The best James Bond movie locations to visit by superyacht

The latest James Bond film, No Time To Die, left fans wondering how and when the film franchise will return to cinema screens. BOAT takes a look back at where the gentleman spy's adventures have taken him in the past. Read on to discover the best real-life James Bond movie locations you can visit around the world on a superyacht holiday or charter...

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Seen in: Dr No
Credit: BFA Alamy Stock Photo

Ocho Rios beach in Jamaica, considered to be one of the best beaches in the Caribbean, is where a bikini-clad Honey Ryder (Ursula Andress) in Dr. No famously emerged from the water, conch shell in hand. Ocho Rios is stunning thanks to its natural waterfalls, rivers and beaches. For diving fanatics it is also has a man made sunken ship which is one of the best shipwreck dives in the world.

In the latest James Bond film, No Time To Die, 007 is seen in the trailer returning to Jamaica on board a Spirit 46 sailing yacht.

How to visit on a superyacht: There are marinas dotted around Jamaica but to make the most of this island find yourself a secluded anchorage to enjoy its natural beauty and picturesque sunsets.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Seen in: Moonraker
Credit: Jeremy Woodhouse via Getty Images

Bond (Roger Moore) fought the metal-toothed villain known as Jaws in, on and around the Sugarloaf Mountain cable cars in Moonraker, and slid down the cable with Bond girl Lois Chiles clinging on. The trams travel over Guanabara Bay, travelling initially from Praia Vermelha (Red Beach) to Morro da Urca (Urca Hill) at a dizzying 220 metres. The second line takes you up to the peak of Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain), which rises 296 metres skywards from the harbour.

How to visit by superyacht: Those on a private boat or those who wish to charter a superyacht in Brazil are advised to anchor in Guanabara Bay. The journey up to Sugarloaf Mountain is well worth the trip, but be sure to leave time for a meal at Bar Urca, a well-known restaurant that specialises in Portuguese and Brazilian cuisine. It's a stone's throw away from the Forte São João, so culture vultures and history buffs can really make the most of their time visiting Rio de Janeiro on a superyacht.

Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland

Seen in: Die Another Day
Credit: Leo Patrizi via Getty Images

In a pivotal scene of Die Another Day, Bond, played by Pierce Brosnan, speeds his Aston Martin over a glacial terrain in a thrilling car chase. The stunning Vatnajökull National Park in Iceland was used as a backdrop for these arctic racing scenes as well as hosting the structure of Graves’ Ice Palace, which melts and collapses as Bond escapes the icy region. The national park stretches over over a distance of 13,600km and features lagoons, waterfalls, glaciers and even volcanoes. The desolate beauty of this region has attracted multiple film crews to shoot here; in more recent years the area has been used as a Game of Thrones filming location.

How to visit on a superyacht: It's not close to the port of Reykjavik, but tours operating from the capital make getting to the national park easy enough. In recent years, superyachts such as 126 metre Octopus and 119 metre Motor Yacht A have both been spotted in Reykjavik.

Corfu, Greece

Seen in: For Your Eyes Only
Credit: David C Tomlinson via Getty Images

The island of Corfu was used for several scenes for the 1981 epic For Your Eyes Only — featuring Roger Moore. Located 40 metres above the sea, Villa Sylva near Corfu Town was used as the location for the "Spanish villa". The famous car chase scene, featuring Bond and love interest Melina in a yellow Citroen 2CV, was also filmed in the narrow roads surrounding Agios Georgios in the north of the island.

How to visit by superyacht: Although only small, the island is well worth a visit by superyacht and you could tie it in as part of a week sailing from Athens to Corfu. As well as visiting the Bond locations you can either head to Corfu Yacht Club or visit some of the Mediterranean’s best rustic restaurants on the lively island.

Costa Smeralda, Italy

Seen in: The Spy Who Loved Me
Credit: Guenterguni via Getty Images

Costa Smeralda was used for multiple scenes in the Spy Who Loved Me. A lot of the filming took place at the fashionable resort of Cala di Volpe. However, the film's famous car chase with the sidecar took place on the opposite side of the island along the road to Capo Caccia — one of the best coastal roads to drive.

How to visit on a superyacht: At the heart of this location is Porto Cervo, which is one of the most exclusive marinas and a top Mediterranean party destination. If you venture a little further south is a there is an anchorage with beautiful beaches and the Cala di Volpe is at its northern end. However, this area can be crowded in high summer.

Istanbul, Turkey

Seen in: Skyfall
Credit: Ugurhan via Getty Images

James Bond is no stranger to Istanbul having visited the city in From Russia With Love, The World is Not Enough and Skyfall. The opening sequence of Skyfall is filmed through the crowded streets and the Grand Bazaar. Some of the filming for other scenes in the film took place in Adana and Fethiye.

How to visit on a superyacht: Kalamis and Fenerbahçe marinas are situated side-by-side, five miles east of the city centre. They make a great base from which to explore the city and offer shops, restaurants and a swimming pool. Istanbul is a great starting point for a private cruise or luxury yacht charter in Turkey.

Monte Carlo, Monaco

Seen in: GoldenEye
Credit: Artsy via Getty Images

Monaco is one of Bond’s favourite playgrounds and was featured in GoldenEye, Never Say Never Again and Casino Royale. In GoldenEye Bond goes to the Monte Carlo Casino and meets Xenia for a game of Baccarat in the salon privée. Most of this scene was shot in a studio but the part where James Bond is walking through the casino was shot on location.

How to visit on a superyacht: Port Hercule is the deep-water port in Monaco and one of the most sought after superyacht locations. It has 30 berths for yachts of 25 to 30 metres, and 20 berths for yachts 30 metres over. Glamorous Monaco is home to some of the world's best restaurants and has a selection of beautiful hotels if you fancy a night on dry land.

Nassau, The Bahamas

Seen in: Thunderball
Credit: Hulton Deutsch Collection/CORBIS via Getty Images

Thunderball is famous for its underwater brawls including one where Bond fights with villain Largo’s henchmen in a series of submerged caves. This scene was a filmed at a cave near Staniel Cay, in the Exuma island chain of The Bahamas; the cavern was renamed Thunderball Grotto after the film. Although the film location initially looks unimpressive from the outside, the area is similar to a Swiss cheese as it is a hollow island with holes going through it. Once you swim through you are greeted by numerous large chambers with fantastic fish.

How to visit on a superyacht: The nearby Staniel Cay Yacht Club can accommodate yachts of up to 56 metres and has a popular restaurant and bar. Afterwards you can visit Big Major's Spot where you can swim with the island’s famous pigs — definitely something to ticked off your Caribbean bucket list.

Miami Beach, US

Seen in: Goldfinger
Credit: Fontainebleau Hotel Miami

Miami Beach and the Fontainebleau Hotel are featured in the opening scenes of Goldfinger. While at the hotel Bond receives a massage, gets a heads-up about Auric Goldfinger and the ill-fated Jill Masterson gets her gold paint job from Oddjob.

How to visit on a superyacht: Indian Creek Marina is the closest to the hotel and can host yachts up to 75 metres. Alternatively Island Gardens Deep Harbour Marina officially opened earlier this year and can berth up to 50 superyachts.

Venice, Italy

Seen in: Casino Royale
Credit: bluejayphoto via Getty Images

In the 2006 film Casino Royale, Bond moors his yacht at Hotel Cipriani’s private marina. The cast and crew stayed at the hotel during the filming and Daniel Craig reportedly turned down a martini at the hotel bar, opting for the local favourite, a Bellini, instead.

How to visit on a superyacht: A trip to Venice is recommended as part of a trip between Rimini to Trieste. Venice Yacht Pier is the only place for large yachts to berth right in the heart of the city; located close to St Mark’s Square and only 10km from the airport.

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