Greenland

Tucked away near the North Pole, Greenland has only 63 kilometres of paved roads, meaning the best way to explore is by boat. Travel by expedition yacht and discover magnificent icescapes, some of the best fjords on the planet, colorful Inuit communities and incredibly diverse wildlife.

Highlights include kayaking among turquoise-hued icebergs, dog-sledging across wintry landscapes, cruising through the dazzling ice fjords of Ilulissat, whale-watching in the Greenland Strait and bathing in the geothermal springs of Uunartoq.

The alpine ranges south of the Arctic Circle in western Greenland, with peaks of up to 2,000 metres, are perfect for heli-skiing. Whereas, in the summer, the ‘Valley of the Flowers’ in the south east comes alive with blooms of purples, whites and yellows creating colorful hiking trails.

Visiting Greenland is recommended during the summer months and, at this time of year, visitors can experience the natural phenomenon of the Midnight Sun. This makes it all the better to see the rich wildlife, which ranges from musk oxen, reindeers and polar bears to narwhals and walruses.

Greenland

Tucked away near the North Pole, Greenland has only 63 kilometres of paved roads, meaning the best way to explore is by boat. Travel by expedition yacht and discover magnificent icescapes, some of the best fjords on the planet, colorful Inuit communities and incredibly diverse wildlife.

Highlights include kayaking among turquoise-hued icebergs, dog-sledging across wintry landscapes, cruising through the dazzling ice fjords of Ilulissat, whale-watching in the Greenland Strait and bathing in the geothermal springs of Uunartoq.

The alpine ranges south of the Arctic Circle in western Greenland, with peaks of up to 2,000 metres, are perfect for heli-skiing. Whereas, in the summer, the ‘Valley of the Flowers’ in the south east comes alive with blooms of purples, whites and yellows creating colorful hiking trails.

Visiting Greenland is recommended during the summer months and, at this time of year, visitors can experience the natural phenomenon of the Midnight Sun. This makes it all the better to see the rich wildlife, which ranges from musk oxen, reindeers and polar bears to narwhals and walruses.

Alaska

Luxury yacht charters in the 49^th state can certainly satiate their desire for discovery. As much of the 6,640-mile-long coastline is inaccessible by road, travelling by yacht is the best way to take in the cliff-rimmed fjords, crevasse-riddled glaciers and majestic snow-capped mountains.

Get close-up views of brown bears snatching leaping salmon out of thundering waterfalls or humpback whales frolicking in the clear, calm waters. Look out too for wolves, mooses and reindeers roaming in forests along the water’s edge and bald eagles and sandhill cranes soaring overhead.

In the south east, the Inside Passage is a must-see. A network of waterways wind through glacier-cut fjords and lush temperate rain forests, providing ample animal sightings and the chance to recount Alaska’s colourful history in towns such as Sita, Skagway and Ketchikan.

Other places to visit include Prince William Sound, Kenai Fjords National Park, Glacier Bay National Park and to the remote reaches of the Aleutian Chain and Bering Sea. For the optimal combination of daylight, temperature and snow cover, visit in March and early April.

Alaska

Luxury yacht charters in the 49^th state can certainly satiate their desire for discovery. As much of the 6,640-mile-long coastline is inaccessible by road, travelling by yacht is the best way to take in the cliff-rimmed fjords, crevasse-riddled glaciers and majestic snow-capped mountains.

Get close-up views of brown bears snatching leaping salmon out of thundering waterfalls or humpback whales frolicking in the clear, calm waters. Look out too for wolves, mooses and reindeers roaming in forests along the water’s edge and bald eagles and sandhill cranes soaring overhead.

In the south east, the Inside Passage is a must-see. A network of waterways wind through glacier-cut fjords and lush temperate rain forests, providing ample animal sightings and the chance to recount Alaska’s colourful history in towns such as Sita, Skagway and Ketchikan.

Other places to visit include Prince William Sound, Kenai Fjords National Park, Glacier Bay National Park and to the remote reaches of the Aleutian Chain and Bering Sea. For the optimal combination of daylight, temperature and snow cover, visit in March and early April.

Norway

The region opens up a wealth of cruising opportunities but, although still an off-the-radar destination for expedition yachts, there are more remote and more rugged areas to explore in the north of the country.

Arctic Norway, as it’s referred, stretches from the Lofoten peninsula to North Cape – Europe’s northernmost point. Here, charterers can cruise past snow-topped mountains and majestic glaciers, hike to the highest peaks, heli-ski in the Lyngen Archipelago and spot sea eagles, puffins and kittiwakes.

Then there are the Svalbard Islands, located in the Arctic Ocean halfway between Norway and the North Pole. Its untouched Arctic wilderness is at once both fragile and rugged and captivates all who venture here.

Plus, the archipelago remains the best spot in the world for viewing polar bears in their natural habitat. Nearly two thirds of the surface of Svalbard is protected but the small and colorful community of Longyearbyen has a surprisingly wide range of cultural activities on offer.

Norway

Think of Norway and images of deep blue inlets, steep mountains and thundering waterfalls are sure to come to mind. These are Norway’s Western Fjords and, thought by many to be the soul of the country, radiate a subliminal beauty impossible to find elsewhere in the world.

The region opens up a wealth of cruising opportunities but, although still an off-the-radar destination for expedition yachts, there are more remote and more rugged areas to explore in the north of the country.

Arctic Norway, as it’s referred, stretches from the Lofoten peninsula to North Cape – Europe’s northernmost point. Here, charterers can cruise past snow-topped mountains and majestic glaciers, hike to the highest peaks, heli-ski in the Lyngen Archipelago and spot sea eagles, puffins and kittiwakes.

Then there are the Svalbard Islands, located in the Arctic Ocean halfway between Norway and the North Pole. Its untouched Arctic wilderness is at once both fragile and rugged and captivates all who venture here.

Plus, the archipelago remains the best spot in the world for viewing polar bears in their natural habitat. Nearly two thirds of the surface of Svalbard is protected but the small and colorful community of Longyearbyen has a surprisingly wide range of cultural activities on offer.

New Zealand

The two main islands have very distinctive characters. The North Island is warmer, with more rolling hills, sweeping beaches and volcanic goings-on. Visit Rotorua for the best thermal bath or Tongariro National Park to see still-active craters in an otherworldly landscape.

From Auckland, head north to the Bay of Islands, known for its stunning natural beauty and rich Maori and European heritage. But don’t leave the city without sampling its vibrant food scene and visiting the Hauraki Gulf and Islands for wine-tasting, dolphin spotting and kayaking opportunities.

The South Island, meanwhile, has the highest peaks, glacier-carved fjords and plunging waterfalls. At the tip of the South Island are the sheltered waterways of the Marlborough Sounds, one of New Zealand’s key yachting destinations famed for its picturesque scenery, Sauvignon Blanc and delicious seafood.

Another famous waterway is the Milford Sound where cliffs rise vertically from the dark waters, snow-capped mountains touch the clouds and waterfalls cascade downwards from peaks as high as 1,000 metres. There is much to see and do on land too, from hiking and caving to bungee jumping and sky diving.

New Zealand

From Auckland, head north to the Bay of Islands, known for its stunning natural beauty and rich Maori and European heritage. But don’t leave the city without sampling its vibrant food scene and visiting the Hauraki Gulf and Islands for wine-tasting, dolphin spotting and kayaking opportunities.

The South Island, meanwhile, has the highest peaks, glacier-carved fjords and plunging waterfalls. At the tip of the South Island are the sheltered waterways of the Marlborough Sounds, one of New Zealand’s key yachting destinations famed for its picturesque scenery, Sauvignon Blanc and delicious seafood.

Another famous waterway is the Milford Sound where cliffs rise vertically from the dark waters, snow-capped mountains touch the clouds and waterfalls cascade downwards from peaks as high as 1,000 metres. There is much to see and do on land too, from hiking and caving to bungee jumping and sky diving.

South Pacific

With gin-clear waters, palm-fringed beaches, dazzling displays of coral and smiling locals, the exotic sights and sensual charms of these outposts never fail to live up to expectations. But, as the islands are as diverse as the region is vast, the hard part is deciding where to go.

While Fiji is made up of 332 islands, only a third are inhabited and, even then, solitude is not hard to come by. Expect sun-kissed beaches, a rich underwater world and ludicrously lush interiors. Although, don’t write off the populous islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu as there is Fiji’s unique culture and cuisine to fall in love with.

Graced with soaring, moss-green peaks and vivid turquoise lagoons, French Polynesia is the place to take it slow. Tahiti and Bora Bora are undoubtedly the most famous of the 118 island strong nation, but there are still a wealth of forgotten islands, surf spots and coral gardens to seek out.

Island-hop around the 15 heavenly droplets of land making up the Cook Islands and discover scenic lagoons, Polynesian traditions and underground cave pools. While, explore volcanic islands, croc-infested mangroves, emerald forests and WWII shipwrecks in the Solomon Islands, arguably the region’s wildest offering.

South Pacific

Expedition yachts are also very much at home in the South Pacific. With more than 7,500 daydreamy islands scattered between New Zealand and South America, long-range cruising capabilities come into their own in this wonderfully remote region of the world.

With gin-clear waters, palm-fringed beaches, dazzling displays of coral and smiling locals, the exotic sights and sensual charms of these outposts never fail to live up to expectations. But, as the islands are as diverse as the region is vast, the hard part is deciding where to go.

While Fiji is made up of 332 islands, only a third are inhabited and, even then, solitude is not hard to come by. Expect sun-kissed beaches, a rich underwater world and ludicrously lush interiors. Although, don’t write off the populous islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu as there is Fiji’s unique culture and cuisine to fall in love with.

Graced with soaring, moss-green peaks and vivid turquoise lagoons, French Polynesia is the place to take it slow. Tahiti and Bora Bora are undoubtedly the most famous of the 118 island strong nation, but there are still a wealth of forgotten islands, surf spots and coral gardens to seek out.

Island-hop around the 15 heavenly droplets of land making up the Cook Islands and discover scenic lagoons, Polynesian traditions and underground cave pools. While, explore volcanic islands, croc-infested mangroves, emerald forests and WWII shipwrecks in the Solomon Islands, arguably the region’s wildest offering.

Seychelles & Maldives

Images of the tropical Maldives and Seychelles began the desire for luxury explorer yachting in exotic locations and to this day this region has pristine islands and cays uninhabited and perfect for water sports and sunbathing in complete privacy.

The beaches come in an array of colours – golden, white, pink and even glow-in-the-dark when certain plankton was up on the shores. Whether the main focus of your yacht charter is an adventure or to celebrate a special occasion with loved ones, the Maldives & Seychelles are timeless.

Red Sea

The Red Sea could easily be combined with the Maldives or Seychelles and boasts a wealth of wreck dives and exceptional coral reefs that haven’t experienced coral bleaching to the extent of other famous sites worldwide. Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada and Marsa Alam are considered three of the best dive spots in the area, with visibility up to 40m/131ft and warm temperatures that make multiple dives possible. Added to this are some fantastic beaches, and time on land will be well spent with the options of dune adventures, rich cultural sites, galleries, museums and shopping opportunities ranging from local markets to big international brands.

Indonesia

For Scuba divers, Indonesia and the Sulawesi region, in particular, is considered the ultimate destination for diving: The flora and fauna are diverse and colourful, and there are sites to suit beginner level through to advanced. Wreck dives, cave dives and muck dives offer some exceptional close encounters with lionfish, pygmy sea horses, turtles, reef sharks and much more – and those who want to stay on dry land have a fantastic selection of beaches as well as bars, clubs and restaurants in Bali matched by amazing local markets and boutique shopping opportunities.

Northwest Passage

The Northwest Passage and the Canadian Arctic also offer phenomenal remote cruising in an environment that, retreating ice notwithstanding, humans have done little to alter. There is excellent fishing and the opportunity to spot polar bears, Arctic foxes, musk oxen, wolves, as well as whales, belugas and narwhals. Expect to see plenty of ice, from mighty glaciers to vast icebergs and loose pack ice. There’s the opportunity to get up close to all of it, and even to set foot on icebergs. As few as 300 boats of any kind are thought to have navigated this tricky, ice-choked branching waterway. It’s iconic and people want to say ‘My Passagemaker Yacht has done this,’