Opening up South Pacific Charter Potential
From August 2022, luxury yachts cruising and chartering in the South Pacific will have the benefit of coordinated yachting procedures between Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Tahiti for extended stays in the region.
Of all the changes, one of the most significant is that yachts will be able to stay for two years or more in each of the four countries without needing to be imported. Owners can therefore keep their vessels in the South Pacific indefinitely on a rotational basis, and closely aligned charter rules have simplified procedures.
CharterWorld brokers are excited to see the potential of the South Pacific being expanded beyond the ever-popular Indonesian charter grounds: New Zealand is an impressive destination for a minimum of week-long cruises and already hosts a thriving tourism industry, particularly around Queenstown, 'the adrenaline capital of the world'. Scuba diving sites such as the Poor Knights Islands can be enjoyed at length aboard a luxury yacht, and the myriad islands of the Abel Tasman National Park offer amazing anchorages under starry night skies.
Australia needs several visits to see just a fraction of its wonders, the most famous being the Great Barrier Reef and The Whitsundays. Tasmania has a stunning coast and offers plenty of sports on land and in the water, while breath-taking sights await at the Kimberley Region and Ningaloo Reef on the western side of Australia.
Fiji and Tahiti boast an abundance of tropical islands for an escape from the rest of the world and to reconnect with nature. Clear shallows and reefs close to the shore are ideal for young family members to gain confidence in a rewarding environment.