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1-877-3YACHTS | Email: yachts@travelbymorley.com | | |||
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The world's first coral reefs occurred about 500 million years ago, and the first close relatives of modern corals developed in southern Europe about 230 million years ago. By comparison, the Great Barrier Reef is relatively young at just 500,000 years old. One week is ample time to immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of this destination. Our seven step sample itinerary will show you how: Depart Cairns and cruise past the mouth of the Daintree River and views of the adjacent world heritage rainforest. Relax and enjoy a cocktail while taking in the magnificent sun set behind the Alexander Range . Head off to the outer reef to spend the day snorkeling or diving among the profusion of corals and colorful reef fish. Dinner will be a barbecue of freshly caught lobster or delicious reef fish. Cruising north along the Ribbon Reefs you can alternatively island hop on the inner reef islands or dive on the outer reef. The inner islands provide a chance to stroll a beautiful beach at sunset. Cruising north along the Ribbon Reefs you can alternatively island hop on the inner reef islands or dive on the outer reef. The inner islands provide a chance to stroll a beautiful beach at sunset. We cruise to the "Jewel of the Reef," Lizard Island . Walk to the same lookout used by Captain James Cook, who discovered Australia . Lizard Island has spectacular "clam gardens" - coral gardens full of giant clams, some three feet in width. No visit to the Ribbon Reefs would be complete without a snorkel or dive at the Cod Hole. World famous potato cod weighing up to 1,000 pounds gather in this area and can be hand fed. Begin the return to Cairns via the Whitsundays, and a stop at the famous Hayman Island Resort for tennis or a little shopping. The 74-island Whitsunday chain is excellent for fishing and diving. Tahiti & French Polynesia Papette, Tahiti , is your portal to paradise. From Marina Taina, your first port of call is Moorea, just 15 miles away. Sharp mountain spires covered in lush, green vegetation dominate this 53-square-mile island. Make a circuit on scooters, with a stop at Island Fashion Black Pearls near Cook's Bay. Surf the southwest coast or snorkel at Hauru Point. Anchor off the beach and tender out to one of the islets where dolphins play. Watch a pearl farmer tend his oyster crop or try a bit of mountain biking toward Belvedere Lookout. Toast the pink-purple sunset on the aft deck. Who needs Tiffany's when you can breakfast off Hauhine surrounded by the vistas of your dreams? Visit quaint shops in the tiny village of Fare or take a horseback ride on the beach. Fishing is good here just outside the reef. A short cruise west brings you to Raiatea 's protected lagoon. Don your flippers and mask and jump overboard for an unforgettable snorkeling experience among technicolored tropical fish. The chef brings back fresh vanilla beans for a gourmet dessert served against a backdrop of swaing palms. After a morning dip, a 25-mile passage going with the Pacific tradewinds brings you to mythical Bora Bora , with its twin, black rock peaks rising from the center of the island. Enjoy a torch-lit dinner on the beach. Explore Bora Bora by land, making sure to bring your camera. Climb to the island's highest point to see the entire lagoon at your feet. Explore the inside of the reef in the tender and watch a shark-feeding demonstration by brave islanders before you depart on the evening flight to Tahiti . For a true Tahitian experience, we recommend the 6 passenger sailing yacht, Irishman. For information on this yacht or additional information about yacht charters around the world, Pacific Mexico Except for a short hurricane season late summer and early fall, Mexico 's Pacific Coast south of baja is a yachtsman's Arrive in Puerto Vallarta ."Night of the Iguana" was filmed here in 1964 at Mismaloya beach. The house Richard Burton and Liz Taylor rented at 445 Zaragoza , complete with their furnishings, is a tourist attraction. Puerto Vallarta 's old town has cobblestone streets and donkey traffic while the newer section is lined with luxury hotels. Cruising South to Mazatlan presents an overnight run to Punta Careyes and Bahia Tenacatita. This is gorgeous water and the coves are warm and wonderful. After a morning of water sports, cruise into Barra de Navidad. This small fishing village on a large protected lagoon has recently been given a major facelift with a luxury resort and marina. Cruising to Manzanillo, you'll enjoy stopping for the night at the famous Las Hadas resort, which rises up from the beach like a glorious Moorish fantasy. Visit the colonial city of Colima an hour away. Bahia Petucalco is excellent for watersports and fishing on the way into Ixtapa. This resort draws 400,000 visitors a year with great shopping in trendy boutiques, craft markets and two golf courses - one designed by Robert Trent Jones. Explore Ixtapa and its neighbor Zihuatanejo, a genuine Mexican small town with an economy based on fishing. Casual open-air restaurants are just the thing for lunch after a visit to the Museo Arqueologico de la Costa Grande. Head for Acapulco 70 miles away and enjoy a great day of fishing enroute. Bahia Acapulco is an enormous sheltered pool of the Pacific which gave rise to Mexico 's original resort city. This city dresses up after dark when the nightclub and cabarets open featuring everything from traditional dances and salsa to North American disco. For whale watching in the Sea of Cortez , we recommend the 22 passenger yacht, Safari Quest. For information on this yacht or additional information about yacht charters around the world, please call us on 1-877-3YACHTS (392-2487) or (202) 882-2127. New Zealand The British colony of New Zealand became an independent dominion in 1907 and supported the UK militarily in both World Wars. The Maoris called these islands Aotearoa - Land of the Long White Cloud. By any name, however, these verdant volcanic outcroppings are three of the most spectacular islands on earth. A seven step itinerary: Arrive in Auckland and transfer to the Bay of Islands , New Zealand 's most popular cruising destination. The bay is a large natural harbor dotted with 150 islands. Board the yacht at the deepwater port of Opua . Surrounded by stands of mature kauri trees. After a day of fishing visit Russell or Paihia, on the opposite shore for dinner featuring local specialties. Russell was New Zealand 's first capital and a favorite haunt of writer Zane Grey. No trip to the Bay of Islands is complete without a visit to Waitangi where the country's founding document was signed by Queen Victoria representatives and Maori chiefs in 1840. Cruise to Opito Bay where enormous pohutukawa trees overhang a fine beach. The water in the inlet is clean and warm and is regularly visited by dolphins. Fishing and kayaking are the order of the day. Head across to the northern side of the Bay around the remarkable flat topped Black Rocks, to arrive at the mouth of the Kerikeri inlet. A cruise up the inlet ends at the Stone Store, New Zealand 's oldest building. Past the famous Hole in the Rock and north of the Bay of Islands are the jewel-like Cavalli islands. There are bays to explore inshort and fish to catch offshore. For divers there is a fascinating dive site created from the wreck of the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior. Cruise north to the towering, fjord-like cliffs of Whangaroa Bay . The water here is surprisingly deep, and the harbor is full of history. The Kingfish Lodge at the mouth of the harbor is accessible only by water and attracts movie stars and vacationing entrepreneurs. Return to the Huraki Gulf to cruise Auckland 's marine playground with visits to beautiful Great Barrier Island and the wineries of Waiheke Island before touring the City of Sails . Phuket & Thailand Sample Luxury Yacht Charter Itinerary Day 1: Yacht Haven Marina, Phuket to Phang Na Bay to Krabi: 18 nautical miles. Cruise North from the Yacht Haven Marina to the spectacular rock formations of Ao Phang Na Bay. Anchor for lunch off the famous James Bond Island and kayak through the heart of the surrounding uninhabited islands to discover stunning caves such as Koh Hong. An early evening cruise to Krabi delivers you to one of the many restaurants along Ao Phra Nang. Day 2: Krabi to Phi Phi Islands : 18 nautical miles Snorkel around the intensely colored coral reefs that lie around Phi Phi Le and climb the karst limestone lookouts for panoramic views. Phi Phi Don, the larger of the Phi Phi Islands , has idyllic tropical beaches lining its southern and eastern shores. Day 3: Phi Phi Islands to Nai Harn Bay , Phuket: 32 nautical miles Cruise to the southern coastline of Phuket, blessed with magnificent mountains covered with lush jungle forests that stretch out to meet the azure blue sea. Enjoy the white powdery sand beaches fringed with coral reefs. Anchor in Nai Harn Bay and dine at the Phuket Yacht Club. Days 4 and 5: Phuket to Ko Similan: 50 nautical miles Discover the low-lying Similan Islands northwest of Phuket, with their great underwater boulders of smooth granite lying in jumbles along the shoreline. The surrounding clear blue waters are home to some of the most spectacular coral growths in the world, ideal for scuba diving and snorkeling. Day 6: Ko Similan to Patong, Phuket: 40 nautical miles Cruise towards Phuket and spend the day kayaking and snorkeling in the bay off the Meridian Hotel before heading for the bustling nightlife along Soi Bangla. Dine in the Ban Tao Restaurant overlooking Patong Bay . Day 7: Patong to Yacht Haven Marina, Phuket: 30 nautical miles Spend the day discovering Phuket's beautiful coastline before cruising towards the Yacht Haven Marina for disembarkation. Further down, the coastline of Thailand gives way to the Malaysian peninsula and the beautiful island of Langkawi . Spend a second week exploring the vibrant reefs and tropical wildlife of the Langkawi archipelago. Seychelles Sample Luxury Yacht Charter Itinerary Praslin: Don't leave Praslin without visiting VallŽe de mai, a valley protected by UNESCO home of rare species of trees and particularly the famous coco de mer, a unique palm tree. A walk in the Vallée de mai is enchanting. The path wanders in the near obscurity created by enormous palm leaves of the cocos de mer. The trunks are 40 m high and sway gently in the breeze, making a strange rustling sound as they rub against one another. Wherever you look the foliage seems to go on and on as the path winds up through dark, damp clefts before coming out onto the ridge where there are magnificent views over a dense sea of green. Day 2 Praslin to La Digue: Anchorage in Petite or Grande Anse, South East of the island. Rent a bike to visit this beautiful island never overrun with tourists, thanks to the lack of accommodation. With its white tracks winding under tall palm trees, houses with roofs of palm leaves, small copra factories, fine white sand beaches and large polished rocks, La Digue might be the most beautiful island in the Seychelles . No cars, only bicycles or carts drawn by oxen. Horse rides are also possible . Day 3 La Digue to Curieuse: Sail around Marianne and Félicité. Anchor on the west coast of Grande Sour for lunch. Snorkel at Cocos Islands . Made of large rocks with strange regular stripes carved by the sea, Cocos Island forms a beautiful sight with a great harmony of shapes and colors. The ochre color of the rocks is in contrast with the bright green palms of the coconut trees and the white sand of beaches lined with deep turquoise water. Under the sea, the vision is equally attractive with large arbores cent corals where thousands of many colored fish swim in front of narrow breaks and dark caverns. Go to Curieuse and anchor for the night in Baie Laraie, east coast, or go back to Baie Sainte Anne if you need water . Day 4 Curieuse to Saint Pierre to Curieuse: Curieuse, part of the Marine National Park is the home of hundred or so giant turtles, you cannot miss them. 45 min walk, into mangrove and "coco fesse" trees, leads you to the other side of the island, where is a nice beach and small but interesting museum. Sail to St Pierre islet, a mass of rounded rocks crowned with a clump of tall palms swaying gently in the wind: typical and superb scenery of the Seychelles photographed on countless occasions and printed a million times in tourism magazines! You will find an excellent spot for snorkeling with magnificent underwater scenery. Go back to Baie Laraie for the night . Day 5 Curieuse to Aride to Curieuse: Aride Island , placed under the supervision of the Royal Society for Nature Conservation, is a conservation area. Narrow paths through the dense vegetation leads to the rocky barrier you can observe the whole island from here. Free of cats and rats, which have ravaged so many tropical islands in the worlds, Aride is a haven for a wide variety of seabirds, unique vegetation and rare land birds. The ten species of breeding seabird include the rare roseate tern and the red tailed tropicbird. The world's largest colony of lesser noddy, more than 200,000 couples nest there. Open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays. Return back to Baie Laraie for the night anchore . Day 6 Curieuse-Cousin to Bay Ste Anne: Cousin Island is a nature reserve and bird sanctuary with rare species and some giant turtles. Less than 800 meters in diameter, the island can be visited from Tuesday to Friday. A small path leads to the turtles' enclosure from where it leads to the summit through dense vegetation. Here you will find a great panoramic view to observe the gracious flights of tropicbirds. During the season of southeasterly winds, there may be up to 100,000 couples of black noodies nesting in the trees. Go back to Baie Sainte Anne for the night.
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