11 Best Yacht Destinations for the Holidays

With winter setting in for much of the Northern Hemisphere in December, the holidays can be a perfect time to enjoy a warmer climate and perhaps some unique traditions. While a yacht charter won’t exactly fit under your tree, it’s probably the best present you can give yourself, and your family or friends. 

Sail away from the usual routine on a luxurious vessel in any one of these enticing destinations for one of the best holiday seasons you’ve probably ever enjoyed. 

La Paz & Sea of Cortez Islands, Baja California Sur, Mexico

The capital of Baja California Sur is home to multiple marinas, including Marina Costabaja, one of the best in North America. Nearby, the malecon is an over three-mile-long promenade lined with shops, bars, and restaurants on one side and the sea on the other, perfect for walking or biking. During the holidays, you’ll find a warm, festive atmosphere with lots of decor along the Malecón and throughout the city. You can visit local markets, see displays at the state capitol, and enjoy a holiday meal on Christmas Eve. 

From La Paz, some of the most beautiful beaches in the country are within easy reach, like Balandra and its iconic “Mushroom Rock,” along with secluded coves that can only be accessed by boat. Head out into the open water for the chance to spot dolphins, turtles, and whales from December through March. Some of the top islands to visit include UNESCO-listed Isla Espiritu Santo, a rocky islet with numerous sea lions, and Isla San Francisco, a popular anchorage tucked into a crescent-shaped bay with red rock cliffs, white sandy beaches, and aquamarine water. At Isla San Jose, hop into a kayak and paddle through the mangroves in the main lagoon, watching for the many herons and egrets.

Puerto Rico

Christmas in Puerto Rico is magical, especially in Old San Juan, with its colonial beauty enhanced by colorful lights and decor. Yacht charters typically depart from Puerto del Rey in Fajardo, the Caribbean’s largest marina. It’s a popular departure point for exploring the Spanish Virgin Islands, which include the beautiful islands of Vieques and Culebra. 

Culebra is a tranquil paradise with over 100 white sandy beaches lapped by clear aquamarine water for snorkeling alongside green sea turtles and tropical fish. Vieques is also known for its postcard-perfect beaches and secluded bays. You can even admire the brilliant blue glow of bioluminescence at Mosquito Bay after dark. It contains the perfect conditions for dinoflagellates, which release a spark of blue light when the water is disturbed. Paddling across it in a kayak is a surreal experience. 

French Polynesia

French Polynesia offers idyllic weather year-round, along with well-preserved nature that’s remained untouched by tourism. Plus, Christmas occurs in the middle of Matari’I I ni’a, the period of abundance, similar to Thanksgiving, but instead of just a day, it lasts for weeks. Celebrated with local gatherings, feasting, music, dance, and spiritual rituals honoring nature and their ancestors, this is the time of year when fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood like lobster, and fish are most abundant. Instead of the typical Christmas tree, palm trees are illuminated, and Midnight Mass is often filled with carols sung in Polynesian. 

There are many itinerary options, with one of the most popular starting in Tahiti or Raiatea, visiting islands like Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, and Taha’a. If you have the time, you might also take advantage of the world-class snorkeling and diving in the remote Tuamotu Atolls. 

Whitsunday Islands, Australia

Christmas in Australia follows during summertime, which means holiday dinners often include cookouts on the beach. Despite the warm temperatures, Aussies tend to go all out to make it more of a traditional holiday with everyone’s goal to eat, drink, and be merry, with BBQs hosted on the sand and in backyard gardens. You might spend Christmas Day diving among colorful fish and other marine creatures at the Great Barrier Reef. The Whitsunday Islands are one of the top yachting destinations in the country and offer direct access, located at the heart of the reef. Or, cruise around the islands with champagne in hand before heading ashore to sample fresh grilled shrimp right off the barbie. 

A popular yacht charter route in the Whitsundays typically includes Nara Inlet on Hook Island with its sheltered anchorage, iconic Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island, and Hamilton Island, which offers luxurious resort amenities. With time, you might explore Border Island or the Cumberland Islands before returning to the mainland. 

Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands prove that Christmas doesn’t need to be experienced in a winter wonderland. Instead of snow, you’ll have access to white sandy beaches and a local Caribbean Santa Claus wearing flip flops and shorts on Grand Cayman. You might start your charter from George Town, spending a night here to see the holiday lights at Camana Bay and its nightly shows that are focused around a giant Christmas tree. Be sure to squeeze in time at Seven Mile Beach before heading to Stingray City to interact with stingrays. You might snorkel at Coral Gardens and Starfish Point in the North Sound, dive at Kittiwake wreck, and explore underwater rock formations at Devil’s Grotto and Eden Rock. 

The East End of Grand Cayman is known for its blowholes, while Rum Point offers a beautiful beach and calm waters for a variety of water sports. With an extended charter, head out into the open water to visit Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. The “sister islands” are much quieter and offer more outstanding snorkeling and diving opportunities, along with nature trails and caves.  

The Bahamas

The Bahamas are ideal for those looking for a destination close to the U.S. Yacht charters here are memorable anytime, but during the holidays, you can look forward to the best weather and sailing conditions with the hurricane season long past. You might sail from Nassau, which hosts the annual Junkanoo Festival on Boxing Day (December 26), featuring an elaborate parade with colorful costumes, music, and dancing. Afterward, head south to the Exumas, dropping anchor to spend time with the famous swimming pigs at Big Major Cay, snorkel in underwater caves, and enjoy the local culture with the streets filled with reggae music and holiday lights for the festive season. 

Barbados

Barbados is known for its warm and friendly locals who welcome visitors to join in their holiday traditions. You might start by embarking from the Port St. Charles marina on the northwest coast, sailing south to the Folkstone Marine Reserve for some snorkeling and beach time. Anchor in Carlisle Bay for another snorkeling stop, enjoyed among an abundance of tropical fish and sea turtles, before heading to the capital of Bridgetown. It will be lit up in red and green, with roundabouts that portray various Christmas themes. Holiday feasts often feature baked ham and the local jug jug, a dish made using salted meat, corn flour, peas, and herbs. 

If you sail to the rugged east coast, you can expect a more tranquil atmosphere, with most visitors heading to the west coast. Bathsheba is a great destination for mingling with locals, dining on homemade Bajan fare, and spending time on secluded stretches of sand. It’s popular among surfers, but there are also small pools with calm, warm saltwater for relaxing with a view. Don’t miss Crane Beach on the southeast coast, renowned for its pink sands. 

Hawaii

The Hawaiian Islands set the scene for an idyllic yacht charter with plenty of sun, warm temperatures, and tropical scenery. Waikiki is a major hub for an island-hopping sailing excursion that also provides access to all sorts of fun for the holidays. If you’re here on the Friday after Thanksgiving, the Waikiki Holiday Parade honoring Pearl Harbor survivors and veterans with local bands, military units, marching bands, and a variety of other entertainers will take place. Honolulu City Lights takes place on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, featuring a tree lighting, a block party, and an electric light parade. On New Year’s Eve, there will be themed parties, luaus, and fireworks.

From Waikiki, you might sail to Molokai with the world’s tallest sea cliffs before taking advantage of the serene atmosphere on Lanai, perhaps exploring the Garden of the Gods rock formation, snorkeling at Hulopoe Bay, and visiting the former plantation town of Lanai City. While cruising over to Maui, watch for the hundreds of humpback whales in the ʻAuʻau Channel during the winter months. On Christmas Eve, Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive by outrigger canoe onto Polo Beach in Wailea. With more than a week, you can visit the Big Island and its volcanic landscapes, or explore Kauai with its incredibly lush scenery.

Florida Keys

For a Caribbean vibe without leaving the U.S. mainland, it’s hard to beat the Florida Keys. With Miami a popular gateway, you could begin here to take advantage of the vibrant nightlife in South Beach. Or, depart from Key Largo in the Upper Keys. It’s home to the only living coral barrier reef in North America, providing a snorkeling and diving paradise. Stopping in Islamorada, visit Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park, where you can stretch your legs on a short hike leading through the forest where all sorts of birds, iguanas, and other wildlife can be spotted. From there, continue to Marathon Key, known for its rich fishing heritage. It’s a great place to try and catch your own feast or snorkel among the abundant marine life. 

At the southern tip of the Keys, Key West is the perfect conclusion. A Christmas parade takes place during the first week of December, but there will be holiday events throughout the month. You can also look forward to admiring some of the most beautiful sunsets in the continental U.S. and delving into the hopping nightlife on Duval Street. 

Canary Islands, Spain

The Canary Islands enjoy mild temperatures in December, averaging around 72 degrees, along with over 900 miles of breathtaking coastline. During the holidays, you can expect a unique mix of Spanish and local traditions, lively markets, nativity scenes, and lots of twinkling lights and decor. New Year’s Eve includes fireworks and eating of the 12 grapes at midnight. If you stick around until the eve of Kings’ Day, January 5, you can see the famous Cabalgata de Reyes (Cavalcade of the Three Kings) parade through the main towns, leaving gifts for those who behaved themselves throughout the year. 

There are seven main islands, including Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, El Hierro, La Palma, Fuerteventura, and La Gomera. Tenerife, the most popular and largest island, has a wide range of marinas that make it a great starting point. The islands are close enough to easily visit multiple islands in a week or two, making multi-island itineraries feasible.

The Maldives

The Maldives offer an ultra-luxurious yacht charter during the holidays, with nearly 1,200 islands strewn across the brilliant blue waters of the Indian Ocean. This is a nation with countless places to indulge in a tropical beach fantasy with deserted white sands and some of the world’s best snorkeling and diving. Dolphins, rays, sea turtles, and colorful reef fish can all be spotted here. 

While Christmas isn’t celebrated widely among the locals, you can create your own unique celebration. Start from the port town and capital of Male, perhaps sailing west to Ari Atoll with its 50 small islands, with pristine sands and coconut palms. This is the perfect destination for sipping champagne while watching the sun dip below the horizon before dining on lobster under a canopy of stars.