Will Bermuda be the Next Big Charter Destination?

By Rebecca Bradbury 17 November 2016

With a new superyacht marina under construction and the America’s Cup taking place there this summer, Bermuda is being tipped as the next big yachting hotspot for charter vacations and superyacht owners.

Floating adrift in the Atlantic Ocean, Bermuda has so far been without a multi-facility for superyachts but with the new Caroline Bay Marina due to be completed in March 2017 – in time for the iconic America’s Cup – this is about to change.

Caroline Bay is located on a secluded cove in the west end of the island-nation. Protected by the Morgan’s Point peninsula in the Great Sound, the new marina will be able to accommodate approximately 40 superyachts, including 23 in excess of 60 metres.

And being built in close proximity to the main staging area of the America’s Cup, the facilities will offer ringside seats and a range of other services to yachts visiting during the racing event, which takes place in June next year.

Once completed, Caroline Bay Marina will double the superyacht berthing capacity for the whole of Bermuda and will be the first part of a larger waterfront development known as the Ritz-Carlton Reserve.

aerial rendering of the new Caroline Marina Bay in Bermuda

clip of presentation on Bermuda hosting the 2017 America's Cup

rendering of the new Caroline Marina Bay due to open in March 2017

Billed as a ‘destination resort and residential community’, the project is being designed as a contemporary interpretation of the nation’s British colonial architecture, and will encompass upmarket accommodation, a luxury indoor-outdoor spa, and a restaurant and bar.

Looking ahead to June 2017, the 35^th edition of the America’s Cup is expected to bring an influx of yachts to the western side of the island, contributing to what is hoped to be Bermuda’s transformation into a ‘real high-end destination’.

This conversion into a yachting hotspot, of course, is expected to be assisted by the Ritz-Carlton Reserve, currently due to open in 2018.

A two-hour flight from most east coast US cities, Bermuda is more accessible than many expect and, although seen as more of a ‘stop-and-go-port’ for yachts making the passage from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean or vice versa, it has a lot to offer yacht-goers.

The America’s Cup is expected to bring an influx of yachts to the western side of the island

female swimmer floats in the crystal clear waters of Bermuda

Beautiful Horseshoe Bay, one of the spectacular beaches on the south shore of Bermuda

colourful tropical fish in crystal clear waters of Bermuda

Made up of 181 beautiful islands and inlets, Bermuda is, in fact, a sailor’s paradise. Cerulean waters and pink-sand beaches fringe the idyllic coastline, with many safe anchorages to pick from on a charter vacation.

Divers will love exploring the vibrant underwater world, home to more than 150 wrecks and a diverse variety of colourful marine life. While, on shore, sport enthusiasts can take to world-class golf courses and tennis courts renowned for their stunning backdrops.

Displaying a deep British heritage, coastal towns are lined with pastel hued houses and crisp colonial architecture, and offer a rich dining scene, designer shopping, a number of events and festivals, and a fascinating history to uncover.

There has already been a significant increase in yacht-goers expressing interest in visiting the archipelago as its status stretches beyond that of simply a stopover destination, but the superyacht world will have to wait and see whether Bermuda’s growing popularity will endure beyond 2017.