Owner and developer of The Marina at Christophe Harbour, Buddy Darby, has commented on his surprise at noticing an increasing number of superyachts berthed in the Caribbean of the 2016 summer season.

This increase in summer season visitors, albeit slight, has been echoed by Desigen Vythilingum, general manager of private yet terminal YU Lounge, new partner of the St Kitts marina. “This small increase is mostly down to new faces,” Vythilingu tells SuperyachtNews.

The Caribbean’s weather patterns have not historically been conducive to summer cruising – in fact, Linda Pearson, marina dockmaster at Christophe Harbour, and ex-superyacht captain, is not present at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show, due to a tropical storm in the Nevis region.

Before and after hurricane season, however, Darby, owner of Andromeda La Dea, is adamant that weather in the Caribbean is good. Vythilingu agrees; “The superyacht industry, and its owners, like to be on trend, and cruising spots are down to industry trends,” he says.  Vythilingum believes that once more superyacht owners make the decision to spend their summer in the Caribbean, which a small number are now doing, more will jump on this trend.

The superyacht industry, and its owners, like to be on trend, and cruising spots are down to industry trends.

The question remains, while the developments in St Kitts cannot be refuted, will the Caribbean ever become a true summer superyacht destination? While the undeniable hurricane season is an obvious stumbling block, with more reports of Mediterranean gridlock, particularly in the once somewhat unspoiled and now increasingly busy Balearics, perhaps superyachts will start looking even further afield.

Do you think the Caribbean is a viable summer destination? We'd love to hear from you. Find us at QE9 at the Monaco Yacht Show, or find the SuperyachtNews journalists walking the show.

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