Top 10 Sailing Cruises
Vietnam’s Ha
Long Bay is dotted with small floating villages and deserted sandy beaches.
Photograph
by James Wilkinson, My Shot
From the
National Geographic book Journeys of a Lifetime
- Nova Scotia and Labrador Tall Ships, Canada
On voyages lasting up to a week, the exhilaration of
the wind through the ship’s sails will put you in touch with eastern Canada’s
seafaring heritage. On some ships you can sign on as a trainee crew
member.
Along the way, the ships dock in secluded harbors where you can kayak, pick
wild blueberries, or hike.- San Juan Islands, Washington
Skip from island to island in the San Juan Archipelago
off the coast of Washington State. Classic wooden vessels offer breathtaking
views of unspoiled wilderness and gourmet meals that reflect the flavors of the
Pacific Northwest. During the day, you can explore the protected waters
surrounding the islands on guided kayak tours.
- Pirate Cruise, Grand Cayman Island
This Caribbean cruise, for children young and old,
takes place in a replica 17th-century Spanish galleon—complete with firing
cannons, planks to walk, and sword-fighting.
- Star Clipper to French Polynesia
Many people daydream about sailing between paradise
islands. This trip, leaving from Tahiti, takes seven days and visits Huahine,
Bora-Bora, Moorea, and other Polynesian islands. The boats have all the
advantages of a modern cruise liner, combined with the heritage of a sailing
ship.
- Junk Cruise, Andaman Sea, Thailand
Rare seabirds, romantic beaches, and famous limestone
stalactites are just some of the attractions of the Andaman Sea marine park and
its 3,500 islands, which you can enjoy on a six-day cruise between Krabi and
Phuket. This is not a luxury trip; you will have to share showers and toilets.
6. Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
Ha Long Bay, or the Bay of the Descending Dragon, in
northeastern Vietnam, is scattered with some 3,000 precipitous, strangely
sculpted limestone islands and outcrops, and dotted with small floating
villages and deserted sandy beaches. In spring and early summer the water is
particularly calm and clear. This UNESCO World Heritage site is best explored
by a cruise on a junk.
- Seychelles Islands
Charter a yacht and explore the unspoiled islands of
the Seychelles with their clear waters and unpolluted coral reefs. You can hire
a skipper, and a crew as well, to do the hard work for you, although intrepid,
experienced sailors can take the boats out themselves. Usual itineraries around
the islands last seven or eight days, depending on the wind.
- Dhow Cruise, Straits of Hormuz, Oman
The Musandam Peninsula at the northernmost tip of Oman
juts into the Straits of Hormuz at the entrance to the Persian Gulf. Mountains
rise straight up from the sea, creating inlets that resemble Norwegian fjords,
dotted with villages that can be reached only by boat. Take a trip along this
spectacular coast by dhow—a traditional narrow wooden boat—and you can also
enjoy swimming and diving off the boat in waters that are rich in underwater
life.
- Lamu Island, Kenya
The tropical island of Lamu lies off the coast of
Kenya, just south of the equator. Its historic buildings reflect the island’s
importance as a port used by African, Arab, and European traders and explorers.
A range of dhow trips lets you explore the surrounding archipelago with its
isolated villages and ancient ruins. Try a three-hour trip to Manda Island, or
a Full Moon cruise with a lobster dinner included. On some fishing trips, you
can cook and eat your catch.
- Évia Island Cruise, Greece
Separated from the mainland by only 130 feet (40
meters) in places, Évia is Greece’s second-largest island. A rugged coastline
of wide beaches and steep cliffs gives way to mountains dotted with villages
and monasteries. Sailing along the coast of Évia in a caique (wooden fishing
boat), you can enjoy the remote coves and beaches and the private island of
Petali, as well as explore the main island itself. Travel with a group of six
to eight friends; a leader and crew come with the boat hire.
Share this article :
