! Never a kink in the armor. We had so many laughs, experiences, water sports, crazy sport fishing and culinary delights to the point where I can’t remember them all. Growing up in a boating family, my father always made times spent on the open water super special. He picked our crew members as family members in an effort to create an endless warm experience. We felt those old times again!”

Talk about a glowing recommendation, which was shared by Grade I’s management company, Fraser Yachts. The fact that the yacht originally launched 30 years ago didn’t matter to these charter clients at all.

Like vintage yachts for charter? Check out this Feadship, too: The 151-foot Ancallia is a 1984 build that underwent a rebuild in 2015, and then a refit in 2022-23. Classic Feadship style is still very much on display in this yacht’s exterior lines, with an updated interior that includes modern technology and amenities. Ancallia recently joined the IYC charter fleet and is accepting bookings this summer in Greece and Turkey for 12 guests.

How to book a week on board: contact a charter broker at fraseryachts.com or iyc.com

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If having options is a goal in life, then now is a heck of time to be alive for anyone thinking about booking a yacht-charter vacation.

Quite a few charter management companies have been welcoming yachts into their fleets, with bookings on all kinds of boats being advertised in destinations around the world.

Fraser, for instance, just welcomed a style of yacht we don’t see advertised often for charter: the 90-foot WallyAce Athena. It’s a 2018 build that most recently was refitted in 2021-22, and that was the last of five GRP WallyAce hulls to come out of the shipyard. Accommodations are for as many as seven guests in three staterooms, with an unusual lower-deck master stateroom that has direct access to the yacht’s swim platform. Athena is accepting bookings now for summer charters in Greece, where the yacht will operate with four crew.

Another recent announcement of note came from IYC, which has added the 106-foot Numarine Calliope to its charter fleet. Calliope—which has a striking light-blue hull—was built in 2018 and most recently refitted in 2024. The minimalist interior has modern furniture, and IYC describes the setup as “kid friendly” in a way that “balances safety with entertainment for younger guests.” Accommodations are for 10 guests in five staterooms, with a complement of six crew. Inquiries are being accepted now for Florida, the Bahamas and New England yacht charters.

Yet another notable option comes from Hill Robinson, which recently welcomed the 113-foot Ocean Alexander 35P A Salt Weapon to the charter fleet. This is a brand-new build that was delivered in 2024 as the first hull in Ocean Alexander’s Puro series. Accommodations are for 10 guests in five staterooms, including two staterooms that can be set up with twin or double berths. The crew complement is five on this yacht, which is available for bookings on Florida’s West Coast and in the Bahamas—and which charters with a 36-foot Boston Whaler tender.

What about charters in Central or South America? Edmiston just welcomed the 131-foot Westport Rule No. 1 to the charter fleet, with inquiries now being accepted out of Baja California, Mexico. This yacht is a 2011 build that underwent a multimillion-dollar refit in 2023-24. Accommodations are for as many as 12 guests in five staterooms. The tenders and toys include a 37-foot Freeman along with Seabobs and scuba gear.

How to book any of these charter yachts: Contact a charter broker at fraseryachts.com, iyc.com, hillrobinson.com or edmiston.com

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Several leading yacht-charter companies have announced unusual options for clients who want their vacations to have a bit more adventure to them.

First is RJC Yachts, which is promoting the 157-foot Trinity Miss Christine for bookings in Costa Rica for all of this year. The yacht is set up for world-class sportfishing with the option of a 66-foot Spencer Sportfish Yacht, and is run by Capt. Mike Souther, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, who used to chase billfish in competitive sportfishing tournaments worldwide. Aboard Miss Christine, he combines that knowledge and skill with the yacht’s luxury amenities.

Miss Christine is a 2006 launch that was most recently refitted in 2022, with accommodations for 10 guests in five staterooms.

Also in the off-the-beaten-track category, Fraser just welcomed the 180-foot Trinity Purpose to its charter fleet with a home base in Southeast Asia. Purpose is a 2005 build that was most recently refitted in 2023, and that accommodates 12 guests in six staterooms—five of which have king-size berths.

Purpose will be offering itineraries that include cherry blossom season in Japan, whale sharks in Indonesia, and Formula 1 racing in Singapore. According to the team at Fraser, this yacht and crew have an “adventurer’s spirit.”

Fraser also is now managing the 172-foot MIE Big Eagle, which is headed to the ABC Islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao this winter. It’s unusual for such a large charter yacht to be based so far south in the Caribbean. Big Eagle accommodates 12 guests in six staterooms, and is offering itineraries that include scuba diving.

Y.CO is also adding to the adventurous offerings with two of the world’s largest sailing yachts in New Zealand. Bookings are now being accepted aboard the 265-foot Royal Huisman Sea Eagle and the 282-foot Oceanco/Vitters Aquijo.

Sea Eagle is available to charter in New Zealand until May, and offers the thrill of regatta-level racing. Aquijo is ideal for larger groups, with seven staterooms, three outdoor bars, and a beach club with a steam room and sauna. “Both of these beautiful vessels offer such unique and exemplary propositions that charter guests are guaranteed to fall in love with New Zealand,” Fleur Tomlinson of Y.CO Auckland stated in a press release.

Burgess partners with Joro: Also seeking to offer clients new experiences, Burgess has announced a joint venture with Joro, a company that is known for “rare adventures on land and sea.” According to Burgess, the partnership will give clients access to helicopters, submersibles and other ways to gain access to remote locations. “The world can feel rare, and therefore we go further into the adventure, journey deeper into our relationship with the planet, each other and ourselves to discover more,” Henry Comyn, co-founder and managing director of Joro, stated in a press release.

Take the next step: go to rjcyachts.com, fraseryachts.com, y.co or burgessyachts.com

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Daniela De Marco, Fraser’s head of charter management in Europe, says only three Columbus motoryachts are available for charter in the world today, with Anjelif being the newest. This bronze beauty was delivered in 2024 to a first-time owner who had definite ideas about how to make a charter yacht stand out.

“The owner is an experienced charterer from the past, so she implemented everything that she experienced and that she thought could be improved from her experiences when chartering boats,” De Marco says. “She was very much part of the design of the yacht.”

One example is the flexibility in how spaces can be used. The helipad on the bow is only for the owner’s use, De Marco says, “but it converts to a dance floor or an outdoor cinema. At night, this area becomes amazing, really.” By day, that same space can be used for yoga or other exercise, she adds: “Actually, we have a member of the crew who was a yoga instructor before coming aboard Anjelif.”

Inside, too, the owner aimed for a multipurpose experience. “What you normally wouldn’t find on a yacht this size is that there is a gym and a massage room on the main deck going toward the master suite,” De Marco says. “The massage room is to starboard, and the gym is to port. And the master suite is very special. It has a balcony, a walk-through dressing room and then also a study. There is also an en suite with a Jacuzzi, an infrared sauna—it’s really an outstanding space.”

Belowdecks, the four guest staterooms can be arranged in various ways, including with an apartment-style space for a family with kids.

And speaking of kids, a portion of proceeds go to the owner’s charity, which supports children all around the world.  

Fully Custom, All Aluminum

When Columbus Yachts launched Anjelif in 2024, the shipyard said the model was “packed with technical and stylistic innovations.” They include hybrid diesel-electric propulsion, and the application of cold plasma to sanitize air coming from outside for use in ventilation and air conditioning. The goal is to eliminate airborne viruses and bacteria in the airstream.

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Fraser Yachts, which offers brokerage, charter, new-build services and more, has partnered with the Water Revolution Foundation in a step toward neutralizing the superyacht industry’s ecological footprint.

The partnership will see Fraser adopting the foundation’s Yacht Environmental Transparency Index, or YETI. It’s a method and tool for fleet data collection and environmental performance transparency.

According to Fraser, the system will be used to evaluate an initial batch of 20 yachts from the company’s management fleet. YETI calculates key environmental factors, including propulsion systems, energy usage in hotel functions like lighting and air conditioning, and galley operations, providing a comprehensive environmental profile for each yacht.

“Fraser’s commitment to integrating YETI into their fleet management signals a significant leap forward in our goal to foster a more sustainable yachting industry,” Robert van Tol, executive director of the Water Revolution Foundation, stated in a press release. “With their leadership, Fraser is setting a precedent for assessing the existing fleet transparently and proactively for environmental accountability, paving the way for meaningful improvements across the sector.”

The YETI insights will let Fraser’s team help to guide clients on implementing environmental upgrades, particularly during refit periods.

These recommendations could include the integration of more efficient hotel functions—since these consume at least 50 percent of a yacht’s energy— along with the adoption of energy-saving and recovery technologies, and the use of filters and after-treatment systems.

“Yachting is undergoing a fundamental transformation, and Fraser is at the forefront of that evolution,” Anders Kurtén, CEO of Fraser Yachts, stated in the release. “This partnership allows us to deliver actionable, data-driven solutions that enable our clients to understand and reduce their environmental impact without sacrificing the luxury and performance that defines the yachting experience.”

Fraser plans to use this system to help market yachts as more sustainable, aligning with the growing demand from environmentally aware charterers and buyers. Eco-conscious yachts are in greater demand and tend to command higher resale values, according to the company.

The company also says the insights may help yacht owners with improved finance conditions, favorable insurance policies and potentially lower marina fees.

What comes after this? Fraser says it’s also planning to offer regular updates on fleet sustainability, and to introduce additional environmental upgrading services to its clients. The goal is to inspire broader action within the yachting community, calling on fellow brokers, yacht management companies, charter operators and industry colleagues to embrace sustainable practices as a core pillar of yacht ownership and management.

Take the next step: click over to fraseryachts.com

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The good people of the South Pacific know a thing or two about interacting with marine animals. Once, when I was on a charter there, a guide instructed us guests and crew to link arms underwater. He then dumped a couple of buckets of chum in front of us and looked out into the deep blue. A shark zoomed in like a missile, and then kept going past him, right at us—until it stopped and turned around, thinking it couldn’t penetrate our human wall. It felt as if it looked me right in the eyes.

When we resurfaced and were back on the boat, I tried to describe the experience, which was hard to do given that I’d lost the ability to speak. Today, with the benefit of hindsight (and having regained use of my senses), I can say it remains one of the most memorable days of my life.

That day also taught me a key lesson about booking a successful charter of this kind: Choose a yacht with knowledgeable crew and guides, preferably ones who know all the details about a region’s best experiences.

That’s why I was so excited to see the announcement from charter management company Fraser about the motoryacht Askari accepting bookings this season in French Polynesia to swim with humpback whales. If you’re going to spend time underwater with a beast that can weigh as much as a loaded tractor-trailer, then you’ll want a crew and guides who know what they’re doing. Askari is a yacht whose team has long fit that description in far-flung destinations. I was aboard in New Zealand about two decades ago after a big refit and still fondly recall the insider’s tour of everything the Bay of Islands offers.

The whales should be arriving in French Polynesia right around the time you read this, and Askari is no doubt already in prime position. Trust me when I say it’s an opportunity to make memories that will last a lifetime.

Swimming with Humpbacks

Prime months are August through October for swimming with the humpback whales in French Polynesia, though they sometimes stick around into November. Schools of them come to this part of the world every year to mate and nurse their young. Size-wise, a humpback can be 50 feet long. That’s about half the length of the yacht Askari, which is 108 feet. Regulations protect these whales, including from overzealous swimmers, so be prepared to respect the rules.

Take the next step: fraser.com

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Most years, new launches depart from shipyards bound for the Mediterranean in time for the summer charter season—with savvy clients strategizing to be among the first parties welcomed aboard. The pandemic caused a blip in that pattern, making new launches a lot harder to book for a couple of years, but quite a few charter companies are now advertising 2023 and 2024 builds with itineraries available in the most popular cruising grounds all along the West and East Mediterranean.

As you can see in the images on the opposite page, these new builds come in all kinds of styles, from eco-friendly power catamarans to motoryachts with sole-to-ceiling glazing. Some are among just a handful of newer models out cruising anywhere on the world’s waters, for private or charter use.

The Benetti Alluria, for instance, was one of just eight Motopanfilo 37M hulls when it launched last year. Amenities include a full-beam master stateroom, a foredeck pool and sun pads, and an Axopar Brabus 900 chase boat for looking sharp when heading into port.

The Sunseeker 86 Mowana is also a notable newer build, with a top speed of 28 knots and a cruising speed of 19 knots for making the runs easy between waypoints. Guest areas are forward and aft, letting charter clients avoid prying eyes no matter how the yacht is situated in an anchorage. Inside, one of the four staterooms has a bunk-style Pullman along with twin berths, creating an enclave for the kids.

Yet another interesting new offering is Catallaxy, a Sunreef 60 Eco sailing yacht. It has a full-beam bow terrace in addition to a guest area on the flybridge and an outdoor relaxation area aft.

Of course, destinations in the Mediterranean are classics, but visiting them in the comfort of a brand-new yacht only enhances the charter experience.

The Adriatic Sea

• Croatia has become a full-on popular summer charter destination, with its coastline full of villages, cities and islands to explore. An increasing number of charter yachts offer itineraries here each year.
• Vrbnik is in the north, while Split and Dubrovnik are popular destinations farther to the south.
• Dubrovnik is especially popular with fans of the HBO series Game of Thrones, which filmed many of its episodes in and around the city.

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As the summer yacht charter season nears its peak, several popular charter fleets have added yachts in destinations all around the world.

In the Bahamas, Fraser just welcomed the 107-foot Burger Silver Seas. It’s a 1998 build that most recently was refitted in 2022, and that will base in the Bahamas all year round. Accommodations are for eight guests in four staterooms that can be set up for families or groups of couples. This yacht charters with an Intrepid tender for watersports fun.

Up in New England, Edmiston has welcomed 168-foot Feadship Acta to the charter fleet. Acta is a 2007 build that accommodates 10 guests in five staterooms. Equipment includes Quantum zero-speed stabilizers for guest comfort at anchor, and the yacht has a wheelchair-accessible elevator and side deck. The master stateroom is on the bridge deck with expansive views.

For charter clients seeking more exotic locales, IYC has just added the 131-foot Westport Rule No. 1 to its fleet, with inquiries being accepted through September 2025 for Panama, Mexico and Costa Rica. Rule No. 1 is a 2011 build that most recently was refitted in 2023, with accommodations for 12 guests in five staterooms. This yacht charters with a 37-foot Freeman tender for fishing, and has toys that include an inflatable slide.

Also available farther afield is the 75-foot Sunreef Diana, a sailing catamaran that’s in French Polynesia as part of the Y.CO fleet. Diana is a 2017 build that just completed a refit this year. The yacht accommodates eight guests in four staterooms. Amenities and crew services include a hot tub, a fitness trainer, a masseuse, a yoga instructor, and various water toys.

In Croatia and the West Mediterranean, the 137-foot Kingship Ocean’s Seven has joined the Fraser fleet. This is a 2012 build that was most recently refitted this year. Interiors on the yacht are by Vripack, with five staterooms for 10 guests. The master spans the full beam on the main deck and has a king-size berth.

Are there any options being advertised for scuba diving? Indeed, Edmiston says the 154-foot Feadship Lady Victoria is still accepting inquiries this summer in the Bahamas, and is offering scuba diving right from the yacht. Accommodations are for 12 guests in six staterooms, with a master that has its own deck and a VIP on the main deck. The swim platform can be extended and raised for diving, or submerged for guests who want to step right into the sea.

How to book a week on board: contact a charter broker at fraseryachts.com, edmiston.com, iyc.com or y.co.

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Five notable yachts just became available for charter in the West Mediterranean, with plenty of time left to book itineraries before the current season is over.

First up is Zazou, a 213-foot Benetti that launched in 2021. It’s new to the charter fleet at Y.CO, with plans to base in the South of France and Corsica. This is the first time that Zazou is being opened for charters, with availability beginning mid-August.

“Ideal for families, she is elegant and sophisticated thanks to her stunning interior,” Sioned Williams of Y.CO Charter Management stated in a press release. Notable features include a gymnasium, treatment room, outdoor cinema and beach club. Accommodations are for 10 guests in five staterooms.

Y.CO also just welcomed the new-for-2024 Benetti Dyna to the charter fleet in the Mediterranean. Dates are available in September and October.

Accommodations aboard Dyna are for 12 guests in six staterooms. Amenities include a main-deck pool, a cinema, a spa and a master stateroom with a private balcony.

“Dyna is a particularly fine example of the B.Now 50m Oasis model,” Yasmine Naitijja of Y.CO Charter Management stated in a press release. “No expense has been spared in the finishes throughout. The spa area is a real onboard highlight, as is the large main-deck pool, while the stylish Novamarine Black Shiver chase boat offers enhanced exploration.”

Also now available in the West Mediterranean is Alma III, a 97-foot Azimut that was just delivered to the owners from the shipyard in June. It’s part of the Fraser charter fleet and will have availability in August from Sardinia.

According to the Fraser team, Alma III is the only Azimut Magellano 30 currently on the charter market. Exterior design is by Ken Freivokh, and accommodations are for 10 guests in five staterooms. The master is full beam on the main deck.

In the IYC charter fleet in Greece, guests can book the 82-foot Maiora El Pecado, which became available earlier this summer. The yacht is a 2014 build that IYC’s team says is in “impeccable condition” with accommodations for as many as nine guests in four staterooms.

Notable features and equipment on El Pecado include low fuel consumption and at-anchor stabilizers for guest comfort.

Also in Greece with IYC is the 107-foot Custom Line My Mistake, a 2023 build that accommodates 10 guests in five staterooms. The IYC team notes that this yacht has a child-friendly setup, meaning it is a good choice for bookings with families.

Top speed aboard My Mistake is reportedly 26 knots, which should make short work of cruising between the Greek Isles while leaving more time for fun at anchor and in harbors.

When does the Mediterranean yacht-charter season end? The high season is over at the end of August, but with nice weather, the cruising in some parts of the region can be terrific well into October.

How to book a week on board: Contact a charter broker at y.co, iyc.com or fraseryachts.com

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