ADVENTURES AND EXPEDITIONS Gone are the days when yacht charter clients are content simply to anchor offshore and admire the scenery from the top deck. A luxury yacht charter fuels an adventurous spirit, taking you to far-flung places where the experience enriches your life. Today’s charter guests want authenticity and personalised attention, with a desire to get to the heart of remote destinations and see them with their own eyes. Digital technology and social media have inspired our lifestyles, and every day our senses are peppered by travel imagery that inspires us to venture far beyond our comfort zones. There’s a growing appetite to go off the beaten track and experience something new, and the appeal of expedition yachts is more than a passing trend. Exceptional encounters Yacht owners and charter guests are in search of the ultimate experience, and increasingly
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this means chartering vessels that stretch the limitations of ordinary yachting, with performance and functionality being vital assets when cruising to exotic places with challenging environments. Ben Lyons, CEO of EYOS Expeditions, says expedition yacht charters are changing the focus of charter clients in a meaningful way. “An expedition yacht is a platform for experiences, to take you to new places and provide an immersive journey where you can actively learn and gain a deeper understanding of a different culture, wildlife or the social dynamics of a local area.” Jimmy Carroll, founder of experiential travel company Pelorus, agrees, saying: “Expedition charter can incorporate all of these components without sacrificing comfort, luxury or service. The very nature of yachting means that almost anything is possible anywhere in the world, you just need correct planning and expert execution.” Quiet corners of the earth So, where do you go when the options are endless? Quench your thirst for discovery by cruising fjords in the Arctic ice pack looking for polar bears or narwhal, see the flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands, navigate the North
West Passage, document wildlife with a worldclass photographer in Madagascar or explore undisturbed habitats accessible only by boat or trekking. Martin Enckell, Expedition Leader at EYOS Expeditions, shares his most memorable adventure: “I always struggle to pick one special expedition, but Svalbard in the high Arctic blows me away year after year. It’s like stepping into a wildlife documentary each time.” If you’ve ever dreamed of getting up close with penguins in Antarctica, visiting isolated tribes in Papua New Guinea or scuba diving in Indonesia, an explorer yacht provides a unique way to experience the beauty of nature, rare wildlife encounters and raw human interaction cut off from the modern world. Stepping on board An explorer yacht is an escape from the trappings of everyday life, but one thing you can be sure of is the standard of service and amenities on board. Modern explorer yachts are a synergy of luxury and comfort, many having dedicated wellness areas, beach clubs, extensive libraries, wine cellars and even cinemas.
All images courtesy of EYOS
