Destinations

Bahamas Update: What’s Open Now

By Peter Janssen on December 15, 2020 Charter, Destinations

What better way to practice some social distancing, and cruise through the pandemic, than to charter a boat in the Bahamas? Yes, there are protocols you have to follow (see the link here: http://bahamas.com/tourism-reopening), but once you’ve done that you can enjoy some of the best cruising grounds in the world. But where to go? Choices, choices. We all have our favorites. One of mine is the pink sand beach on Harbour Town, pictured above. To help us choose, the people at United Yacht Charter have put together a thorough list of the Bahamas’ highlights,…

Silent Yachts Building Solar-Powered Resort in Bahamas

By Peter Janssen on December 14, 2020 Destinations, On Watch with Peter Janssen

Silent Yachts just announced that will build a solar-powered luxury waterfront resort in Eleuthera, the Bahamas, that also will include the Austrian company’s solar-powered catamarans. The Eleuthera location will include 16 waterfront villas and eight Silent power catamarans. The first of half a dozen other Silent Resorts planned around the world, the Bahamas destination will include a beachside clubhouse, resort pool, restaurant, bar, fitness room, game room, and a spa. Construction will start in 2021. Other possible destinations include Belize, Panama, French Polynesia, Maldives, and Indonesia. “With Silent Resorts, we are creating the world’s first 100-percent solar-powered, luxury adventure cruising…

Iconic Bimini Big Game Club Opens Again

By Peter Janssen on December 2, 2020 Cruising Life, Destinations

The Big Game Club in Bimini just reopened, one of the most iconic cruising, fishing and diving destinations in the Bahamas, and reachable from South Florida in five or six hours on a trawler, or about two hours on a fast boat. Take a Magnum or an Intrepid, and you can be at the Big Game Club for a relaxed lunch and get back at your dock at Turnberry or Fisher Island long before evening cocktails. (Although all the Big Game Club’s facilities – the marina, restaurants and resort – are now open, you have to abide by the Bahamas’…

Congo and Lovango Cays with St. John in the distance US Virgin Islands

New Resort To Open on Private Island in U.S. Virgins

By Peter Janssen on November 4, 2020 Cruising Life, Destinations

A new resort will open next month on a private island just a ten-minute boat ride from Cruz Bay in St. John. The resort, the Lovango Resort & Beach Club, will be the first resort to open in the U.S. Virgins in 30 years. And it will have moorings and tender service if you want to arrive on your own boat. The Lovango resort is the third boutique property in the Little Gem Resorts portfolio, which already includes The Nantucket Hotel and Resort, and the Winnetu Oceanside Resort in Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard. It will open in stages over the…

BVI Set Covid-19 Protocols for Dec. 1 Reopening

By Peter Janssen on October 28, 2020 Cruising Life, Destinations

The British Virgin Islands, one of the best and most inviting cruising and charter destinations in the world, just announced new Covid-19 protocols for its reopening to visitors on Dec. 1. Andrew A. Fahie, the premier and minister of finance, spelled out the protocols. He said they were “tailored to allow visitors to experience a safe, luxurious vacation by deploying technology, implementing strict testing and comprehensive protocols for tourism industry operators and accommodations units.” Starting Dec. 1, you can fly into Terrance B. Lettsome Airport on Beef Island. A new welcome center can handle 90 passengers at a time. The…

Top 10 Islands in the U.S.: Conde Nast Traveler

By Peter Janssen on October 26, 2020 Cruising Life, Destinations

A few weeks ago, we ran a story about the five best islands in the world (except for those in the United States), as chosen by 600,000 readers of Conde Nast Traveler. Now we have the results of the ten best in the U.S., as reported in the magazine’s 33rd annual survey. See if your favorites made the cut: Number 1: Hilton Head, South Carolina (pictured above). “Remaining in the top spot, Lowcountry’s loveliest island is a world away from mainland South Carolina on the other side of the bridge. This is the kind of getaway that satisfies all travelers…

Top 5 Islands in the World: Conde Nast Traveler

By Peter Janssen on October 12, 2020 Cruising Life, Destinations

Conde Nast Traveler just announced the winners of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards for the best islands in the world (not counting the United States; that’s another story). This is the 33rd annual survey, and more than 600,000 readers voted. They chose the five best islands in seven regions of the world. Here are the winners: Caribbean and the Atlantic Winner: St. Barts. “While any mention of St. Barts tends to conjure up images of Rolexes and caviar, the tony territory has enough natural beauty and scenic views to give any five-star hotel a run for its money.” Also, #2. St. Vincent…

Outer Reef 580 Motoryacht Ariel at Holbrook Island Sanctuary near Castine, Maine. Photo by Miles Cherkasky

Cruising in Maine on an Outer Reef Yacht

By Peter Janssen on October 5, 2020 Cruising Life, Destinations

Owners of Outer Reef Yachts are an adventuresome sort; they also know how to take some terrific pictures. Here’s a story, from Outer Reef, about what you can expect from a cruise to Maine. If your summer cruising itinerary includes a visit to Maine, you’ll discover the true beating heart of this culturally fascinating, beautiful state. As the most northeastern state of the U.S., Maine is known for its dramatic, rocky coastline. Dubbed “The Pine Tree State,” the forests that cover much of the 400 km of coastline make for an impressive cruise. The dramatic landscape has been preserved in…

Moorings To Reopen Tortola Charter Base on Dec. 1

By Peter Janssen on September 28, 2020 Charter, Destinations

Here’s some very good news. The Moorings just announced that its Tortola marina is scheduled to reopen on Dec. 1. Click here to read the State Department’s information about covid-related restrictions there. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/BritishVirginIslands.html In normal times, The British Virgin Islands are one of the best, and most popular, cruising and charter destinations in the world. Here’s what The Moorings has to say about it: Stretching throughout the Caribbean, the British Virgin Islands are a kaleidoscope of aquamarine waters, sun-soaked harbors, and white-sand beaches. Distinct ports of call can be found among the more than 25 pristine islands that make up…

Cruising the Inside Passage on a Fleming 53

By Peter Janssen on September 17, 2020 Cruising Life, Destinations

Here’s a great story, with lots of pictures, from Fleming Yachts, about how Anne and Bill Knorr bought a used Fleming 53 and lived their dream by cruising for 12 weeks and 3,200 nm from Anacortes, Washington, to Glacier Bay, Alaska, and back. Read Anne’s account here: For several years, two long, narrow maps have hung side-by-side in our garage, a colorful illustration of the waterways from Puget Sound to Southeast Alaska depicting the route along the Inside Passage. It has been a long-time dream of my husband and me to motor the entire passage from Anacortes, Washington, to Glacier…

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