Pursuit Five of the best superyacht cities

There is something special about experiencing a city from the water. It gives you a new perspective and allows you to immerse yourself as much or as little as you want. Here are five of the best cities around the world to visit by superyacht.

Miami, USA

Miami is one of the most exciting cities in the USA. It moves to its own beat; an intoxicating mix of classic glamour, Cuban soul, sun-drenched beaches, stylish nightlife, world-class cuisine and creativity. From shopping for couture in the Design District to wandering Miami Beach’s Art Deco Historic District, this city has a reputation for its warm tropical weather, vibrancy, and breathtaking beachfront properties. As well as being the site of various events throughout the year, including Art Basel and the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, Miami is just a short hop to the Caribbean, Bahamas and South America, making it a perfect superyacht stop off before heading south. Yachting visitors can take their pick of several world-class superyacht marinas depending on how close to the action they want to be. The new superyacht-only One Island Park in Miami Beach for example puts guests close to the best beaches and nightlife, while Island Gardens Deep Harbour on Watson Island is set a part and boasts 360° views of the skyline of Miami and the historical harbour of Biscayne Bay.

Sydney, Australia

Australia’s capital is a rich superyacht destination; you can plan an entire itinerary around this iconic natural harbour and its surrounds. With over 240km of shoreline and countless prime anchorages, Sydney Harbour is not only home to big-name attractions like the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, but also blessed with pristine beaches, picturesque gardens and areas of natural bush. There are more than 100 beaches in Sydney – from famous surf hangouts like Bondi and calm, sheltered bays like Gordon’s Bay to family-friendly stretches like Balmoral. Active guest will find plenty to keep them busy, whether it is walking along the many nature trails or climbing to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. One of the ultimate Sydney experiences, though, has to be watching the New Year fireworks over the opera house. There are plenty of marinas and anchorage mere moments from the city’s best restaurants and nightlife. Sydney Superyacht Marina, for example, is centrally located in the exclusive Rozelle Bay neighbourhood, just minutes of the CBD.

Venice, Italy

The Venetian waterways are an ancient maze of breathtaking architecture, romance and wonder. This is a city that was made to be enjoyed afloat. There are various marinas within the lagoon that provide easy access to the city while still being private and peaceful. For those looking for a berth with a real wow factor, one of Venice Yacht Pier berthing locations offers superyachts the chance to be directly opposite the historic Piazza San Marco. As the only entirely pedestrianised city in the world, Venice is a joy to explore on foot. Spend hours winding through its crumbling alleys, crossing old bridges, admiring majestic palazzos and, of course, stopping for regular espressos. Watch the sunset over the Grand Canal from the famed Gritti Palace, or sip Aperol Spitz from your own deck, counting the gondolas as they float by.

London, UK

Cruising up the Thames into London has to be one of the most unforgettable city arrivals. As Tower Bridge opens to let you through and you find yourself flanked by architectural landmarks like the Tower of London, the Gherkin and the Shard, the energy of the city will envelop you. London is not designed to be a superyacht hub and there are only a few berthing options for large yachts, but this only makes the experience all the more unique. For the ultimate location, park up beside the impressive retired warship HMS Belfast and make the most of all that London has to offer. Take a limo tender ride further up the Thames to see the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and the London Eye from the water, go shopping in Mayfair, wander through London’s great parks, enjoy world-class cuisine at one of many Michelin star restaurants or simply watch this vibrant city hum with life from your superyacht.

Singapore, Singapore

Singapore is Asia’s cultural melting pot. This small and spotless island nation is a place of contrasts; high-end boutiques and five-star hotels sit alongside traditional Chinese shophouses and colourful night markets. This may not be a large city but there is plenty to explore here and it makes a great starting point for Southeast Asian itineraries. Home of the Singapore Yacht Show, ONE°15 Marina Club on Sentosa Island is a sophisticated place to berth for your stay, placing you at the centre of a variety of restaurants and bars, but also within easy distance of all that the rest of the city has to offer. For cocktails the views from the top of the Marina Bay Sands hotel are unparalleled, while Raffles Hotel is the home of the famous Singapore Sling. A walk in the Tiger Balm Garden – one of only three in the world – will be rewarded with more than a thousand statues and 150 huge scenic Chinese dioramas. No trip to Singapore would be complete without making the most of its love affair with food: from Chinatown and Little India to Michelin star restaurants, foodies will be spoiled for choice.