Our 10 Favorite Destinations

For a Week or More…

The major historical charter companies were quick to understand the benefits of offering a global range, multiplying their number bases on every ocean and sea... multihulls were appearing on their pontoons as early as the 1990s, and the explosion of the Internet has since encouraged the creation of platforms bringing together thousands of multihulls ready to sail, with or without a skipper. But, where to begin? We’re sharing our 10 favorite charter destinations with you.

The lagoon in Virgin Gorda, in the BVI, is one of the top spots to visit when chartering a multihull – and when blue water cruising too!

Published 27/09/2024

By Mark Bernie, Dick Sawyer and Kim Wellington

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Issue: 198

Published: nov. / dec. 2024

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Bahamas: 700 Magnificent Islands to Discover

If a multihull paradise exists, then this is it: the giant, shallow anchorages take on the color of a swimming pool - those with a draft exceeding two meters are asked to sail elsewhere, and that’s why the charter companies here only offer multihulls. A multihull friendly destination par excellence.

The Bahamas are wedged between southern Florida and northeastern Cuba. There is a huge territory to discover: 100,000 square miles, which is 6,500 square miles more than the United Kingdom! A country with more sea than land, and independent since 1973. Only about twenty islands are inhabited all year round. To the south there is a succession of sandy and coral islets, where there is no chance of getting supplies. To the west, the Bimini Islands are the closest to the American coast (only 40 nautical miles). However, it is a little further east, on the islands of Great Abaco and Nassau, that you will find the main infrastructures. The sailing season extends from December to June; the hurricane season starts in August and continues until November. The Bahamas archipelago is made up of huge lagoons, separated by a few dozen miles. It is during these journeys that one sometimes feels the swell of the open sea or at least the wind over the sea. Other than that, the sailing is all about wandering from one deserted beach to another, in a giant swimming pool. The only risk is of going aground if you attempt one of the passes blocked by a sandbar. Sailing times can be very short, dives a little less so - which ensures that your days are always busy! The wildest area? The Exumas archipelago, only 26 miles off the southeast coast of Nassau Island. It is home to one of the largest marine parks in the world, the famous «Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park» located in Warderick Wells. Other things to do: stroke the nurse sharks, feed the swimming pigs at Staniel Cay, reveal your inner James Bond in Thunderball’s underwater cave and swim with angel fish, parrotfish and Scissortail Sergeants in the Aquarium. You can even explore the wreckage of the Medellin Cartel’s plane off Norman Cay or play hide-and-seek with the iguanas at Allen’s Cay.

Nassau Weather Check
Min/max air temperature: 66/90°F (19/32°C)
Water temperature min/max: 75/90°F (24/30°C)
Prevailing wind: east 10 knots
Sunshine: 3,200 hours per year
Rainfall: 47” (1,200 mm)/year

NB: the north of the archipelago is significantly cooler in winter than the south. In summer, the south is much drier than the north.

©Jonathan Jagot

©Sunsail

©EvD

©EvD

©Sunsail

The British Virgin Islands: The Trade Wind of Happiness

Our video:

A variety of islands - some rugged, others flat - pristine sandy beaches, turquoise waters and above all, an almost-constant trade wind: the British Virgin Islands are a true sailing paradise! It’s not for nothing that Sunsail/The Moorings has its historic base on Tortola - today the charter company boasts no fewer than ...

This article was published in the issue 198. To read the full article, purchase this issue or subscribe from $3/month.