Come holiday or high water

The best yacht charters in 2023 offer intrepid travellers access to hard-to-reach destinations or once-in-a-lifetime experiences, says Adam Hay-Nicholls, who rounds up some of his favourites

- Adam Hay-Nicholls

WHETHER we’re talking endless oceans, choppy channels or narrow canals, a holiday on the water is pure escapism. But once you’ve polished off a paperback and felt the benefit of fresh air, it can sometimes get a bit samey. The solution? To charter a private vessel with friends and/ or family somewhere a bit unusual or with a bunch of engrossing sights and activities.

Experiential travel is all the rage, especially when it’s you—and not the captain—calling the shots. Sasha King, founder of High Point Yachting, says it’s all the more fulfilling when charter companies work with the client to create bespoke itineraries. ‘Experiential trends are about getting to the heart of things and places that make us feel good and expand our interests. We recently booked a client on a heliskiing expedition to Greenland by explorer yacht (with a helipad), accompanied by world champion and Olympic gold-medal skier Bode Miller. Also in high demand,’ she says, ‘is kite surfing by superyacht. Being able to launch off the boat makes it more memorable. Specialised voyages are never black and white—it’s about what shade of grey the client wants.’

It is all about getting to the heart of things and places that make us feel good

What follows are our top-five charter picks for 2023, from bracing Scottish lochs to volcanic Pacific islands, and sleek superyachts to rustic old fishing boats. Ahoy adventurers!

Eda Frandsen, Western Isles, Scotland 
Who? Perfect for watercolourists. Eight guests in single berths, so more for friends than couples.