Superyacht itinerary
The perfect Caribbean superyacht charter
Captain Bobby Groves of 85.6-metre HBC pours his love for the Caribbean into the perfect seven-day yacht charter itinerary, allowing guests to experience the region's scenic beauty and laid-back local culture.
HBC
85.6m | 2009/2024 | Abeking & Rasmussen
Top speed 16.5 kn | 2,150 GT
12 guests | 28 crew
Since HBC’s delivery in 2009, she has been meticulously maintained, with a major refit project completed in 2022 by Winch Design. With accommodation for 12 guests in 11 staterooms, her expansive decks offer several lounge areas for relaxation and socialising. Standout design features include her glass-encased elevator serving all five decks and her large glass-bottomed pool.
THE ITINERARY
St Martin’s colourful capital
Marrying Dutch, French, Caribbean and Creole culture, the vibrant island of St Martin/St Maarten may have a split personality but is one the most visited in the Caribbean. Marigot is the capital in the French side of the island. Once a sleepy fishing village, today its bay shelters superyachts against a backdrop of colourful properties and green hillside.
Overlooking the bay on the leeward side of the island sits the imposing figure of Fort St Louis - the largest historical monument in St Maarten. Named for the famous crusading King of France, it was originally built in 1767 to protect the settlement at Marigot from foreign invaders.
For shopping ashore, the open-air Marigot market offers a wide selection of fresh fruit and vegetables, spices, meat and fish, and local artisans sell everything from artwork to flavoured rums.
St Barths' chic
A favourite retreat amongst the rich and famous, St Barths is renowned for its quiet and scenic beauty, chic boutiques and fabulous French cuisine. Step ashore in Gustavia and stroll between the stores of international luxury brands before enjoying a long lunch with an ocean view at acclaimed St Barths hotspots such as Shellona, Eden Rock or Nikki Beach.
When it comes to beaches, visitors are spoilt for choice. Hiring a car or a Mini Moke to hop between the bays is probably one of the best ways to see the island. St Barths boasts a long list of must-see sights. If you’ve not experienced the hair-raising phenomenon of its runway, then park up at the hilltop roundabout as one of the small aircraft comes into land!
HBC's expansive decks offer several lounge areas for relaxation and socialising
JIM RAYCROFT
JIM RAYCROFT
Five-star facilities at St Kitts
St Kitts’ landscape is dominated by the dormant Mount Liamuiga volcano, which now has a lake in its crater. The mountainside is shrouded in rainforest that is home to wide-eyed vervet monkeys, and this can be toured with the help of a local guide. The most popular anchorage is off the Frigate Bay Resort, which welcomes those who step ashore with an 18-hole golf course.
Another onshore highlight for superyacht charterers is Christophe Harbour, a luxury marina resort with a world-class spa and highly acclaimed restaurants. For a spectacular view of Saba and Nevis, pay a visit to the well-preserved Fort Brimstone, which sits on the hilltop at Brimstone National Park (now a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Those with an interest in local heritage may wish to visit one of the plantation museums or a sugar factory.
Easy-going eco-tourism in Nevis
Nevis is the smaller of the two islands comprising the nation of St Kitts and Nevis, but what the island lacks in size it makes up for in amenities with a spectacular Four Seasons golf course and spa to its name. The island is known for its sandy, sheltered beaches and scuba divers will want to visit Booby High Shoals - a 12-metre deep, circular reef that’s dense with lobster, French grunts, southern stingrays, nurse sharks and Hawksbill turtles.
Charlestown is the island’s capital and the Georgian-style buildings and British colonial relics hint at the island’s sugar-plantation past. Another point of interest is the Museum of Nevis history, which occupies the house where American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton was born.
Off the beaten track in Statia (St Eustatius)
A small and tranquil island, Statia is actually part of the Netherlands. The island is predominantly given over to the Quill National Park, which includes the dormant Quill volcano, and there are numerous hiking trails that wind their way through the rainforest scenery and many species of orchid.
The island is surrounded by narrow beaches of volcanic sand but offshore is where the island really shines, with the St Eustatius Marine Park offering over 30 scuba diving sites that range from coral reefs to shipwrecks. For sundowners, head to The Old Gin House and take a seat on their oceanside decking.
Sand, sea and sunsets in St Maarten
The northern part of St Maarten is Grand Case Bay, a fantastic location for a fun-filled day. Whether you’re putting the yacht’s water toys through their paces in the bay’s calm waters or sunning yourself ashore at one of the many beach clubs, Grand Case Bay has something for everyone.
This part of St Martin is regarded as something of a gastronomic capital. The Grand Case Beach Club is well known for its sundowner cocktails and romantic candle-lit restaurants with stunning views and fine French cuisine. For a more casual setting and Caribbean atmosphere, try Captain Frenchy.
Explore more of the Dutch part of the island in the south, where the capital is Philipsburg. More commercialised than its northern neighbour, St Maarten is a shipping capital of the Leeward Islands and here you’ll find duty-free boutiques and tourist attractions that serve the cruise ship crowd. From Phillipsburg, the airport is only a stone’s throw away.
HBC is available to charter through Hill Robinson at a seasonal rate from $850,000 per week plus expenses during the winter. To find out more information or to secure your charter, visit the Hill Robinson website.
