Moments That Matter: Five Meaningful Sunsail Sailing Experiences to Be Thankful For This Season
Top Destinations for a Short-Notice Christmas or New Year’s Yacht Holiday with Sunsail
The festive season may be the busiest travel period of the year, but Sunsail owners get to play by different rules. With your yacht waiting in some of the world’s most spectacular destinations and the flexibility of the Sunsail Owner Points System, a last‑minute Christmas or New Year escape is always within reach.
Short notice bookings make things even easier. When your diary suddenly opens up, you can turn unused points into an unforgettable winter‑sun getaway, choosing from bases where December brings warm trade winds, clear blue water and laid‑back island celebrations – and the only “holiday rush” is hoisting the mainsail.
This is the luxury of Sunsail ownership: the ability to swap grey skies and overbooked resorts for turquoise anchorages, beachside festivities and quiet moments at sea. Whether you’re dreaming of Caribbean sunshine, Indian Ocean serenity or the vibrant cultural energy of Southeast Asia, Sunsail’s global network gives owners the freedom to shape the festive season exactly as they wish.
Here’s a look at some of Sunsail yacht owners’ favourite destinations for a spontaneous, short‑notice Christmas or New Year yacht holiday – ideal for turning an unexpected free week into the most memorable celebration of your year.
British Virgin Islands: A Family-Friendly Caribbean Christmas at Sea
For Sunsail owners, the British Virgin Islands deliver everything a Christmas or New Year getaway should offer: effortless sailing, warm trade winds and a holiday atmosphere that blends total relaxation with just the right amount of festive buzz. It’s no surprise the BVI remains Sunsail’s flagship winter destination – there are few better places for a sun‑soaked festive holiday afloat.
December brings steady tradewinds, inviting turquoise water and one of the most relaxed yet celebratory atmospheres in the Caribbean. With short passages, plentiful moorings and postcard‑worthy islands at every turn, the BVI is the ultimate last‑minute winter escape.
Why Owners Love The BVI For A Short-Notice Winter Escape
- Reliable Winter Sailing: Steady winds, gentle seas and sunshine‑filled days keep everyone happy on board.
- Protected Anchorages: Dozens of sheltered bays, whatever the weather, ideal for families and relaxed festive cruising.
- Festive Island Energy: From charming markets in Road Town to the magical Christmas Eve boat parade (with Santa arriving by boat) and lively island parties, the BVI is full of music, lights and warm Caribbean cheer.
- Effortless Island-Hopping: With more than 60 islands all within easy line‑of‑sight, it’s a wonderfully low‑stress holiday itinerary, especially with children or first‑time sailors.
- Legendary New Year’s Eve: Home to one of the Caribbean’s most famous New Year celebrations at Foxy’s on Jost Van Dyke.
Owner-Favourite Holiday Moment:
Start Christmas Eve with toes‑in‑the‑sand cocktails at Soggy Dollar on Jost Van Dyke before sailing into a calm, starlit anchorage for a peaceful Christmas morning. See in the New Year amid the glowing fire sculptures of Trellis Bay or join the legendary island countdown at Foxy’s. Between the big nights, enjoy slow mornings at anchor in a tucked‑away bay, with nothing but gentle swell and sunrise coffee to start the day.
Grenada: Caribbean Warmth, Culture & Winter Serenity
For Sunsail owners looking for a festive break that feels genuinely unhurried, Grenada offers the perfect blend of culture, calm and Caribbean charm. This southerly gem moves at a gentler pace than many northern islands, without losing any of the seasonal atmosphere or excellent winter sailing conditions.
December brings reliable tradewinds, glowing turquoise anchorages, great winter fishing and a festive island energy rooted in tradition and warm Grenadian hospitality.
Why Owners Love Grenada for a Short-Notice Winter Escape
- Superb Winter Sailing: December typically brings steady winds, ideal for relaxed down‑island hops to Carriacou and Union Island.
- Authentic Local Celebrations: Christmas street festivals, markets and cultural parades filled with music and colour give a real sense of place.
- Picture-Perfect Anchorages: Favourites include Tyrell Bay, Prickly Bay, Molinière Point and the powder‑soft sands of Sandy Island.
- Prime Snorkeling And Diving Season: Excellent visibility at the Underwater Sculpture Park and the reefs around Carriacou make this a diver’s and snorkeller’s paradise.
- Peak Winter Fishing Conditions: Mahi‑mahi, wahoo, tuna and marlin are commonly found just offshore at this time of year.
- Less-Crowded Winter Cruising: While many sailors head further north, this corner of the southern Caribbean feels quieter, with more space on the moorings and calmer anchorages.
Owner-Favourite Holiday Moment:
For many Sunsail owners, a standout memory from a Grenada holiday is a morning spent trolling just offshore, then turning a freshly landed tuna or wahoo into a leisurely, sun‑drenched barbecue brunch on deck.
St. Lucia: Festive Island Energy Meets Effortless Holiday Cruising
St Lucia is one of the Caribbean’s most rewarding bases for a spur‑of‑the‑moment festive escape. With its dramatic Piton peaks, warm island welcome and lively December celebrations, this island pairs cinematic scenery with exhilarating winter sailing.
Sunsail owners love St Lucia not only for its looks and world‑class fishing, but also for how easy it is to combine sociable evenings ashore with sporty coastal passages and quick hops to neighbouring islands. It’s a fantastic base if you want a week that blends activity, culture and proper downtime.
Why Owners Love St. Lucia for a Short-Notice Winter Escape
- Vibrant Holiday Events: Live music, open‑air markets and festive marina gatherings along the Rodney Bay waterfront.
- Easy, Flexible Cruising Grounds: Perfectly placed between Martinique and St Vincent & the Grenadines, St Lucia offers smooth passages and a choice of itineraries in every direction.
- Exceptional Dining Ashore: From relaxed beachfront spots to refined festive menus in Rodney Bay and Soufrière.
- Bucket-List Anchorages: The Pitons provide one of the Caribbean’s most iconic backdrops, alongside quiet coves up and down the west coast.
Owner-Favourite Holiday Moment:
Owners often highlight the Pitons area for its peaceful festive anchorages and fewer seasonal crowds, plus the consistently good offshore fishing for dorado and tuna along the west coast. From there, Rodney Bay makes an easy overnight stop for markets, marina dining and New Year’s Eve fireworks over the bay.
Seychelles – A Tropical Christmas in a True Island Wilderness
If your ideal festive break means swapping crowded high streets for raw natural beauty, the Seychelles is a standout short‑notice choice. December ushers in one of the calmest, most inviting sailing periods of the year, giving Sunsail owners effortless access to granite peaks, powder‑soft beaches and some of the clearest waters in the Indian Ocean.
This is winter sailing at its most extraordinary — serene, wildlife-rich, and wonderfully remote.
Why Owners Love The Seychelles For A Short-Notice Winter Escape
- Crystal-Clear Anchorages: Perfect for a Christmas morning snorkel over colourful coral reefs.
- Calm Seasonal Winds: Ideal for relaxed passages and easy line‑of‑sight navigation between islands.
- UNESCO-Protected Islands: Explore spots such as Vallée de Mai and Aldabra, home to rare birdlife and giant tortoises found nowhere else.
- Secluded Holiday Experience: Fewer crowds and remote beaches mean peace, privacy and a real escape from typical festive travel – no queues, no noise, just pure island wilderness.
Owner-Favourite Holiday Moment:
Sunsail owners value the Seychelles in December for its settled weather, gentle breezes and excellent visibility inside the marine parks. Even over Christmas and New Year, anchorages remain surprisingly uncrowded, with empty beaches and unhurried island cruising. With short hops and reliable conditions, it’s a stress‑free winter‑sun option, especially if you place privacy and natural beauty above big nights out.
Thailand: Lantern Festivals & Exotic Adventure
For owners who want a festive break that feels both adventurous and effortlessly relaxing, Thailand serves up one of the most distinctive December sailing experiences in the Sunsail network. December falls in the dry season, bringing calm seas, warm breezes and clear visibility – ideal for island‑hopping through the dramatic limestone scenery of the Andaman Sea.
From night markets and golden temples to lantern‑lit celebrations and world‑class beaches, a short‑notice holiday in Thailand blends culture, nature and sunshine in a way few destinations can match.
Why Owners Love Thailand for a Short-Notice Winter Escape
- Reliable Dry-Season Weather: Calm seas, steady winds and warm tropical temperatures make for ideal December sailing.
- Iconic Cruising Grounds: Explore Phang Nga Bay, Railay and the Phi Phi Islands with short, manageable passages between each.
- Festive Cultural Experiences: Night markets, lantern‑lit celebrations and local events around Phuket offer a festive feel that’s very different from a typical European Christmas.
- Excellent Snorkeling And Diving: Clear water and thriving reefs close to anchorages create a colourful underwater playground.
Owner-Favourite Holiday Moment:
See in the New Year at anchor off Koh Phi Phi, with fireworks lighting the cliffs and the warm night breeze turning the bay into a natural amphitheatre, surrounded by lively beach parties that carry on long after midnight.
St. Martin: The Caribbean’s Chic Festive Playground
For Sunsail owners seeking a short‑notice festive break that combines adventure, luxury and variety, St Martin delivers on every level. French‑style cafés and gourmet dining, Dutch‑side boutiques and busy markets all combine to make this island a playground of culture and cuisine.
Its central location makes it easy to hop between neighbouring islands such as Anguilla and St Barth’s, turning a single week into a festive mix of world‑class sailing, upscale experiences and a unique European‑Caribbean flavour you won’t find elsewhere.
Why Owners Love St. Martin for a Short-Notice Winter Escape
- Effortless Island-Hopping: Short passages to Anguilla, St Barth’s, Tintamarre and Grand Case make building a flexible itinerary straightforward.
- Luxury At St. Barth’s: The winter playground of the rich and famous, with chic French dining, designer boutiques and glamorous anchorages.
- Chic Festive Dining: Enjoy French‑Caribbean menus, beachfront lunches and special Christmas or New Year dinners.
- Vibrant cultural experiences: Wander markets, cafés and boutiques on both the French and Dutch sides.
Owner-Favourite Holiday Moment:
Many Sunsail owners spend Christmas Eve in Grand Case with gourmet French‑Caribbean dining, then wake up on Christmas morning anchored off Tintamarre, with quiet beaches and clear water all around. For a suitably glamorous finale, a stop in St Barth’s puts you front‑row for one of the world’s most talked‑about New Year’s parties, with superyachts, exclusive beach clubs and fireworks over the harbour. From island‑hopping and market strolls to sunset sails, St Martin neatly wraps up the very best of Caribbean luxury and festive adventure.
Why These Sunsail Bases Are Perfect for Last-Minute Festive Escapes
Whether you’re after lively islands with big‑night celebrations or quiet, remote anchorages for a peaceful year‑end reset, Sunsail’s winter‑sun destinations have everything you need for a memorable festive break.
From easy passages to seasonal events and picture‑perfect anchorages, these bases stand out for last‑minute, low‑stress winter escapes:
- Reliable December Weather: Smooth sailing, blue skies and steady winds make festive cruising refreshingly straightforward.
- Easy, Stress-Free Cruising: Short hops and flexible routes help you make the most of your time afloat, especially with children or guests who are new to sailing.
- Cultural And Seasonal Experiences: From local festivals and boat parades to low‑key island traditions, every base has its own festive character.
- Scenic, Picture-Perfect Anchorages: Ideal for family celebrations aboard, sunset cocktails or simply soaking up a different view each day.
- Tailored Holiday Experiences: Craft your own pace and festive itinerary, without crowds or rigid schedules.
With short‑notice bookings, Sunsail owners can turn unexpected free weeks into spontaneous winter escapes – without the usual peak‑season stress or packed resorts. From lively festive hubs to peaceful hideaways, Sunsail lets you celebrate the season in your own way, combining comfort, adventure and the freedom only yacht ownership can provide.
Make This Festive Season One to Remember
This year, celebrate Christmas or New Year exactly as you choose – sail under fireworks in the BVI, anchor in a secluded Seychelles lagoon or drift past Thailand’s limestone cliffs at sunset.
With Sunsail short‑notice points, last‑minute winter escapes are easy to plan, letting you design a holiday that blends clear‑water anchorages, vibrant local culture and festive moments at your own pace. Trade crowded hotels for the freedom and space of your own Sunsail yacht and turn this season into a truly extraordinary escape.
Ready to plan a spontaneous winter escape? Use your Short Notice points to book your December getaway and enjoy the holidays with Sunsail, exactly where you want to be.
