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17 of The World's Best Destinations For Sailing Adventures
17 of The World's Best Destinations For Sailing Adventures
The Grenadines
The “Spice Islands,” as the Grenadines are sometimes referred to, are a chain of 32 picturesque
islands sprinkled across 60 miles of the southern Caribbean in the West Indies, offering a perfect
blend of dramatic landscapes, culture, abundant marine life, friendly people and unspoiled white
sand beaches. Known as some of the world’s greatest sailing waters, you’ll find the ideal sailing
conditions and lack of crowds make it one of the best spots for a vacation on the water. Bequia, in
particular, has been a favorite destination for seafarers for centuries. If you want to charter a boat,
you’ll find a number of options in Port Elizabeth, along with scheduled and private boat excursions.
There are also several crewed and bareboat sailing options, from the simply outfitted and
reasonably priced to the expensive and luxurious.
Zanzibar
Zanzibar, in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Tanzania, offers the chance to travel back through
time, experiencing the ancient kingdom of Persia with Zanzibar once serving as a trading post for
the Arab world as well as the chance to buy packets of saffron, coffee seasoned with ginger and
cinnamon bar as well as fragrant vanilla pods. Of course, sailing through the surrounding turquoise
waters and stopping at picture-perfect beaches are the trademarks of a Spice Island vacation.
Cruising aboard a tradition dhow, an ancient Arabic sailing vessel, is one of the best ways to explore
the region. Catch glorious sunsets from the deck and make stops for snorkeling or diving, with the
average year-round water temperatures of slightly over 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
With over 300 miles of waterways and more than 40,000 resident yachts, it’s really no surprise that
Fort Lauderdale has been nicknamed the “Venice of America.” It not only borders the Atlantic, but
it’s crisscrossed by the Intracoastal Waterway as well as a number of rivers, several lakes and
hundreds of canals. This boater’s paradise also hosts the annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat
Show, one of the largest of its kind. Whether you’ve got an extravagant yacht or an average-sized
boat, Fort Lauderdale has something to offer – and, just about everything in the city is accessible
via the water.
Whitsundays, Australia
The Whitsundays are what dreams are made of, with azure seas, cloudless skies and 74 stunning
islands. The majority of this area belongs to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, one of the seven
wonders of the natural world, known for its sea turtles, incredible array of colorful fish and
kaleidoscopic coral gardens. Sailing here provides the opportunity to snorkel or dive all day, and
never get tired of doing it. Boats and tours cater to everyone from beginners to the most
experienced. The majority of services can be found in Airlie Beach, considered the gateway to the
Whitsundays.
Greek Islands, Greece
Sailing has been a part of Greek life since prehistoric times. With some 6,000 islands in Greece,
each with their own distinct character, you’ll find practically an endless number of ports to stop in,
with each offering a different feel. Sailing is really the best way to experience these breathtaking
islands, setting your own island-hopping itinerary, finding secluded spots or dining on octopus and
ouzo. The deep-blue Mediterranean waters dotted with small islands are punctuated by traditional
whitewashed villages and Greek ruins while warm sea breezes waft by as the sun shines
continuously. There are several island groups to choose from, with some of the most popular
including the Cyclades, home to Mykonos and Santorini, and the Ionians which include Skorpios,
the private island of late shipping billionaire Aristotle Onassis, Corfu and Lefkada.