Destinations

Five Best Things to do in Buzzards Bay

By Peter Janssen on January 11, 2017 Destinations

After about our fourth straight summer trip to Nantucket on my Grand Banks, my youngest daughter asked softly, “Can we get there without going up Buzzards Bay?” Well, the answer was yes, but despite its often choppy seas (which my daughter obviously wanted to avoid), there is a lot to do there. My personal favorites are spending at least a night in the Cuttyhunk basin in the Elizabeth Islands, or just wandering around South Dartmouth and Padanarum over on the mainland.But there are other attractions, tiny islands to visit, places to eat, paddle, collect crabs and basically chill. The good news…

The Dalmatian Coast of Croatia Beckons With the Bluest Water in the World

By Peter Janssen on January 5, 2017 Charter, Destinations

If you’re looking for a different kind of cruising or charter destination, try the Dalmatian coast of Croatia in the Adriatic. It has an endorsement from NASA astronauts, no less, who say the waters there are the bluest in the entire world, as seen from outer space. As seen closer up, the coast has more than 1,000 islands with beautiful golden beaches, small harbors, some modern marinas, medieval towns with red-tile roofs and narrow winding streets, wonderful restaurants and just a different way of life – dating back to the days of the Greeks, Romans and Byzantines. The historic town…

St. Barts: The Ultimate Destination for New Year’s Eve – or Any Other Time

By Peter Janssen on December 28, 2016 Destinations

You don’t have your invitation yet for New Year’s Eve in St Barts? Not to worry. Take your own boat, or join a friend’s charter, there any time of the year. But here’s a good update about what’s new on that beautiful, decidedly upscale international yachting destination – restaurants, hotels, bars, and villas that have opened or closed recently. At St. Barts, it’s best to keep up with these things. Take a look: http://www.forbes.com/sites/jimdobson/2016/12/26/billionaire-superyacht-showdown-whos-who-in-st-barts-for-new-years/#35c2a2845929

Kennebunkport Harbor: Welcome to the Iconic Coast of Maine

By Peter Janssen on December 14, 2016 Destinations

The first time I cruised into Kennebunkport harbor was about 30 years ago when my friend Jerry Berton and I drove a Tempest 38 from Miami to Maine in four days; a fun, if fast, trip. I’ve been back many times since then, usually on trips from Long Island Sound or Newport up to Maine and back, and I’ve loved it every time. To me, Kennebunkport is an almost iconic introduction to the coast of Maine, which almost reeks of color, character and charm that set it apart from the rest of the world. For a good look at Kennebunkport…

What are Best Beach Bars in Caribbean? Here’s Coastal Living’s List

By Peter Janssen on December 7, 2016 Destinations

Here’s a fun list of what Coastal Living magazine thinks are the best beach bars in the Caribbean. Even if you don’t agree with them, take a look – and long for your next cruise or charter there. Yes, I know that cruising on the boat is fun and all that, but getting off the boat and relaxing at a great bar on the beach….well, that certainly adds to the fun – and makes for great memories. See if your favorite bar is on the list: http://www.coastalliving.com/travel/top-10/best-caribbean-beach-bars

Great Guide to Soper’s Hole: Welcome to the British Virgin Islands

By Peter Janssen on December 3, 2016 Cruising Life, Destinations

It’s hard not to want to go back to the British Virgin Islands once you’ve cruised there. In fact, I keep going back again and again, discovering something new in some of the best, easiest and most welcoming cruising grounds on the planet. Here’s a guide to Soper’s Hole, at the end of Tortola, the largest island there and the base of most of the BVI’s charter fleet. The story is geared a bit toward sail, but all the points apply to powerboats as well. Indeed, the last time I was there was to clear Customs on a trawler my…

Old Bahama Bay Resort & Marina Set to Reopen after Matthew

By Peter Janssen on December 1, 2016 Destinations

The Old Bahama Bay Resort & Yacht Harbour on Grand Bahama Island was hit hard in October by Hurricane Matthew, with wind gusts over 100 mph. But now the resort and marina, with 72 slips, will reopen on December 19. During the storm, Old Bahama Bay lost electricity and water service and sustained some minor damage, but now it will have a renovated pool, Dockside Grille and shopping deck. The marina has a fuel dock, eight feet of water at mean low tide, and on-site customs and immigration service. For more: http://megayachtnews.com/2016/12/old-bahama-bay-reopen-hurricane-matthew/

Burlington, Vermont: Historic, Lively Cruising Center of Lake Champlain

By Peter Janssen on November 29, 2016 Destinations

Named after French explorer Samuel de Champlain, who first went there in 1609, Lake Champlain is one of the premiere cruising destinations in the United States. First off, it’s enormous, some 163 miles long and 14 miles wide, with Vermont on the eastern shore and New York to the west. One of the many things that make it interesting, however, is that the northern tip is part of Quebec province, and if you want to practice your French (but with a distinct Quebec flair), or cruise through a part of the country that could have come from a Monet painting,…

Martha’s Vineyard, Off Season, Better than Ever

By Peter Janssen on November 15, 2016 Destinations

On our summer cruises, we often put into Edgartown on our way to, or from, Nantucket, as a way of spending a night or two on Martha’s Vineyard, one of the premiere cruising destinations on the East Coast, or anywhere else, for that matter. Or, if I had a vote, we’d head for Menemsha, the small fishing village on the other end of the island (think Jaws); not as well-known, but that’s one reason I like it. During the summer, however, anywhere on the Vineyard is crowded. Now, in the off season, the entire island has a quiet charm of…

Devastated by Sandy, Freeport, Long Island, Makes a Comeback

By Peter Janssen on November 9, 2016 Destinations

Four years ago, Hurricane Sandy ripped into Freeport, a major boating area on the south shore of Long Island, NY, destroying boats and marinas and damaging 3,500 homes. Now Freeport has come back. Its famed Nautical Mile is open with its traditional seafood restaurants, bars and boat slips. The water taxi and sunset cruises were busy this summer; so was the waterfront steel band. Here’s a great story from The New York Times about how Freeport made a comeback. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/23/realestate/freeport-ny-a-waterfront-community-rebuilds.html

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