Charter calendar: 12 things to see and do in 2022

If you’re looking to shun the New Year’s crowds in the Caribbean and celebrate 2022 with a truly unforgettable experience, charter an expedition yacht like Legend or Hanse Explorer and head south on an Antarctic adventure.

The austral summer season lasts from October to March but January is arguably the best month to visit. Temperatures are at their highest, hovering comfortably above freezing point, and 20+ hours of daylight leaves plenty of time for outdoor activities from wildlife watching to heli-skiing. As winter ice melts, access to places like the Polar Circle and the historic huts of explorers Shackleton and Scott reopen too, plus the coasts will be swarming with fluffy penguin chicks and young seal pups now old enough to start discovering the world around them. Professional polar explorer Douglas Stoup, an expedition adviser to adventure charter company EYOS, describes visions of “millions of penguins, thousands of seals and hundreds of whales” awaiting visitors to Antarctica in January.

Some people dream of a white Christmas, others dream of a white-sand Christmas. If you fall into the latter category, be sure to book a Yuletide charter in the BVIs. These popular cruising grounds have something for the entire family, from excellent diving and sailing to famous beach bars and five-star dining. “Jost Van Dyke is the smallest of the BVIs with the biggest personality,” says Irini Sarantis of IYC. “Although it only has 25 permanent residents it is a lively destination, filled with great bars and eateries. In the Great Harbour alone you will find five restaurants. Try Corsair's for a lobster dinner, then head to Foxy’s Tamarind Bar to get the night started with a rum cocktail.”