Like in Singapore, charter in Hong Kong is dominated by day trips, as confirmed by local yachting agency NextWave, which includes NextWave Charters among its various divisions.
The Sunseeker 131 Yacht, here used for a wedding, is NextWave Charters’ flagship
“We have 95 per cent day charter and five per cent overnight. Most of our charters are for the day, but sometimes customers book evening charters for special occasions such as birthdays, proposals and company dinner events, and they’re especially popular when there are fireworks in Victoria Harbour,” says Frankie Chau, Managing Director of NextWave.
“We also offer overnight charters for people who want to enjoy more secluded and remote areas that would not be practical for only a day charter.”
NextWave was founded by a like-mind group of friends in 2012 and today its activities include the sales of new and pre-owned yachts as well as high-end water toys, yacht management (Column, Yacht Style Issue 47) and even the organisation of MotoSurf WorldCup events in China.
Its thriving yacht management division has helped grow the fleet managed by NextWave Charters, which now represents over 50 boats in Hong Kong, arguably Asia’s most mature and developed yachting market. Models include ‘Western Cruiser’ motoryachts from the likes of Sunseeker, Azimut, Pershing, MCY and Sealine, a Lagoon sailing catamaran, as well as junks and speedboats.
Day charters and special occasions dominate charter activity in Hong Kong
“By leveraging our yacht management arm, we’ve been able to source more high-quality, well-maintained Western cruiser yachts than our competitors,” Chau says. “We have over 50 boats available for hire, ranging from a 23ft speed boat to a 131ft top-of-the-line superyacht.”
That 131-footer is a stunning Sunseeker 131 Yacht, Rhine, which is among the largest superyachts for hire in Hong Kong. Currently Sunseeker’s second-largest model, the four-deck 131 has an enormous saloon, a jacuzzi on the flybridge and four guest cabins, although those are rarely used for sleeping during local charters.
“Talk about luxury,” Chau says. “The Sunseeker 131 has a grand living room, four bedrooms and an interior design that resembles a five-star hotel. She’s also capable of travelling around Southeast Asia for an unforgettable holiday.”
The company’s most popular charter yacht is its own custom-built NextWave Island, a 65-footer designed for parties. It has a capacity of 45 people, but can comfortably fit 60 once moored.
NextWave Island is a 65ft party boat focused on fun and toys
“Designed to have plenty of open space, we use cosy, movable lounge furniture to create different layouts to suit different customer needs,” Chau says. “It has great sound systems on all three of its decks and a spacious-air conditioned karaoke room.”
The charter fleet also includes a new 23ft Heyday inboard as NextWave believes there’s an insufficient supply of high-quality wake boats on Hong Kong Island’s south side.
Depending on the yacht, pick-ups can be arranged from various points in Hong Kong including Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, Causeway Bay and Sai Kung.
Popular requests include from Central to Repulse Bay or Deep Water Bay, with the yacht cruising around the west of Hong Kong Island, passing by Ocean Park. Once anchored, guests can swim to the beach, wakesurf, wakeboard or enjoy other toys, a sector NextWave specialises in.
“Powered surfboards like Jetsurf and Lift eFoils are also gaining in popularity as we’re expanding the market in Asia,” Chau says. “We also carry toys such as slides and other giant inflatable toys from Aquaglide.”
The original article appears in Yacht Style Issue 48. Email subscribe@lux-inc.com for print subscription enquiries or subscribe to the Magzter version at: www.magzter.com/SG/Lux-Inc-Media/Yacht-Style/Fashion/
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