Forte-de-France, Martinique, is home to one of the safest and most scenic bays in the Caribbean.  The capital city is located on the west coast of the island and there are additional marinas located elsewhere on Martinque, including Pointe du Bout, Le Robert, Le Francois and Le Marin.  The availability of ports and anchorages along the coast of Martinique have giving the island a well-earned reputation as a sailing paradise.  

Located to the south of St. Lucia, Martinique is a popular East Coast sailing destination.  Martinique is officially a region of France and the culture of the island is a rich blend of French and Creole, making the island a longtime favorite port-of-call.  You’ll find more information about sailing the waters of this beautiful on the official Martinique website.

The Staniel Cay Yacht Club is a small resort on Staniel Cay, a tiny island that is part of the chain of islands in the Bahamas known as the Exuma Cays. Staniel Cay is located 250 miles from Florida and is a favorite vacation getaway for those in the know. The Yacht Club has an 18-slip marina, 9 guest cottages, a clubhouse and a 3000-ft airstrip. Its restaurant and bar on are Jimmy Buffett’s list of “10 great places for a Waterside Drink.”

Read the outstanding reviews given to the Staniel Cay Yacht Club on Trip Avisor. You can find out more by visiting the Staniel Cay Yacht Club website.

Fairwind Sailing School recently opened a new base in Marsh Harbour, Bahamas, which is located in the Abacos Islands.  You can read a fun description of a recent tour of the Abacos Islands aboard Fairwind’s Island Retreat, an Island Packet 40, on SailMagazine.com.  

The Abacos are a 120-mile-long island chain, consisting of Great Abaco Island and Little Abaco (the “mainland”), as well as a string of barrier islands. Located about 100 miles from Florida, Marsh Harbour is located on Great Abaco Island, opening onto the Sea of Abaco.

Protected anchorages and brilliant turquoise waters make this one of the most beautiful sailing locations in the world.  Each island offers a new chance for fun and adventure, from pig roasts on Great Guana to bike riding on Green Turtle Cay.

And no one should miss a visit to the signature striped lighthouse at Hope Town on Elbow Cay. Check with Fairwind for openings in their Instant Bareboater and Ocean Passages sailing classes.

Pristine islands are among the most satisfying sailing destinations.  Cumberland Island, a piece of the National Seashore system that lies off the coast of Georgia, is just such a destination. Located between the Intercoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean, the island offers over 14 miles of untouched beachfront. You can anchor on the protected side of the island, near the National Seashore Visitor Center.

Once you dinghy ashore, you can enjoy the peace of the island’s forests and beachfront. You may even glimpse one of the Cumberland Island’s herds of wild horses, or other wild animals including deer, boar, bobcats, armadillos and turkeys.

You can find out more about Cumberland Island and the National Seashore on the National Parks Service website.

For East Coast yachters, the British Virgin Islands offer a unique sailing and cruising opportunity. Sparkling blue water, pristine remote beaches and world-class snorkeling and fishing make the Virgin Islands a sailor’s paradise. Whether you visit the B.V.I. on your own yacht, or charter with a crew or bareboat, you will discover the magic of the Caribbean as you tour the British Virgin Islands. For more information, see the British Virgin Islands official website.

Nantucket Island, south of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, is one of the most beautiful of the East Coast yachting destinations. Clear waters, scenic beaches and plenty of activities make Nantucket Island one of the most popular upscale boating locations in the U.S. A wide variety of restaurants will satisfy even the most discerning palate, and there are many hotels and cottages featuring quality accommodations on the island. There are several places to moor your boat or yacht, and boat rentals are also available. Sightseeing on Nantucket Island includes the Great Point Light, a stone tower that marks the spot where the original Nantucket Lighthouse was built in 1784. The Brant Point Light is another historic lighthouse, built in 1746 and still in operation today.

One of the great East Coast sailing destinations is Dry Tortugas National Park, the only tropical islands on the East Coast.  Located 70 miles west of Key West off the coast of Florida, the Dry Tortugas are a cluster of seven islands which are composed of coral reefs and sand.  There’s a protected anchorage near Fort Jefferson, which is definitely worth a visit.  Bird and marine life live in abundance at the Dry Tortugas, and the water is teeming with fish and even tortoises.  Bring your own supplies since there are none available on the island. You can find out more at the Dry Tortugas National Park website.