Trending destinations – cruising grounds for 2022 & beyond.

Published 02 March 2022

The top destinations for 2022, so far

At Burgess we have been busy talking with owners and booking charterers, and we have seen new destination trends emerging. Enriching experiences are top of the agenda, while many are looking to reconnect with family and friends after the pandemic lockdowns, all are excited to be back on the water and taking advantage of the opportunity to explore new ports. Whether it’s the towering majesty of the Noweigian fijords, a far-flung escape to the Indian Ocean or an adventurous cruise along the Pacific Northwest, there is really nowhere off-limits.

Best for… island hopping

Adriatic

Croatia sets the bar for island hopping opportunities, with more than 1,200 islands to discover. Superbly set up for cruising by nature itself, the scenery is genuinely spectacular, while the wide variety of historic sites ashore provide plenty of shore-based distraction.

 

When to go…

The conditions are favourable from early May right through to the end of October. The peak summer months of July and August are the hottest and also the busiest, but even at peak times there are still plenty of islands where the waterborne can escape the crowds and enjoy a secluded anchorage.

From Istria in the north to Montenegro in the south, Croatia has thousands of islands and countless secret, well-sheltered coves
From Istria in the north to Montenegro in the south, Croatia has thousands of islands and countless secret, well-sheltered coves

Top attractions

Culture

The stunning medieval architecture will be familiar to Game of Thrones' fans
The stunning medieval architecture will be familiar to Game of Thrones' fans

Just about every island has a film set-worthy medieval town with beautiful, cream coloured stone churches, cobblestone streets and perfect town squares. The age-old cities of Dubrovnik, Korčula and Split go one step further with their red-roofed buildings and stunning architecture located within ancient stone walls – the best-preserved Roman walls in the Mediterranean.

The harbour-side Roman amphitheatre in Pula is beautifully preserved
The harbour-side Roman amphitheatre in Pula is beautifully preserved

Beach clubs

Zrce Beach on Pag Island has hosted some of the world's best DJs and some famous parties
Zrce Beach on Pag Island has hosted some of the world's best DJs and some famous parties

Alongside the traditional tavernas there are also a handful of hip beach clubs just a tender ride away. By day they have a chilled-out vibe, but don’t be fooled – by night these waterside settings play host to international guest DJs and feature some of the best parties in the Adriatic.

Chic haunts by day, hot clubs by night. Hvar is a magnet
Chic haunts by day, hot clubs by night. Hvar is a magnet

National parks

The eastern end of Mljet is a national park with one of Europe's oldest pine forests criss-crossed with cycling and hiking trails
The eastern end of Mljet is a national park with one of Europe's oldest pine forests criss-crossed with cycling and hiking trails

Dense pinewoods conceal cobalt blue lakes, waterfalls and canyons with walking trails ashore – indeed Croatia’s national parks are some of its finest natural attractions. Cruise up the Krka River and explore the Krka National Park, or swim and cycle around the lakes that dot the Mljet National Park.

Krka National Park features seven Krka River waterfalls including the photogenic Skradinski Buk falls
Krka National Park features seven Krka River waterfalls including the photogenic Skradinski Buk falls

Which yachts are available for charter?

NERO

NERO 90.1m (295.6ft) 12 guests in 6 cabins, rates from EUR 497,000 per week
NERO 90.1m (295.6ft) 12 guests in 6 cabins, rates from EUR 497,000 per week 
SOARING 68.2m (223.7ft) 12 guests in 6 cabins, rates from EUR 700,000 per week
SOARING 68.2m (223.7ft) 12 guests in 6 cabins, rates from EUR 700,000 per week 

Best for… scenery

Norway

Whether exploring the islands on the western coast of Norway, or heading inland to discover the majestic fjords, the Norwegian coastline offers scenery on an epic scale, together with a wonderful feeling of peace and tranquillity. As you glide through the indigo waters hugging the rugged, mountainous landscape, discover dramatic vistas like nowhere on earth.

 

When to go

June to August is the best time to cruise through the Norwegian fjords. It almost never gets dark in June, while August sees air and sea temperatures at their warmest. However, those wishing to see the Northern Lights should venture to the Baltic during the winter season, ideally in October or February as the weather in December and January can be unreliable.

Norway's deep fjords were gouged out by rivers of ice millennia ago. You get a fantastic idea of the scale at Pulpit Rock in Preikestolen
Norway's deep fjords were gouged out by rivers of ice millennia ago. You get a fantastic idea of the scale at Pulpit Rock in Preikestolen

Top attractions

Fjords

A hike around Sognefjord is rewarded with spectacular views in every direction
A hike around Sognefjord is rewarded with spectacular views in every direction

The dramatic fjords of southwest Norway are what draw most charterers to explore these majestic cruising grounds. Cruise through the deep blue fjord waters of Sognefjord, past sheer cliffs and cascading waterfalls, or take a detour into the striking UNESCO World Heritage site at Geirangerfjord.

Charter a helicopter-capable yacht and you can heli-ski, with fast-changing views of the fjords
Charter a helicopter-capable yacht and you can heli-ski, with fast-changing views of the fjords

Northern Lights

Witnessing the Northern Lights from your yacht is a deeply moving experience
Witnessing the Northern Lights from your yacht is a deeply moving experience

There really is no better way to witness the Northern Lights than from the decks of a superyacht. Catch a glimpse of this phenomenal light display from October through to March. If you are planning to visit in the summer months rest assured, the land of the midnight sun still makes for a dramatic and awe-inspiring backdrop whatever the season.

The magical Northern Lights dance across the skies above Tromso
The magical Northern Lights dance across the skies above Tromso

Scandi culture

From meatballs to roll-mops, Scandinavian food has won a lot of fans
From meatballs to roll-mops, Scandinavian food has won a lot of fans

Wooing visitors with their natural beauty, history, culture and Scandi gastronomic scene, seaside cities such as Bergen and Stavanger offer plenty of attractions ashore. Quaint cobblestone streets are lined with clapboard buildings housing restaurants, interesting boutiques, and lively bars.

Bergen has a thriving restaurant scene in the old town during summer
Bergen has a thriving restaurant scene in the old town during summer
60m (196.9ft), 12 guests in 6 cabins, rates from EUR 336,000 per week
60m (196.9ft), 12 guests in 6 cabins, rates from EUR 336,000 per week

Best for… sailing

Society Islands, French Polynesia

Sailing downwind from the cosmopolitan island of Tahiti to mountainous Bora Bora is easy owing to the ever-present east and southeast trade winds. Fast and exhilarating downwind sailing is complemented by calm anchorages, as the geology of the islands means deep-water lagoons, and a guaranteed peaceful anchorage every night.

 

When to go…

The trade winds in French Polynesia are most predictable in May to September, while between June and August the weather is at its balmiest.

Champagne sailing conditions in the Society Island of Moorea
Champagne sailing conditions in the Society Island of Moorea

Top attractions

Spectacular diving

Enjoy some of the world's best diving and snorkelling
Enjoy some of the world's best diving and snorkelling

The Society Islands are home to some of the best snorkelling and diving in the world. Beneath the surface lie psychedelic-coloured reefs, with rippling rainbows of fish including parrotfish, emperor angelfish, striped snapper and even the occasional black tip reef shark to add some spice to your dive.

Black-tipped reef sharks glide effortlessly through the pass
Black-tipped reef sharks glide effortlessly through the pass

Pearl farms

The cultivation of black pearls is a key part of the economy
The cultivation of black pearls is a key part of the economy

Step ashore to discover the islands’ numerous pearl farms. Watch the pearl masters as they cultivate pearls, removing them from oysters and then replacing the seed ready for the next harvest.

Don't leave without your selection of these steel-grey wonders
Don't leave without your selection of these steel-grey wonders

Beach BBQ

Dine on freshly-caught fish expertly grilled by your yacht's chef
Dine on freshly-caught fish expertly grilled by your yacht's chef

The reefs around the lagoons here are clustered with desert islands, known as motus, that are perfect for a beach barbecue. Your chef could even prepare a feast of fresh fish accompanied with breadfruit and taro root, slowly baked in an ahimoa – a traditional Polynesian cooking pit dug into the sand.

Cultural entertainment is laid on by the locals
Cultural entertainment is laid on by the locals

Which yachts are available for charter?

BIG FISH

45m (147.6ft), 10 guests in 5 cabins, rates from USD 245,000
45m (147.6ft), 10 guests in 5 cabins, rates from USD 245,000
54.6m (179.1ft), 8 guests in 4 cabins, rates from USD 203,000
54.6m (179.1ft), 8 guests in 4 cabins, rates from USD 203,000

Best for… adventure

Pacific Northwest

For those looking for a sense of adventure while still feeling cocooned in the luxury of a superyacht, the narrow straits which lie between the mainland USA and the islands of southeast Alaska are ideal. Carved out by glaciers during the last ice age, the Inside Passage is characterized by hundreds of islands and islets, fjords and coves, all providing plenty of opportunity for adventurous activities both in the water and on land.

 

When to go…

The best time of year to cruise through the Inside Passage is the Summer, when the days are long and the temperatures mild.

Grandeur and serenity abound in Alaska's Glacier Bay
Grandeur and serenity abound in Alaska's Glacier Bay

Top attractions

Humpback whales

Humpback whales work together when bubble-net feeding
Humpback whales work together when bubble-net feeding

Summertime brings with it pods of humpback whales in great numbers. Cruise through the intricate waterways of the Icy Strait (pilot essential) and see them broaching and blowing as they prepare to descend deep beneath the surface. 

A yacht charter gives you a front-row seat in these giants' natural habitat
A yacht charter gives you a front-row seat in these giants' natural habitat

Wildlife adventures

Wolves at Fish Creek also take advantage of the bountiful salmon
Wolves at Fish Creek also take advantage of the bountiful salmon

Explore some of North America’s greatest wilderness areas abound with wildlife. From bald eagles, wolves and deer to the world’s highest concentration of bears (thanks to a glut of salmon streams), exciting encounters abound ashore. Even from the yacht you might be lucky enough to catch the occasional glimpse of black or brown bear foraging to fatten themselves up for their winter slumbers.

Brown bears feed on chum salmon at Brooks Falls near Katmai, Alaska
Brown bears feed on chum salmon at Brooks Falls near Katmai, Alaska

Adventure playground

Kayaking through breathtaking scenery is highly recommended
Kayaking through breathtaking scenery is highly recommended

Alaska is like one massive activity centre. From kayaking through the glacial ecosystem of the Glacier Bay National Park to hiking the lakes, cycling the trails, trekking through rainforest, and swimming in the Baranof Warm Springs, there are no shortage of outdoor activities to keep all ages entertained.

Your guide can organise a trek across Chichagof Island near Juneau, Alaska, so see coastal brown bears
Your guide can organise a trek across Chichagof Island near Juneau, Alaska, so see coastal brown bears

Which yachts are available for charter?

BOLD

85.3m (279.8ft), 12 guests in 8 cabins, rates from EUR 875,000 per week
85.3m (279.8ft), 12 guests in 8 cabins, rates from EUR 875,000 per week 
39.6m (130ft), 12 guests in 5 cabins, rates from USD 130,000 per week
39.6m (130ft), 12 guests in 5 cabins, rates from USD 130,000 per week

Best for… wildlife

Costa Rica

Referred to as the ‘rich coast’, Costa Rica’s Pacific coast offers a dizzying suite of attractions for the waterborne. This conservation-friendly country was at the forefront of the eco-preservation movement, and as a result yields a Noah’s Ark’s worth of animals – turtles off Caribbean beaches, sloths in the canopy of rainforests – indeed over half a million species live here, including spectacular marine life. During a superyacht charter you could encounter pods of humpback whales from the decks of your yacht, while snorkelling and diving will lead to adventures with all manner of underwater wildlife.

 

When to go…

The best time to cruise the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica is during the dry season that runs between December and April; the Caribbean coast is wet and humid all year long, though rainfall can be more sporadic and short during the dry season.

The red-eyed tree frog is just one of the beguiling and colourful species that abound in this country's rainforests
The red-eyed tree frog is just one of the beguiling and colourful species that abound in this country's rainforests

Top attractions

Adventure playground

Fly through the canopy like Costa Rica's native macaws on a canopy zipwire
Fly through the canopy like Costa Rica's native macaws on a canopy zipwire

From kite surfing, wakeboarding and scuba diving in the deep blue waters of the Pacific, to ziplining, mountain biking, horse-riding, and hiking in the jungle-clad interior, Costa Rica is a natural playground for adventurers.

Go horse-riding next to the Pacific Ocean along unspoilt Tambor Beach
Go horse-riding next to the Pacific Ocean along unspoilt Tambor Beach

Conservation

Volunteers tag green turtles before returning then to the sea
Volunteers tag green turtles before returning then to the sea

Join marine biologists in their efforts to track hammerhead sharks or take a submersible dive and collect vital data on Costa Rica’s rich marine life. Trek inland with an expert guide and track the country’s last remaining jaguars, or hike into one of the country’s wildlife refuges and help support these vital causes.

The jaguar, Costa Rica's only big cat, is at risk of extinction due to habitat loss and illegal hunting. The country's many national parks are its best chance of survival
The jaguar, Costa Rica's only big cat, is at risk of extinction due to habitat loss and illegal hunting. The country's many national parks are its best chance of survival

Which yachts are available for charter?

11.11

11.11, 63m (206.7ft), 12 guests in 6 cabins, rates from EUR 650,000 per week
11.11, 63m (206.7ft), 12 guests in 6 cabins, rates from EUR 650,000 per week
ST DAVID, 60m (196.8ft), 12 guests in 6 cabins, rates from USD 325,000 per week
ST DAVID, 60m (196.8ft), 12 guests in 6 cabins, rates from USD 325,000 per week

Best for… diving

Maldives

The Maldives archipelago is a scuba diver’s dream. Whether you head north or south, the diving just about everywhere is fantastic.  From the Baa Atoll UNESCO biosphere reserve to the far-flung isolated reefs, divers will be spoiled for choice, with 26 atolls and thousands of dive sites to choose from. Non-divers can snorkel with clownfish, while scuba experts can dive deep for selfies on shipwrecks or night dives with whale sharks. Those preferring to stay above the waterline will also be spoilt for choice, with plenty of five-star island resorts providing a dream team combination of superb spas and top restaurants. Flit from resort to resort aboard your yacht, en-route exploring uninhabited islands, remote dive sites, and verdant fishing grounds that are inaccessible to all but the waterborne.

 

When to go…

The best time to cruise in the Maldives is between December and April, when the climate is drier and the underwater visibility for diving and snorkelling is at its best.

Maldives' unspoilt waters are teeming with bucket-list marine life
Maldives' unspoilt waters are teeming with bucket-list marine life

Top attractions

Diving

As well as corals, whale sharks, manta rays and all sorts of sharks, there are atmospheric wrecks
As well as corals, whale sharks, manta rays and all sorts of sharks, there are atmospheric wrecks

Jump in to explore an underwater world teeming with stingrays and nurse sharks in the Baa Atoll or discover some really unique wreck dives around the Haa Daalu Atoll. For divers looking for an alternative experience, try a fluorescent night dive – diving with a blue-light torch and a lens filter in your dive mask, fish and coral glow with their own fluorescence as they transform high-energy light into low-energy light.

Night dives with torch filters open up a whole new world of colour
Night dives with torch filters open up a whole new world of colour

Spas

To change things up a little, why not head ashore for treatments at a blissful spa
To change things up a little, why not head ashore for treatments at a blissful spa

Around one in ten of the 1,200 coral islands in the Maldives are inhabited by luxury resorts, and aboard a superyacht you can easily access their award-winning spas. Step ashore to the Cheval Blanc Randehli and enjoy an afternoon of pampering, or for the best Ayurvedic treatments in the Indian Ocean, head to the spa at the Six Senses Laamu resort. Wherever you choose to cruise, almost all of the exclusive island retreats offer indigenously inspired spa treatments for waterborne visitors.

Pampering with a view at Cheval Blanc
Pampering with a view at Cheval Blanc

Fishing

From reef fish to big game fish, choose your level of challenge
From reef fish to big game fish, choose your level of challenge

Fishing has been the lifeblood of the Maldivian people since time immemorial. The turquoise waters here teem with every type of fish, from dogtooth tuna and wahoo to red snapper and sailfish, many of which mill just beneath the surface and are easy to catch. Try it for yourself straight from your yacht and enjoy the catch-of-the-day barbecued on your own deserted island – picnicking Robinson Crusoe style.

Take your catch to the beach and let the chef start grilling
Take your catch to the beach and let the chef start grilling

Which yachts are available for charter?

LADY E

74.5m (244.4ft), 12 guests in 6 cabins, rates from USD 595,000
74.5m (244.4ft), 12 guests in 6 cabins, rates from USD 595,000
64.5m (211.6ft), 12 guests in 7 cabins, rates from USD 425,000
64.5m (211.6ft), 12 guests in 7 cabins, rates from USD 425,000

If you want to get off the beaten track and explore somewhere pristine, contact your Burgess broker now.


To find out more about Burgess’ yachts for sale and yachts for charter, please contact a Burgess broker. Alternatively, get in touch with one of our offices directly: London, Monaco, New York, Miami, Singapore or all other locations.

- Yachts, prices and availability are correct at the time of publication.

Sign up to our newsletter

Stay in the loop

Subscribe to our newsletter to keep updated with all things Burgess.

What would you like emails about?

In order to understand how we use and protect your personal information, please read our privacy policy.

Language: en fr

Filter your results