Deaqon James World’s Most Exclusive Yacht Clubs
What Are Some Of The World’s Most Exclusive Yacht Clubs? We’ve Got The Answer
Yacht Clubs! If you’re the proud new owner of a futuristic 229-foot floating spaceship with fast-displacement-hull technology and you’re looking for somewhere to show it off, we’ve compiled a list of elite yachting clubs with the discernment (and the amenities) to accommodate you.
If, on the other hand, you are not, but always wanted to see one up close, these yacht clubs are your best bet at doing so:
Royal Bermuda Yacht Club Marina
Source: rbyc.bm
Established by Royal Warrant in 1844, the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (RBYC) has its marina close to the bustling Front Street at the heart of the historic city of Hamilton.
As such, a range of entertainment is but a convenient walk away – restaurants and shopping centers cater to all tastes, and a regular ferry service gives access to Dockyard, and St. George’s.
Some of the most scenic beaches the Atlantic has to offer are to be found only a few kilometers away, on Bermuda’s South Shore.
These include resorts such as Elbow Beach, Warwick Long Bay, and of course Horseshoe Bay.
The RBYC began as a meeting place for British military officers and Bermudian sailing enthusiasts, some 30 individuals formed the basis of the club at its genesis.
These men would convene under the welcome shade of a calabash tree to exchange stories of sailing and pass along useful information and gossip.
The clubhouse was built on this spot, or so the somewhat apocryphal story goes, and today, membership of this exclusive private yachting club extends to over 850 resident and non-resident members.
The clubhouse boasts a fine display of sailing memorabilia – trophies, exhibition models, paintings and photographs compete for the attention of the curious visitor.
Ship captains and crew have access to free Wi-Fi when in residence. Also, laundry and shower facilities are provided, and all the docking services you might expect.
Club amenities include secure and controlled marina access, 3 guest-rooms, and a terrace restaurant and bar. Members can charter the Club vessel Cleopatra by booking in advance.
The 130 berth marina has a full-service staff to cater for your bespoke requirements, and can accommodate vessels of up to 150 feet in length. So maybe just bring the mid-range yacht, eh?
Yacht Club De Monaco
Source: fosterandpartners.com
If you grow weary of sipping iced cocktails under a parasol at your favorite superyacht beach club, you could do worse than stop in at Monaco.
Founded by Prince Rainier III in 1953, the Yacht Club De Monaco is a prestigious club indeed, and holds a unique position on the international yachting scene with more than 1600 members drawn from 66 nationalities.
The reigning Club President since 1984 has been His Royal Highness, Prince Sovereign Albert II, and a suitably formal dress code for day and evening wear is enforced at all times.
Membership is limited and very, very exclusive: prospective candidates must submit an application form to the club committee and be introduced by two sponsors, both of whom must be existing members.
The successful applicant will be welcomed with an ice-breaking cocktail party and gala dinner in their honor.
The clubhouse was redesigned in 2013 by renowned architect Norman Foster, and stands out as a distinctive building in its own right.
This elegantly futuristic façade looks out over Port Hercules, and houses a sleek cocktail bar and excellent Mediterranean restaurant.
If you can tear yourself away from the lavish clubhouse, the tiny principality of Monaco has much to offer, and boasts a coterie of the rich and famous, packed into a busy and historic 2.8 km2 in what many regard to be the jewel of the French Riviera.
An impressive array of upscale shops, bars, casinos and hotels provide the very epitome of the luxury-travel experience.
Internationally regarded for its Formula One Grand Prix street circuit, Monaco is a fixture on many a sporting calendar.
The exclusive environs of the nearby Casino de Monte-Carlo regularly plays host to the Grand Final of the star-studded European Poker Tour (EPT), which in its most recent tournament awarded €1,082,000 as the first prize.
With over 30% of the population composed of millionaires, you could find yourself rubbing shoulders with some very influential folk indeed. And maybe a bond villain or two, to boot.
Dubai Marina Yacht Club
Source: dubaimarinayachtclub.com
Located as the central hub of the distinctive 4-section Dubai Marina in “new Dubai”, the purpose-built Dubai Marina Yacht Club is the most modern entry on this list, with room enough to harbor 500 vessels at any given time, along an impressive 3.5km access canal.
The Marina is an artificial canal city on the shores of the Arabian Gulf, and represents an extraordinary engineering achievement.
Though the ultra-modern complex is still in the process of being built, the Yacht Club has already established itself as a fashionable haven for the glitterati, and boasts facilities and entertainment sufficient to cater for even the most fastidious of tastes.
On-site Marina facilities are as extensive as can be found anywhere on the planet, and there’s even a fully-equipped ships’ chandlery to supply all your inventory needs.
Two outstanding restaurants offer al fresco dining options, meticulous service, and expansive menus tailored for the international visitor.
Also included in the Clubhouse complex is a sumptuous shopping arcade overflowing with designer boutiques, and state-of-the-art function and conference rooms large enough to accommodate a wedding party, business meeting, or anniversary bash.
Possibly all three at once should you wish.
Quiet private member lounges and a cigar & billiards room round off the convivial social experience in a sleek and effortlessly comfortable manner.
The sales offices for a number of prominent yacht-chartering companies are also housed here should you fancy chartering a cruise on someone else’s boat for a change. Alternatively, the Athena Dubai – an exclusive 50ft charter yacht owned and maintained by the club – is made available for corporate functions and private cruises, so, whatever rocks your boat, this clubhouse probably has it covered.
San Francisco Yacht Club
Source: wikimedia.org
Nestled in the tranquility of Belvedere Cove, the colonial-styled San Francisco Yacht Club (SFYC) holds the distinction of being the oldest yacht club on the Pacific Coast. Established in 1869, membership of this yacht club offers reserved and exclusive access to its private harbor, with sweeping views of the city skyline obtainable from the full-service deluxe restaurant and Bayside bar.
Facilities are extensive and well laid-out, they operate all-year round and include a dry sail storage area and floating dock.
The harbor holds 190 berths, making this the premier West Coast yachting facility.
The annual regattas organized by the SFYC are justly famous; passing beneath the iconic Golden Gate Bridge they take in some of the best sights the city has to offer, drawing spectators from across the globe.
A keen desire to foster enthusiasm in sailing and disseminate knowledge of maritime technique is the ethos that lies at the heart of the club, and this is reflected in its active junior sailing programs and regular race schedule.
Membership is obtained through the recommendation of existing members only, and all candidates are expected to demonstrate an active interest in racing, recreational yachting and sailing.
So it’s no use turning up at their door without an appointment wearing a sailor’s cap and a disarming smile – they’re unlikely to let you in, no matter how much smooth talking you do.
So take your pick, or tour them all – with your yacht or your imagination.
These luxury clubs are certainly inspiring and worth looking into.
They are also very exclusive, which is perhaps why they have managed to maintain their character through the decades – in some cases, even the centuries.
So this is the Luxury Standard list of the current most exclusive yacht clubs in the world! What do you think?
Leave us a comment below with your thoughts.