Luxury Yacht brokers report that 2021 was one of the busiest charter seasons on record as the world’s wealthiest sought the safe, exclusive, and private refuge that a luxury yacht charter offers.

The Caribbean continued to be a popular draw with yacht charter enthusiasts in 2021, including the chic island of St Barts. Yacht charterers also enjoyed the allure of the Mediterranean. However, 2021 saw a shift in where luxury yachts cruised, with many choosing to seek out lesser-known Mediterranean ports of call instead of popular yachting hotspots such as the Amalfi Coast and French Riviera.

“My clients are over the milk run Mediterranean charter destinations such as St. Tropez and Amalfi and are now looking into the history of Croatia and the beautiful islands of the Cyclades and rural Ionians,” said Worth Avenue Yachts broker, Graham Sullivan, adding that 60 percent of yacht charter bookings in 2021 were for the Mediterranean.

And destination requests for 2022 are demonstrating the same trend as 2021, luxury yacht brokers report, with lesser-known ports of call in the Mediterranean proving popular with those seeking a stylish getaway on the water.

Luxury yachts with private chefs, spacious staterooms, and the latest water toys, including inflatable slides and electric hydrofoils, are the yachts of choice for cruising these on-trend destinations.

Trending yacht destinations

The elegant island of St Barts

St Barts is known as the playground of the rich and famous. As such, it has become an exclusive superyacht destination, with its French influences ensuring it offers visitors a level of refinement not found anywhere else in the Caribbean.

“St. Barts has and always will be the yachting dream,” Sullivan said. “There are fabulous beach clubs and restaurants, which give charterers the Mediterranean feel in the Caribbean, as well as luxury shops to allure the discerning fashion lover, all coupled with high-quality service.”

Luxury yacht charters have a wealth of experiences to enjoy in St Barts, from relaxing on paradisical white sandy beaches flanked by palm trees to enjoying all the delights of Gustavia, St Bart’s vibrant and cosmopolitan capital. Gustavia is the place to see and be seen, boasting designer boutiques and some of the finest restaurants in the Caribbean.

The gin-clear waters surrounding St Barts are a dream come true for water enthusiasts. The shimmering warm waters are ideal for making use of a yacht’s tenders and toys, while below the waves, yacht charterers will delight in vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life.

The timeless appeal of the Mediterranean

The Mediterranean has always had timeless appeal. According to luxury yacht charter brokers, sun-drenched days, the ability to enjoy multiple destinations in a one-week charter, designer boutiques, award-winning restaurants, and beautiful scenery are just some of the Mediterranean’s major draws.

Croatia has seen an uptick in luxury yacht charterers in recent years, a trend that will continue in 2022. The Dalmatian coastline offers spectacular cruising grounds, filled with uninhabited islands accessible only by yacht, as well as villages and towns brimming with culture and history.

The stylish town of Hvar is establishing itself as Croatia’s St Tropez, thanks to its fine-dining establishments, effortlessly hip nightlife, and breathtaking landscape.

Further south, Montenegro is also a popular destination for those who wish to travel to more off the beaten track destinations and can easily be incorporated during a yacht charter in Croatia.

Greece was also one of the 2021 Mediterranean yachting hotspots, and with some 6,000 Greek Islands to explore, there are plenty of opportunities to explore little-known destinations.

The Cyclades were a trending Mediterranean destination in 2021. However, yacht charterers eschewed popular Santorini and Mykonos and instead opted to explore some of the lesser-known islands, such as Sifnos, Paros, Tinos, Syros, and Kythnos. The Ionian Islands, just off Greece’s west coast, also proved a popular yachting hotspot in 2021, with the island of Paxos, Ithaca, Lefkas, and Cythera all offering elegant cruising destinations.

With so much on offer, there can be no question that these stylish destinations will continue to attract superyacht charterers in 2022 and beyond.