Looking for unique experiences to tick off your bucket list? Whether you want to dive with hammerheads in the Galapagos, immerse yourself within a friendly tribe in Solomon Islands or go husky sledding in Svalbard, explorer yachts charters are the perfect choice, offering a luxurious retreat with the capability to navigate far-flung destinations with ease. Read on to discover our top destination picks for an unparalleled yacht vacation.
With unlimited cruising potential coupled with superyacht standard luxury, it's clear to see why explorer yachts have become so popular. For inspiration, we have compiled some of the coolest destinations on the planet that you can visit on an expedition charter yacht.
Best for: wildlife, diving and learning about marine conservation
Cocos Island is a UNESCO World Heritage site, situated 300 nm (approximately 18 hours cruise) off the coast of Costa Rica. This vast rock is covered in lush jungle and myriad waterfalls but remains uninhabited, save for its permanent ranger station.
The main reason people are drawn to this remote outpost is for the spectacular diving opportunities it presents, where schools of hammerheads, manta rays, whale sharks and other pelagic life converge against a backdrop of submerged volcanic islands, home to vast coral reefs rich in marine flora and fauna.
Schools of hammerheads, manta rays, whale sharks and other pelagic life converge against a backdrop of submerged volcanic islands
Further west you’ll find the Galapagos, a remote volcanic archipelago rich in biodiversity, and famous for inspiring Charles Darwin’s theories of Natural Selection. It’s now a protected marine park, home to some of the most diverse plant and animal species on the planet, both above and below the water, as well as myriad tranquil island sanctuaries and tantalizing stretches of pristine beaches.
Both Cocos Island and the Galapagos offer some of the best scuba diving in the world thanks to the spectacular megafauna that flock here in large numbers, and ideal for those wishing to experience a truly magical underwater adventure.
If you’re keen for land-based exploration, the Galapagos is also home to numerous islands and islets, each with their own unique characteristics and indiginous wildlife, such as the Galapagos giant tortoise, the comical blue-footed booby and the fascinating marine iguanas that dive into the sea to feed on the vegetation found in abundance around the shores.
home to some of the most diverse plant and animal species on the planet, both above and below the water
The main island of Santa Cruz is the beating heart of the archipelago, and home to the Charles Darwin Research Centre, which provides a great opportunity to learn all about the fantastic conservation efforts and scientific research being carried out throughout the archipelago.
Best for: breathtaking scenery, glaciers, wildlife and rich history
If you’re lucky enough to be chartering a Polar Code compliant expedition yacht and have always yearned to visit Antarctica, then South Georgia could be the perfect destination for you. Part of the Antarctic, South Georgia is a small landmass – only 176km (110 miles) long – that juts out towards South America, and although an extremely remote destination, the concentration of wildlife is off the scale.
the concentration of wildlife is off the scale
Visitors to this remote wilderness will get the chance to spot king penguins, humpback whales and huge elephant seals in a cacophonous symphony like nowhere else on earth. In the sky, vast numbers of free-wheeling seabirds add to the orchestra of noise.
The site is also steeped in human history, where visitors will get the chance to follow in the footsteps of Cook and Shackleton’s great adventures. This tundra region is also home to majestic glacial peaks, fjords and waterfalls, which can be experienced by foot, cross-country skiing or by helicopter. South Georgia is also home to a variety of shipwrecks as well as mesmerising underwater kelp forests.
a cacophonous symphony like nowhere else on earth
Be prepared to plan your trip several months in advance as permits may be required. The best place to meet the yacht is in the Falklands, after which you should factor in a travel time of around 2-3 days before you arrive at your destination.
Best for: coral reefs, scuba diving, white sandy beaches, marine preservation
As one of the most spectacular living structures on earth, this global icon almost needs no introduction. Covering an area of approximately 344,400 km² the Great Barrier Reef makes up around 10% of the world’s coral reef ecosystems and provides a habitat for a vast array of marine life.
Comprising some 3,000 reefs and 900 breathtaking palm-fringed islands and coral cays, as well as mangroves and vast oceanic drop offs, this World Heritage marine park is the perfect destination for a truly unforgettable yacht charter.
makes up around 10% of the world’s coral reef ecosystems
As well as world-class diving, the Great Barrier Reef also presents an opportunity to get involved in marine preservation projects and research, which you can speak to your yacht charter broker about before your trip.
Best for: wreck diving, experiencing indiginous cultures, tropical jungles, hiking and tranquil islands
If you head north from the Great Barrier Reef across the Coral Sea, you’ll find the tiny but vibrant island of Papua New Guinea, with the bountiful Solomon Islands, a double chain of volcanic islands and coral atolls, located further east.
These remarkable islands offer some of the best diving on the planet with one of the highest diversity of corals in the world, where sea temperature and currents are set to Goldilocks level year round, although the optimum time to visit is during the slightly cooler months of June through August.
sea temperature and currents are set to Goldilocks level year round
The islands also offer a number of land-based expeditions too, such as hiking through lush rainforests and waterfalls, or across pristine bone-white sand beaches with crystal waters, with plenty of scope to experience the local culture, which operates on ‘island time’ where the pace of life is much slower.
The locals are welcoming and friendly and happy to accept donations and gifts to allow you to build relationships with the Chiefs and their community in return for access and insight into their local customs, food and festivities.
The locals are welcoming and friendly
The islands do not require any permits, making these southwestern Pacific Ocean archipelagos the perfect destination for a one-of-a-kind expedition family charter, where snorkelling and diving opportunities abound.
Best for: majestic glaciers, ice-caves, northern lights, polar bears, scenic wilderness
Considered the true Arctic North, this Norwegian achipelago is characterised by stunning snow-capped peaks, narrow fjords, vast glaciers and extraordinary wildlife.
astonishing marine life is so abundant here
During the warmer months, this region experiences the "midnight sun" – a phenomenon that occurs between April and August where the sun never sets. Throughout this period, visitors will get to experience the spectacular native wildlife in all its glory; from polar bears to arctic foxes, walruses to Svalbard reindeer – all making hay while the sun shines.
Winter produces a 4-month long dark season from October through till February where the mesmerising northern lights that dance and shimmer in neon hues against a blanket of stars can be witnessed even during the day.
On the yacht, you can navigate narrow fjords where you'll hear the deafening roar of calving glacial ice, cruise past blue-tinged icebergs and witness the vast array of seabird colonies, or simply enjoy the astonishing marine life so abundant here; from breaching humpback whales to playful dolphins that leap through the yacht's wake, there is no end to the spectacular sights to behold in this remarkable archipelago.
The mesmerising northern lights dance and shimmer in neon hues against a blanket of stars
The breathtaking scenery is worth the trip alone, but there is also plenty to experience in Svalbard, whether you're into guided hikes, exploring magical ice caves, whale watching or zooming along glaciers in a snow mobile or even pulled by your own pack of huskies, you'll be spoiled for choice.
There are flights from Oslo to the capital Longyearbyen, where you can experience the culture on Spitsbergen – the only inhabited island in the archipelago, which offers a range of lively bars, boutique hotels and fine dining.
Please note that every destination will have unique environmental factors that may need advance or additional planning. Therefore, if you are interested in travelling to any of the destinations mentioned in this article we strongly advise reaching out to your preferred yacht charter broker, who will be able to guide and help you plan your dream yacht vacation.
For more inspiration, please see our yacht charter destination guides, which offer lots of helpful tips and advice covering a wide range of destinations, as well as a sample of expert hand-picked itineraries.
You can also view the entire fleet of expedition yachts available for charter.
Featured explorer yachts available for charter
126m
Lurssen
2003 / 2024
85m
SilverYachts
2019 / 2024
77m
Damen Yachting
2020
51m
Fr. Schweers Shipyard
1987 / 2010
75m
Abeking & Rasmussen
2016
73m
Admiral Yachts
2018
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