A charter holiday promises the extraordinary. It’s an adventure waiting to unfold, with a bespoke, meticulously planned itinerary and endless possibilities. With the entire world to choose from, whittling down a dream destination can be quite a challenge. There are quite literally thousands of idyllic regions to choose from, all teeming in character and charm.
While the Mediterranean and the Bahamas remain firm favourites on the charter scene, there are oceans out there beaconing exploration. TWW Yachts has whittled the list down to five jaw-dropping destinations. Here are some unmissable off-the-beaten-track destinations to get you inspired
ASIA: DESTINATION GUIDE
Asia | Thailand
Thailand conjures up images of heartfelt hospitality, dramatic coastlines, sweeping tropical landscapes, rich cultures and a mouth-watering cuisine. It’s vibrant, it’s fun and there is an abundance of paradisiacal beaches and secluded coves to explore. And the year-round good weather makes it an ideal superyacht destination every month of the year.
Whether you want the fast-paced energy and bustling nightlife of Thonglor in Bangkok, the idyllic soft-sanded Pansea Beach in Choeng Thale, or you’d like to get lost in the thick-foliage Koh Maprao (Coconut Island) and the creeping mangrove forests, there is something for everyone in Thailand.
With a staggering 1,430 islands in the Gulf of Thailand and in the Andaman Sea, the best way to explore is by boat. Most of these islands are uninhabited and teeming with life; Asian elephants patrol the pathways, big cats skulk in the thick canopies and a rainbow of birds fly overhead. For those looking for electric evenings, look no further than Phuket, the largest and busiest of the islands. Other unmissable destinations include Koh Lanta, Krabi, Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Leh and the Similan Islands.
Thailand is also a paradise for both seasoned and novice divers. The coastlines are peppered with vivid coral reefs and a rich biodiversity of tropical marine life, awash with schools of angelfish, trumpetfish and butterflyfish. Pods of dolphins are also frequent visitors to these vibrant marine ecosystems.
Asia | Myanmar (Burma)
Myanmar, unspoilt by tourism, is one of nature’s last unexplored kingdoms. Turquoise waters, powder beaches, dense jungles and miles and miles of uncharted territories, make this one of the best-kept secrets in yachting. Travel just 60 kilometres off the southernmost coast of Myanmar, and you’ll discover Southeast Asia’s answer to the Maldives: the Myeik Archipelago.
The 800-island archipelago is stunning. Lush tropical wet evergreen forests and imposing craggy limestone and granite cliff faces. Vibrant coral reefs adorn the surrounding waters, teeming with colourful marine life. Under the water’s surface, you’ll explore meadows of seagrass, encounter over 495 species of coral, and swim with a kaleidoscope of tropical fish, including butterflyfishes, cardinalfishes, and giant parrotfish. Larger marine mammals also call these waters home and visitors often sight Dugongs, Whale Sharks, sea turtles, manta rays, and various sharks.
Onland, each island is alive, with gibbons and monitor lizards observing from the canopy above. Eagles and plain-pouched hornbills circle and soar overhead. The few that are inhabited are culturally rich and home to the indigenous Moken people. With just a handful of visitors each year, this pristine paradise remains virtually unknown to the outside world.
Asia | Langkawi
Langkawi has a natural history that dates back further than the rest of Southeast Asia. It was the first landmass to breach the seabed hundreds of millennia ago; yet, despite outdating the region, it curiously has remained one of Malaysia’s best-kept secrets – and therefore one of the most preserved.
An archipelago of 99 islands nestled in the Andaman Sea, just 30 km off the coast of northwestern Malaysia, is an explorer’s haven. There are not many places on earth where you feel the first to reach land and investigate the wild tropical flora and fauna. Only four of the islands are inhabited, leaving the remaining wild. Untouched. A time machine into a prehistoric age. The meandering waterways flanked by creeping mangrove forests are idyllic for gentle kayaking and wildlife spotting.
The eponymous Langkawi, the main island and a UNESCO World Geopark, is dominated by forest-covered mountains, hills, and lush vegetation. Three of its main conservation areas in Langkawi Geopark are Machinchang Cambrian Geoforest Park, Kilim Karst Geoforest Park, and Dayang Bunting Marble Geoforest Park – all remarkably beautiful.
What to expect? Gorgeous secluded sailing, natural caves, waterfalls, breathtaking views from the many mountain peaks, and a flourishing ecology with many rare and endemic species, including the bent-toed gecko, the Dwarf Caiman, and the Black-hooded oriole. The abundance of wildlife is only part of the allure; Langkawi offers duty-free shopping and a bounty of activities for the whole family.
ASIA: YACHTS
39.4m | LADY AZUL | Heesen Yachts | 2001/21
Few yachts compete with LADY AZUL in Asia. She has an astounding Dutch pedigree, was recently refurbished and is crewed by an exceptionally attentive and knowledgeable crew, with her captain calling Asia home for the best part of a decade.
Accommodation is for 10 guests across five sumptuous staterooms, comprising a full-beam master suite, two full-beam VIPs and two twins. Designed for conviviality, LADY AZUL offers an abundance of social space both inside and out on deck. A flotilla of water toys, conveniently stowed in the garage, completes the package. LADY AZUL cruises Asia from €133,000 per week.
26.82m | CRAZY LOVE | HUDSON Yacht | 2023
Delivered late last year, CRAZY LOVE is one of the newest yachts to join the Asian charter market. With a wide 11-metre beam and open-plan layout, CRAZY LOVE gives the impression of being a much larger yacht than she is.
Her twin hulls give her superb stability and taking in the sweeping vistas of Southeast Asia from her large foredeck is an experience not quickly forgotten.
THE AMERICAS: DESTINATION GUIDE
Americas | Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California)
There is a 700-mile-long pocket on the east coast of the Americas, nestled between mainland Mexico and the Baja California Peninsula, which is thriving with marine life. It’s one of the great wonders of the world; “the Aquarium of the World,” as the late great French oceanographer Jacques Cousteau famously called it.
Below the water’s surface is a magical chaos of shimmering colours. Thousands of fish, invertebrates and crustaceans, swim alongside many of the rarest marine mammals and sea turtles the world has to offer. The Sea of Cortez is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, marking it as one of the planet’s premier diving and fishing destinations. The region is also teeming with majestic goliaths. Leisurely afternoons cruising the calm waters are often shared with pods of whales and dolphins – even the mighty Blue Whale frequents the Sea of Cortez.
The magic is paired beautifully with the rich vibrant Mexican culture found along both coastlines. Warm hospitality awaits you at every port you pull into and the diversity of the region invites you to do as much or as little as your heart desires.
Americas | Costa Rica
Life in Costa Rica is an electric vortex; you won’t be a bystander—you’ll be pulled into the action. Packed into a geographical territory tighter than the US state of West Virginia, is, arguably, the world’s most biologically intense region.
Bright long-billed Toucans, shrieking monkeys, vivid reptiles, and well over 1,000 birds and mammals call one of the six rainforests in Costa Rica home. It’s awash with colour, alive with sound and a dramatic and thrilling backdrop for any adventurer amongst us.
Cruising the 800-mile tropical coastline by boat is without a doubt the best way to experience Costa Rica. Panoramic vistas with majestic whales breaching the water’s surface, opportunities to grab a Seabob and dart through the water with pods of dolphins, and a quick tender ride to shore to hike through the lush rainforests.
THE AMERICAS: YACHTS
77m | LA DATCHA | Damen Yachting | 2020
Damen Yachting’s flagship explorer, LA DATCHA, is available for charter in both the Sea of Cortez and Costa Rica, as part of her epic world tour. Designed for adventure, LA DATCHA supports heli–operations and unique diving opportunities in her Triton submersible.
LA DATCHA offers accommodation for up to 12 guests across six gorgeous staterooms, including two masters and a VIP. Relaxation was the lodestone for her design and guests will find an abundance of wellness options. She has a complete suite with a Turkish Hammam, an ice fountain and a treatment room.
With an attentive crew of 25 and autonomy for up to 40 days. LA DATCHA promises the world with a six-star service. Charters can be booked from $630,000 per week.
