For the fifth consecutive year, the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis and Christophe Harbour report another banner year in yachting and 20% continued growth YOY since marina operations launched at the Eastern Caribbean resort community.  This positive news comes despite a reportedly slower charter season in the region.

In-season repeat visits to Christophe Harbour’s new state-of-the-art marina on the rise as are the average length of stay (4 nights) and the increased average length now surpassing 50m. The marina is homeport to the Perini Navi sloop S/Y Perseus^3, which has the world's third largest carbon mast and the world’s largest single sail, and played host to several high profile yachts this season such as 72.6 m Lürssen M/Y Coral Ocean designed by Jon Bannenberg. The largest yacht in the marina to-date was the 92m M/Y Mayan Queen, who visited earlier this year.  

Director of Yachting Aeneas Hollins, said, “With the marina firmly established, St Kitts and Nevis is a welcomed addition to the sailing triangle that includes Antigua, St. Maarten and St Barths. Our services here are growing in line with demand, and we are getting ready for our third vibrant season at Christophe Harbour.”

The marina is homeport to the Perini Navi sloop S/Y Perseus^3, which has the world's third largest carbon mast and the world’s largest single sail, and played host to several high profile yachts this season such as 72.6 m Lürssen M/Y Coral Ocean designed by Jon Bannenberg. The largest yacht in the marina to-date was the 92m M/Y Mayan Queen, who visited earlier this year.  

Such positive reverberations not only buoy The Marina at Christophe Harbour, but also businesses throughout St. Kitts and Nevis. Since 2016, Christophe Harbour has reported a 60% increase in the number of local companies who do business with the marina. This number will continue to grow along with the marina and the yachting industry.

By 2026, the total contribution of travel & tourism to GDP is forecast to rise by 5.2% p.a. to 33.2% GDP, and account directly for 2,000 jobs.  The tourism sector currently contributes to 28.1% of GDP and 1,500 direct jobs (source: World Travel & Tourism Council, Economic Impact 2016 St Kitts and Nevis).

Christophe Harbour is founded by S/Y Andromeda la Dea owner Buddy Darby, who designed the superyacht marina with superyacht owners and crew in mind. The marina currently houses 24 alongside superyacht berths and is estimated to provide 250 state-of-the-art alongside berths, several of which will accommodate superyachts, at full build. For private or charter yacht homeport, the marina is considered an extension of crew ashore and offers exceptional guest concierge services to fulfill guest and crew needs, such as VIP clearance, provisioning, freight forwarding, local itineraries as well as ultra-fast wifi.  The marina is also served by the YU Lounge private jet terminal and RLB International airport with direct flight service from several hubs including Miami, New York, and London.

With an onsite tank capacity of 48,000 US gallons, the marina features the largest refueling station dedicated to a marina in the Eastern Caribbean. This state-of-the-art facility can provide 40,000 US (duty free) gallons per day of in-slip fuelling for vessels, with up to 125 gallons per minute of Sol-supplied, ultra-low sulphur diesel. The marina also features a professionally-engineered entry and turning basin and is a designated point of entry allowing for onsite expedited clearance.

Already offering a variety of retail points and arguably the ‘best cappuccino on the island,’ the shoreside marina village continues to expand. This season the resort community will welcome the Caribbean’s first Park Hyatt hotel this November along with the iconic Customs House, which will house a crew lounge, fitness center, real estate discovery center, and additional dining options, shops and services.