Are you dreaming of gliding across the water, feeling the wind in your hair, and the salty air on your skin? Sailing can be a gratifying experience, but where should you start your nautical adventure? For beginners, choosing the right destination is crucial. Let’s dive into some of the world’s best spots for those just setting sail.
Why Choose the Right Destination?
Let’s understand why the destination matters before we embark on our virtual sailing journey. As a beginner, you want conditions that are conducive to learning. This includes:
- Calm waters: Gentle waves provide a stable platform to practice your skills.
- Consistent winds: Reliable wind patterns help you understand how to harness nature’s power.
- Safe harbors: Sheltered areas offer protection in case of unexpected weather changes.
- Sailing schools: Access to experienced instructors can accelerate your learning curve.
Top Sailing Destinations for Beginners
The British Virgin Islands
Known for its turquoise waters, gentle trade winds, and stunning islands, the BVI is a sailor’s paradise. The islands offer a variety of anchorages, making it easy to find sheltered spots. Plus, the sailing season is long, extending from November to May. We chartered here, and it was a fabulous time. We have some videos here if you would like to see them. boattheglobe.com (Credit: BVI sailing)
The Bahamas
With over 700 islands, the Bahamas boasts a wealth of sailing opportunities. The waters are generally calm, and the trade winds provide a steady breeze. Nassau and Exuma are popular starting points for beginners. Yacht4less.com (Credit: Bahamas Sailing)
Croatia
This Mediterranean gem offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and sailing. The Adriatic Sea is known for its crystal-clear waters and mild climate. Islands like Hvar and Korcula provide stunning scenery and safe harbors. www.welcome-center-croatia.com (Credit: Croatia sailing)
Greece
With its thousands of islands, Greece is a sailor’s dream. The Ionian Sea offers calmer conditions compared to the Aegean, making it ideal for beginners. Corfu, Paxos, and Lefkada are excellent choices. krystalcleartrekking.com (Credit: Greece sailing)
Florida Keys
The Florida Keys offer a fantastic opportunity for those looking for a closer-to-home adventure. The Keys provide a sheltered environment with plenty of opportunities to practice sailing. Key West is a vibrant hub for sailing enthusiasts. Check out the Florida Keys Sailing Channel here (Credit: Florida Keys sailing)
Essential Gear for Beginner Sailors
You’ll need a few essentials to make the most of your sailing adventure, but nobody wants to buy them if you only sail once or twice on a charter. These are some links to those items worth getting, even if just one time for a charter. See the links below for inexpensive options that are valuable even if only used once.:
- Sailing gloves: These inexpensive gloves protect your hands from blisters and rope burns. Experience speaks here; you don’t want a rope burn on a hand when sailing on vacation.
- Sunscreen: Shield your skin from the sun’s rays. This seems so obvious, but you want a very high SPF (+50). This sunscreen is worth taking with you as it is cheap to buy before you go, but more expensive at the boat charter facility.
- Sunglasses: Protect your eyes from the glare. There are a few things to consider. Buy them cheap, as you WILL LOSE or BREAK them. Ensure they are polarized for better visibility on the water (Reflections on the water angles of waves are tough on the eyes if the glasses are not polarized). Get yours for men or women, and I prefer the ones with cords. There is a great selection of inexpensive and good polarized glasses here.
- A good hat Keeps the sun off your face and head. Since you’re sailing, you’ll want to get one with an adjustable cord that stays securely on your dome when sailing. Here is a link to several inexpensive hats that would be great to get, even if only for this trip.
- Comfortable clothing: Opt for quick-drying, breathable fabrics and even better if you can get some that have an SPF factor as well. Here is a list of several of these lightweight, fast drying, SPF protected shirts. Look at descriptions carefully to ensure the right size. My wife and I now have a collection of these so take them with us on each trip..
Remember, sailing is a skill that takes time to master if you want to race. But if you want to relax and know the basics, it is a GREAT way to relax as well. There is frankly nothing as peaceful as the sound of the water flowing past the hull without the sound of a motor. And while it can feel exhilarating, you are typically doing 5-15 mph depending on the type of boat you have. Enjoy the journey, and most importantly, have fun!
Comments 1
Excellent goods from you, man. I’ve understand your
stuff previous to and you’re just extremely great.
I really like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you’re
saying and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep
it smart. I cant wait to read far more from you.