7 New and Exciting Charter Hubs for Your Next Yachting Adventure
Across the Mediterranean and Caribbean, milk runs will always the driving force of summer and winter charters. That’s the term captains give to itineraries that move between the most popular ports where charter yachts invariably end up, competing for anchorage or access to the best restaurants.
But there are remote and relatively unvisited cruising grounds now on the radar of more adventurous yachties. Peru, Indonesia, and parts of Africa are gaining traction for their “inaccessibility by traditional means,” says Capt. Sean Meagher, a consultant at Worth Avenue Yachts. “These places, which require a yacht to access, also offer the exclusivity and adventure that are increasingly rare as the world gets smaller and more connected.”
The top of the emerging charter list is Sri Lanka, an island nation separated from India by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait. This beautiful tropical country was long considered a no-go because of civil unrest and economic instability. But in the last eight months, a new yachting age is dawning on what many consider the pearl of the Indian Ocean.
“Government, industry, and the yachting community agree that Sri Lanka has tremendous potential to realize its vision of becoming a maritime hub,” Nalin Perera, director general of Sri Lanka’s Tourism Promotion Bureau, told Robb Report during a recent visit to the island.
Sri Lanka’s relative lack of superyacht infrastructure is exactly what makes it attractive to more adventurous charterers. Visiting remote stretches of coast, pristine beaches, or villages that receive few tourists typically requires an explorer yacht that can be self-sufficient for several days. And for those seeking a side plate of luxury, a recently completed marina in Colombo will give shelter to yachts wanting to access the capital’s restaurants, hotels, and historical sites.
The island country promises to become a hub where wealthy Indians moor their yachts, while also being a stop off for sailboats heading to the Red Sea. The island is also accessible to the growing yacht fleets from Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia.
But for now, it’s open to those who want to step back in time. On the southwestern tip, Galle is one of three Sri Lankan ports of entry but the only port with facilities for private yachts. Best known for its 16th century Portuguese fort, Galle is building a marina for yachts of up to 984 feet, with an anchorage for larger vessels. Private jets can land in nearby Koggala (offering a visit to Lake Koggala, one of the country’s largest bodies of water) or farther inland at the international airport in Mattala.
On the southern coast, the town of Mirissa is one of three areas where guests can see the congregation of Bryde’s, minke, humpback, and sperm whales. At the island’s southern tip in Dondra, it’s also common to see these magnificent creatures in November and December.
Sri Lanka is just the start. Here are six other emerging hubs, with yachts best suited to explore each region.
-
‘Kontiki Wayra’ in Costa Rica
Image Credit: Pelorus Yachting Kontiki Wayra was specifically designed to meander the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The 131-footer has indoor lounges (inspired by local indigenous cultures), spa, and an outdoor Jacuzzi. The vessel will explore Costa Rica’s extensive network of national parks and protected reserves and superyacht facilities such as Marina Papagayo, Marina Bahia Golfito, and Los Sueños Resort and Marina. Other activities include the white-water rapids of the Savegre River, swimming with manta rays at Isla del Caño, the rainforests in Corcovado National Park, and swimming along a coral trail, part of a reef restoration project in Golfo Dulce. The vessel will also cruise the coast of Panama on a different itinerary. $160,000 per week via Pelorus Yachting
-
‘Rebel’ in Wakatobi, Indonesia
Image Credit: Rascal Voyages Most people head to Raja Ampat or Komodo, but Wakatobi National Park in Indonesia’s Coral Triangle is even more spectacular if the goal is privacy in a pristine setting. Rascal Voyages launched its inaugural charters aboard Rebel and Rascal to the destination last month. The first voyages aboard the newly delivered phinisi yacht Rogue will happen later this year. Beyond spectacular diving, snorkeling and unspoiled beaches, Wakatobi is home to the Bajau Laut—a nomadic seafaring community with exceptional freediving abilities (they were James Cameron’s inspiration for Avatar: The Way of the Water)—whom guests will meet. $84,000 per week via Rascal Voyages
-
‘Bold’ in Svalbard, Norway
Image Credit: Hill Robinson Cruising the Norwegian fjords features high on explorer yacht itineraries, and now the Scandinavian country is seeing a surge in superyacht charters from guests looking for spectacular off-peak travel, with the northern outpost of Svalbard being top of the agenda. The chance to see the Northern Lights and experience the Arctic wilderness in late fall can happen on Bold. Guests immerse themselves in the polar environment, with the possibility of witnessing polar bears, walruses, and reindeer in their natural habitats. Beyond the stunning wildlife, the 272-foot explorer will keep eight guests entertained with a disco room, helipad, and heli hangar that doubles as a gym. $995,000 per week via Hill Robinson
-
‘Hermes’ in the Galapagos
Image Credit: Cookson Adventures The newly launched 165-foot catamaran Hermes unlocks the Galapagos in a new upscale way. Positioning itself between the large cruise ships carrying 100 passengers and local boats that shouldn’t be called yachts, the first charters started in May. Hermes pairs superyacht amenities (hammam, outside hot tub, spa, and butler service) with wildlife sightings that show the diversity of this protected archipelago. Snorkeling beside sea-lion pups, communing with giant land iguanas, and cruising under the equatorial sun with frigate birds overhead are just a handful of the natural attractions in the Galapagos. The boat also has two naturalist guides on each charter. $222,205 for six nights via Cookson Adventures
-
‘Asteria’ in Madagascar
Image Credit: Worth Avenue Yachts Mysterious Madagascar is often off the beaten track for superyachts. For the expedition thirsty, however, it’s a prime destination—witness the 162-foot explorer yacht Asteria visiting this year as part of its East Africa global itinerary. The highlights include the “Perfumed Island” of Nosy Be or hiking the volcanic Mont Passo, before dropping into the Mozambique Channel via submersible. Originally built in 1970 as a deep-sea salvage tug, the refitted yacht has spacious interiors, wide-open decks, a full dive setup, heli capabilities, and redundant systems for living off-grid for multiple days. $285,000 per week via Worth Avenue Yachts
-
‘Mutiara Laut’ in Papua, Indonesia
Image Credit: Mutiara Laut The 150-foot schooner Mutiara Laut (meaning “Pearl of the Sea”) combines European craftsmanship with Indonesian soul. Starting in October, the yacht’s teak-lined interiors, starlit dinners, and early morning yoga sessions will also include outside visits to witness drum ceremonies and sacred rituals in remote villages like the Asmat Regency in Papua as part of its 14-day Whispers of the Archipelago charters. The expedition begins in Ambon, sailing to Molana Island for snorkeling and diving. The voyage continues through Nusa Laut and Saparua, with vibrant coral reefs and a visit to Duurstede Fort. Travelers also visit Watubela, where traditional Cakalele warrior dances and WWII sites offer a unique window into the region’s layered history. $201,500 per week via Mutiara Laut
-
‘andBeyond Amazon Explorer’ in Peru
Image Credit: andBeyond In September 2026, the andBeyond Amazon Explorer will set sail to the Peruvian Amazon’s Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Conceptualized in collaboration with yacht designer Ken Freivokh and Adriana Hoyos Interior Design, the 242-foot vessel has 15 guest suites (the largest are 860 square-feet) and interiors inspired by the local Indigenous Shipibo-Conibo culture with geometric Kené art. The Amazon Explorer is the first of two andBeyond vessels built for two ecologically rich corners. Its sistership andBeyond Galapagos Explorer was launched in June 2024. $14,895 per person sharing for a seven-night cruise via andBeyond
