Scuba-Diving For Sunken WWII Relics

Wreck enthusiasts—and history buffs—will have the Solomon and Marshall Islands high on their list. Home to one of the world’s highest concentrations of submerged World War II relics, these remote Pacific archipelagos offer an extraordinary collision of history and marine life.

Here, American fighter planes, cargo ships and Japanese freighters have spent decades transforming into thriving artificial reefs, draped in coral and surrounded by twitching clouds of tropical fish. For divers, the experience is equal parts eerie and breathtaking.

"The mix of marine life and history is what fascinates people about World War II wreck diving," says Captain Emile of Douce France, the world’s largest schooner catamaran at 138.5 feet. "These shipwrecks are like time capsules, transporting divers back into these heroic battles while also witnessing vibrant reefs full of coral and marine life."

On board, guests have access to a fully equipped dive center, onboard instructor and an extensive collection of water toys, allowing days to divert between technical wreck dives and laid-back exploration of the surrounding lagoons.

"There are not many remote cruising destinations that truly have it all," Captain Emile says. "But the Solomon and Marshall Islands might be one of them."

Swimming With Whale Sharks in Indonesia

Encounters with these gentle giants are built into the itinerary onboard The Maj Oceanic, a traditional Indonesian phinisi made for exploring. The crew’s deep local knowledge guides guests toward hidden anchorages and wildlife encounters far beyond the standard tourist trails of Komodo, Raja Ampat and the Lesser Sunda Islands.

One of the highlights comes off Sumbawa, where local fishing platforms known as bagans attract whale sharks feeding near the surface with small shrimp called ebi. At dawn, guests depart by tender to enter the calm tropical waters and meet the gathering creatures.

"Swimming with whale sharks in Sumbawa is always a special experience," says the yacht’s cruise director. "Being in the water alongside such massive yet calm animals gives you a sense of perspective and respect for the ocean."

Sightings are possible year-round, although conditions are generally best between April and November where the ocean is at its most placid and plankton-rich.

Chasing The Midnight Sun In Svalbard

What’s a bigger bucket-list item than the Arctic Circle? Svalbard is the go-to gateway for the region; accessible via Norway, the archipelago has towering glaciers, drifting pack ice and wildlife encounters so cinematic that they veer into the surreal.

To tick this off your list, only an ice-class vessel will do. Hardy, cherry-hulled Vikingfjord is designed specifically for polar conditions, allowing access to remote fjords and isolated bays unreachable to many ships—and most conventional yachts.

"Sailing through Svalbard is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience," says charter guest Stephanie Archer. "Every day brought an incredible encounter with Arctic wildlife, including polar bears and walruses, with polar specialists that turned the encounters into actual learning opportunities."

Guests explore by Zodiac, cruising quietly past glaciers and ice fields while spotting seals, puffins, Arctic foxes and reindeer. One evening excursion, Archer explains, proved particularly unforgettable.

"We broke through floating ice and, at a safe distance, saw a polar bear appear with her two cubs," she recalls. "It felt like watching a private wildlife documentary."

After Arctic plunges into near-freezing water, guests retreat to Vikingfjord’s hot tub and sauna before settling down for the evening; the sky perpetually lit by a low-hanging sun.

Cruising The Panama Canal

It takes less than 10 hours to transit the Panama Canal, but the legendary waterway cuts through two oceans, dense jungle and intricate lock systems, offering charter guests a front-row seat to one of the world’s great engineering achievements.

And the itinerary onboard the American-built HH Noverra puts a regular Panama cruise to shame.

The adventure begins in Costa Rica, with the lesser-visited Cahuita National Park, laced with hiking trails and canals populated by leatherback turtles. Then the superyacht spends days drifting between uninhabited islands, before the final leg, which crosses into the San Blas Islands.

This archipelago of tiny palm-fringed islands, scattered across the Caribbean Sea, allows charter guests to swim, snorkel vibrant reefs and experience the laid-back beats of island life—before begrudgingly returning to the mainland.

"Guests are always amazed. I mean, they’re witnessing enormous vessels—including massive container ships that dwarf the 156-foot HH Noverra—lifted 85 feet above sea level by gravity-fed freshwater," says Captain Travis.

"Another standout moment is crossing the Continental Divide, when guests realise they are sailing through a flooded mountain range that was created over a century ago," he adds. "It reframes the entire charter into something spectacular and truly historic.”

Racing At Les Voiles De Saint-Tropez

This charter yacht is for those who’d gladly switch out the onboard spa for a rush of adrenaline (and faceful of sea spray). Few yachting experiences compete with the Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, particularly when onboard a superyacht that harks back to the golden age of sailing.

At 180.5 feet, Elena of London cuts an impressive silhouette with her sweeping overhangs and steep timber rigging. She’s a faithful recreation of Nathanael Herreshoff’s legendary 1910 schooner design; the American architect was often called upon to build for the nation’s elite, from railroad magnate Jay Gould to William Randolph Hearst.

The original Elena secured her place in sailing history by winning the 1928 King’s Cup transatlantic race, setting a record on the route from New York to Santander, Spain. Today, guests can experience that pedigree firsthand during one of the Mediterranean’s most anticipated regattas.

"Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez is a living archive of classic yachting," says charter manager Massima Piras. "There are few better ways to understand its magic than racing on Elena of London. She is born for the racecourse."

Days are spent under a billowing canvas in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, surrounded by her fellow fleet of historic yachts. Guests can even take the helm alongside the captain, participating directly in the racing action. By evening, the regatta shifts ashore, where Saint-Tropez’s harbor becomes a glittering Riviera showcase, complete with champagne receptions on the water’s edge.