Shoulder season: Alternative yacht destinations between the Caribbean and Med seasons

As March draws to a close, Japan begins to transform into an enchanting realm of blush and white, with the arrival of the country’s legendary cherry blossom season. In the first two weeks of April the season reaches its peak, as cherry blossom spills across the country – making it one of the best times to visit. The nationwide bloom is closely monitored with an official cherry blossom forecast by the Japan Meteorological Corporation, which this year predicts that the season will begin in Tokyo on 24 March, with full bloom taking place on 31 March. Elsewhere on the southern coast, the Osaka blossoms will begin on 28 March and come into full bloom on 4 April.

Viewing cherry blossoms in Japan is a ceremonial activity referred to as Hanami. It is customary to take a picnic and dine beneath the dense blush canopies and walk dedicated cherry blossom trails. For best access, superyachts should explore the south coast of Japan in the first week of April and head to Osaka Bay, a vast natural cove more than 30 kilometres wide where guests will have good proximity to Osaka, Nara and Kyoto. Here, Mount Yoshino is surrounded by more than 30,000 white cherry trees, while the white Himeji Castle has 1,000 pink cherry trees to see as well as a night viewing festival.

Japan’s mid-western coast around Kanazawa city comes alive with pink petals a few days after the south coast with full bloom predicted on 8 April. Visiting superyachts can dock in Kanazawa Port and guests can explore the city in full bloom. The Kenrokuen Garden is one of the most famous spots in the country for cherry blossom and has several varieties of trees in bloom and a famous bridge view called Hanami-bashi.

Cast out in the Pacific Ocean, 560 nautical miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Galápagos Islands are a hive of natural activity all year round, but things become particularly exciting at the end of the rainy season in April. The endangered Galápagos green turtle nests and lays its eggs between December and March, which means that April is prime hatching season. During this time, tiny turtles clamber down the beach to make it to the sea under the cover of darkness, avoiding frigate birds and mockingbirds, their natural predators.

Celebrated for its abundant wildlife, this archipelago spans the equator in the Pacific Ocean and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In April, the beaches are often populated with playful sea lion cubs and red ghost crabs, while the surrounding waters offer crystal-clear visibility, making it the perfect time for diving and snorkelling. April also marks the hatching season for the endemic land iguana and the conclusion of the hatching season for the Galápagos’s most famous resident, the giant tortoise.

The best way to explore the volcanic archipelago is by boat, and visiting superyachts can explore with the help of local guides. While there are restrictions in the name of conservation, with Autógrafo (entry permits) required, several charter yachts are available here. Turtle hatchings can be seen at night but viewings are best arranged with a local guide who will detect which of the many beaches will most likely come alive with tiny turtles.

The Dominican Republic is a hotspot for humpback whales. Every year thousands of the huge mammals congregate in the Caribbean waters surrounding the island to feed and breed before continuing their migratory patterns around the globe. Mothers and their calves stay in the warmer Dominican Republic waters until early April before venturing into the Atlantic Ocean’s chill. This makes the month of April an excellent time for whale watching.

During this season, the waters surrounding Punta Cana on the island’s east coast offer some of the finest opportunities to observe humpback whales. This time of year is also mating season, so the magnificent creatures are even more active and lively. Visitors by boat can cruise west along the northern coast to Samaná Bay, a humpback hotspot, and to Silver Bank (Banco de la Plata), a humpback breeding ground 50 nautical miles north of the Dominican Republic.

Located 650 nautical miles north of Perth, the Ningaloo Reef on Australia’s west coast boasts one of the largest gatherings of whale sharks in the world. April heralds the peak season, with up to 400 of the majestic creatures gracing these waters. The first whale sharks tend to make their appearance along the Ningaloo Reef in the final days of March and continue feeding here until June. 

Despite their immense size (the largest recorded is 18 metres), whale sharks pose no threat to humans. Visitors can swim alongside the gentle giants, their huge mouths agape to feed on the spawning reef. To maximise the chances of encountering the whale sharks of Ningaloo, visitors are advised to seek the expertise of local guides and spotters.

Extending for 300 kilometres and part of a marine reserve, the Ningaloo is one of the planet’s largest near-shore reefs. In 2011, the mesmerising biodiversity earned it a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The reef is also home to manta rays, dugongs, orcas, sharks, turtles and large fish such as tuna and billfish. Superyachts can enter and explore the reserve with the correct permits.

The arrival of spring is a special time in Norway, heralding a season of celebration and transformation after the long, dark winter months. As April unfolds, it ushers in milder temperatures and, in northern Norway, marks the beginning of the Midnight Sun, when daylight stretches uninterrupted until August. Among the many marvels of this season is the mesmerising event known as Lundkommer’s Day, or “the puffins are coming day”, celebrated annually on 14 April. The island of Lovund becomes the stage for a breathtaking natural spectacle as enormous whirls of puffins make their grand entrance.

Occurring almost always on the same day each year, these small seabirds return in the thousands on Lundkommer’s Day, putting on aerial displays in synchronised formations. Over the summer up to 300,000 puffins will nest on the tiny island of Lovund, which is crowned by the majestic 623-metre Lovundfjellet mountain. Lundkommer’s Day is a celebration of spring and transforms the island from a quiet speck in the ocean into a bustling avian haven for the summer.

Located approximately 15 nautical miles off Norway’s serrated coast with its magnificent fjord system, Lovund has endless options for superyachts. Those who want to experience Lundkommer’s Day by boat can simply drop anchor off the small island and watch the great swarms of puffins return to the island.