Where will your adventures take you in 2022? Would you like to combine the luxury of a yacht charter with cultural enlightenment away from the crowds? Then you might want to consider some of our brokers’ favourite secret Med charter destinations, outlined below.
Or perhaps this will be the year that you expand your horizons further, with a charter amid the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean, or even brave a cold-weather cruise in one of the most remarkable landscapes in the world: Antarctica.
Read on for inspiring ideas of where to go next year, with our 22 for 22 list and remember, wherever you choose to go in the months ahead, our charter brokers can help plan the perfect 2022 charter for you.
Summer destinations
1. The Ionian Islands
With Venetian-style towns, lush hillsides and beautiful, clear waters, the Ionians offer a calmer pace of charter compared to the Cyclades islands of Greece. This is also a great destination for families wanting to explore more, with short durations between new islands. Paxos is one of the best islands to visit – so remote and unique.
2. Ibiza and the Balearics
What’s not to love about Spain’s eastern archipelago? From hiking to yoga retreats and secluded anchorages to some of the best restaurants, beach clubs and night life in the Mediterranean, Ibiza has something for everyone. Not to be outdone, Formentera has stunning beaches, while Ca’s Patro March in Mallorca is a great lunchtime spot for amazing fish dishes and rustic charm.
3. Monaco
Thanks to its newly designed casino square, Monaco is going from strength to strength as a charter destination. The Carré d’Or, or ‘Golden Square’ overlooking Monte Carlo and its surrounding shopping area, is the beating heart of Monaco, and is still the place to be seen, particularly during the heady days and nights of the Monaco Grand Prix and the annual boat show.
4. Santorini
Beautiful and magical Santorini in the South Aegean is one of Greece’s most iconic and treasured islands.
Famous for its amazing clifftop restaurants, sunset views, nature-exposed caldera, and white sugar-cube villages, it’s one of the most handsome islands in the whole of the Mediterranean.
5. Corsica
Another beautiful Med Island, surrounded by vivid blue waters, and sprinkled generously with gorgeous beaches and excellent restaurants, Corsica has well earned its nickname Isle of Beauty.
Make sure you visit the pretty coastal towns of Bonifacio and Porto Vecchio, while the more adventurous spirited may like to head inland to experience the isle’s fabulous hiking.
6. Bodrum, Turkey
If you are looking for fun and nightlife, as well as access to some traditional Turkish villages and historic sites in the eastern Med, then Bodrum is an excellent place to begin a charter.
The season here is longer than in the Western Med, plus the ports and anchorages are significantly quieter. You can dine in one of the many excellent seafood restaurants or pick up some authentic food from one of the many markets. Don’t miss the chance to visit extraordinary places of antiquity, such as the site of the former Temple of Artemis, once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
7. Amalfi Coast
For a touch of Med glamour, there can be few better locations than this well-heeled stretch of coastline in southern Italy.
A drive along the winding clifftop roads of the Sorrentine Peninsula to the stylish town of Sorrento is a must, as is sipping a Bellini beneath the shade of a palm tree in one of the region’s trendy terraced bars.
8. Bay of Kotor, Montenegro
Bordering Croatia, this pearl of the Adriatic is much less visited than its fashionable neighbour, but those who do make it here, tend to return.
The Bay of Kotor is one of the most naturally beautiful bays in the world and the medieval town of Kotor, which is UNESCO protected, sits in the north-eastern corner of the valley that includes this bay, plus another, both overlooked by the peaks of Loveen and Orjen.
9. Sardinia
Known for its powdery white beaches, beachside caves and archaeological sites, a charter in Sardinia is very special indeed. Its Emerald Coast, where you can cruise its pure, green waters and perfect beaches by day and enjoy the jet-set lifestyle by night is a hit with holidaymakers.
Make sure you schedule in a day at Cala Di Luna, a remote sandy beach best reached by yacht.
10. Cinque Terre
Many people forget that this collection of five colourful coastal villages in northwest Italy, which together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is just a short cruise from Portofino.
On your charter, ask your captain to plan a walking tour through the villages, which will end up in Portovenere, the Cinque Terre’s ‘sixth village’, where you can enjoy a sublime waterside lunch.
11. Trogir
This Dalmatian town offers a stunning corridor to the increasingly popular charter territory of Croatia.
The walled city is steeped in history and is only a short cruise to a seemingly limitless supply of spectacular islands, with the excellent cruising conditions and warm waters for which Croatia is renowned.
12. Saronic Islands
An often-overlooked region of Greece, as most charter yachts deviate towards the more popular Cycladics, the Saronics are every bit as beautiful. These islands are also not as affected by the seasonal Meltemi winds that afflict the more southern islands and yet have the same easy access from the historical city of Athens.
Hydra is one of the best-preserved historic settlements in Europe, while the cobbled streets of Spetse are home to some beautiful stone mansions.
Winter destinations
13. South-East Asia
With calm waters, plenty of sunshine, white sandy beaches, local cuisine, and no-end of cultural experiences on offer, South-East Asia is fast becoming one of the hot favourites for winter charters.
Choose between the paradise islands of Thailand or see the temples and traditional villages of Cambodia and Vietnam with a cruise along the Mekong River.
14. Costa Rica
Getting more attention than before, this diverse country offers two fantastic coastlines – the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Aside from wildlife expeditions, guests can snorkel in azure waters, trek to dormant volcanoes, and experience the Pura Vida, or ‘simple life’ for which Costa Ricans are famous.
15. Antigua
This corner of the Caribbean in the eastern arc of the Lesser Antilles, has a coastline brimming with historic ports and hidden bays.
As you’d expect from this part of the world, the climate is warm and steady trade winds make sailing here a dream. There are also fantastic restaurants and beaches and access to other Caribbean hotspots, including St Kitts, Nevis, and St Martin.
16. The Bahamas
This tropical idyll is still one of the top destinations for winter charters, made even more appealing thanks to its relatively easy access for shallow draught yachts and COVID protocols for visitors.
Visit pink sandy beaches, swim with pigs, and visit caves once made famous by James Bond. Nassau and Paradise Island are home to legendary high-end resorts, while the Exumas are the perfect place to slow down and spend your days exploring deserted cays.
17. Galapagos Islands
The land that time forgot, on a yacht charter of these volcanic islands, which triggered Darwin’s theory of Evolution, you can experience nature in its purest form. See wildlife endemic to this region, hike to inland lagoons, and snorkel with sea lions, turtles, manta rays and sharks amid carefully managed marine reserves.
18. The Grenadines
For idyllic island hopping, this island chain in the Caribbean is a lot less touristy than some of its counterparts. The landscape, which combines mountainous isles with lots of low-lying cays, creates dramatic, dream-like views, and you’ll never forget drifting off beneath the natural light show of the night sky in Tobago Cays, after a day exploring the turquoise waters of the marine park.
19. Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Underwater spectacles don’t come much better than the Four Kings of Raja Ampat, and with wildlife-rich reefs and thousands of islands to choose from, eastern Indonesia is still one of the top choices for charter guests looking for the dive of their lives.
20. Antarctica
Famously hard to reach and with a terrain quite unlike anywhere else on earth, taking a charter in Antarctica, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. See whales and seals from the comfort of your yacht, cruise between giant icebergs and glaciers, and literally go where few people have gone before you.
21. The Maldives
For a far-flung charter, with plenty of pampering, pristine beaches, and nature, The Maldives is still a hot charter destination for 2022. There are plenty of private islands to hire, including the Nautilus Resort, which is right next to a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
22. St. Barths
And finally, with its famous festivities and legendary parties, St Barths is still one of the most popular places to ring in the new year.
With French flair, exclusive restaurants, spas, and beaches, all in one island, plus some of the best shopping in the Caribbean, there are lots of reasons that St Barths is one of the favourite winter charter destinations in the world.
If you’re looking to charter a yacht in 2022, come to Edmiston, where our brokers will match you with the perfect yacht for your luxury adventure, wherever you want to go. Do make sure you get in touch soon as a number of great yachts are already all booked up.