Welcome to "Destinations" - a new series on
yachting destinations throughout the world.

We begin our adventures in the "Society Islands" in the South Pacific Ocean featuring the Sailing Yacht Matelot with Captain Angus Fuller at the helm.



The S/Y Matelot is a 2005 model 80' Sailing Yacht with three guest cabins accommodating up to 6 guests and a crew of 4 to pamper you and show you the islands. Her rate* for six guests ranges from 29,500 Euros per week to 32,500 Euros per week - plus expenses and 12% Polynesian Tax.

NOTE - during the month of SEPTEMBER 2010 - you not only get the lowest weekly rate of 29,500 (plus expenses) but they are giving an extra THREE DAYS FREE! That's TEN days for the price of seven!

According to Captain Fuller, the best months for cruising this area are May through September. May, June and July are less busy with lighter winds, and August and September enjoy the strongest trade winds enabling the yacht to reach cruising speeds of 20 - 25 knots. Regardless of the month you choose, one the great things about this area is that all the anchorages are inside nice calm and quiet lagoons.



Check out the itinerary below:


10 Day Itinerary Society Islands

by Captain Angus Fuller aboard S/Y MATELOT

Day 1:
Join Matelot stern to in Marina Taina at the foot of Tahiti's mountains, just 5mins from Tahiti International Airport. Depart for Moorea via the southern passage through the reef - Passe de Taapuna - sailing through this passage lets you know that you've truly arrived in the Pacific! Sail to Opunohu Bay (15nm). Night at anchor.



Photo courtesy of Captain Angus

Day 2:

Spend the day at anchor in Opunohu Bay. Apart from relaxing onboard the yacht and using the water toys, the options of activities to do off the yacht are almost limitless - diving, feeding sting rays by hand, picnic lunch on a Motu, shopping for pearls in the local village, horse riding and land tours. There are also two excellent, but very different restaurants (Matiehani and La Villa des Sens) where you can enjoy dinner. Finally there is an eco outdoor spa for those who are looking for further relaxation!

Day 3:
Enjoy an all day sail downwind to Huahine of 90nm. Enter the reef passage and anchor in Bai Haavia. It's not unusual to have surfers on either side of the yacht as we go through the pass!





Photo courtesy of Captain Angus

Day 4:
A day at anchor off Baia D'Avea in Huahine Iti. This island has probably the best beaches and prettiest lagoons in the Society Islands and is a wonderful, quiet location in which to relax (it would be possible to spend many days here). Go horse riding along the beach and even take the horses swimming! Have dinner in Restaurant Mauarii - a lovely setting on the beach.

Day 5:
Spend the morning at anchor or move north to visit the town of Fare. After lunch sail the 25nm to Tahaa. Have a refreshing swim on arrival, anchor in Baies Haamene or Faahe for the night.



Photo Courtesy Captain Angus

Day 6:
Day at Tahaa. After breakfast, have a private tour of the Vanilla plantations. In the afternoon visit a pearl farm and snorkel on the pearls. Here there is also the opportunity to visit Le Taha'a Private Island and Spa - a Relais and Chateau hotel. In the evening enjoy a local Polynesia Dance Troupe ashore.

Day 7:
Sail the short distance inside the reef to Raitaa. There is the option of taking a hike inland to a waterfall or go on an island tour here and visit the Marea at Taputapuatea. This Marea is referred to as the "father" of all the sacred sights in French Polynesia, so for those who have an interest in history or archeology it would be well worth a visit.



Photo courtesy of Captain Angus

Day 8:
After breakfast, sail the 26nm to Bora Bora. Enter the lagoon and continue to the southern end and anchor off the renowned Bloody Mary's restaurant and bar. Have lunch ashore here. In the afternoon go snorkeling off the motus and reefs or take the tender on an exploration along the south side of the lagoon and reef. Night at anchor.

Day 9:
The activities available in Bora Bora are endless, but the following provides a taster of what can be done: Renting a private motu/ beach for the day, Diving, Hiking through the mountains and gardens, 4 x 4 excursions, Jet Ski tours of the island, Parasailing, enjoy the spa at the newly refurbished Pearl Beach Spa, visit the Pearl Market to purchase any pearls you missed earlier in the holiday!



Photo courtesy of Captain Angus

Day 10:
After a morning onboard, sail to the northern end of the lagoon and depart via tender which will take you to the dock at the airport. Alternatively, if moving to a hotel for a few nights we can anchor the yacht off the hotel and take the guests in by tender (depths and weather permitting).




Photo courtesy of Captain Angus



Photo courtesy of Captain Angus


Don't wait - let us find a yacht in an exotic destination just for YOU!



Photo courtesy of Captain Angus



Photo courtesy of Captain Angus

Be sure to check the  new link on our website  where you will find past and future newsletters featuring yacht reviews, destination itineraries and the latest yachting news. 

 Email questions or requests for more info. 

 Follow me on Twitter @ The Yacht Girl

 *Rates, availability and location subject to change without notice.

Have you ever just returned from a long overseas flight and walked the long corriders in Miami, or New York, or other US city - only to walk around the corner and see hundreds of people in line to clear US Customs?   

Wish you had a magic wand that you could wave and by-pass that line?  Well - now I do - and you can too!

I just signed up for GOES the Global Online Enrollment System that enables you to skip US Customs and Immigration lines!  Yes - it's true.  When you register for the Global Entry Program (cost is $100 and is good for five years) and are approved for the program, a special bar code is put in your passport and when you re-enter the US you just go to a kiosk - scan your passport and fingerprints, the camera takes your photo and matches your photo to the one on file and voila - in just a matter of seconds - you're done.

As a Frequent International Traveler I am so-o-o-o excited about this program.  I can't wait for my next trip and the opportunity to walk past all those people in line and be on my way.

Why not sign up for Global Entry and zip off on a charter in a great destination?

Be sure to check back often and go to our website at Paradise Yacht Charters for itineraries and yacht searches.  Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it us at   with questions or for more info.  And check The Examiner for continual updates and photo slideshows.  Follow me on Twitter @ TheYachtGirl 

An article just appeared on the web with this headline - "Italian police seize Briatore's yacht".

It reports that while cruising with his wife and new son on board his yacht, the police boarded Flavio Briatore's yacht Force Blue and questioned their registration. The article states, "Investigators suspect Briatore has registered it in the Cayman Islands in order to obtain a tax break and to avoid paying sales taxes when anchoring in European harbours."  They go even further stating that, "They suspect the yacht is not chartered at all and in fact is used only by Briatore's family."

As a charter broker, I am familiar with the megayachts available in the market.  Force Blue is managed by a well known world wide yacht management company and I have confirmed on the MYBA.net booking calendar that Force Blue  IS IN FACT AVAILABLE FOR CHARTER.  Not only is she 'available', according to MYBA.net she is heavily booked for this summer season in the Med with charters confirmed for:

• June 24 - July 2 - Kemer to Marmaris
• July 15 - 25 - Monaco to Monaco
• July 26 - August 1 Civitaveccia to Olbia
• August 3 - August 13 - Porto Cervo to Monaco
  

If YOU are interested in a charter aboard Force Blue, a magnificent 207' megayacht built in 2002, Refit in 2007/2008, featuring 6 cabins for 12 guests (all can be King bedded cabins), on deck Jacuzzi, helipad, hair salon and numerous other amazing features, her rate is 245,000 Euros per week plus expenses low season and 255,000 Euros per week plus expenses high season, please call us - we'll arrange a charter for  you on board this yacht, or one that is similar, that will insure you an exceptional charter experience.

We have yachts available throughout the world including: Monaco, St. Tropez, Cannes, Croatia, Fiji, Panama, Amazon, Caribbean.  Call today.

Be sure to check back often and go to our website at Paradise Yacht Charters for itineraries and yacht searches.  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it us at   with questions or for more info.  And check The Examiner for continual updates and photo slideshows.  Follow me on Twitter @ TheYachtGirl 

This is definitely ONE SEXY DRAGON!  She is the M/Y Dragon, a 137' Palmer Johnson launched in 2007.    Heads turn whenever she pulls into port.  Jump on board and be the envy of all those on other yachts.

She has four cabins accommodating 8 guests and charters for $135,000 USD per week plus expenses.  She is currently in the Bahamas and will be heading to the Mediterranean in a few weeks. 

Her six crew members will pamper you and your guests as you enjoy her many on board toys and amenities - like the on deck Jacuzzi.

Call now to book your sailing holiday in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean or anywhere in the world!!

Be sure to check back often and go to our website at Paradise Yacht Charters for itineraries and yacht searches.  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it us at   with questions or for more info.  And check The Examiner for continual updates and photo slideshows.  Follow me on Twitter @ TheYachtGirl 

Enjoy sailing from the aft deck of Andromeda la Dea, a beautiful 154' Perini Navi Sailing Yacht with four spacious cabins and a crew 8 to pamper you.  Bask not only in the sun but in the history of this yacht that has circumnavigated the world including visits to both the Arctic and the Antarctic in her distinguished career.

Andromeda is available in the Caribbean during the winter months and cruises the Mediterranean in the summer.  Her weekly rate is between $115,000 and $150,000 US Dollars per week, based upon location and season, plus all expenses.

Call now to book your sailing holiday in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean or anywhere in the world!!

Be sure to check back often and go to our website at Paradise Yacht Charters for itineraries and yacht searches.  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it us at   with questions or for more info.  And check The Examiner for continual updates and photo slideshows. Follow me on Twitter @ TheYachtGirl