As the days turn short and grey in the northern hemisphere, the allure of the tropics grows stronger. The Lesser Antilles, dotted across the Caribbean Sea, beckon with thousands of islands, from volcanic remnants to sandy spits, separated by crystalline water. There are few better places to sail, especially in winter. BOAT showcases some of the very best charter yachts to escape to over these next few months...
Maltese Falcon
Stats: 88m, Perini Navi, 2006, 12 guests, 18 crew
Highlights: Maltese Falcon single-handedly transformed the superyacht industry after her delivery in 2006. A head-turner in any port, the 88-metre took six years to complete due to the complexity of her radical unstayed masts – made of 'weapons-grade' carbon fibre – and her computerised sail and mast control system.
Following an extensive refit at Italian yard Lusben, the refit division of Azimut-Benetti, Maltese Falcon was injected with a new lease of life and saw several major structural modifications, including the addition of a new 10-square-metre pool and sunbed on the aft portion of the flybridge deck. Almost the entire interior was upgraded too, presenting her in immaculate condition for the 2025 charter season.
Maltese Falcon is available to charter with Burgess with a weekly rate from €490,000.
Athos
Stats: 63.2m, Holland Jachtbouw, 2010, 12 guests, 10 crew
Highlights: Perfectly equipped to facilitate the perfect family sailing holidays, Athos strikes the perfect balance between high-powered performance and luxury living at sea. Her vast exterior deck offers plenty of space for socialising, with a shaded dining area on the aft and a private deck area adjoining the master suite. She is one of the largest two-masted schooners in the charter fleet, and thanks to her speed, delivers on the race circuit too.
The yacht recently returned to the charter market having undergone an extensive refit, which included a 1.25-metre extension at the stern and a total rebuild of the interior. Hoek Design once again stepped in to oversee the naval architecture, interior styling and layout changes of the guest accommodation, main saloon, crew service areas and deckhouse. Her styling is now warm and inviting, which has made her a more sophisticated offering.
Athos is available to charter with Fraser from $220,000 per week.
Spirit of the C’s
Stats: 64m, Perini Navi, 2003, 10 guests, 11 crew
Highlights: Italian yard Perini Navi brought together a dream team to create Spirit of the C's. This sailing yacht has a swift Nuvolari Lenard design, supported by naval architecture by Ron Holland and neutral, Parisian-chic decór by French designers Dernier Etage and Rémi Tessier. An extensive refit back in 2016 refurbished these interiors, alongside a complete remodelling of the guest cockpit and an extension to her sundeck, two of many social and entertainment areas on board (including a Jacuzzi). Cocktails at the upper deck bar "are a must" according to the owner, and can be followed by a formal meal in the spacious dining area.
She has now completed her 20-year survey with major technical updates and a brand new floor in all guest cabins, bringing Spirit of the C's into "first class condition".
Spirit of the C's is available to charter with Camper & Nicholsons, POA.
Perseus
Stats: 49.8m, Perini Navi, 2001, 10 guests, 9 crew
Highlights: A high-tech performance yacht, Perseus is as comfortable cruising the Caribbean as she is competing in regattas. She features a "reassuringly traditional interior" designed by Christian Liaigre, including a generous main saloon styled with cherry wood cabinetry, plump sofas and a large television screen. Perseus' flexible cabin configuration – the full-beam owner's suite can be converted into two cabins – means she can accommodate up to 10 guests. When kept as the owner's suite, it includes its own office or private saloon and has an en suite with a full bath.
Charter highlights include a substantial sundeck with sunken seating, an abundance of watertoys (including inflatable sofas and a climbing wall) and a main deck formal dining room.
Perseus is available to charter with Edmiston, POA.
Rosehearty
Stats: 56m, Perini Navi, 2006, 12 guests, 10 crew
Highlights: Built for worldwide cruising, Rosehearty is no stranger to the Northwest Passage, Antarctica, South America, Greenland and the South Pacific. A white hull and black tinted wraparound windows "cut a sharp shape of luxury", according to her broker, while a crisp, high-contrast Christian Liaigre interior provides accommodation for 12 guests across seven cabins – the only Perini Navi sailing yacht with such capacity.
The cockpit of Rosehearty can be used as an al fresco dining space during the day or an outdoor cinema at night. However, the best spots to enjoy some winter sun are the foredeck sunloungers or the flybridge, with its raised Jacuzzi and sunpads aft. Other highlights include an 11-metre Hinckley Picnic Boat and a lower deck gym equipped with a stationary bike, rowing machine and free weights.
Rosehearty is available to charter with Edmiston from $225,000 per week.
Burrasca
Stats: 55.7m, Perini Navi, 2003, 10 guests, 9 crew
Highlights: Burrasca is one of only two Perini yachts with a total sail area of 1,560 square metres, with the Ron Holland-optimised build "marking a turning point" in the yard's design ethos. She is also the only Perini Navi 58M to feature a fully equipped gym, sauna and steam room, making her the natural choice for wellness enthusiasts. The spa pool is another top-tier leisure choice, as is her "exceptional chef", known for delivering diverse culinary experiences.
Accommodation is across six cabins, including an expansive owner's suite featuring a his-and-hers dressing room, a study and private access to a fully equipped gym. Her flexible layout includes a private office on the main deck that can be converted into a sixth guest cabin, complete with en suite facilities and a double bed.
Burrasca is available to charter with Fraser from €215,000 per week.
Atlantic
Stats: 64.5m, Van der Graaf, 2010, 12 guests, 11 crew
Highlights: A true-to-life replica of one of the world’s most iconic sailing yachts, Atlantic offers classic charm with modern amenities. The original vessel, also called Atlantic, was commissioned by Wilson Marshall, a notable New York Yacht Club member, and was designed by William Gardner, one of America’s foremost yacht designers. Sadly she was broken up in the early 80s, making room for the new Atlantic.
Today her classic lines are just as commanding and her traditional wood-panelled and red velvet interiors intrinsically welcoming. But on board, guests will find modern tech, with upgraded AV systems throughout. Meals can be taken al fresco or indoors aboard this rigged schooner, with a toybox offering sailing dinghies, Jet Skis and waterskiing gear for charter guests to enjoy.
Atlantic is available to charter with Bernard Gallay from €132,500 per week.
Serendipity I
Stats: 45.3m, Perini Navi, 2011, 8 guests, 6 crew
Highlights: Another Ron Holland design, Serendipity I has an "elegant and contemporary" 324GT interior, furnished in ebony and teak and with flexible accommodation for up to eight guests. A social layout spans a swimming pool, deck Jacuzzi, beach club and generous saloon, with the latter including U-shaped sofas, formal dining, an office area and a chic corner bar. This space connects via sliding doors to the large al fresco dining and lounge area in the aft cockpit.
With a 52-metre mast, Serendipity I carries an upwind sail area of almost 900 square metres, providing the "best possible sailing performance" for an ocean cruising yacht, according to her broker.
Serendipity I is available to charter with Ocean Independence from €120,000 per week.
Abundance
Stats: 31.9m, Alloy Yachts, 1998, 6 guests, 4 crew
Highlights: The former Irelanda, Abundance is the "perfect yacht for performance sailing", featuring naval architecture and design by pedigree Dutch studio Hoek Design. Her smaller LOA is offset by a voluminous interior (104GT), wide beam and a large deckhouse, with major upgrades in winter 2021 and 2025 presenting her "at a high standard". Upgrades included new sails, upholstery, air conditioning, carpets and a Bimini.
Her dual-purpose swim platform and tender storage transom arrangement is perfect for an active charter, offering easy access to the water. The owner's cabin is equipped with a double bed and plenty of storage, while the twin cabins can be converted into queen-sized beds, all benefitting from Abundance's "classy mahogany" interior design.
Abundance is available to charter with Bernard Gallay from €42,000 per week.
Free at Last
Stats: 28.8m, Monty North, 2001, 6 guests, 2 crew
Highlights: A complete 2025 refit has refreshed the Spanish-built Free at Last (ex Concordia). The broker has highlighted her "delightful" teak flush deck, which features U-shaped sofas and two large steering wheels at the stern. The space is large enough to host al fresco dinners, while the sofas can be converted into sunbathing areas with awnings available to protect from the midday heat. Her interiors, which were originally designed by Spanish designer Marcelo Penna, create an intimate, cosy atmosphere by incorporating warm wooden décor and black fabrics.
Accommodation is across an owner's suite and two convertible cabins (two single beds or one double) with a fixed Pullman berth.
Free at Last is available to charter with Bernard Gallay from €39,000 per week.
Atalante
Stats: 38.8m, Claasen, 2015, 6 guests, 5 crew
Highlights: A Hoek Design Truly Classic, Atalante combines "the elegant aesthetics of the 1930s with a modern hull" for high-performance sailing. The cruising sloop has accommodation for an owner's party of six in three cabins, comprising a master cabin aft, connected to the aft deckhouse, plus one double and one twin forward of the saloon. Interior craftsmanship and woodwork is outstanding and the ambience is one of comfort, while also having the ability to view the surroundings or sailing action from the deckhouse. Charter guests will also benefit from two cockpits – one aft for sailing and one forward providing a safe space amidships for relaxing or al fresco dining.
Atalante undergoes continuous upgrades and is "impeccably maintained" to her original World Superyacht Awards standard, according to her broker.
Atalante is available to charter with Burgess from €84,000 per week.
Turkish Delight
Stats: 24.4m, Sunreef Yachts, 2019, 8 guests, 3 crew
Highlights: A shallow, 2.2-metre draught means Turkish Delight can easily explore remote locales in the Caribbean this season. This catamaran is guided by an indoor-outdoor design ethos, with the main saloon enclosed by floor-to-ceiling windows and furnished with pops of yellow and marble surfaces for warm, bright interiors. Accommodation includes the owner's suite, which benefits from sea views from the king-size bed, a dressing room and a marble bathroom. The rest of the party can be spread across three double cabins, each equipped with a queen-sized bed, a television and access to the Yamaha sound system.
For guests wanting to bask in some winter sun, the bow is the best bet, fitted with daybeds and a forward-facing sunken sofa, though her trampoline is the perfect spot to "watch the waves below".
Turkish Delight is available to charter with Edmiston from $80,000 per week.
Kalinda
Stats: 24m, CN Yacht, 2009, 7 guests, 3 crew
Highlights: Kalinda belongs to the Andrea Vallicelli-designed Sloop 80 series, featuring a composite hull, carbon rig and raised saloon for quick, steady cruising. Outdoor spaces include a double cockpit with fully equipped kitchen and grill, and large tender garage that transforms into a sunbathing area.
"With luxurious spaces, seamless water access via a swimming platform and an array of water toys, Kalinda promises an unforgettable charter experience," added her broker.
Kalinda is available to charter with Ocean Independence from €28,000 per week.