The Caribbean season has come to a close, with reports that the charter season has been quieter than previous years as demand for the region falls. However, St Kitts and Nevis and Christophe Harbour are celebrating a record-breaking year for superyacht traffic.

The 2015/16 season has seen the Federation welcome nearly 200 yachts over 22m to its waters, with 87 per cent of those vessels falling specifically in the superyacht category of 30m and above. This represents a 20 per cent year-on-year growth in large yacht traffic in St Kitts and Nevis for the fourth year running.

The Marina at Christophe Harbour in January 2016

"It has been a really exciting season for Christophe Harbour and St Kitts and Nevis," says Aeneas Hollins, director of yachting at The Marina at Christophe Harbour. "The number of superyachts spending time here has continued to grow, with almost half of them stopping over at Christophe Harbour.

“Yachts are staying longer, making the most of our state-of-the-art facilities and yacht services, as well as all that St Kitts and Nevis have to offer – friendly locals, culture, incredible food and stunning natural surrounding. We are seeing many of the yachts come back and visit again throughout the season." 

Of those large yachts visiting the Federation, 89 per cent clear in to St Kitts, indicating a significant shift from years past and the influence of the many services now on offer, including expedited VIP customs and immigration services. With the offer of competitively priced in-slip, duty free fuelling, the marina facilities, provisioning and concierge services and YU Lounge, the VIP private jet terminal for guests to arrive into, Christophe Harbour makes St Kitts another option for yachts to start and end charters in the region.

The build of the Customs House, central point of the marina village, is well underway and The Marina at Christophe Harbour has also recently seen the installation of a fuel farm capable of delivering 125 US gallons of duty-free fuel per minute in slip to visiting yachts. Advances like this at Christophe Harbour are not only improving the superyacht infrastructure on island, but the regional infrastructure, and as a result, the number of yachts spending time in St Kitts and Nevis is expected to grow.

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Christophe Harbour Development Co

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