Island adventure

Victor’s pick of the top five Caribbean destinations for winter sun, the small island airports that make transfers trouble-free and the Burgess superyachts to enjoy when you get there.

1. Antigua

One of our favourite Leeward Islands, this West Indies jewel provides sandy beaches and sheltered coves aplenty. Lord Admiral Nelson thought so too, which goes some way to explaining why Antigua comes with an English accent all of its own.

BATON ROUGE
62.5m (205.1ft), 14 guests in 7 cabins
Exquisitely designed, this six-deck masterpiece is unsurpassed in both style and space. With a stunning beach club and luxurious sun deck, there is only one BATON ROUGE. Boasting more volume across her six decks than any other 62.5m yacht, BATON ROUGE’s Tim Heywood profile is as iconic as her sublime Redman Whiteley Dixon interior. Designed with a super-stylish beach house theme, the guest areas have a cool, comfortable vibe that perfectly suits both relaxation and entertaining. Read more…

✈ Fly with Victor to: V.C. Bird International Airport (ANU/TAPA)

2. Barbados

This independent British Commonwealth nation boasts colonial buildings, cricket, and even afternoon tea among its old-school attractions (Bridgetown, the capital, is a Unesco World Heritage site). Located in the Lesser Antilles, the local nature is almost as exuberant as the nightlife.

SLIPSTREAM
60m (196.9ft), 12 guests in 6 cabins
Famed for her show-stopping looks, the multi-award winning SLIPSTREAM is one of the most stylish yachts on the water. With an outdoor cinema, karaoke machine with state-of-the-art sound system and waterslide, SLIPSTREAM is perfect for celebrations. Read more…

✈ Fly with Victor to: Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI / TBPB)

3. Dominican Republic

Known for its beaches, its resorts and its golfing, DR’s mountains and rainforests are also worth your attention. Part of the Greater Antilles archipelago, the sovereign state is also home to Pico Duarte, the tallest mountain in the Caribbean, and some fine colonial architecture to boot.

MARIE
54.9m (180ft), 8-10 guests
Classical lines and huge sail power combine to make MARIE an exciting charter yacht with enormous appeal for families. Bursting with personality, MARIE’s light, open-plan interior is comfortable and welcoming, with traditional features including miniature cannons, muskets and a suit of armour recalling the Golden Age of exploration. A split-level salon is illuminated by large skylights that filter plenty of natural light into the relaxed deck house with its bar and cosy seating area. The second salon, complete with Steinway baby grand piano is perfect for more formal dining. The exquisite 3.7m (12ft) launch, MARIETTA, is housed on board. This 1910 Mylne-designed sailing dinghy with an electric motor is perfect for exploring quiet bays, or teaching children to sail. Read more…

✈ Fly with Victor to: Punta Cana International (PUJ / MDPC)

4. St Barts

Officially known as Saint-Barthélemy by parent country France, it holds a special place in Victor’s heart as the home of our inaugural photoshoot. Both a foodie’s and a sun-lover’s paradise, this tiny island is well catered for with restaurants ranging from authentic Asian to Caribbean Creole (and, of course, excellent croissants).

CHASSEUR
48.8m (160.1ft), guests 12
The newest of our selection, delivered in September 2016, the stunning CHASSEUR with her stunning contemporary interior and eye catching retro artwork/photography (featuring pieces by Terry O’Neill, Greg Lotus, Acey Harper), is the ideal platform for discerning charterers. Al fresco dining is offered in 2 places on the bridge deck aft, and the sun deck features a large centerline jacuzzi, sun pads, BBQ, sun loungers and bar – ideal for both entertaining and relaxing. Read more…

✈ Fly with Victor to: Gustaf III Airport / St Barts Airport (SBH / TFFJ – Served only by small STOL aircraft

5. St Maarten

Combining downhome Dutch on one side with French flair on the other, St Maarten has a split yet happy personality. What both halves do agree on is a love of watersports, practised on and around the island’s (count them) 37 beautiful beaches.

DREAM
60m (196.9ft), 12 guests
DREAM presents the right balance of large yacht ambiance blended with the compelling attraction of a warm and congenial nautical experience. A mixture of precious woods, European custom furniture and Asian artwork creates a Zen and luxurious interior of sophistication and comfortable elegance. Read more…

✈ Fly with Victor to: Princess Juliana International (SXM / TNCM)