Top 10 Christmas Getaway Destinations This Year

A crowd of people watches a brilliant fireworks display light up the deep blue night sky.

Holiday Magic

If you are thinking of getting away from it all this festive season, we’ve picked our top spots to celebrate in style, from winter sun in the Caribbean to ski fun in Europe. Get off grid in Indonesia, heliski in Patagonia, see in the New Year in Sydney. Do it all with a yacht charter. Read on for multi-destination inspiration. We’ve got the festive period wrapped.

Here are the Top 10 Christmas Getaway Destinations This Year.

A snow-covered town glows with warm lights against a backdrop of majestic, snow-capped mountains under a deep blue twilight sky.

St. Moritz, Switzerland

46°29'47"N 9°50'38"E

Quite simply, St. Moritz is the original winter wonderland. Switzerland is always stunning but December brings immaculate slopes, frozen-lake polo, and champagne lunches with sensational lake views. Of course there is skiing, shopping and high octane thrills. Try your hand at the world’s oldest bobsleigh track, the Olympia Bob Run and experience the thrill of real Olympic track. Our advice? Book your luxury chalet at least six to nine months ahead. St. Moritz waits for no one.

Players on horseback compete in a thrilling snow polo match amidst a winter wonderland.

A vintage red Ferrari races across a snow-covered track, kicking up powder as spectators watch from the sidelines.

St. Barths

17°54'15"N 62°50'14"W

The place to be for New Year. St. Barths is the crown jewel of festive yacht charters. Harbour lights. Beach clubs in full swing. Designer boutiques, French cuisine, and superyachts lined up like some sort of floating runway show. Charter a yacht to St. Barths over the festive season and you’re in the heart of the action. According to our Charter experts, St. Barths is the most in-demand yacht destination for New Year so book early.

The lights of a coastal town twinkle as dusk settles over a harbor filled with sailboats and yachts.

Fireworks illuminate the night sky over a coastal town and harbor filled with boats.

Lush green hills dotted with colorful homes cascade down to the turquoise waters of a tropical island paradise.

Snow-covered chalets glow warmly against the backdrop of majestic, snow-capped mountains at dusk.

Courchevel, France

45°24'18"N 6°37'54"E

Arrive in style to Courchevel Heliport via private plane or helicopter. Discover a land of fairy-lit forests, ski-in/ski-out glamour, and those famous 3 Vallées runs. 6 villages make up this legendary ski resort. If it's Michelin stars and all out luxury you’re after then Courchevel 1850 is the one for you. For family friendly activities then try Courchevel Village 1550.

A lone snowboarder glides down a snow-covered slope past charming wooden chalets nestled in a winter forest.

A charming carousel and geodesic dome create a festive atmosphere in a snow-covered mountain village.

The Bahamas

24°33'28"N 77°44'15"W

The Bahamas are the classic Christmas yacht charter destination and still unbeatable. Enjoy water so clear it feels unreal, remote beaches with no footprints, and island-hopping days filled with colour and fun. Nassau brings the festivities; the Exumas bring the freedom. Our brokers say Christmas week books faster than anywhere else in the Caribbean. If warm weather, family-friendly fun and barefoot living tick your list, this is your spot.

5 Reasons to book a festive yacht charter

Two pigs swim in the crystal-clear turquoise waters of a tropical island beach.

A couple snorkels together in clear turquoise water, surrounded by colorful fish and dappled sunlight.

A luxurious beachside feast awaits with chilled champagne, fresh seafood, and tropical fruits against a backdrop of turquoise waters and a distant yacht.

Rockefeller Center's iconic Christmas tree illuminates the night sky amidst towering buildings and a festive ice rink.

New York, USA

40°46'19"N 73°57'52"W

The Rockefeller tree, Fifth Avenue lights, ice skating; the family favourite movie Home Alone, Lost in New York really etched the Big Apple into our hearts and minds as the ultimate Christmas Holiday destination. For travellers who want celebration and style make New York your luxury Christmas getaway. It’s sure to bring the drama. Just don’t forget Kevin.

Ice skaters enjoy a sunny day at an outdoor rink surrounded by towering city skyscrapers and winter trees.

A brick house is adorned with festive Christmas lights, large nutcracker figures, and glowing snowflake decorations.

Sydney, Australia

33°51'21"S 151°12'34"E

Be amongst the first in the world to welcome in the New Year. If you’re chasing sunshine, fireworks and a warm-weather Christmas getaway, Sydney is the right choice. Surfing, seafood and a front-row seat to the world’s most electric New Year’s Eve display. A Christmas yacht charter in Australia means freedom to roam, from Bondi to the Barrier Reef. December feels different in Australia. Experience your best one yet Down Under.

Sydney's iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge gleam under a vibrant sunset.

A couple relaxes on a yacht deck, enjoying drinks and reading while surrounded by the serene beauty of the sea.

The iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge spans over the sparkling blue water, with the Opera House and city skyline illuminated in the background.

Sailing through a tropical paradise, lush green islands rise from the impossibly blue waters of Raja Ampat.

Indonesia

8°35'12"S 119°29'49"E

Wild, warm and wonderfully remote. Indonesia is for travellers who love adventure and wonderful wildlife. Each anchorage feels like you’ve stepped into a new planet. Komodo. Raja Ampat. The Maluku islands. Visit coral gardens that leave you speechless. A luxury Christmas getaway here can mean diving, surfing, jungle trekking, total wonder and tranquillity.

Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, a stunning temple complex, appears to float on the serene waters of Lake Bratan against a backdrop of lush mountains.

Golden hills meet turquoise waters under a pastel sky at this breathtaking Indonesian island vista.

St. Lucia, Caribbean

14°00'54"N 61°00'05"W

St. Lucia with its volcanic peaks and tropical forests is a nature lover's paradise. Its coastline is perfect for exploring by yacht. Spend Christmas morning snorkelling under the Pitons, then sail south for hot springs and sunset cocktails, if rainforest zip lining sounds like fun, this is the place for you. St. Lucia delivers a luxury Christmas getaway with a wild streak, perfect if you want both relaxation and a little adrenaline.

Read our Guide to the Caribbean yacht charter season

Palm trees sway over a wooden pier extending into the crystal-clear turquoise waters of a tropical bay dotted with sailboats.

Enjoy a relaxing meal with a view of the ocean at this tropical beachside restaurant.

Lush tropical foliage and vibrant bougainvillea frame a breathtaking view of the iconic Pitons mountains meeting the serene Caribbean Sea.

Relax under a thatched umbrella on a sandy beach with palm trees swaying in the tropical breeze.

Barbados, Caribbean

13°10'58"N 59°33'40"W

Welcome in the festive period with the sound of steel drums. Barbados has that festive energy you can feel in the air. It’s ideal for families with inviting bays, lively towns, endless water sports. Anchor off the west coast, then cruise to Carlisle Bay for New Year’s celebrations. If you’re searching for the best places to spend Christmas by yacht, Barbados is always in the top tier.

A bright yellow bus navigates a colorful street lined with shops and palm trees under a cloudy sky.

A young snorkeler waves from a boat in the crystal-clear turquoise waters of Bora Bora, with lush green mountains in the background.

Patagonia

50°44'11"S 75°01'47"W

If all out adventure is your idea of a good time, then heli-skiing in Patagonia is for you. Far from the maddening crowds, enjoy untouched snowfields, jagged peaks and helicopter-only terrain. And yes, you can do it all from your private yacht charter. Heli-skiing here gives you endless vertical and pure, raw landscape as far as you can see. Pair it with a yacht charter in Chilean fjords and you unlock the ultimate ski-and-sea December. Vibe off adrenaline by day, and then chill out to the blissful beauty of South America by night.