SOUTH AMERICA
Encompassed by an eclectic mix of cruising destinations, from the sizzling atmosphere of Brazil to the haunting allure of Antarctica, South America exudes a wealth of natural wonders across some of the most diverse cruising grounds in the world. You only need to scratch the surface to be enveloped by thriving wildlife, ancient civilisations and sun-drenched beaches.
The best time of year for yacht charter in South America is from October to March.Much of South America is outside of normal yacht charter routes. Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands are an exception that offer dramatic diversity in their geology and indigenous species, as originally documented by Charles Darwin. Many crewed charter options operate right out of the islands and some offer packages that include the two hour flight from Quito.
To the south, crewed charters can be arranged in the lake districts of Patagonia, around Cape Horn, and for the truly adventurous, across the Southern Ocean to the Falklands, Antarctica and South Georgia. Ushuaia is a common jumping off port for South Atlantic adventures.
Brazil
Angra dos Reis is a Brazilian municipality in southwest Rio de Janeiro state. It’s made up of 365 islands (one for every day of the year) and a small port surrounded by steep, forested coastline. The region is known for its more than 2,000 beaches and biodiverse Ilha Grande, the largest island. Vila do Abraão is the island’s main village, with restaurants, bars and the St. Sebastian Church at its heart. A trail leads to the ruins of the Cândido Mendes prison.
Galapagos
Known for the Giant Tortoises and unusual finches that live here, the Galapagos attracts visitors to its unique ecosystem filled with great biodiversity, volcanic landscapes and unparalleled scuba diving destinations. The active Wolf Volcano, located on the Isla Isabela, forms the highest point on the archipelago and is worth visiting.
Volcanic activity forms almost all of the geological interest here and is responsible for the formation of the Highland Lava Tubes, natural volcanic passageways, which can be explored by visitors, found on Isla Santa Cruz. Follow in Darwin’s footsteps and become familiar with the spectacular speciation, including penguins, marine iguanas, pink flamingos and sea lions, that the Galapagos has to offer.
Patagonia
Patagonia is on the southern frontier of South America, bordered by Argentina and Chile.
One can explore the landscape by superyacht and it is best to visit from December to April – December and January are considered high season.
Spaces are large, as are the silences that fill them. For the newly arrived, such emptiness can be as impressive as the sight of Patagonia’s jagged peaks, pristine rivers and dusty backwater oases. In its enormous scale, Patagonia offers an innumerable wealth of potential experiences and landscapes.
If you consider yourself an adventurous traveler, you might like to choose an itinerary to explore the very southern extremes, navigating through sea fjords, crossing the Straits of Magellan and setting course for Antarctica.
