The first three months of 2018 at Christophe Harbour have sailed by with record-setting numbers and several international regattas at the superyacht marina and resort community in St. Kitts. Here’s a roundup of the year so far….

In mid-January, Christophe Harbour welcomed 16 superyachts and 205 crew members to its superyacht marina for the third-annual Caribbean CrewFest 2018. The event, in partnership with ACREW, is designed specifically for superyacht crew and has more than doubled in size since its launch in 2016.

February was quite busy with several events that welcomed Christophe Harbour members and guests from around the world. The first annual Riptide Member-Guest event was held mid-month with more than 50 Christophe Harbour owners in attendance. An intimate weekend of fun, Riptide embraced the best of the island with beachside wine dinners, a countryside Sunday brunch and sunset sailing. 

The inaugural Gustavia Yacht Club-Christophe Harbour Cup race from St. Kitts to St. Barths rounded out the month. An initiative of Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, Commodore of Gustavia Yacht Club, and Buddy Darby, Christophe Harbour Founder and CEO, the event provided a new opportunity to forge stronger relationships between the two organizations and the two islands.   

In March, a prominent United States yacht club hosted an event with their members at The Marina at Christophe Harbour. The sailing rally brought more than 40 yachts and more than 200 people to our shores. This marked a record day for not only the Marina but for the Federation as well.

Overall, The Marina at Christophe Harbour and the nation’s yachting industry have seen exponential growth in all dimensions. This season alone has generated over 5,000 overnight stays and seen the average size of visiting yachts grow 40% to 165’ (50m) and the average length of stay increase 20% to five days. Although overall traffic to the region may have been down due to the lingering effects from the storms, repeat visits to Christophe Harbour are on the rise with some vessels returning up to seven times. This year also saw an increased number of high profile superyachts as well as the marina’s largest vessel to-date, M/Y Limitless, at 317 feet (91m).

Operations at the resort community’s private members club The Pavilion beach club, award-winning beach bar SALT Plage, and Marina Village kiosk and shops have also seen a total increase of 87% in business this season, ensuring Christophe Harbour’s place as a leading destination for cuisine, cocktails, yachting, retail, and home ownership.

“It has been a record-setting first quarter for Christophe Harbour,” says Darby. “We know that Christophe Harbour is a must-visit destination on any Eastern Caribbean itinerary, and our efforts are leading the way in delivering a first-class experience for all.”