In the cool months of winter, some people crave warmth once again. Here are seven of the best places where to sail and swim in the winter heat.
1. Grenadines
During the winter cold months, the Grenadine Islands stay ideal sailing temperature. Located in the Caribbean, there are 32 islands to explore still having some uninhabited. Glory can be found by claiming your own island for the day, or continually cruising through the sea.
This relaxed and calm environment offers snorkeling and scuba diving with turtles and colorful coral, while also having restaurants and hotels available at your pleasure.
Sail Universe Choice: Catana 42 Carbon
Truly in the spirit of Catana, the C42 brings together all the exclusive technical innovations in an exceptional 12.6 metre catamaran. At the forefront of semi-custom yacht-building, the high-performing Catana 42 is as resilient as it is light. With speeds of up to 20 knots downwind and 12 knots upwind, the Catana C42 generates an extremely high level of comfort and safety unequalled in its class, allowing the crew to enjoy sensations previously only available to racing skippers.
2. Whitsunday Islands, Australia
With over 70 islands to explore, the Whitsundays provide a warm, tranquil sailing experience. With the Great Barrier Reef on your doorstep, the landscape is far from boring. The endless views of small islands and protected waters, gives you a glimpse of the perfect sailing area.
Like many locations, The Whitsundays offer year-round sailing, with warm winters and even hotter summers. While on the water, you can stop to snorkel in The Great Barrier Reef, spot whales when they migrate north or enter one of 300 annual yacht races.
Sail Universe Choice: Dufour 560 Grand Large
Despite its size, she proves to be fun, responsive, and easy to sail even short-handed. The cockpit is divided into steering and comfort zones with the forward section sporting twin settees for seating up to 8 as well as a table and optional sink and fridge. In the maneuvering area, twin helms have primary winches within easy reach and the mainsheet is double-ended making it adjustable from either side.
3. Thailand
Sailing in some of the clearest emerald colored waters, Thailand provides a balance between city nightlife and uninhabited islands. The surrounding islands are internationally known as some of the best protected scuba diving areas. Run away to explore and unparalleled universe of tropical beauty during the wintertime.
Phuket, Thailand’s largest island is an international magnet for beach lovers and serious divers, who enthusiastically submerge themselves in the Andaman Sea. Blue lagoons and salmon sunsets make for a dream-like atmosphere, and indeed, a vacation here can feel a bit surreal.
Sail Universe Choice: Hanse 315
The Hanse 315 has everything you could expect from a perfect cruising yacht. Why? Her lines are the creation of judel/vrolijk & co, the best and most experienced yacht designers in the world. This guarantees that she is fast, easy and safe to sail in any weather.
4. French Polynesia
This is an area full of romantic beauty, full of the remnants of volcanic activity these calm waters are great for sailing. During the winter, the beauty still stands with the outlining coral reefs and lagoons, perfect for snorkeling and swimming on your break from cruising.
French Polynesia is made up of five main groups of islands, including Tahiti. The islands offer an alluring mix of beautiful lagoons, traditional culture and exotic marine life. This is truly the place that stereotypical ideas of a tropical paradise come from.
Sail Universe Choice: Leopard 46
The Leopard 46 sailing catamaran is perfect for sailing the French Polynesia. The Leopard 46 can sleep up to eleven. Four double cabins with their own bathroom, the saloon will accommodate another double and one additional small adult berth is available in the forward port cabin.
5. Seychelles
Amongst the colorful islands, is a new world engulfed with a French ambience. From marine parks to coral reefs and incredible rock formations, Seychelles is a great place to adventure. Most of the country is protected and calm, therefore naturally stunning. Sail among giant tortoises and seabirds into a realm of beauty.
The Seychelles: huge granite rocks polished over eons by the relentless waves of the Indian Ocean, giant palm trees with their famous “coco de mer,” and turquoise inlets fringed with lush green takamakas shading the fine white sand beaches. There’s hardly a place more deserving of the label, “paradise.”
Sail Universe Choice: Lagoon 380
The Lagoon 380 is the result of many years’ experience from VPLP, the architects, and the Lagoon R & D department. This boat has been well thought-out: access to engines from the transoms, large cockpit with table and bench seat, electric windlass, rigid walkway on the trampoline, wide sidedeck.
6. South France
Enjoy the coastal views of the Southern France from the Mediterranean Sea. View the incredible architecture as well as the extraordinary countryside beauty. While sailing south, take pleasure in the views of Massif de l’Estérel, a natural red rock formation. Do not forget to admire the crystal clear water, and enjoy the coastal restaurants serving French style seafood.
Pouting sexpot Brigitte Bardot came to St-Tropez in the ’50s to star in Et Dieu Créa la Femme (And God Created Woman; 1956) and overnight transformed the peaceful fishing village into a sizzling jet-set favourite. Tropeziens have thrived on their sexy image ever since: at the Vieux Port, yachts like spaceships jostle for millionaire moorings, and infinitely more tourists jostle to admire them.
Sail Universe Choice: Dufour 455
Italian naval architect Umberto Felci has drawn a hull with full ends, a deep body, and exceptionally shallow bow sections. In cruising terms the 455 is fast and stable on all points of sail in mid-range wind speeds. It has good manners and is easily handled by a small crew, though there is a temptation to use the genoa winches while facing away from the sail because they are so far aft.