Top ten nicest places to go cruising
So you think you're interested in taking a charter. This article provides a list of the ten nicest places we know to go cruising and some close runner-ups. All places have great charter companies, but you can also sail your own boat there.
Australia's Whitsunday Passage: Located in the Coral Sea between Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsunday Passage features great diving and a steady southeast trade wind, especially August to October.
The Bahamas: The Bahamas are popular and easily accessible from the United States. Some of the most beautiful islands are the Abacos (the Family Islands), Eleuthera, and the Exumas. They have plenty of shallow waters, so be attentive to the visual clues of depth and the reading on your depth sounder as well as being a vigilant pilot. Many safe anchorages in close proximity to each other provide for variety and carefree planning when you're afloat.
Caribbean Islands: Without doubt, the Caribbean is the No. 1 charter destination in the world. Especially popular are the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. They feature great year-round weather (although you may want to avoid hurricane season). These islands are especially good for novice charterers because of the predictable winds, deep waters, numerous protected sailing areas, easy navigation, and plenty of beautiful and safe anchorages.
Florida Keys: With easy access from the mainland United States to the Sunshine State, the Florida Keys feature warm, shoal waters.
Great Lakes: Get out of the nearby big cities, and you'd swear that you're in the middle of nowhere when you're on the Great Lakes. Did you know that the water of northern Lake Huron is crystal clear?
Mediterranean: Spain, France, Italy, Croatia, Greece, and Turkey all have plenty of beautiful cruising grounds and lessons in ancient history.
Mexico: The waters of the Gulf of California inside Baja, Mexico, can be magical.
New Zealand's Bay of Islands: Summer — February and March (remember the southern hemisphere) — is the peak season for the Bay of Islands.
Pacific Northwest: Uncrowded, scenic anchorages are the highlight in the Pacific Northwest. The protected waters of Puget Sound are great cruising grounds, but they have strong currents, big tidal ranges, and cold water.
South Pacific: Tahiti, Tonga, and Fiji have big charter fleets. Watch out for cyclones in the South Pacific in the summer months.
Australia's Whitsunday Passage: Located in the Coral Sea between Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsunday Passage features great diving and a steady southeast trade wind, especially August to October.
The Bahamas: The Bahamas are popular and easily accessible from the United States. Some of the most beautiful islands are the Abacos (the Family Islands), Eleuthera, and the Exumas. They have plenty of shallow waters, so be attentive to the visual clues of depth and the reading on your depth sounder as well as being a vigilant pilot. Many safe anchorages in close proximity to each other provide for variety and carefree planning when you're afloat.
Caribbean Islands: Without doubt, the Caribbean is the No. 1 charter destination in the world. Especially popular are the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. They feature great year-round weather (although you may want to avoid hurricane season). These islands are especially good for novice charterers because of the predictable winds, deep waters, numerous protected sailing areas, easy navigation, and plenty of beautiful and safe anchorages.
Florida Keys: With easy access from the mainland United States to the Sunshine State, the Florida Keys feature warm, shoal waters.
Great Lakes: Get out of the nearby big cities, and you'd swear that you're in the middle of nowhere when you're on the Great Lakes. Did you know that the water of northern Lake Huron is crystal clear?
Mediterranean: Spain, France, Italy, Croatia, Greece, and Turkey all have plenty of beautiful cruising grounds and lessons in ancient history.
Mexico: The waters of the Gulf of California inside Baja, Mexico, can be magical.
New Zealand's Bay of Islands: Summer — February and March (remember the southern hemisphere) — is the peak season for the Bay of Islands.
Pacific Northwest: Uncrowded, scenic anchorages are the highlight in the Pacific Northwest. The protected waters of Puget Sound are great cruising grounds, but they have strong currents, big tidal ranges, and cold water.
South Pacific: Tahiti, Tonga, and Fiji have big charter fleets. Watch out for cyclones in the South Pacific in the summer months.
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