Top Five Yachting Getaway Destinations for Winter Sun

1. Antigua
An established favourite amongst many yachting enthusiasts, Antigua is a perfect choice for a winter sejourn. Whether you wish to relax among the lapping of the turquoise waves in Antigua's many coves, bask in the grandeur of English Harbour or party like a local to the beat of Calypso and Soca music, Antigua has plenty to offer for all its guests. With a myriad of activities available to thrill-seekers from swimming with stingrays to a helicopter ride around nearby Montserrat’s jaw-dropping volcano range, you'll be sure not to run out of entertainment. Visit this winter and be sure to catch the bug for next year's legendary Antigua Charter Yacht Show.

2. Australia
Christmas cruising doesn't get much better than exploring the merriment that Australia has in store for its guests. With temperatures soaring up to 40° C in December the opportunities to enjoy the riches of nature are endless, from crocodile inhabited lagoons in the North to magnificent Great Barrier Reef diving off the coast of Queensland. Though surrounded by stunning waters, the country's interior grants its visitors ample options for fun from the laid-back city life of Sydney, Mebourne and Adelaide in the South-East to tours of some of their greatest vineyards in Western Australia. A yacht affords its visitors the ease of popping over to Tasmania, where if they are lucky might just stumble upon the famous Tasmanian Devil. 

3. Cuba
Unfrequented by many charter routes due to its long standing feud with the United States, the last decade has seen a major shift in attitude with the first US charter yacht entering the island nation in its capital Havana just over half a decade ago. Stepping off your yacht at Marina Hemingway will soon feel like you have jumped on a time machine with the scent of the nation's former heyday still just about swirling around in the air. Remnants of Cuba's former glitz and glamour are there to be enjoyed as you sip on a mojito, light up a cigar and watch as the 1950s motors whizz past you along the stunning Malecón promenade. Act fast however, because Cuba is rapidly changing and it won't be long until its streets are taken over by big corporations like Starbucks and McDonalds, losing that magic touch that makes the country so special. Politics nerds will be able to get their geek on as the legacy of the Castro era remains fresh in the collective memory, with a visit to the Museum of the Revolution and even a day trip to Santa Clara to see the Che Guevara Mausoleum scratching that itch. If that is not quite your thing and you prefer to be amidst nature then head out to Viñales Valley to wonder amongst the breath-taking landscapes amidst the tobacco plantations. There is something rather unique about Cuba and those travelling by yacht who wish to connect with their creative side will certainly feel invigorated, perhaps even following in the footsteps of legends such as Ernest Hemingway.

4. Egypt
As yacht builders continue to amaze and impress with their continuously outstanding works of innovation, one must stop to wonder from where they draw their inspiration from. Ambitions to construct major feats of engineering has been part of the human psyche for millennia and perhaps nowhere is this more self-evident than in Egypt. Excursions galore are on offer, from the Pyramids of Giza to the archaeological delights to be discovered in Luxor, travellers can barely escape the sense of awe evoked from the country's well-preserved ancient history. For those less drawn towards Egypt's man-made attractions, do not fret as yachting fans can equally avail themselves in the natural charm of the nation, enjoying some of the best diving spots the globe has to offer in the Red Sea as they cruise along the reef-lined coastlines of the Sinai Peninsula. A voyage along the River Nile is an obvious calling card for those au fait with life on the water, perhaps best enjoyed in an open-top sailing vessel. 

5. Maldives
Once upon a time known as ‘Treasure Island’, not to be confused with the setting of Robert Louis Stevenson’s famous literary classic, the Maldives was a port for traders along the ancient silk road who came to pick up the Indian Ocean paradise's pearls and riches to show off to the rest of the world. These days the archipelago offers something rather different to those arriving on sea. The white powder sand beaches are some of the most stunning the world has to offer and yachting enthusiasts can marvel in the allure of the azure waters. Island hopping is a must, as the country is home to a whopping 1,200 coral islands with a plethora of secluded spots of beauty for travellers to revel in.