Broker’s Top Picks: Explorer yachts for charter
Darina Posthuma recommends the best charter yachts capable of exploring the remotest destinations.
There are more than 2100 superyacht available for charter globally, but only a handful of them are engineered and equipped to travel off-the-beaten track in total safety and five-star comfort. Moravia Yachting Charter and Sales Broker Darina Posthuma encourages her clients to venture further afield and create unique yachting adventures on board yachts that allow you to experience such destinations to their full potential.
“The true go-anywhere yachts combine the best elements of land and sea and can take owners and charterers to almost any destination.”
“Consider yachts with an ice-class hulls, helipads, hyperbaric chambers, submersibles, as well as knowledgeable and trained crew,” Darina advises. “The true go-anywhere yachts combine the best elements of land and sea and can take owners and charterers to almost any destination.”
These well-equipped vessels also offer the opportunity to combine a luxurious getaway with scientific and environmental projects and initiatives. “For virtually no additional cost, you can make a direct and potent contribution to ocean science, whether you are a charterer or an owner,” Darina adds. “It’s a win for the planet, for science and for you.”
Some of the possible initiatives yachts can build into a trip include Forests of the Sea, a legacy project to protect and restore kelp forests around the world, as well as surveying seamounts in Cayman Island with the Central Caribbean Marine Institute.
“Imagine turning your superyacht into an exploration vessel and immersing yourself in seamount surveys,” describes Darina. “You’ll have the chance to learn from some of the most experienced divers in the Caribbean and witness first-hand the stunning diversity of these ecosystems. And with two-to-six days required, you can easily fit this adventure into your itinerary while visiting Grand Cayman.”
With any trip of this kind, safety is paramount. “The superyacht has to be classed and equipped accordingly and the crew have to be experienced and knowledgeable,” adds Darina. “All the necessary preparations have to be done and the proper experts, guides and specialists need to be on board when required.” The following is a selection of explorer charter yachts that meet these criteria.
CLOUDBREAK
The 75.3m CLOUDBREAK has a huge selection of water toys and a helicopter that can refuel on board. Designed to emulate the feel of a chalet, the interior features a cosy fireplace and an enclosed winter garden.
“The yacht carries photography and videography equipment to capture your adventure,” comments Darina. CLOUDBREAK is available to charter this winter near Mentawai, Thailand and the Andamans.
OCTOPUS
The 126.2m OCTOPUS is capable of exploring the remotest destinations. “With two helipads, she is popular with passionate heli-skiers,” explains Darina. “She is also one of the few charter yachts carrying a Triton 3300/6 submersible.”
OCTOPUS is available for charter for the summer of 2024 in the Arctic, Baltic Sea, Denmark, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Spitsbergen/Svalbard, Sweden, and the UK and Northern Ireland. Its winter operating areas for 2024/25 include Antarctica, Chile, Ecuador, Patagonia, and Peru.
LEGEND
The 77.4m LEGEND is a former Soviet icebreaker that has been transformed into a luxurious explorer yacht. “Thanks to the U Boat Worx C-Explorer 5 submersible on board, she can carry out many marine research activities,” adds Darina.
LEGEND is available for charter in Antarctica this winter, followed by Greenland from mid-April to mid-May 2024, which is considered one of the best heli-skiing destinations by boat. In late May and June 2024, she will be available in Svalbard, followed by a summer in the Mediterranean and winter 2024/25 in Patagonia and Antarctica.
HANSE EXPLORER
Built for both tropical and polar waters, the 47.8m HANSE EXPLORER (main picture) carries two Zodiac MK 4s for landing on remote Pacific beaches or pushing through Antarctic ice. Ice-classed and built to handle the most challenging waters, she is a highly capable yacht.
To find out more about any of these yachts, please contact Darina.