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The Perfect Yacht Charter Destination Based on Your Favorite Cocktail
(Plus What to Actually Drink When You’re There)
Everyone has a favorite cocktail, right? Whatever your pick, it’s certainly reflective of your taste, vibe, and style.
As an expert yacht charter agent, I help people pick their ideal charter destination. So why not match ’em up?
So, here’s your pairing guide: the cocktail you vibe with and the destination that matches it. For an extra bonus, I’ll also include a local drink to try when you’re actually chartering in that destination.
DISCLAIMER: Our legal counsel requires us to note that we do not endorse sipping with skippering. Charter responsibly.
Rum Punch – British Virgin Islands (BVI)
Carefree, colorful, fun-loving.
If you enjoy a rum punch, head to the British Virgin Islands. Rum punch is refreshing, tropical, colorful, and laid back just like a BVI charter with smooth sailing and a barefoot beach vibe. Short island hops, line of sight navigation, and beach bars at every anchorage make the BVI the ultimate relaxed charter playground.
Drink this there: Painkiller – You can’t go to the BVI and not drink a Painkiller. This creamy blend of rum, pineapple and orange juices, coconut cream, topped with sprinkled fresh nutmeg on top is the unofficial drink of the BVIs.
Expert BVI insight: Sign up for BoatyBall to pre-reserve moorings in popular spots like Leverick Bay or Cane Garden Bay.
Dry Martini – French Riviera
Classic, crisp, refined.
Like a dry martini, the French Riviera (Côte d’Azur) gives off an effortless, sophisticated vibe. The French Riviera is the place to see and be seen. With high-end marinas, designer boutiques, and sunset aperitifs in Cannes and St. Tropez, the French Riviera oozes timeless glamour and refined elegance.
Drink this there: Pastis – A southern French staple with anise, often diluted with icy cold water. Sip this at a waterfront café while sporting your most stylish yacht couture.
Expert French Riviera insight: Make advanced marina reservations in ports like Saint-Tropez or Hercule in Monaco and expect to pay to be ‘seen.’
Negroni – Amalfi Coast
Bold, bitter, balanced.
Italian. Like a Negroni, the Amalfi Coast symbolizes Italy. Timeless, historic, stylish, and complex. Bold scenery with steep cliffs, winding coastlines, and stunning panoramic views along with a bit of edge and sophisticated style, makes the Amalif Coast an epic yacht charter destination.
Drink this there: Limoncello – Unmistakably Amalfi Coast Italian. This iconic digestif is tart and sweet, best served chilled after dinner.
Expert Amalfi Coast insight: Marina space is limited and pricey, so best to anchor offshore (but be sure to have a dinghy plan).
Aperol Spritz – Croatia (Dalmatian Coast)
Refreshing, stylish, carefree.
An Aperol Spritz is the perfect match for a Dalmatian Coast charter—light, vibrant, and effortlessly cool. Croatia offers smooth sailing between medieval island towns, beautiful waters, and easy navigation. It’s a blend of old-world charm and modern amenities that feels laid back and classic.
Drink this there: Plavac Mali –the King of Croatian Reds, this native grape dominates the Dalmatian vineyards.
Expert Croatia insight: Croatia has a fabulous marina infrastructure with stern-to moorings. Knowing how to handle med-mooring is the key to fitting in.
Gin & Tonic – Greece (Saronic Gulf)
Crisp, refreshing, timeless.
Crave something classic yet refreshing? Look no further than a charter through the Saronic Gulf. Simple, balanced, and sophisticated. Predictable winds, short distances between isles, quaint villages such as Hydra and Poros, and an abundance of history make the Saronic a timeless Greek charter destination.
Drink this there: Ouzo – This Greek anise/licorice flavored spirit is best enjoyed alongside locals at seaside tavernas, paired with meze like grilled octopus.
Expert Saronic insight: The Hydra main town marina is small, and you’ll find boats awaiting berths outside the marina in the wee hours of the morning, all vying for the same limited dock space. Prepare accordingly.
Piña Colada – Bahamas (Exumas)
Tropical, carefree, sun-soaked.
A Piña Colada is basically the Bahamas in a glass. The Exumas are ideal for a tropical charter with palm-lined beaches, crystal clear waters, and steady trade. Total relaxation as you hop between secluded cays, snorkel vibrant reefs, and swim with pigs at Big Major Cay.
Drink this there: Kalik Beer – this Bahamian beer is refreshing and best enjoyed cold with your feet in the sand. Prefer something more cocktail-y. Try Sky Juice –a sweet concoction of gin, coconut water, and condensed milk.
Expert Bahamas insight: Sailing in the Exumas requires advanced navigation and planning skills. Try using AquaMaps for detailed charts. Note that charter companies are limited, and some require formal certification in addition to a resume.
Mai Tai – Tahiti/French Polynesia
Exotic, layered, unforgettable.
Much like a Mai Tai, a French Polynesia sailing vacation is rich with revitalizing flavor and beauty. Quiet anchorages, abundant marine life, lush volcanic peaks, and coral-ringed lagoons await you in this tropical paradise.
Drink this there: Tahitian Rum Punch – A local favorite made with Polynesian rums, tropical juices, and a splash of lime (Best made with local Manutea Rum from Moorea). Prefer something lighter? Grab a Hinano Beer—the unofficial Tahiti beer.
Expert Tahiti insight: Navigation here can be tricky; it’s mostly visual—charts won’t show every coral head—so charterers must keep a sharp lookout for color changes in the water, especially when entering lagoon passes.
Margarita – La Paz/Sea of Cortez
Bold, bright, free-spirited.
Like a well-shaken margarita, a Sea of Cortez sailing trip is refreshing, bold, and adventurous. In the Sea of Cortez, you’ll find great sailing among desert meets sea scenery and remote anchorages. This World’s Aquarium is full of marine life, so keep your eyes peeled as you explore the uninhabited beauty of these isles.
Drink this there: Pacifico (with lime) –this Mexican beer is ideal for cooling off from the desert sun. But for something more adventurous, try the up-and-coming local Mezcal or Sotol—smoky and complex!
Expert La Paz insight: Chartering in the Sea of Cortez is relatively remote, so stock up on provisioning in La Paz. If you’re interested in whale shark season, the best charter period is during October through February.
Cheers! Just like your favorite cocktail, your yacht charter should reflect your style. Whatever your libation preference, a destination and a local cocktail await.
Ready to drink to that? Visit www.nauticed.org/sailing-vacations
Your Adventure - Our Expertise
NauticEd are Yacht Charter Agents
NauticEd is your go-to resource for planning an unforgettable charter vacation, whether bareboat or captained. We don’t charge a fee – actually, we will probably save you money because of our extended search capabilities as well as our knowledge of worldwide locations (i.e., “we’ve been there”). So let us help you plan your next yacht charter vacation!
Author
NauticEd is a fully recognized education and certification platform for sailing students combining online and on-the-water real instruction (and now VR). NauticEd offers +24 online courses, a free sailor's toolkit that includes 2 free courses, and six ranks of certification – all integrated into NauticEd’s proprietary platform. The USCG and NASBLA recognize NauticEd as having met the established American National Standards. Learn more at www.nauticed.org.
The NauticEd Vacations team are Expert Global Yacht Charter Agents – when you book a sailing vacation or bareboat charter through NauticEd, we don’t charge you a fee – we often save you money since we can compare prices from all yacht charter companies. PLUS, we can give you advice on which destination or charter company will suit your needs best. Inquire about a Sailing Vacation or Charter.
