The best New Year's Eve party - on a superyacht charter

It’s never too early to start planning New Year’s Eve. In fact, pretty much anytime is a good time to start thinking about your plans – and more specifically, where you want to watch the ball drop. And where better to party than on the decks of a superyacht in some of the world’s most iconic destinations?  

After all, midnight always looks a lot better on island time, in warm weather and with a cocktail in your hand. Make this New Year’s Eve unforgettable by celebrating aboard a superyacht with Burgess recommendations. From the yacht to the destination to the guest list, your Burgess charter experts can help create the best party in the harbour.  

What are the benefits of a New Year’s Eve yacht charter?

Being on the water, and more importantly on board a superyacht, comes with many benefits whatever the time of year, but on New Year’s Eve the decks of a superyacht really can come into their own in a special way. From the best seat in the house for fireworks displays to gourmet meals, live music and entertainment, all while being in a comfortable, private and luxurious setting, excitement levels for the evening will be high. All you have to do is enjoy the party.  

Exclusive guestlist  

New Year’s Eve on a superyacht is definitely something to write home about, and just about every friend you have will be clamouring for an invite. Hosting the most exclusive party in town is no mean feat and numbers can make or break the party, as can the guests themselves. You don’t want a crowd, but you do want the atmosphere to be buzzing.  

Think carefully about personality clashes and egos and try not to invite anyone that other guests will find intimidating. You want everyone to be relaxed and having fun. And that includes yourself – so think about guests that you actually want to socialise with and talk to. If the occasion requires a formal dining set-up, then check the seating capacity, and remember if out at anchor without special permissions you can only celebrate with 12, including yourself, even on some of the largest yachts, so plan ahead. 

Gourmet cuisine

Bid au revoir to 2023 the French way – superyacht cuisine is a Francophile’s dream come true. Whether you are planning a more casual live cooking station or an opulent six-course menu for your New Year’s Eve, with your very own superyacht chef you and your guests can expect gastronomic excellence. A tasty and completely bespoke menu will certainly wow your guests. 

How and where the dishes are presented also has a huge impact on the overall gourmet experience. Most yachts are designed for entertaining, with guest areas generally designed to allow for all manner of different occasions. And the dining table, whether al fresco or more formal in the dining salon, is one of the most social places on the entire yacht.  

Weather permitting, be it a formal dinner or a relaxed buffet affair, al fresco is usually the preferred option for a New Year’s Eve occasion, perhaps with more risqué table settings to reflect the special occasion. For larger, cocktail-type events, a few different open-air dining options are ideal, and perhaps a celebrity chef to work hand in hand with your superyacht chef to help create the ultimate event

Top-tier entertainment  

Entertainment plays an important role in any party, whether on a yacht or at home. Music is always an essential part of the evening on a yacht, whether it’s the dulcet tones of your favourite singer in the background during dinner, or live DJs playing a set during a larger gathering. Music always sets the tone, but it also needs to be right for the crowd listening.  

Many of the larger yachts have helidecks that can be converted into a dancefloor, while others have beach clubs or sun decks that can also become dancefloors by night, complete with state-of-the-art sound systems. Ensure the tunes keep coming with no lulls. You could even make your New Year’s Eve party memorable and bring in a specialist yacht party organiser. From masquerade balls to themed parties, there are companies that can help with large scale entertaining and create a buzz around any event (or equally keep it discreet if desired).  

What are the best New Year’s Eve charter destinations?

From fireworks blasting across the breathtaking backdrops of Australia’s Sydney Harbour or St Barth’s Gustavia, to street parties and junkanoo parades in the Bahamas or Grenada, and all-night parties on blissed-out beaches on Thailand’s party island of Phuket, there’s certainly no shortage of amazing destinations on the water to help you bring in the new year. Get ready to bid adieu to the old year and welcome in the new year in some of the world’s most iconic settings.  

St Barth, Caribbean 

For those lucky enough to be in St Barthelemy on New Years Eve, the Caribbean gem conjures up a star-filled night that is unique to the island. From celebrating barefoot on the beach with some of the world’s most famous personalities, to dancing on deck, the atmosphere here is both chic and relaxed at the same time.  

The place to be if you’re feeling sociable is on board a yacht berthed inside the Port de Plaisance in Gustavia, which, with only 60 berths available, is probably the most prestigious New Year’s Eve setting in the world. Last year the port and its surrounding anchorage saw more than 130 yachts and their guests celebrate the new year in style.  

Kick off the celebrations, cocktail in hand, as you watch the New Year’s Eve Regatta. Back on board enjoy the festivities and the traditional fireworks display, followed by dancing on deck or ashore at Eden Rock, Nikki Beach, La Plage or Le Yacht Club, to name just a few of the after-midnight venues where you can celebrate into the early hours.   

The main event: St Barth's midnight fireworks are not to be missed. When the clock strikes 12, the sky above Fort Oscar explodes with a display that lights up the entire island. A spectacular sight, best enjoyed from the decks of a superyacht, with foghorns blowing.   

Go for: Fireworks, parties, chic beach clubs and some of the best restaurants in the Caribbean. And after an unforgettable night of celebration, recharge those batteries, embrace the laid-back atmosphere and let the soothing ocean breeze wash away any traces of the previous night’s festivities.  

Sydney, Australia  

As one of the world’s most iconic waterfront settings, Sydney Harbour really comes into its own on New Year’s Eve. From the spectacular fireworks display over the harbour itself to an amalgamation of displays all over the suburbs, as the clock strikes midnight the sky lights up to a dazzling show. And once midnight has struck and the fireworks have fallen from the skies a further light show of illuminated vessels light up the waterfront with the Harbour Light Parade.  

However, it’s not all about the illuminations. Revelries ramp up long before the countdown, with parties kicking off all over the city from mid-afternoon as crowds begin to gather along the harbourside. For those stepping ashore either before or after the main event there are several ticketed events, the hottest of which is the Opera Bar. Partygoers looking to celebrate well into the early hours should head to Sydney’s city centre, where world-class clubs, including Café del Mar Sydney and the Employees Only Bar, offer an exciting line-up of electrifying music to keep the celebrations going.  

The main event: The fireworks over Sydney Harbour are among the first in the world to welcome in the new year. For the best views over the harbour and the illuminations, try and anchor opposite Bradleys Head where vessels of 30m plus are allocated a specific area. 

Go for: Fireworks over Sydney Harbour, world-class nightclubs and a gourmet scene to rival anywhere in the world.  

Grenada, Caribbean  

The Caribbean island of Grenada has a happening nightlife throughout the year so come the holiday season, and in particular New Year’s Eve, and the island celebrates in traditional Caribbean style. The capital St George’s is the place to head. Berthed on your yacht in nearby Port Louis Marina, which is conveniently located just across the water from the capital, enjoy the carnival-like atmosphere from afar or join the party which both starts and finishes late.   

Music and dancing fill the cobblestone waterfront setting of St George’s, carrying on into the early hours, with some heading to Grand Anse Beach to dance barefoot in the sand. And for the next day, a dip in the cold-water pools beneath the island’s famous waterfalls will certainly clear your head.   

The main event: Port Louis fireworks over St George’s, live music and DJ sets at Port Louis’ Victory Bar and Restaurant.  

Go for: Rum punch, white sand beaches, sunsets and stunning waterfalls.  

The Bahamas

The Bahamas offers a variety of activities for New Year’s Eve. From parties at local restaurants, hanging out with friends at a lively bar, or your very own private sunset picnic on a deserted beach, whatever you choose to do, the Bajan culture calls for all-out celebration, with festivals and colourful parades continuing into the early hours.  

Ring in the new year and the countdown to midnight with a party on board your yacht before heading ashore for a traditional New Year’s Day Junkanoo Parade. The largest celebration is in Nassau, where dancers and elaborate costumes fill the main streets with a parade accompanied by whistles, drums and oil barrels that lasts from around 2am until mid-morning on New Year’s Day. 

For a more relaxed welcome to the new year, head to the Exumas or Abacos, where local bars open until the early hours and the waterborne mingle with locals in traditional Bajan style – a rum punch and toes in the sand celebration.  

The main event: Junkanoo parade through the streets of Nassau. 

Go for: Pink sand beaches, conch fritters and Bajan celebrations. 

Phuket, Thailand 

Searching for something a little different to the Caribbean or The Bahamas? From tranquil anchorages among film-set locations to hedonistic Full Moon parties, Thailand’s beaches offer a full range of New Year’s Eve settings, with Phuket perhaps being a happy medium between the two. This well-known Thai island likes to party at the best of times but energised by the anticipation of a fresh start in the coming year, Phuket really excels in the party stakes.  

Set to the backdrop of the western sunset, the west coast is the best place to head for the main party scene, with Patong Beach at the centre of the action. For those looking to enjoy a slightly less hedonistic welcome to the new year, the sparkling waters off Surin Beach also offer the perfect anchorage from which to enjoy the festivities from the luxurious comfort of your yacht.  

Take the tender ashore for sunset cocktails at the number one beach club party spot, before returning to enjoy superb cuisine and your own New Year’s Eve party. As the countdown approaches, toast the new year in refined style and enjoy the lightshow staged by the Amanpuri resort before joining the Beach Club After Party. 

The main event: Fireworks courtesy of the Amanpuri resort while anchored off Surin Beach, or toes in the sand style dancing on Patong Beach.  

Go for: Snorkelling and diving, beach bars and spectacular sunsets.  

Top tips to make your luxury superyacht charter extra special  

• Think about your interests and the type of charter you would like 
• Book early for the best yacht and berth 
• Turn your phone off when you can 
• Utilise the yacht’s amenities – take advantage of the watertoys on board, use the gym
• Savour the cuisine on board  
• Take time out to discover the local surroundings  
• Make reservations if heading ashore  
• Be specific about the food and drinks you would like on board  
• Discuss your plans with the Captain  
• Be flexible, no one can control the weather. Listen to your Captain 
• If you have small children, bring a nanny 
• Lie back and relax