St Barts, the island in the Caribbean renowned for its glitz, glamour, designer shopping and high-end restaurants, is undoubtedly one of the best places to charter a superyacht over the festive period. St. Barts is without a doubt, the Caribbean’s most popular destination at Christmas time. Why not trade in hot cocoa for cocktails and snow for white sand beaches this Christmas and enjoy the festivities in the sun?

St Barts is home to the one and only Port de Gustavia, which is the only marina on the island making each of the 60 berths prime real estate. Many yachts spend their time at anchor outside the port, where guests are tendered ashore for fabulous evenings or daytime shopping excursions.

The island’s unique story of Swedish and French heritage is just one of its attributes that make it such a great destination, alongside its outstanding cuisine and friendly locals. The port of Gustavia gets its name from the Swedish King of 1784 who declared it, much to the present-day shoppers’ delight, a free port. In 1878 the island was sold back to France, but visitors will find charming Swedish delights all over the island, enhancing its European ambience.

While this tropical paradise is glamourous, it is no stranger to the laid-back pace of life found in the Caribbean. Complete with white sand beaches and turquoise sea, a yacht charter in St Barts is sure to be a vacation with the perfect combination of luxury and relaxation.

Christmas in. St Barts

As you descend on the island, passing the hillside villas and pristine waters, it is likely that several famous faces will be there right alongside you – they don’t call it the playground of the rich and famous for nothing.

St Barts has a delightful Christmas Village in Gustavia, which runs from the 3^rd – 20^th December every year. Spend the day browsing stores with the works of local artisans, food vendors and of course, take the children to meet Santa or Pere Noel as he is known on the island. The Christmas Village provides the perfect place to do some last-minute shopping or purchase some unique gifts for your loved ones.

Enjoy Christmas day on board your yacht where the crew will have a tree and festive themed surprises lined up for you and your family. Santa Clause can even make an appearance to entertain the children and ensure it is an extra special Christmas filled with happiness and all of your favourite traditions.

Your on-board chef would be delighted to prepare a traditional Christmas meal for you and your guests, or cater to any menu you would like, to celebrate your day with family and friends.

 NYE in St Barts

New Year’s Eve is the highlight on the St Barts festive season calendar, attracting people from all over the world to enjoy the many festivities the island has to offer.

Start your day watching the annual New Year’s Eve Regatta, which showcases the most beautiful sailing yachts on the island and is often frequented by the world’s biggest stars. The regatta is a “just for fun” event that kick starts the New Year’s Eve celebrations.

On New Year’s Eve, there is a unique ambiance around the island so be prepared to let your hair down and sample fine cuisine, sip on champagne and enjoy the festivities. The sea outside this stunning Caribbean Island is glittered with some of the world’s most prestigious superyachts, here for an exceptional and glamourous celebration.

Start your evening at one of the island’s many dining establishments, many of whom have live music or fabulous parties planned.

The main event of NYE are the midnight fireworks which light up the night sky. The island is aglow with parties, music and people dancing, while in the bay, the beautiful superyachts decorate the ocean and join in the festivities by sounding their horns along with the music.

Once the clock strikes midnight, head to Nikki Beach, La Plage or Le Yacht Club, the three most esteemed venues on the island, where you will find unforgettable entertainment to dance the night away.

It is certainly easy to see why St Barts possesses so much appeal during the festive period for the glitterati and their superyachts and why it has become the place to be for a luxury yacht charter over the festive season.

Your own private paradise

On the days aside the main celebrations, St Barts is a destination that has much for the whole family to enjoy. Whether it’s spending days enjoying the water sports facilities on board your yacht, having lunch at one of the fabulous beach clubs on the island, shopping in Gustavia or going on a drift dive with one of the island’s diving experts, no two days will be the same.

Your yacht will have water sports toys and facilities to suit every age. Sea bobs and swimming for the kids, kite surfing, jet skis, paddle boards and a range of inflatables to enjoy behind the tender for all ages and sun beds for anyone wishing to have a relaxing day on board. A day spent soaking up the sun and sampling the finest cuisine prepared by your chef is a must do when chartering a yacht.

There is no better place to spend the festive season than aboard a private superyacht, with the sea breeze in your hair and gorgeous anchorages to visit around the island. Chartering a yacht is the ultimate getaway, it is the height of luxury and guarantees total privacy.

In addition to facilities that would rival that of a five-star hotel, you will also have a dedicated captain, crew and private chef who will ensure an unforgettable holiday for you and your closest friends and family. Your chef will cater each and every meal to you and your guests’ tastes and surprise you with dishes made from the finest, hand selected ingredients.

For the days you are looking to explore the amazing island of St Barts, why not stroll through the streets of Gustavia, which is lined with designer shops, boutiques, and art galleries. Stop off for a light lunch at one of Gustavia’s chic cafes along the quay before heading back to your yacht.

For a more adventurous day ashore, why not hike uphill to Fort Gustave, which can be found at the mouth of the harbour. Built in the 18^th century, it is one of the strongholds built to protect the island from invasion. You will be able to enjoy panoramic views from the top of this hike, looking over the harbour and out to the Caribbean Sea; the view alone will be worth every step. Another option for a hike is to Fort Karl, where you will find amazing views of the town and beyond to see other islands including St Kitts and Nevis and St Maarten.

No holiday in St Barts is complete without a relaxing day on a white sand beach. Anse de Grande Saline Beach is no doubt the most beautiful beach on the island. Saline beach is also a great place to explore the crystal-clear waters with a snorkel to spot some of the local marine life.

St Barts is also home to the famous beach club, Nikki Beach, found on Baie de St Jean. This is the place to see and be seen, where you can kick back with a cocktail and enjoy the sunset.

Swap snow for sun, sea, and sundowners this festive season. Get in touch with yacht charter specialists, West Nautical, today by visiting our website https://westnautical.com or email info@westnautical.com