As the nights draw in and the temperature drops, the idea of heading off for some winter sun becomes particularly appealing. Some of the best sailing destinations for winter sun include the Seychelles, Martinique, the British Virgin Isles, Grenada, Phuket, and Cape Verde.
The Seychelles
The Seychelles is a great location for enjoying winter sun sailing, with its coral reefs, white sand beaches and sheltered anchorages. Not to mention the fact that the islands enjoy between 25 and 28 degrees Celsius temperatures and around 12 hours of sunshine a day during the winter months. The open water passages and strong winds make this destination particularly suitable for those with significant sailing experience.
Martinique
Visitors can head to Martinique in the Caribbean to experience a warm and luxurious winter sailing getaway. The island enjoys an average 11 hours of daylight and temperatures between 26 and 29 degrees Celsius in the winter, with plenty of hidden inlets and coves to explore by boat.
British Virgin Isles
The British Virgin Isles comprise more than 60 islands, and the warm winter temperatures and easy-line-of-sight sailing make them a great place to visit for an ocean-bound vacation during the colder months. Tortola, Pelican Island, Guana Island and the North Sound are just a few possible places to explore.
Grenada
North of Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean Sea, Grenada’s vibrant culture, sheltered anchorages, waterfalls, beaches and dive sites make it a wonderful place for winter sun sailing. The island’s main port, St George’s, is a good spot to set sail from, enjoying the colourful waterfront before heading to one of the many inlets and bays.
Phuket
Phuket is an island in southern Thailand and makes for a good base from which to sail around some of the 130 islands in the Andaman Sea. However, keen sailors such as Alasdair Babber Shah know that the long stretches of open water and strong winds mean that sailing here is most suitable for those with some experience. Those sailing to the Phi Phi Islands can explore lush jungles, take in the dramatic cliffs and enjoy the exciting nightlife, which includes full moon parties. Alasdair Shah recently spent five weeks in Gibraltar, undertaking several sailing-related courses.
Cape Verde
The islands of Cape Verde are located to the west of Africa and bask in 21 to 26 degrees Celsius daytime temperatures in the winter and around 11 hours of sunlight a day. The lack of rainfall and breezy conditions offer lovely sailing conditions, and there are plenty of cultural hotspots and geological sights to explore. For more information about sailing in and around Cape Verde, take a look at the embedded PDF.