Where is sailing popular

Santa Catalina Island is best visited in the spring and fall when the weather and marine conditions are most temperate. Southern California summers are often overcast until late afternoon, and winter storms can create choppy waters. As a sailing destination in the US, regattas are held nearly every month of the year. Many Oriental residents are avid sailors of all levels. There are also classes and charters available if you need a refresher or a boat.

Address: Oriental, NC. The region is known for its breathtaking views and fresh air away from bustling New York City. There are also sailing classes available. With the quiet waters away from oceans and Great Lakes, the Hudson Valley is the perfect place to learn to sail.

The best time to visit the region is between late April and late October when the sailing season invites hundreds of sailors and boaters. Read Article. Let's take a look at the top sailing destinations in the US. Naval War College. Rate attraction:. Asahi is available for charter with Edmiston.

There are hundreds of islands to explore on the western coast of Norway, or you can head into the fjords, going up to 60 nautical miles inland. Memory lane: I had an incredible experience on a metre sailing yacht in the fjordland many years ago. You would find yourself tacking one leg of the fjord and then using the spinnaker the next. Highlights included sailing the famous Geiranger Fjord and seeing the Preikestolen [Pulpit Rock] in the Lysefjord from below.

Perfect timing: Sailing season is June to August. They may not be a traditional superyacht destination, but we had some spectacular sailing with flat water and optimum to knot winds. Clear winner: A highlight of my time up there was sailing the crystal-clear waters of Georgian Bay, in the Northeast part of Lake Huron. The water was so clear we saw crabs crawling along the lakebed more than five metres below.

Perfect timing: The summer season, especially in the northern parts of this vast inland water system, is relatively short, but it can extend from as early as May through to mid-September. If warmer weather is your goal, then July and August offer the best conditions. Norfolk Star is available for charter with Burgess. Recommended by: Henry Guest, charter broker, Burgess.

Perfect timing: The most popular time of year to be in the Caribbean is from mid-December through the first week or so of January, but I think the later part of January right through to early spring is best.

Recommended by: Captain Clive Walker of My best cruising has been in the Pacific, most notably the Eastern Tuamotu Islands. The area boasts hundreds of uninhabited atolls, most of which can be entered with draughts up to five metres and offer beautiful calm anchorages. Zig-zagging between the array of atolls under sail in 10 to 15 knots of fresh daily trade winds is a joy for any keen sailor.

View to remember: Every morning and evening a multitude of sharks enter the atoll passes, which for the brave is an unforgettable sight. Perfect timing: As the Tuamotus are just south of the equator they can be visited any time of year. Stretching from Pula down to medieval Dubrovnik, Croatia's coastline offers a wealth of sailing opportunities with reliable afternoon winds and more than 1, islands to explore.

The remote Kornati National Park is an unspoiled oasis -- so stunning, in fact, it moved author George Bernard Shaw to write that God created the islands "out of tears, stars and breath.

There's everything from quiet coves and gentle towns to buzzy cosmopolitan Hvar and Dubrovnik-light Korcula. It's also must visit for sailing fans of "Game of Thrones," much of which was filmed here. Italy's Aeolian Islands off Sicily offer a varied voyage among seven distinct islands. Sicily, Italy. Lying off Sicily's northeast coast like a bejeweled pendant are the awe-inspiring Aeolian IsIands.

This rugged volcanic chain, named after Greek wind god Aeolus, features seven spectacular islands. Jutting out of emerald seas, each has its own personality, from the active cone and black sands of Stromboli and the hot springs of Vulcano, to vibrant Lipari and chic Panarea, to verdant Salina and car-free Alicudi and Stromboli. Lastly, Filicudi was nicknamed "Bone Island" because of the pirates who died there after long sieges.

From historic Tropea on the Italian mainland, sailors can access the beautiful beaches and swimming spots, quiet anchorages and sleepy waterfront towns in which to savor authentic Sicilian cooking. For those with more time, or flying into the capital Palermo, the enchanting Egadi Islands off Sicily's northwest tip offer an equally isolated escape. Pretty Favignana is known as the tuna capital of the Mediterranean, while remote Marettimo provides solitude in a stunning setting.

A sailor's paradise of warm winds, deep blue seas, blissful beaches and waterside shacks for eating, drinking and soaking up the island vibe. Hurricane Irma caused widespread damage in the region, but yachting and tourism is already bouncing back and the sailing is as good as ever. Tortola is the main island and the starting point for exploring the host of outlying islands and cays, with spectacular scenery, sheltered anchorages and superb snorkeling. There's Virgin Gorda, with its dramatic rock formations at The Baths; Jost van Dyke, the smallest of the four main islands, with famous joints such as Foxy's and the Soggy Dollar Bar; the coral atoll of Anegada with sunken shipwrecks and spectacular sea life; and Norman Island, said to be the inspiration for the novel "Treasure Island.

Antigua, Caribbean. Antigua is reputed to have beaches, one for every day of the year, so what better way to explore them all than by boat? The warm, gentle trade winds, turquoise waters and oh-so picturesque anchorages make it a sailor's idyll at the heart of the Leeward Islands. Ashore, historic Nelson's Dockyard in English Harbour is the throbbing heart, but further afield you'll find waterside dining for all budgets and lively rum bars, perfect for a famous "jump up" -- a dance session to the rhythm of steel drums.

Sister island Barbuda -- 40 miles to the north -- has more birds than people and offers a gentler pace with pink sands and coral reefs perfect for snorkeling. The famous Antigua Sailing Week regatta is a melting pot for sailors looking for competitive racing and punishing partying.

Steady trade winds, beautiful beaches and good harbors make Antigua synonymous with sailing. Windward Islands, Caribbean. Most have never even heard of the Whitsunday Islands , let alone considered visiting them. Located off the coast of Queensland—not far from the Great Barrier Reef—the Whitsundays are a chain of 74 islands that are the Australian version of paradise. With spectacularly beautiful beaches, an abundance of wildlife, and waters that are a shade of blue that isn't found anywhere else on Earth, this is a place that visitors will never want to leave.

The diving and snorkeling are practically unmatched and the scenery is simply awe inspiring. Setting out from Airlie Beach, the so-called "gateway to the Whitsundays," you'll find plenty of sailing ships that offer everything from single-day escapes to three-day adventures on the open ocean.

Visit Sailing-Whitsundays. Tanzania's Zanzibar Island is a destination that offers history, culture, adventure, and a chance to relax all in one amazing place. For centuries the island was a nexus of a trade and commerce for the Arab world and the remains of that heritage can still be found there today. But the azure-colored Indian Ocean also offers excellent snorkeling and diving, chances to go fishing, or just soak up the sun.

Travelers will also find ancient villages to visit, markets to explore, and beaches to wander too. A visit to Zanzibar is a perfect extension after finishing up a Tanzanian safari or as a destination in its own right. Sailing options include single day outings or week-long excursions, with Intrepid Travel offering one of the most affordable and full-featured options, including a seven-day journey aboard a modern catamaran that somehow manages to be both active and restful at the same time.

The Mediterranean is filled with great opportunities for sailors, but few options compare with island hopping off the coast of Greece. Places like Mykonos, Santorini, and Paros make for the perfect escape for those seeking a dash of culture and history to go along with their adventure.

Sea kayaking is a great way to explore these islands, and day-excursions to wander the villages and landscapes are a must-do as well. As you would expect, the food is exquisite and the locals are accommodating, making this sailing destination one that will stay with you long after you've returned home.

Options for sailing out of Athens or Mykonos abound, with opportunities to travel for just a day or two or more than a week if your schedule permits. You'll find affordable options for Greek Islands excursion from G Adventures , with more upscale offerings coming from National Geographic Expeditions. In a country filled with opportunities for adventure, Croatia's Adriatic Coast just might be the most breathtakingly beautiful destination of them all.

With more than miles of coastline, not to mention a dizzying number of islands to explore , Croatia has seemingly endless miles of beaches and crystal clear waters to snorkel and dive.

And when you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the vibrant Croatian cities, try sailing into some of the remote fishing villages that can be found in the numerous hidden lagoons that dot the shore. This trip not only mixes great sailing and snorkeling opportunities, it also gives travelers the chance to go hiking, cycling, paddle boarding, and kayaking too.

New Zealand has long had a rich sailing culture, which is due in large part to its amazing coastlines which offer epic scenery and plenty of places to explore. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Bay of Islands , a place that has launched countless sailing adventures.