Snowboards – Wakeboards – Skateboards

The Caribbean is well known for its gorgeous cerulean waters and amazing white beaches. Of course then the Caribbean would be an ideal location for sailing. There are over 7,000 inlets, islands, and reefs. Many people escape to the warm waters of the Caribbean every year for a slice of island life. For sailors however, nothing gets quite as good as the warm consistent winds from the east. There are so many shores, coves, and inlets awaiting discovery, and what better way to see them than from a sailboat cruising around. Cruise through the Bahamas, Belize, Costa Rica, and the Virgin Islands while enjoying some sun as only the Caribbean can provide.

The Bahamas are made up of over 700 islands and there are over 2,000 uninhabited cays to explore and discover. About 30 to 40 people inhabit the 700 islands here. Fishing and diving are world renowned activities here. The area is affected by a cooler winter, but the summer temperatures are known to reach well into the 90s with a high humidity. In the Bahamas, regattas are actually an important social interaction. These regattas are usually over the span of a few days, and feature traditional wooden sailboat parts. On the land there is a festival that is held, while the regatta is underway. Check out the Abacos chain of islands in the north, for a taste of British colonial style and culture.

Belize is most famously known for the Belize Barrier Reef, which is the longest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere and only the second largest in the world after Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Take a chance to anchor and break out the snorkeling gear to see this amazing natural wonder. In the Western Hemisphere, three of the four atolls are located off the coast of Belize. Besides snorkeling, the waters are also excellent for fishing and scuba diving. The region has an overall tropical climate, with summer temperatures getting into the comfortable 80s. Ambergris Caye's San Pedro Beach is definitely not to be missed.

Some of the numerous Virgin islands are inhabited while others are not. The region has a warm tropical climate with trade winds, and temperatures remain consistent throughout the year for the most part. Certain areas experience highs into the 90s while other areas remain at a comfortable 70 degree range. The Virgin Islands are prime locations for activities such as snorkeling, diving, fishing, swimming, and definitely sailing so make sure the sailboat accessories are stocked up. In fact, the Sperry Top-Sider National Offshore One-Design Regatta championship is being held there in 2009.

There are dozens of other countries to check out in the Caribbean, most of which are in close proximity. The crystalline tropical waters and climate of the Caribbean are truly unparalleled, which is why when anyone speaks of going some place nice for a vacation it is usually the Caribbean that comes to mind. Cruise through isolated inlets and coves, discovering all the beauty these waters really offer to a sailor. Sailing definitely has a strong and growing home in the Caribbean, with more attention attracted to its waters each year.

Africa’s coastlines extend for over 16,000 miles. Explore and Cruise over 16,000 miles of coastline with a sailboat. Africa is the only continent to stretch from south of the equator to north of it, and have several unique climates. The climate is close to that of a desert and has arid air, and the north is subarctic. Both savanna plains and dense jungle rainforests are in the tropical south. The coastlines vary depending on if the cruising location is in the north or south, but all these coastlines have amazing local villages and are bursting with culture and life. Thousands of miles of coastline are begging to be sailed including places like Morocco, South Africa, and Madagascar.

On the North West side of Africa is the small country of Morocco. Most will recognize the name of Morocco’s largest city, Casablanca. Stay at the docks in this famous city and enjoy the life of the people. Visit the local bazaar and pick up a few unique and special souvenirs or boat parts if need be. Moroccan cuisine is actually considered one of the most diversified cuisines in the world. Spain, Portugal, and the Mediterranean countries have no doubt had an influence on this since they are neighboring countries. Beware though, spicy foods happens to be one of their specialties. There are dozens of other harbors along the coastline, including amazing beaches with plenty of snorkeling potential.

When it comes to sailing the Southern region of Africa, there is definitely no better place to visit than South Africa. In Africa, the most popular tourist destination is Cape Town, South Africa, surpassing even Cairo, Egypt in popularity. As well as great climate, Cape Town has a well developed city structure. Where else will there be numerous beaches in close proximity due to the geography of the city. Drop boat anchor off the coast of these gorgeous beaches and take part in activities such as diving and especially surfing. Boulders Beach is well known for its colony of African penguins that frequent the area. The beaches which are located on the Atlantic Ocean side tend to have cold water, but the waters off the coast of False bay are much warmer, by up to even 18 degrees Fahrenheit.

The island of Madagascar is located only 250 miles east of continental Africa. Year round thermal winds and amazing waters are just the beginning in Madagascar. Water temperatures here actually range well into 86 degrees Fahrenheit; most of the year the waters are warm in the 75 degree Fahrenheit range. Many different tropical fish, and a good amount of rainbow-colored fish, are hiding in the coral reefs. There are beaches that stretch for miles and it’s relatively easy to anchor and explore the mainland. Go snorkeling in the coral reefs, or fish from the comfort of a sailboat. There is no shortage of wildlife to see here, as most wildlife is indigenous to Madagascar considering its separation from Africa mainland.

The continent’s rich diversity and excellent sailing prospects can be found along the coasts of Morocco, South Africa, and Madagascar just to start with. There are so many miles of coastline to cruise along, that it would be impossible to get bored. It could even be considered a worthy adventure to circumvent all of Africa to get the full exposure of these rich and beautiful shores. Stock up on boat supplies and get ready for some good weather, a decent amount of sun, and warm waters; Africa is definitely a great location to check out for cruising potential.