EYOS: Winter 2023 Newsletter

October 5th, 2022

Updates from the World Leader in Super Yacht Expedition Charters

Summer may be coming to an end, but the world-class expedition team at EYOS is already looking ahead to upcoming adventures. On the horizon: “slope-to-sea” heli-skiing charters in Greenland, a “single cabin” photography expedition to Antarctica, and an unforgettable voyage through Arctic Svalbard complete with glacier hiking experiences. But first, our top tips for chartering a private yacht, below.

How to Charter a Yacht: Everything You Need to Know

Charting a yacht allows for unrivaled freedom, privacy, and flexibility — it’s no wonder it’s the preferred mode of travel among the world’s most discerning explorers. Before you set off on your high-seas vacation, however, it’s important to determine your needs, priorities, and expectations. One of the most critical decisions is choosing your yachting destination. Whether you’re interested in touring the South Pacific nation of Vanuatu, Australia’s under-the-radar Kimberley region, or the magnificent Northwest Passage, EYOS Expedition Leaders will help you narrow your search based on what you’re looking to see, local weather conditions, and availability. (It’s for this reason that you’ll book far in advance, especially if you’re looking to travel over holiday periods like peak summer or Christmas and New Year.) If you’re particularly interested in a specific area of study or focus – say, geology, history, botany, or ornithology—you’ll want to make it known to the world-class expedition leaders at EYOS well ahead of time.  Not only does having an expert staff ensure your safety and peace of mind, it’s also an essential for expanding your knowledge of a destination and making the most of your trip.

As you start planning your dream getaway, you’ll also need to decide on an exact head count – that way, you can start mapping out your budget and picking a vessel that suits your needs, size, and preferences. EYOS offers expeditions on 20+ vessels, of varying sizes, operational requirements, and cabin configurations. Whether a polar icebreaker, dive support vessel, luxurious yacht, or nimble sailing craft, the EYOS team will help you determine the best yacht for your purposes and preferred duration. Aquijo, for instance, has circumnavigated the globe as the largest high performance ketch in the world, seamlessly blending exploration with a “home-away-from-home” interior design and accommodations, including a private owner’s terrace with 270-degree views, a beach club and jacuzzi, and room for up to 12 guests. Meanwhile, the Hanse Explorer is a “go-anywhere” expedition yacht that is just as suited to exploring the remote corners of Papua New Guinea as pushing through Antarctic brash ice. Lastly,

Antarctica by Private Yacht: A New Way to Experience the Continent

As an increasing number of travelers venture to Antarctica, savvier explorers are choosing to discover the continent by private yacht. Doing so allows for a more personalized and intimate journey, with an emphasis placed on ticking off the sights and experiences that offer the greatest thrills and up-close-and-personal access—to the wildlife, the pristine landscapes, and the spectacular ice formations. Expeditions might take place aboard the newly refitted, seven-cabin MV Nansen Explorer. Bridging the gap between a super yacht and an expedition vessel, she’s outfitted with an Ice-1A class hall that enables her to venture deeper into the ice pack, to polar regions other yachts rarely reach, including south of the Antarctic Circle. Passengers also have access to kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, diving equipment, and two zodiacs for exploring the frost-bitten landscapes up close. Onboard, there is a fully equipped gym and a dining room where a rotating menu of Michelin-worthy cuisine is served, plus Scandinavian-style cabins with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out to the scenery.

From February 6-17, 2023, a photography-themed expedition will take place aboard the MV Nansen Explorer, hosted by renowned polar photographers Daisy Gilardini (winner of BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year and Ambassador for Greenpeace) and Audun Lie Dahl (winner of the European Wildlife Photographer of the Year). Solo travelers can book single cabins on the yacht, making the exclusive voyage more accessible than ever before. The itinerary is designed to be longer than most other Peninsula sailings, giving ample opportunity to reach the Weddell Sea in the north and, weather permitting, Marguerite Bay, just south of the Antarctic Circle (and seldomly reached by ships). Throughout the journey, Gilardini and Dahl will give guests tips and tricks for making the polar landscapes come alive through their lenses. (Prices from €55,000 per cabin.)

Arctic Spring and Summer 2023 Update

Looking ahead to next spring, EYOS will launch dedicated heli-skiing charters in Greenland aboard the MV Nansen Explorer. Offered in late April and early May, the expedition will take adventure lovers to the island of Maniitsoq on the western coast of Greenland, widely considered one of the most remote places in the world to heli-ski, where it’s possible to ski from slope to sea. The ship will cover 150 miles beyond the Arctic Circle to Disko Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to some of the largest icebergs in the world. Days will be filled with deep powder runs—some stretching more than a mile—on the narrow fjords down to the water’s edge.  The MV Nansen Exploreris equipped with an expansive heli-deck allowing for easy exploration. (Seven nights €;295,000 per week all inclusive.)

Next summer, EYOS will relaunch itineraries in the Arctic on the recently redesigned Hanse Explorer. Fresh off a multimillion-dollar redesign, the seven-cabin vessel features a rugged, steel-hulled exterior with the highest commercial ice classification. Bespoke journeys in the region might include cruising through iceberg-covered fjords, hiking on glaciers, and cruising through pack ice in search of white whales, polar bears, and walruses. The long days of the Arctic summer are the ideal time to discover the region, bringing about intense wildlife activity and changing landscapes with beautiful colors and contrasts.

While the Arctic region is vast, the world-class expedition leaders and polar naturalists at EYOS can recommend a range of itineraries and activities. On a seven-night journey through Arctic Svalbard, for example, guests will spend five days cruising around Svalbard, the Norwegian archipelago just 600 miles from the North Pole, comprising nine main islands and home to around 3,000 animals. Activities depend on weather and sea-ice conditions but may include sailing through the narrow Hinlopen Strait; visiting a Dutch whaling station and other historical sites on Danskøya and Amsterdamøa Islands; and taking a Zodiac through the majestic Monaco Glacier, a favorite spot for polar bears (travelers may even go ashore for a hike on the glacier).

 

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