​THE AMERICAN WEST COAST TO ANTARCTICA
SAIL ALONG THE AMERICAS WEST COAST-STYLE

But if you’re looking for more of an island getaway, set sail aboard your yacht charter for Catalina Island, a favorite weekend stopover is just a few miles off the California coast yet feels worlds away from the urban blight of Los Angeles. Further south, Mexico offers some magical sailing in the relatively sheltered Sea of Cortez while back up to the north, true adventurers will love Cape Horn, the gateway to Antarctica. This white wilderness has been explored by fewer yachts than there have been missions into outer space and is indeed an unspoiled territory to behold.

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The West Coast of the United States has fewer cruising opportunities than the East Coast, with the main attractions being concentrated at its two extremes. The most popular cruising area in the Pacific Northwest is the San Juan Islands, an archipelago consisting of roughly two hundred islands, many of which are wildlife reserves or marine parks.

Sail beyond those islands and through Canadian waters and the Inside Passage that links Puget Sound to Alaska beckons, one of America’s most tempting cruising destinations. However, if you’d prefer to keep your sailing destinations out of the high-latitudes, you can enjoy year-round sailing in the San Francisco Bay area or the Channel Islands off the coast of Southern California.

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An idyllic sailing challenge off the West Coast is Hawaii, one of the most stunning places on the planet. Rugged mountains, volcanically-carved landscape, and pristine waters make the ideal paradise for your yacht charter. Or turn toward the Gulf of California, teeming with a diverse array of wildlife as you sail into the Sea of Cortez.

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Mexico also offers an ancient culture, a vibrant atmosphere and a landscape of varied scenery from the high mountains to the silvery beaches. Yachting facilities all along Mexico’s west coast uphold quality standards, making it an ideal sailing destination. Tropical storms are a feature of the summer months, between June and late October, and affect the area between the west coast of Mexico and Hawaii, so its wise to arrange your yacht charter in the months that aren’t prone to inclement weather.

The unique scenery and abundant wildlife down south in Chile are tempting to fewer sailors than you’d expect. Without trampling from too many tourists, it’s an incredible chance to see something that not many people flock to see. For even fewer people, challenge yourself to reach Antarctica by sailing across the Drake Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula during the relatively safe season between December and early March. Pack your parka though, unless you’ve come from Alaska then surely you’ll have one on board.