Introduce your children to the world's best charter destinations

A superyacht provides the perfect setting for a family holiday with children. Whatever their age, moving from one destination to the next, children will be immersed in diverse cultures and different ways of life, and find it impossible to be bored. 

Time ashore will expose them to unique traditions and historic monuments that will broaden their knowledge of the world, while on board their curious nature will no doubt have them questioning what lies beneath the great expanse of ocean.  

Added to this, a superyacht is also a great platform to learn a new sport. With all the equipment you need right on site and a crew ready to teach them, the whole family can immerse themselves in watersports activities of all different types, and, depending on the yacht’s facilities, could even gain a qualification. Whatever the destination, be it far-flung exotic locations or well-known cruising grounds, a superyacht opens the opportunity to create experiences that you and your young adventurers will never forget. 

Those with young ones fascinated by history will love an East Mediterranean itinerary that is designed as a dot-to-dot tour of ruins, temples and churches ravaged over thousands of years, while the cruising grounds of the Caribbean offer some great attractions for all the family. 

From re-enacting battles at Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua to the British Virgin Islands archipelago with its pirate tales of treasure and intrigue, or The Bahamas with its shallow waters ideal for snorkeling, there is good reason that the well-trodden cruising grounds remain a popular choice for families.  

Dovetail visits to ancient sites with a cruise through the Cyclades or the Ionian while your children learn how to be mini archaeologists, searching for treasure and learning about various empires along the way.  

While cruising the Cyclades, Athens is an ideal stop off point for a yacht, with historic sites such as the Acropolis and the Panathenaic Stadium (home to the first modern Olympics in 1896) – all of which are easily accessible in a short taxi ride.  

Over on the lesser-known island of Delos, step ashore and discover their sacred grounds – the supposed birthplace of Artemis and Apollo and these days a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. At each port of call your crew can easily organise an expert guide to escort you and your children around, to elaborate on the history and heritage and answer any questions, bringing the past to life.  Or of course for consistency you can take one with you. 

From the ancient city of Pompeii and the preserved town of Herculaneum to the formidable Mount Vesuvius, the Amalfi Coast offers up a treasure trove of culture amidst jaw dropping vistas and stunning anchorages too numerous to mention.  

The Galápagos must be the ultimate bucket-list destination for every nature lover, young or old, while South East Asia or Indonesia, with their jungle-clad interiors and underwater worlds like no other, offer certainly something out of the ordinary.  

One of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the cruising grounds are made up of 12 main islands and hundreds of islets in one of the most active volcanic regions in the world. Each island is unique and offers a range of wildlife encounters ashore, ranging from land iguanas and the famous blue-footed booby.  

The cold waters here also provide opportunities for experienced divers to witness pelagic marine life endemic to the Galápagos (authorised diving only with a licensed guide), while younger children can spot all manner of smaller sea life while snorkelling and swimming in the shallows amid sea lions, penguins, seals and turtles.  

These cruising grounds are understandably extremely well environmentally protected and the number of yachts able to cruise in the Galápagos annually is limited and licensed. Itineraries are provided by the Parque Nacional Galápagos, advising where yachts can cruise and where visitors can explore to minimise the effect on the wildlife. Even with these restrictions though such a privileged insight into the natural world is invaluable and the memories so spectacular they will last your children a lifetime.   

After a sensory overload in Bangkok, journey to the more peaceful jungle-covered mountains and hill tribes in the north and discover elephants, before exploring the town of Chiang Mai where the children can learn more about Thailand’s rich culture.   

Lying off the northwest coast of New Guinea, the Raja Ampat archipelago is home to Indonesia’s largest marine national park. Perfect for the budding marine biologist, the plankton-rich waters here actually have the highest recorded marine biodiversity on earth.  

Younger children can swim and snorkel with iridescent fish that will leave them babbling with enthusiasm, while older children will gain an elevated understanding on the importance of ecosystems. They could even make their very own wildlife documentary and capture memories of a lifetime on camera. 

Spacious and stable, they are equipped with plenty of entertainment facilities and watertoys, along with accommodation of various configurations. Look at layouts with twin cabins (and perhaps a nanny cabin should you be travelling with young children), or convertible cabins that can be configured to suit your needs.  

Some yachts also have a guest cabin close to the master, allowing younger families to be close at nighttime. A jacuzzi with shade is also a good option to keep young children entertained during longer passages, while a swim platform or beach club allows for easy and safe access to the water.

A sailing yacht with all its winches and ropes and which sails on an angle is not necessarily recommended for younger children who may not yet be steady on their feet, however, should your heart be set on sailing then catamarans can also be a good middle ground as they are more stable and child friendly. 

Ask your Burgess charter expert to recommend a yacht where the crew has a reputation for being child friendly. If the crew engage well with children the entire charter experience will be enhanced for the grown-ups, and this of course includes having a chef used to cooking food for kids (with hidden vitamins).