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The Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) is due at the time of the final charter payment. Under MYBA terms, this sum is usually equivalent to 30 per cent of the total charter fee, but may be up to 40 per cent in some cases.

Intended to cover the operating expenses of a charter as explained under Charter Terms, such as fuel, food, drinks, port fees and ad hoc incidentals, the APA will be given to the captain before the start of your charter. The Captain will ensure that the yacht is fully fuelled and provisioned when you step on board. While an up-to-date summary of accounts can be requested at any time during your charter, a full set of accounts will normally be submitted by your captain at the end of the cruise. If, during the charter, the expenditure exceeds the sum already paid, additional cash funds will be required at once.

All outstanding bills from the yacht charter should be settled in cash or by bank transfer before your final disembarkation. Of course, any remaining credit at the end of your charter will be reimbursed to you in full. On request, transfer arrangements to and from the yacht can be made by Burgess or by the yacht’s captain, payment for which will be deducted from your APA.

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Charter a luxury yacht with Burgess. We are trusted for our expertise, and it is the first-hand insights of our charter brokers that raise the bar. Our collective knowledge serves to make your superyacht charter experience exceptional. Explore our stunning collection of luxury yachts for rent or hire and speak to our experts about chartering a private yacht to your dream destination.

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Diamond Head Sunset Cruise

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Experience the Magic of Hawaii!

Sunset sails, snorkeling adventures, whale watching, friday night fireworks, explore turtle canyons, asa certified sailing school, anniversaries, bachelorette parties, memorials & ash ceremonies, catering photography, waikiki sail & snorkel adventure.

Oahu’s Best Snorkeling Tour features a three hour cruise aboard a private luxury yacht. Enjoy a leisurely sail off the idyllic coast of Oahu’s famous Waikiki Beach with stunning views and  a chance to see dolphins, sea turtles and whales in season.

Escape the crowds and let your captain guide you to a relaxing anchorage where you can snorkel with tropical fish, sea turtles and beautiful coral.  Invite your family and friends and make memories while your Captain and crew take care of the rest.

Hawaii’s Best Sunset Cruise is the experience you don’t want to miss. Immerse yourself in a gorgeous Hawaiian sunset. Idyllic sailing awaits you with spectacular views of iconic Diamond Head and Waikiki. Catch a glimpse of dolphins, sea turtles, and whales in season.  Honolulu’s city lights provide an enchanting backdrop for your return to port.

Immerse yourself in a vibrant underwater wonderland as you snorkel through coral reefs teeming with Sea Turtles and tropical fish. The crystal clear waters of Waikiki’s Famous Turtle Canyons reveal a kaleidoscope of colors and marine life. Discover the secrets of this diverse marine ecosystem as you swim among the colorful inhabitants and witness the beauty of Hawaii’s underwater world up close. Our Top Rated Sea Turtle Swim features a three hour private cruise aboard a luxury yacht. Get a chance to see dolphins and whales (in season) while taking in the magnificent views of Oahu’s Famous Waikiki coastline. 

From the comfort of your private luxury yacht, enjoy an amazing experience with Hawaii’s humpback whales.  Departing near Waikiki, enjoy a leisurely sail against the majestic backdrop of Diamond Head as you scan the water for majestic whales. Dolphins, sea turtles, and manta rays are often seen while relaxing aboard with your family and friends.

Sport fishing from a sailboat is a true adventure!  We head offshore where the big fish are and sail fast to catch real gamefish like mahimahi, ono, and tuna. We do not fish the delicate reef ecosystem, those fish should only be caught on camera, and you can do that on our snorkeling tours. Offshore fishing in Hawaiian conditions can be physically challenging so be sure you are ready. We often see dolphins, sea turtles and manta rays while sailing offshore.

We offer beginner to advanced sailing and navigation instruction aboard private yachts in the Hawaiian Islands. Instructors are ASA Certified and dedicated to teaching you the skills required to be your own Captain. We give you the knowledge and experience to be confident and safe on all your sailing adventures- Whether you charter a boat from a local harbor, go on an exotic sailing vacation, or even buy your own boat.

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Bring the Spirit of Aloha to your next Birthday, Anniversary, Hawaiian Wedding, or Corporate event. Let our preferred Honolulu event specialists assist you in making your event an unforgettable success! If you would like to have a Memorial at Sea or a Hawaii Ash Scattering we can help you create the right ceremony.

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Want your own private sunset tour? This is it! The tour was very professional as well as fun. Michelle made booking the tour very easy. Michelle and Will were very good on the open Ocean and very accommodating. Allowed music if you wanted and can bring whatever drinks you want. Will had just crossed the Pacific Ocean in a boat! Wow!

What to do with a dozen friends all in town at once? Our sunset sail was wonderful! Everyone had a lovely time, enjoying the beautiful skyline and horizon. The highlight of the trip was our close sighting of humpback whales! They were less than 30 yards away at times – it’s hard to say whether the kids or the adults were more excited! The crew was very helpful and the boat Tefiti (for sailing nerds) is beautiful, clean, in perfect condition, and amazingly set up for singlehanding – almost everything is automated to the point she almost sails herself. Not a spot of rust anywhere – she clearly gets a lot of TLC!

Our family of 10 rented the boat originally for two hours to take my husband’s ashes out to Diamond Head and scatter them in the ocean he loved so much and sailed so often. It was a Memory that the entire family will cherish forever. Michele and our captain couldn’t have been more accommodating. After we put his ashes into the water, we asked if it would be possible to stay out an extra hour so that we could all swim in the waters off Waikiki…and the two of them were totally good with that! Such a fun time after such an emotional day for us all. Michele was so good with the two youngsters we had with us…even providing brand-new life jackets for them…ages 6 + 7! It was sunset as we came into the channel…docking was a picture perfect ending to the afternoon. Thank you so much! We loved it and highly recommend this team for a perfect sail aboard the Beneteau 50 Te Fiti!

Had a great day with Honolulu Sailing Company. It was really nice to have a private yacht and avoid the crowds packed on other boats. Our family really appreciated that the captain and crew were fully vaccinated and it made the tour very relaxing. It’s hard these days to find something to do that feels safe. We booked a snorkel cruise and will book a sunset sail before we head home to Arizona.

Alaskan Yacht Charters

Phone: (907) 321-2243 Email: [email protected]

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"Quite simply the best crewed yacht charter in Alaska."

We are all in awe of the experience we had aboard the Alaskan Story. We all agreed the yacht and the crew are perfect. The fishing and animal sightings were phenomenal. — The Crowleys and friends, June 29-July 5, 2022

Alaskan story is a magnificent yacht chef ryan lindsay served five-star meals featuring the salmon, halibut, crab and shrimp that we caught. food was made from scratch; and the desserts — john and sharyn leonard, juneau to seattle, september 15-31, 2022, aboard the alaskan story you will see, up close and personal, alaska’s incredible wildlife. you will see humpback whales, brown bears, orcas, sea lions, harbor seals, dall’s porpoises, eagles, and perhaps even wolves and moose., the crew of the alaskan story love what they do. whether your visit to alaska is the fulfillment of a once in a lifetime dream, or the start of an ongoing habit, your week, on your own personal alaskan charter yacht, will be a never to be forgotten experience., alaska yacht charters has all of the permits required to allow you access to alaska’s otherwise restricted-entry federal and state lands and waters. the alaskan story is one of only a few ships of her class to have permits to cruise in glacier bay, the crown jewel of the national park system., alaska yacht charters cuisine is a highlight of every trip. chef ryan lindsay selects the freshest available produce and often combines it with the “catch of the day.” your choice of premium beer and wine, as well as soft drinks, are available all day long. using our saltwater fishing gear you can catch your next meal from the cockpit of the alaskan story. or with the crew in the 17-foot boston whaler, you can catch dungeness crab or alaskan spotted shrimp., each night we will anchor in a quiet, secluded anchorage. you will have the opportunity to go for a hike or kayak along the shore viewing birds, marine life, and even alaskan brown bears. or you can stay aboard and watch a video, listen to music, or read a book from our extensive library.,                                 alaska yacht charters is an equal opportunity employer., glacier bay.

Alaska Yacht Charters is one of only a handful charters to be permitted to operate in Glacier Bay, one of the crown jewels of Alaska. Learn more about the Alaskan Story Glacier Bay experience .

Alaskan Story

The Alaskan Story is a 90-foot Westport yacht that underwent a million dollar refit in 2003-'04 to make her even better than new. Learn more about the vessel .

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Our philosophy is that the cruise brings the clients the first time, and the crew brings them back. Learn more about the Alaskan Story owners and crew .

Our Clients = Salesforce

No other Alaska charter company can claim such a loyal following. Since 2001, nearly 80% of clients have been either returning or referred by our guests on our yacht. Read our testimonials .

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Cast off and set course for something amazing. Chartered vessels are a great way to build custom glacier and wildlife sightseeing cruises, get into deep water for a day of salmon or halibut fishing, or even drop-offs for remote kayaking or camping.

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Get up close to a towering glacier and listen to the thunderous roar as a brilliant blue shard of ice crashes into the waters below.

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Marina del Rey…The other LA.

For all of the foodies out there, Marina del Rey should be on your bucket list. If you’re looking for a waterway adventure, there are activities on the water and by the water; from biking paths and paddle board yoga to day cruises and hand gliding.

The water is only one of the reasons Marina del Rey Marina is an ideal location for your boat slip.

About the Area

Find your perfect getaway to this little piece of paradise without leaving the convenience of los angeles..

Catalina Yacht Anchorage is only a handful of miles away from LAX  and in close proximity to Los Angeles’ major freeways making it incredibly convenient for traveling. It’s location on the Southern California coastline, makes this marina a perfect home for your boat. Surrounded by award winning restaurants, world famous beaches, and unlimited marina activities, there is something here for everyone. Take the family to  Venice Beach , the  Santa Monica Pier , go sportfishing or whale watching, enjoy a romantic sunset cruise dinner, and rent a kayak or a boat to adventure around the marina. There are over 50 restaurants within a few minutes of your slip. And only 4 miles from LAX, and 10 minutes from Santa Monica! This marina is your gateway to some of the finest cultural locations in Southern California. Looking for itinerary ideas? Visit our  community  page for some suggestions, or visit  Marina del Rey online  for  full itinerary ideas !

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How to Pick the Perfect Anchorage

It’s such a satisfying feeling when you discover a great anchorage. Perhaps you’re looking for a place to relax onboard to enjoy beautiful summer’s evening, or maybe you need to find somewhere to provide safe heaven for your yacht to wait out bad weather. But what makes a perfect anchorage?

A good example of a perfect anchorage would be an uncrowded bay, surrounded by cliffs or hills to provide protection from wind from most directions. Your anchorage should be free from hazards, with enough space for your vessel to swing at anchor with changes of wind direction and tidal stream.

Let’s take a look at ten essential factors you need to take into account when picking an anchorage.

How to Choose a Good Anchorage for Your Yacht

Here are some of my favourite tips that will help you to select the right anchorage for your needs.

1. Plan in Advance

Do your research before you set sail, so that you have picked an anchorage before you begin your passage. Leaving it to chance, and hoping to find a good anchorage when you want to stop, is never a good strategy!

Be sure to check the charts of the area you’re sailing in, as there may well be a few anchorage options already marked, for you to choose from. Pilotage guides, almanacs and other local guide books provide a wealth of helpful local information to help you choose a suitable anchorage.

There is also often lots of advice online from fellow sailors who have visited the area before you, and can share their local knowledge and anchorage advice. Cruising forums are great for this type of real-world practical advice.

2. Check the Weather Forecast

Of course, the suitability of any anchorage, and the safe haven it can provide, is very much dependent on the current (and forecast) weather conditions.

The current wind conditions and tidal stream may make a specific potential anchorage suitable. But if the wind is due to change direction and/or strength during the time you plan to stay at anchor, you will need to also assess the anchorage suitability based on those forecast conditions.

Another way to look at it, is that if weather conditions are due to deteriorate in the next few hours, you need to pick an anchorage which will provide your yacht with protection from this upcoming bad weather.

Think ahead!

3. Find Natural Protection

Look for an anchorage where the local geography will provide your yacht with protection from wind and waves in as may potential wind directions as possible.

Ideally, a bay or cove with cliffs or hills surrounding will provide a natural wind shadow, in multiple directions. Headlands, islands and other features will provide shelter from waves.

Consider which factors will most affect your comfort in the coming hours spent at anchor, and pick an anchorage which will best protect your yacht.

Be sure to bear in mind that as the tidal flow changes, the sea state may also change. For example changing from wind-with-tide, to wind-against-tide, will make the sea state more rough.

Avoid anchoring on a lee shore, or in a position which will become a lee shore as the forecast weather changes and/or worsens. Anchoring close to a lee shore will give you very little wiggle room if your anchor drags! You could find yourself in a dangerous situation fairly quickly.

4. Be Aware of Potential Hazards

It is of course important that you pick an anchorage which keeps you clear of potential hazards. To do so, you must both consult your charts, and do a proper visual survey of the potential anchoring area.

Check your charts and keep a lookout for dangerous features such as rocks, navigation buoys, moorings, and wires or chains laid on the seabed or riverbed.

Never anchor in a navigation channel, or in a position that may cause your yacht to swing into a channel as the wind or tidal conditions change.

Keep clear of other anchored or moored vessels, and take into account the radius that they will swing while at anchor. Remember that a boat on a swinging mooring will be likely to swing on a smaller radius that an anchored vessel.

If possible, it is often a good idea to anchor behind a group of one or more anchored yachts. That way you are less likely to swing into them as the tidal stream and/or wind changes direction.

5. Will You Have Enough Depth at Low Tide?

In tidal waters, the next few hours after anchoring will either be spent on a rising tide, or a falling tide.

Check the local tide tables to ensure that you know how much water you need to have beneath your keel at the time of anchoring, to ensure that at low tide you will still be clear of the bottom, and will not run aground. Make sure you’re well aware of the local tidal range, and whether you’re on a spring or neap tide.

On the other side of the same coin: if you plan to anchor close to low tide, and intend to stay long enough for the tide to rise significantly, you will need to make sure you let out enough anchor chain or warp to keep the desired anchor scope. This way your anchor will continue to hold as your yacht rises with the high tide.

6. Know What’s on The Bottom

Different types of anchor hold better in certain bottom conditions. For example, Danforth anchors perform very well in soft to medium bottom conditions such as mud and sand.

You should look for an anchorage with bottom conditions that suit the style of anchor you have on your yacht. Symbols such as M and S on your charts will inform you of what you will be dropping your anchor onto.

Try to avoid dropping anchor on sloping seabeds, or areas known to be covered in seagrass, as these will make it harder for your anchor to take hold.

Never anchor in coral. Not only is doing so illegal in many places, but it also causes significant environmental damage to important coral reef ecosystems. Coral heads also have the potential to foul your anchor chain or warp.

7. Be Aware of Other Vessels

As mentioned above, you must take the position of other vessels (both at those at anchor and moving) into account when picking a suitable place to anchor.

The importance of this type of situational awareness doesn’t stop once you’ve dropped anchor. Always keep an eye out for yachts moving in your immediate vicinity.

Don’t forget your obligation to display the appropriate signals, such as an anchor ball and anchor light, as per rule 30 of the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collision at Sea (COLREGS).

8. Have a Plan B

To be honest, having a fall-back plan is just good practice and should always be part of your passage planning.

What happens if the anchorage you had in mind is busy when you arrive, or if the sea state has changed?

Knowing that you have a Plan B will take a huge amount of stress out of this type of situation. It may be that you have a secondary anchorage already in mind, or a local marina that you can use as a last resort.

Either way, knowing that you have a plan for most reasonable “what ifs” is usually a comfort!

9. Arrive Before The Rush

In my experience, the best way to avoid needing to use your Plan B anchorage, is to arrive at your planned anchorage before everybody else who has had the same idea!

Whether it’s a popular lunchtime spot, or a well sheltered overnight anchorage, arriving ahead of the rush will make it easier to anchor in a low-stress situation.

If you know you’re visiting a popular bit of coastline, at a busy time of year, some additional research often pays dividends. A little time spent searching forums for local advice online can often unearth hidden gem anchorages, which will keep you away from the crowds.

10. Monitor Your Position at Anchor

In the interest of safety, and avoiding awkward situations with other anchored yachts, be sure to regularly monitor your position.

The low-tech way to do this is by taking visual transits, based on features on the shoreline and further inland. You can also take some quick fixes using a handheld bearing compass. Check these reference points regularly, and you’ll soon discover if your anchor is dragging.

If you have the facility to do so, be sure to set the anchor alarm on your chartplotter. However, even if the anchor alarm is on, it doesn’t remove your responsibility for maintaining awareness of your position.

More Tips for Finding a Safe Anchorage

Here’s a great video which will help you to position your boat properly when you get to your chosen anchorage.

Final Thoughts

Way too many cruising skippers seem nervous or hesitant to drop anchor, and instead head to the nearest crowded marina, missing out on some potentially beautiful stays at anchor.

I hope that the above check-list will give you the confidence to find an appropriate anchorage for your needs, whenever the situation arises.

Happy sailing!

James Gerard

Hi, I'm James! I started sailing at a very early age here in the UK, and have enjoyed so many opportunities to sail all over the world. I created this website to share the many sailing tips I've leaned over the years, so that you can also discover the joy of sailing with safety and confidence.

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Yacht Charter Alaska

Cruise Alaska and adventure beyond luxury. A yacht charter through the Inside Passage is an experience akin to the final frontier.

An Alaska yacht charter is ideal for those longing for pure stillness, tranquillity, and untouched wilderness. Cruise Alaska, the northernmost state of the United States, on a luxury yacht and navigate lush yet rugged natural landscapes that offer some of the most incredible scenery in the world. Breeze past giant glaciers and witness the region’s wonderful wildlife. You’ll set your sights on bears, whales, and bald eagles in their natural habitats. Spend a day fishing for fresh wild salmon or hiking mountains. Alaska is quickly becoming an “it” destination for adventurous cruisers who want to experience nature at its most pristine on their private yacht charter. The tranquillity and rawness of the Alaskan wilderness are a unique change from typical yacht charter destinations. An Alaska yacht charter will exceed your expectations with adventure, relaxation, and luxury elements.

Where can I cruise to during an Alaska yacht charter?

Alaska’s Inside Passage is considered one of the most scenic and popular stretches of coastline, snaking between the mainland and off-lying islands and islets to the southeast. Cruising Alaska’s Inside Passage is as far removed as you can get from the favored Mediterranean and Caribbean superyacht cruising grounds. Alaska is the largest state in the U.S. regarding land and water, and the area is so vast that you can usually steer a solitary route, enjoying the complete wilderness onboard your charter yacht. This destination is perfect for charterers looking for completely secluded cruising grounds to unwind and be at peace with a group of friends or family aboard.

Hotspots to explore on an Alaska yacht charter

Exploring Alaska on a yacht offers a plethora of breathtaking locations to visit. Apart from popular destinations like Glacier Bay, Kenai Fjords National Park, and the Inside Passage, here are some other locations worth exploring:

• Tracy Arm Fjord This narrow fjord is located south of Juneau and is known for its towering cliffs, tidewater glaciers, and stunning scenery.
• Kodiak Island Known for its rugged landscapes, Kodiak Island offers excellent opportunities for wildlife and bird watching, including bears, eagles, and whales.
• Wrangell-St. Elias National Park America’s largest national park is a remote wilderness area with towering mountains, massive glaciers, and abundant wildlife.
• Petersburg This charming fishing town on Mitkof Island offers a glimpse into Alaska’s fishing culture and is a gateway to the Stikine River and LeConte Glacier.
• Sitka Rich in history and culture, Sitka offers opportunities to explore Russian and Tlingit heritage, as well as outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking.
• Haines Nestled between the Chilkat and Chilkoot Mountains, Haines is a picturesque town with opportunities for outdoor adventures such as hiking, fishing, and wild animal viewing.
• Baranof Island Located in the Alexander Archipelago, Baranof Island boasts stunning scenery, hot springs, and abundant wildlife.
• Yakutat This remote coastal community offers access to the Hubbard Glacier, the largest tidewater glacier in North America, and excellent fishing and surfing opportunities.
• Gustavus The gateway to Glacier Bay National Park, Gustavus offers opportunities for wild animal spotting, hiking, and kayaking in one of Alaska’s most iconic wilderness areas.

Contact an Alaska yacht charter broker

Northrop & Johnson has the largest fleet of Alaska yachts worldwide. Our brokers and yacht managers know the Alaskan region like no other brokerage. They can ensure that every aspect of your private yacht charter in Alaska is expertly taken care of. Our charter brokers will help select your ideal Alaska vessel and craft a bespoke itinerary that aligns with your desired experiences. Contact our brokers today to start planning your custom adventure in Alaska.

Other yacht charter destinations in the same region of Alaska

• Pacific Northwest
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Charter Highlights Alaska

• Hike along trails to the freshwater Beaver Lake around the magnificent Desolation Sound
• Hunt for oysters and clams in the warm waters of Desolation Sound Marine Park
• Scuba dive around Pender Harbor, often referred to as the "Venice of the North" thanks to its complex maze of islands, coves, and reefs
• Enjoy sea kayaking through the freshwater streams and lakes surrounding Pender Harbor
• Host a fishing weekend on the Campbell River – the salmon capital of the Northwest
• Explore the dramatic scenery of Chatterbox Falls, Vancouver Island

Alaska Yacht Charter Itinerary

Best Yachts for Charter in Alaska

Motor yachts for charter in alaska, sailing yachts for charter in alaska, alaska charter faqs, where is alaska .

Alaska – also known as The Last Frontier – is located on the northwest extremity of North America, bordering British Columbia and Yukon in Canada. It is the 49th and largest state in the U.S. It was admitted to the union in January 1959. Alaska is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Bering Sea, the Chukchi Sea, and the Beaufort Sea, offering some of the world’s most breathtaking coastal scenery. Alaska is the only U.S. state to border two nations. 

Where can I embark on an Alaska yacht charter?

A luxury charter in this region typically begins across the border in Canada’s Vancouver or Seattle, Washington, in the U.S. before cruising up the coastline and across the border into Alaska; alternatively, you can choose to board your luxury yacht in Alaska’s capital, Juneau. Wherever you decide to embark, as soon as you set sail, the world drifts far into the distance. On an Alaska yacht charter, it is all about timeless, majestic landscapes and the remarkable wildlife that has inhabited the area for thousands of years. From ancient snowfields, glaciers, and fjords to soaring eagles in lofty mountains, bears in dense forests to pods of whales escorting you through the wilds of America’s 49th state, Alaska, is one of the world’s most serene and otherworldly cruising grounds.

Why charter a yacht in Alaska?

Alaska offers breathtaking scenery, spectacular wild animals , and unmatched wilderness – making it an increasingly sought-after destination with travelers seeking an alternative vacation experience. Cruising Alaska’s coastline is to escape the crowds and enjoy nature in all its undiluted beauty. 

Admire and explore some of Earth’s most stunning natural landscapes, dramatic scenery consisting of majestic glaciers, incredible beaches, soaring mountains, and striking fjords. What makes this land even more remarkable is its wilderness: aboard your private crewed yacht, you will enjoy a tranquil experience far from the madding crowds. Additionally, you can reach places that otherwise would be almost impossible to visit. 

Alaska’s wild animals will leave you speechless: See whales breaching the icy waters, brown bears in their natural habitat, and spectacular bald eagles soaring overhead. Prince William Sound is a must-visit, boasting over 100 glaciers, islands, fjords, and more than 120 different species of animals.

Alaska is also one of the best spots for seeing the Northern Lights, especially if you follow the Alaskan coastline to the extreme north. It is considered the best destination to watch this dazzling show light up the night sky.

The remote regions of Alaska are visited by only a small number of people each year, and an Alaska superyacht charter offers the best way to experience the magic of this spectacular destination.

Chartering a yacht in Alaska will give you, your family, or your friends the most unique vacation experience. Discover this otherworldly destination on a crewed yacht charter with Northrop & Johnson. Contact our charter specialists today if you want to explore The Last Frontier and enjoy an unforgettable vacation experience. 

What types of yachts can go to Alaska?

Most yachts that travel to Alaska will be expedition vessels, purposefully built for cruising some of the world’s most remote destinations. However, superyachts and sailing vessels – built to ice-class standards – can also cruise this otherworldly destination. Alaska charter yachts will be purposefully designed for cruising icy waters in style, boasting refined onboard amenities and luxury interiors. Northrop & Johnson boasts the largest fleet of crewed charter yachts to Alaska, offering a luxurious way to experience the magic of this destination. Whether you want to cruise aboard a state-of-the-art expedition vessel, motor yacht, or sailing vessel, our charter specialists will be able to connect you with our ideal boat. Contact our team today; we will be delighted to assist you.

What to do and see on a charter in Alaska?

There is a wonderful selection of things to see and do on a yacht charter in Alaska, most centering around the great outdoors. Here are a few ideas:

Juneau is a coastal city in Alaska’s Inside Passage, which is a popular embarkation spot; however, it’s well worth taking a day to explore this destination either at the start or the end of your Alaska yacht charter holiday. The city is one of a handful in the world that has no direct road access to the world outside, making it truly unique. Highlights include the Juneau-Douglas City Museum and Alaska State Museum, both of which shine a spotlight on the region’s rich culture and heritage, the Last Chance Mining Museum, which explores Juneau’s Gold Rush history, and the Mt Roberts Tramway, which takes passengers 550m (1,800ft) above sea level, providing spectacular views. 

Mendenhall Glacier

Access the Mendenhall Glacier via helicopter and explore its 13-mile-long river of ice. The Mendenhall Glacier is one of many major glaciers that connect to the vast Juneau Ice Field. There are several trails to explore, taking you past cascading waterfalls, salmon streams, and wild animals . The Mendenhall Glacier is also a great destination for enjoying a dog sledding experience.  

Baranof Hot springs 

Located in southern Alaska’s Chatham Strait, you’ll find nine natural hot springs near a cascading waterfall. Set amongst picturesque wild animals , these restorative hot springs sit at the end of a ¼ mile trek. The springs also feature a cold plunge pool to cool down quickly after a long soak. 

Anan Bear and Wildlife Observatory

The Anan Bear and Wildlife Observatory is located in Tongass National Park, which also boasts the largest runs of pink salmon in Southeast Alaska – supporting the park’s high density of black and brown bears. The park includes several viewing platforms, while private guided tours are also available. Anan Bear and Wildlife Observatory offers a rare opportunity to view endemic wild animals in their natural habitat, including bears, bald eagles, and harbor seals. 

Frederick Sound

The striking Frederick Sound is surrounded by towering 9,842ft (3,000m) mountains, with its glacier-fed waters abundant with krill and herring, ensuring superb fishing opportunities. It’s also a great destination for observing humpback whales, who migrate to this area to feed on its nutrient-rich waters. 

Northrop & Johnson can tailor a custom itinerary that includes your desired experiences. Contact our team of charter specialists today.

What wild animals can I expect to see from my Alaska charter boat?

Alaska’s rich wildlife is what makes an Alaska yacht charter so sought-after. Aboard an Alaskan yacht charter, you’ll have the opportunity to see a wide selection of ocean-dwelling marine mammals and land-based critters, including humpback whales, dolphins, seals, sea otters, walrus, bald eagles, falcons, snowy owls, hawks, brown and black bears, polar bears, wolves, moose and bison to name just a few. 

What national parks are the best to visit when chartering in Alaska?

There are several national parks in Alaska, offering superb opportunities for wildlife viewing and outdoor pursuits. Some of the best national parks to explore during a yacht charter in Alaska include: 

The Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

The Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve cover 3.3 million acres of wilderness, including temperate rainforests, soaring glaciers, wild coastlines, and rugged mountains. The park is located in Alaska’s Inside Passage and is part of a 25 million-acre World Heritage Site. Cruise the coastline of this stunning national park or explore inland protected areas. Glacier Bay offers limitless opportunities for adventure. 

The Denali National Park and Preserve

Covers six million acres of wild land spanning low-elevation taiga forest, high alpine tundra, and snowy mountains, including North America’s tallest peak, the 20,310ft (6,190m) Denali. Unfenced lands enable wild animals to roam free, ensuring superb opportunities for wild animal spotting. Enjoy outdoor pursuits in this pristine part of Alaska, or simply enjoy the park’s peace, tranquillity, and solitude. 

The Kenai Fjords National Park

Located at the edge of the Kenai Peninsula, the Kenai Fjords National Park’s crowning feature is its 40 glaciers that flow from the Harding Icefield. Enjoy guided hiking trails through the park’s icy interior, or hop on a snowmobile for the ultimate adventure. The fjord is also a popular migratory passage with humpback whales who feed on its nutrient-rich waters. 

The Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve

This vast national park spans 13.2 million acres, rising from the ocean to 18,008ft (5,488.8m). The landscape here is rugged and beautiful, marked by peak after peak and soaring glaciers. Wrangell Park is volcanic in origin; however, only Mount Wragness remains active, and steam vents can be seen near its summit. Historic mining sites pepper the park, providing a snapshot of the region’s history, while the park’s landscape offers a wealth of activities; hike, ski, or kayak, adventure is limited only by your imagination. 

Katmai National Park and Preserve

The Katmai National Park and Preserve in the southwest of Alaska was established in 1918 and is an important habitat for salmon and thousands of brown bears. Indeed, the park is North America’s largest protected population of brown bears. The vast wilderness is rich in environmental influences, offering diverse natural flora and fauna to explore. The region has been inhabited for over 9,000 years and, as such, boasts a history that is uniquely intertwined with the landscape. 

Lake Clark National Park and Preserve

Shimmering turquoise lakes, steaming volcanoes, and craggy mountains personify Lake Clark National Park and Reserve. Not only does the park protect local wild animals , but it also preserves the ancestral homeland of the Dena’ina people. Crescent Lake, deep in the park’s wilderness, is considered one of the park’s most scenic locations and offers a wealth of experiences, including fishing, hiking, wild animal spotting, and kayaking. 

What is the best time to cruise Alaska?

The seasons of Alaska each present unique experiences. From early June to the end of August, the Alaskan summer season inspires wonder and hope, with a lush green landscape and royal blue skies set against snow-peaked mountains. Wildlife awakens from the winter, and it’s a great time to explore the outdoors. The shoulder season – May and September – is also a fantastic time to visit. Winter in Alaska is the best time to view the Northern Lights and enjoy winter sports. Charterers will often select the month they wish to visit depending on the wild animals they hope to see and the activities they want to enjoy. If you want to charter a yacht in Alaska, contact Northrop & Johnson. 

What do I need to know about the Alaskan weather?

• Average summer temperatures: 45F (7C) to 75F (24C)
• Average winter temperatures: -10F (-23C) to 20F (-7C)  

Alaska experiences various weather conditions due to its vast size and diverse geography. Expect milder temperatures in coastal areas compared to inland regions. Alaska is known for its extremely cold winters, with temperatures often dropping below freezing and some regions experiencing lows of up to- 50F/-45C. On the other hand, summers can be mild, with parts of Alaska in the north experiencing the ‘midnight sun’  – several weeks when the sun never sets. Summer temperatures in Alaska have been known to rise to about 90F (34C). The Chinook Winds in the southeastern region can also bring rapid temperature fluctuations.

What airports are best for starting my Alaskan cruise?

Several airports in Alaska can accommodate international flights, private jets, and seaplanes. These include: 

• Juneau International Airport (JNU)
• Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC)
• Ketchikan International Airport (KTN)
• Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport (SIT)
• Seward Airport (SWD)
• Homer Airport (HOM)
• Petersburg James A. Johnson Airport (PSG)

How much is an Alaska yacht charter?

The cost of an Alaska yacht charter will depend on multiple factors, including the size of the vessel, its onboard amenities, the number of guests, time of year, cruising itinerary, desired experiences, and length of stay. Expect to pay a minimum of US$50,000 per week for a yacht charter in Alaska. Northrop & Johnson has a fantastic selection of private crewed boats for charter in Alaska. Contact our team for more information and help planning your luxury superyacht getaway.

What is the currency in Alaska? 

U.S. dollars are the currency of Alaska. 

What is the official language of Alaska? 

Alaska has several official languages. In addition to English – which was designated the official state language in 1998 – the U.S. state is also home to at least 20 official native languages. These include Eskimo Aleut, Haida, Tsimshian, and Athabaskan. 

What are the visa requirements to enter Alaska? 

The visa requirements to enter Alaska are identical to any other U.S. state. All non-U.S. and non-Canadian citizens must have a valid passport and apply for an ESTA, which can be obtained via an online application. When you book an Alaskan yacht charter with Northrop & Johnson, your charter expert will advise you on all the required visa requirements.

What is the internet connection like in Alaska? 

Compared to other parts of the U.S., Alaska’s internet connectivity can be poor. Many of Northrop & Johnson’s luxury yachts for charter in Alaska boast sophisticated maritime internet services, enabling you to stay connected as you explore the most remote frontier.

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Mission Bay Anchorage

by Harbor Sailboats | Mar 29, 2023 | Blog | 0 comments

Have you spent the weekend anchored in Mission Bay?

While San Diego is not known for destination sailing, we have a couple fantastic anchorages to take advantage of with Mariners Basin in Mission Bay being one of our favorites. Let’s go over some helpful tips when planning your weekend in Mission Bay.

For starters, the anchorage we are describing is Mariners Cove or Bonito Cove inside of Mariners Basin. The specific name of the anchorage is not all that important to this topic, but sailors often use the three names interchangeably since they are located within several hundred yards of each other…. more on that to come.

Harbor Island to Mission Bay is about a 20 minute drive with beach traffic and stop lights, but it’s a 2-3 hour sail due to Point Loma and the kelp beds. When setting course for Mission Bay, it’s imperative that you round SD 1 (San Diego Channel Safe Water Buoy) prior to turning north for Mission Bay in order to avoid the kelp. From here, it’s an enjoyable sail on a port tack beat or close reach until you are adjacent the Mission Bay entrance.

Skippers should line up the entrance at least 1-2 miles offshore and furl sails rather than cutting the corner from sea. Many boats (not from HS) have mistaken the San Diego River/Dog Beach for the channel and ended up hard ashore or against the jetty rocks, avoid this by making sure you see both the red and green markers at the end of the jetty and pass between them. Once safely in the channel, follow the bend to the left and make entrance into Mariners Basin.

Once inside the basin, skippers have a choice of two anchorages with Mariners Cove to the south and Bonito Cove to the north. It’s recommend that you take anchor in Mariners Cove due to it’s deeper water and space, but Bonito Cove is a suitable overflow anchorage.

You should now be in 15-20′ of water and planning on a 4:1 or 5:1 scope if room allows. Refresh your memory by reading our helpful  anchoring topic here . Mission Bay does experience above average tide change so a good skipper should be aware of the tide table and plan accordingly. The north end of Bonito Cove will completely dry during big tides and it’s not uncommon to see an ill-prepared skipper “high and dry” waiting for the tide to come up. Additionally, Mission Bay also experiences an offshore breeze in the evening causing you to rotate 180 degrees around your anchor. Read our Wind Condition  blog here to learn more on offshore and onshore wind patterns.

Fill the fridge with food and drinks and make a weekend trip to Mission Bay!

*Sailboats over 20′ cannot fit under the Mission Bay Drive Bridge, Mariners Basin is the only destination inside of Mission Bay.

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Sailing in Curaçao – Sailing Tips, Anchorages & More

Are you thinking about sailing in Curacao? Then you’ll hopefully find this sailing guide helpful.

I have to start by saying though that Curaçao is a slightly strange sailing destination .

It’s perfect because it’s outside of the hurricane area but it doesn’t cater to liveaboard sailors well.

There is only one anchorage where you can stay for more than 3 nights (Spanish Water) and the few other legal anchorages require applying for a three-night cruising permit specifying the exact dates you will be anchoring (we all know this type of planning isn’t easy when sailing!).

But, more about the anchorages in Curacao later.

First I want to share some general information about sailing in Curaçao.

Sailing in Curaçao – Useful Things to Know

Sailing Related Things to Know

1. There is an active Facebook group called Curacao Cruisers .

I’d recommend joining this group before you arrive as you can find a lot of useful information here about sailing in Curacao.

2. Unlike most other Caribbean sailing destinations , there is no cruisers net in Curacao.

3. Customs & Immigration are located on opposite ends of Willemstad, and not near an anchorage.

Assuming you are using public transport, clearing in and out can easily take half a day . Customs is located a short walk from the bus stop in Willemstad, but Immigration and the Harbour Master are another 20 minutes walk away.

When clearing in you start at Immigration, followed by the Harbour Master where you buy your anchoring permit, and ending at Customs. When clearing out you’ll have to go to Customs and to Immigration and can do that in any order.

4. All crew members have to be present at Immigration when clearing in and clearing out of Curacao.

5. Curaçao uses SailClear . It is not mandatory but creating an arrival notification on SailClear.com before arrival speeds up your clearing in process.

6. Spaanse Water, or Spanish Water in English, is the only anchorage you can stay at for more than three nights.

As briefly mentioned above, you need an anchoring permit in Curaçao if you aren’t staying in a marina. You can get a three-month anchoring permit for Spaanse Water, which can be renewed.

But, for all the other anchorages, which I describe in detail later on in this article, you’ll have to get a separate anchoring permit and these are for three nights per permit.

To obtain an anchoring permit you’ll have to go to the Harbour Master in person. Both the three-month permit for Spaanse Water and the other three-night permits cost NAF 44.35 (around US$ 25) per permit.

For all the three night permits you have to specify exact dates . If your dates change you will have to go back to the Harbour Master to obtain a new permit.

7. When you sail into Curaçao your first anchorage will be Spanish Water. As you approach the entrance to Spanish Water, contact the Coast Guard on VHF channel 16. They will tell you exactly where they want you to anchor and how to proceed.

8. Curacao Marine is Curacao’s main boatyard with good facilities if you need work done on your boat.

We thought, because it’s located close to Willemstad, that it would be a nice marina to dock the boat for a few days. It’s not that type of marina. It doesn’t really offer facilities for that (think shops, restaurants, etc.) and is located a long walk away from town.

But I’ll describe the marinas in Curaçao in more detail later on.

General Things to Know

1. The Bus app called ABC Curacao is very useful. It shows quite accurately when the next bus will arrive at any bus stop around the island.

And because the bus that goes to Spanish Water only goes about once every hour or even less frequently, it’s very useful to know when the next one will be.

2. There are minibusses as well, which you can flag down and will stop anywhere along their route.

They charge a little bit more than the main bus service and don’t run on a fixed schedule.

They can be very infrequent the further away you are from Willemstad. More than once I’ve spent almost an hour waiting for one.

3. I’d recommend renting a car.  Buses are infrequent and don’t run at night.

Plus, you will probably spend most of your time in Spanish Water, from which it isn’t easy to get everywhere by public transport (getting to the main hardware store for example).

I’d recommend renting a car for at least a few days to explore the island, and for most of your stay in Curacao if you expect to need a lot of visits to the chandlery, hardware store, and other boat related services.

4. US Dollars are accepted everywhere.

You might get change back in Guilders but you can always pay in US Dollars, including on the bus.

You can even choose to take out US Dollars from local ATMs instead of Guilders.

5. Most people in Curaçao speak English , but not everyone. And you’ll regularly run into people whose English is limited.

The main languages here are Papiamento and Dutch. Papiamento has a lot of resemblances to Spanish, so if you speak Spanish that can be useful here. Plus there are a lot of people from Latin American countries here as well.

Anchorages in Curacao

1. spanish water / spaanse water.

As mentioned above, this is the only anchorage in Curacao you are allowed to stay long term.

The entrance to Spanish Water is long and slightly narrow with some rocks and shallow areas to avoid. Most navigation aids show this clearly but I wouldn’t recommend arriving after dark.

There is a designated quarantine area, which is the first big inlet on your left once you’ve entered Spanish Water. But, just contact the coast guard on VHF channel 16 as you are approaching Spanish Water, and they will tell you exactly where to go and what to do next.

That is, if the coast guard hasn’t contacted you already. They are very active, and very helpful, and will most likely contact you as soon as they see you sailing into Curacao.

The normal anchorage areas take up most of the area you see on the map left of the entrance. But again, just contact the coast guard as you arrive and they will explain exactly where you can and cannot anchor.

Spanish Water offers good holding and a very sheltered anchorage . It is a well-protected bay in case a storm would ever make it this far south.

Facilities in and Around Spanish Water

I have to admit, with Spanish Water being the main anchorage in Curaçao, I was a bit surprised by how limited the facilities are that you can reach directly by dinghy.

I’m used to easy access to a chandlery, a supermarket, laundry facilities, and a specialized boat service or two, which is the case in Caribbean sailing destinations such as Grenada , Saint Lucia , St Maarten and many others.

1. The chandlery is a bus ride away and so are the main shops and supermarkets. But, there is a free bus from Monday to Saturday that takes you to a supermarket and Budget Marine, the main chandlery on the island. Check the above-mentioned Facebook group for current times.

2. There is a good supermarket plus several bars and restaurants by Jan Thiel Beach , which is within walking distance.

3. Brisa do Mar and The Pier are both good restaurants right by Spanish Water and Windsurfing Curacao is located inside Spanish Water. There is a sunken tugboat off Tugboat Beach which makes a great snorkeling site. The fort, Fort Beekenburg, is worth walking to as well.

4. A laundry service, a chandlery, an upholstery company, and several other useful services are all on the bus route (bus 6A). But for the best information about where to get specific boat-related services I recommend posting a question in the Facebook group.

5. The dinghy dock in Spanish Water is located just past the main fuel station (not the one by the Yacht Club, the one on the west side of Spanish Water). It’s a tiny dinghy dock and often crowded.

6. If you are visiting restaurant The Pier you’re allowed to tie up directly by the restaurant .

7. The Yacht Club is a members-only club and does not allow outside guests.

8. Even with a wifi range extender we’ve never been able to pick up any wifi networks while anchored in Spanish Water.

I used a local SIM card from Digicel which worked without issues 99% of the time. But I’ve seen people commenting in the Facebook group about better deals on data through a local guy, so it might be worth looking into that, especially if you think you’ll use a lot of data and are staying in Curaçao for a while.

Also Read: The Best Cafes in Curaçao to Work From & Other Wifi Tips

Final Things to Know About Anchoring in Spanish Water

1. Spaanse Water is a very sociable anchorage . There will always be dozens of other sailboats anchored here, making it easy to meet other sailors.

On Thursday night the local restaurant, The Pier, organizes ‘Cruisers Night’, which is a great way to meet other sailors. Check the Facebook Group for details, and for other events around Spanish Water.

2. There is a speed limit of 5km (less than 3 knots) in Spanish Water but nobody, not even the coast guard, seems to stick to this.

You’ll find local speed boats going past at high speed frequently and if you’re close to the traffic lane that can cause an annoying wake. Plus of course it’s incredibly dangerous, especially at night if you are in your dinghy.

2. Klein Curaçao

If you only visit one anchorage in Curaçao, then make it Klein Curaçao!

It’s a small island that receives a lot of visitors during the day, but around 4pm most commercial boats have left, and by the time the sun sets it will only be you and at most a handful of other sailboats.

With impressively beautiful blue water and white sand , it’s just a great spot to wake up in!

The snorkeling isn’t as great as I expected because a lot of the coral has died, but you’ll still see all the typical Caribbean reef fish and a turtle if you are lucky.

There are mooring buoys and if there are any available I’d recommend using them. They are in ok condition, but of course, if you can, do swim on them to check them.

If there aren’t any mooring buoys you’ll have to anchor quite close to the beach as it shelves rapidly. Close to the beach you’ll anchor in sand, in 5 meters (16.5 feet) or less.

Apart from the lighthouse there are a few other structures on the island, including two restaurants set up by two of the companies taking tourists to the island. Both say they only cater to their own guests and not to outside visitors. That also means they close as soon as their boats take off in the afternoon, leaving the island nice and quiet.

There is a nice area by the beach set up for barbecues and bonfires , and plenty of spots to just sit and watch the sunset.

It really feels like a world away from Curaçao!

Sailing to Klein Curaçao is, assuming you are coming from Spanish Water, an upwind sail . I’d therefore recommend trying to sail here in good weather to make it a more pleasant sail.

Also, the anchorage is rolly in any weather, but can get quite uncomfortable in bad weather.

Note: I know we were very lucky, so I’m not making any promises, but we saw both a whale shark and a humpback whale on our sail to Klein Curacao!

3. Piscadera Bay

Piscadera Bay, or Piscaderabaai in Dutch, is a very sheltered anchorage and you’ll most likely have the anchorage to yourself.

But, I don’t see many reasons to anchor here. The water is murky and the scenery is not that interesting.

It does put you close to Sambil, Curaçao’s biggest shopping mall, and Royal Marine is located inside the bay.

Royal Marine is a small marina with haul out facilities. It might be a cheap alternative to Curacao Marine if you need to get your boat out of the water.

Further down in this article I share more information about the different marinas in Curaçao.

Unless you benefit from being in this area or want to use Royal Marine’s services I don’t really see much of a reason to anchor here.

But, if you do end up anchoring here and see something worthwhile that I missed, do let me know!

Note: I’ve heard some really bad reports about boats being broken into while left alone at Royal Marine, so that is something to keep in mind if you’d decide to leave your boat here.

4. Santa Martha

The anchorage at Santa Martha is inside the lagoon.

The entrance to the lagoon is shallow and narrow, which makes it a tricky approach .

The water in the middle of the entrance is only around three meters (10 feet) deep, with shallower patches on both sides. I’d recommend only entering Santa Martha when the weather is good and the sun is out so that you can see the shallow areas at the entrance, as Navionics, and presumably other navigation aids, give limited information.

Holding is very good in mud, and you’ll anchor in around 4-5 meters (13 – 16.5 feet).

The water inside the lagoon is murky but right outside the lagoon, by Santa Martha beach, the water is nice and if you go snorkeling you’ll see a good number of reef fish, and turtles if you are lucky.

It’s a secluded anchorage and you’ll most likely be the only boat anchoring here.

To be honest though, with the tricky entrance, murky water around the boat, and the fact that you have to go out of your way to get an anchor permit, I can’t say I’d really recommend this anchorage.

5. Santa Cruz

This anchorage is lovely! Besides Klein Curaçao this is my favorite anchorage in Curaçao .

Although the anchorage is called Santa Cruz you actually anchor around the corner, off of the small beach called Playa Santu Pretu.

Holding is good, anchoring in sand, and it provides decent shelter. The anchorage starts quite deep (more than 10 meters or 33 feet) but you reach 5 meters (16.5 feet) when you get closer to the beach.

The anchorage is located around a wreck, which makes a really nice snorkeling site.

The only downside is that the wreck isn’t marked with any type of buoy. If the sun is out you can see the wreck through the water if you look closely and you can see the shadow of it in my picture above.

But otherwise there are also almost always other boats anchored here, so just ask them where the wreck is. Because you don’t want to drop your anchor on the wreck!

There is a cave to the south side of the anchorages that’s nice to check out by dinghy. And it’s an easy dinghy ride to Santa Cruz which is a really nice beach. They have picnic tables by the beach, making it a perfect spot for sunset drinks or dinner at the beach.

6. Fuik Bay

Fuik Bay (Fuikbaai in Dutch) is only a short sail along the coast from Spaanse Water . In fact, it’s so close that we went here by dinghy once.

It’s a shallow anchorage, with good shelter, apart from during a southwesterly wind.

You’ll anchor in seagrass and sand, which can make it a bit trickier to get good holding.

The beach at Fuikbaai is only accessible by boat, so I had high expectations of finding a nice, secluded beach. And yes, you will most likely have the beach to yourself but it’s definitely not one of the nice beaches that Curaçao is famous for.

It’s a few small patches of rocky beach surrounded by cacti, rocks, and mangroves.

Snorkeling here isn’t spectacular either since it’s all just seagrass and sand. But, if you are lucky you might see a turtle.

It’s a nice and quiet anchorage though and especially around sunset and sunrise the calm bay, and the view of cacti, rocks and mangroves as the sky changes colors feels very serene.

And, if you go here during the week you’ll most likely have the anchorage to yourself.

On weekends it can get more crowded with local boats and jet skis.

If it wasn’t for the anchorage permit I’d say try this anchorage for a night or two as a nice, quiet, and easy break from Spanish Water. But, having to go all the way to the other side of Willemstad just to get the permit, I’d say use your time to anchor at Santa Cruz and Klein Curaçao first, before you decide to spend your time anchoring here.

Note About the Official Anchorages When Sailing in Curacao

The anchorages listed above are the officially allowed anchorages, which you can visit with an anchoring permit.

Those are the official rules.

But, although you’ll see the coast guard on a regular basis, they seem to pay little attention to what you do on your sailboat.

Therefore you may find people recommending other anchorages or people sailing around Curaçao without the correct cruising permits. How and where you decide to sail around Curaçao is of course up to you!

Marinas in Curacao

Although you’ll find many marinas on Google Maps, as a visiting sailboat there are only really two marinas : Seru Boca Marina and Curacao Marine.

The other marinas you see around Spanish Water don’t cater to sailboats. You could try to contact them though, as I have heard of one or two sailboats using a different dock in Spanish Water.

I contacted the yacht club, who also have a small marina, but they literally said they don’t cater to visiting sailboats…

And then there is Royal Marine in Piscadera Bay, which I described above, but because of the negative reviews I won’t recommend them.

So, here I’ll stick with a description of the two main marinas for sailboats visiting Curacao.

1. Seru Boca Marina

This is a small, quiet marina tucked away in a far corner of Spanish Water.

If you are looking for a quiet place to stay or are planning to leave your boat in Curaçao while you leave the island, this is a perfect marina.

It’s quiet, it’s safe, and seems well maintained.

There aren’t really any facilities here (think shops, laundry service, boat services, or even a bar or restaurant on site) but you are right next to the golf course, there is a bar / restaurant within walking distance, and the rest of Spanish Water you can explore by dinghy.

The main downside for me is that you’re on the far end of Spanish Water , where the bus doesn’t stop. If you rent a car, that’s no problem, but if you rely on public transport to get around, this marina is very remote.

Seru Boca Marina doesn’t have haul-out facilities nor a boatyard. For that, you’ll have to go to Curaçao Marine.

2. Curaçao Marine

When I first sailed to Curaçao I thought we might stay in Curaçao Marine for a while, because it looks nice and close to Willemstad, and therefore close to facilities and activities. It’s not that type of marina though.

Curaçao Marine is the place you use if you need to do work on the boat. You can either stay on their dock or haul out, and they have a sizeable boatyard with good facilities .

The staff can help you source pretty much anything you need, but it’s by no means the cheapest marina you’ve ever seen. And, I’ve been told they don’t appreciate it when you use your own contacts to help you get work done on the boat.

There is a small but nice bar a short walk from the marina. The marina is not nearly as close to Willemstad as I thought but you can walk to the city.

Renting a car might still be what you want to do though, especially if you expect several trips to the chandlery and/or hardware store.

Curaçao Marine is often fully booked , so if you need anything done, do plan ahead!

Safety Concerns When Sailing in Curacao

I have to say I have always felt quite safe in Curaçao . And that includes me walking around alone as a woman after dark.

The population in Curaçao is very diverse, meaning that no matter what you look like, you could be someone living on the island and are therefore not automatically seen as a tourist and an easy target.

But, like most Caribbean islands, there are some safety concerns in Curaçao.

Dinghy theft in Spanish Water isn’t uncommon. Reports say this mainly happens at night from the dinghy dock, even though there is a security guard there.

The person we rented our car from while we were anchored in Spanish Water told us to be careful parking it here, as it’s not the safest. Apart from breaking into cars or stealing cars they even sometimes steal car batteries, or so she told us.

One sailor I spoke to mentioned that the car rental agency he tried to use wouldn’t rent to him because he was staying in Spanish Water.

That being said, there is safety in numbers and you’ll always be surrounded by other anchored sailboats in Spanish Water. We’ve left our boat for a night or two to stay on land several times and felt completely safe to do so.

Official reports state that Curaçao has a relatively low crime rate by regional standards, with only rare incidents of violent crime directed at foreign visitors. The main tourist areas are safe, with few instances of street or opportunistic crime.

Crime rates have unfortunately increased significantly in recent years.

And of course, as with any destination you visit, I do recommend you to be careful. Watch your belongings, don’t walk through dark alleys, and lock your dinghy.

Also Read: How to Stay Safe While Traveling

Things to Do in Curacao

1. explore willemstad.

Willemstad is such a beautiful city!

Its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with colorful houses that are generally very well maintained.

The city also offers a wide range of good cafes and restaurants, plus a good selection of shops. On top of that, there are several museums, the famous Queen Emma bridge, and a colorful fruit & vegetable market.

2. Go Scuba Diving

Or snorkeling.

Curaçao is known for its beautiful underwater world and it’s true, there are many good dive and snorkeling sites that are easily accessible.

I did a nice boat dive with Go West Diving.

But, if you have your own dive gear the great thing about Curacao is that you have so many easy shore dives.

Also Read: How to Snorkel – Simpel & Practical Snorkeling Tips

3. Explore Different Beaches

Curacao boasts more than 35 beaches. So you definitely can’t leave the island without checking out a few.

Kleine knip is popular among locals, Piskado Beach is great for spotting turtles, and Kokomo is one of my favorites.

For more information about the main beaches, Curacao.com has a good list here .

Also Read: Why You Shouldn’t Take Shells From the Beach and 15 of the Best Beaches in the World to Visit

4. Enjoy all the Great Restaurant Options

Curacao has so many great restaurants!

If you’d like to just walk around and pick a restaurant at random, then I’d recommend going to Pietermaai in the evening.

Mambo beach also offers a range of choices, including Hemmingway which I really enjoyed.

If you find yourself closer to Westpunt, then Blue View Sunset Terrace is a good option. Or, a little further south, Landhuis Santa Martha.

But really, there are too many good restaurants to list here. I’d recommend reading some reviews on Google Maps and choosing your favorites.

Other Things to Do in Curacao

One of the great things about Curacao is how many things you can do here.

From a simple evening in a good quality cinema to a cool ATV tour.

Taste the original Curacao liquor at Chobolobo, visit one of Curacao’s many well-kept estates (a ‘landhuis’ in Dutch) or hike up the Christoffel Mountain, the highest point in Curacao.

Visit the tourist board’s website for a more complete list of things to do in Curacao.

Where to Stay in Curacao

Do you want to get off the boat for a few nights? Or do you have friends or family visiting who would like to stay on land?

Then thankfully there is a very wide range of accommodation available in Curaçao.

I’d recommend using Booking.com for anything from hotels to apartment rentals. I found Airbnb a bit limited on the island.

These are some of the places I myself or visiting family and friends enjoyed staying at in Curaçao.

Where to Stay in Curaçao Close to Spaanse Water

1. casa amalia.

Casa Amalia is a good budget option with comfortable rooms, great air conditioning, friendly staff, and a nice, albeit small, pool area.

It’s less than a 10-minute walk to the dinghy dock in Spanish Water so that made it perfect for my family to stay.

Around the corner from Casa Amalia you can find Bed & Bike , which also offers dorm rooms, as an even more economical option.

2. Papagayo

If you want a bit more luxury and to be right by the beach then Papagayo is a great resort.

It does put you a good 20-minute walk from Spanish Water, but it’s a nice area.

Where to Stay in Curaçao Around Willemstad

I love the fact that Willemstad is such a nice, walkable city with a lot to offer. So, when we first sailed to Curaçao I decided to spend some time in Willemstad to enjoy easy access to cafes to work from, shops, culture, and restaurants.

These are my recommendations for where to stay in Willemstad.

1. San Marco Hotel & Casino

The San Marco Hotel is one of the cheapest hotels in Willemstad but I thought it was great!

The rooms are basic but comfortable, the hotel has a very nice and modern lobby and everything is well maintained.

Plus, the hotel puts you right in the center of Punda, meaning that literally everything in Willemstad is within walking distance.

It can get a little noisy at night since you are in the center of town.

2. Avila Beach Hotel

Pietermaai is the area where people seem to go in the evening. It has a great selection of restaurants and a number of good bars.

Therefore for my second stay in Willemstad I decided to splurge a little and stay at Avila Beach Hotel .

I can highly recommend it!

The resort has nice beaches, great service, a lovely beach bar and restaurant and a good location to walk to other restaurants at night, or to walk into Willemstad at any time of day.

Note: there are many boutique hotels in Pietermaai as well that come highly recommended such as BijBlauw and Boho Bohemian Boutique Hotel . 

Final Thoughts About Sailing in Curacao

I’ve spent several months sailing in Curaçao after previously visiting the island without a boat.

As you can probably tell from this article, I don’t think Curaçao is the best place to visit by boat.

I enjoyed sailing in Grenada a lot more, and Saint Lucia and St Maarten also cater to cruisers a lot better. The BVI and Saint Vincent & the Grenadines are even better sailing destinations.

So, although I wouldn’t recommend Curaçao as the ultimate cruising destination, it does serve some purposes:

1. It’s outside of the Caribbean hurricane belt. 2. It’s easier to get parts shipped here from the USA or Europe than on many other Caribbean islands. 3. Flights to Europe (most notably The Netherlands) are relatively cheap, outside of high season.

And, even though sailing in Curaçao might not be perfect , the island does have enough to offer to keep you entertained for a while.

Willemstad is quite possibly my favorite capital city of all the smaller Caribbean Islands.

Supermarkets here are well stocked and not too expensive to Caribbean standards, locals are friendly and easy to strike up a conversation with and the cruisers community in Spanish Water is welcoming and lively.

So, if you do have to sit out hurricane season somewhere, now you have an idea of what sailing in Curaçao will be like!

And, definitely combine it with a visit to Bonaire if you love scuba diving !

• Sailing in the Caribbean – The Best Places & Other Things to Know
• An Online Sailing Guide for Grenada
• Sailing in Saint Lucia – Anchorages, Sailing Tips and More
• Anchoring in Mullet Bay, Sint Maarten
• Sailing Across the Atlantic – My Experiences
• Sailing in the Azores – Practical Tips & Things to Know

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This online Curaçao sailing guide contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no additional cost to you.

2 thoughts on “Sailing in Curaçao – Sailing Tips, Anchorages & More”

Absolutely fascinating! Tying up at The Pier restaurant and then walking in to have a meal sounds frightfully chi-chi! So, because of the potential car crime, it sounds like your catamaran not only needs a dinghy, but also a quad bike!

Haha yes, a quad bike would be great fun to have!! But I might have to settle for a folding bicycle 😉

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Created by Mar y San Design

Professional BoatBuilder Magazine

Arion celebrates her 70th anniversary.

By Dieter Loibner , May 12, 2021

Arion races upwind on Narragansett Bay. The world’s first auxiliary sailing yacht made of fiberglass turned 70.

She’s a slender double-ended ketch that kissed the water for the first time on May 15, 1951. Drawn by A. Sidney DeWolf Herreshoff, Arion measures 42 ‘ (12.8m) overall and 37 ‘ 11 “ (11.55m) on the waterline, with an 8 ‘ 1 “ (2.45m) beam, a 5 ‘ 6 “ draft (1.68m), a displacement of 10,500 lbs (4,757 kg) with nearly half, or 5,000 lbs (2,265 kg), as ballast, flying 562 sq ft (52.2m2) of canvas upwind. The boat was at the vanguard of a development that revolutionized boatbuilding and dramatically expanded the market of potential boat owners. Seven decades ago, fiberglass emerged as the “miracle material” that enabled cost-effective production with the use of tooling, despite Sidney’s brother, L. Francis Herreshoff, famously deriding it as “frozen snot.”

Commissioned by Verner Z. Reed, then the commodore of the Ida Lewis Yacht Club in Newport, Rhode Island, Arion emerged from the shed of The Anchorage in Warren, Rhode Island, where several hundred smaller fiberglass boats had been built from 1946 on. “Built of no-upkeep ‘Dyeresin,’ she’s the world’s largest one piece [sic] reinforced plastic yacht,” a magazine ad heralded the boat. “Smooth as an eel and strong as steel, won’t twist, work or leak. Her construction, prolonging life and GREATLY REDUCING THE COST OF YACHTING, makes her the Boat of the Future,” the ad continued.

At The Anchorage, personal protection was not yet mandatory for yard workers during hull layup.

Yachting magazine detailed the novel building technique: “The construction is interesting since there are no frames, longitudinal stringers or ‘backbone,’ rigidity being obtained by skin thickness and hull form. Her skin varies from ¼ “ [6mm] at the sheer to over 1 “ [25mm] at the keel pad.… Decks, cabin tops and watertight cockpit are of waterproof plywood covered with glass cloth and pigmented resin.”

Arion Rings in the Revolution

Her sweet lines and light weight made Arion a force on the race course. And builder W.J.H. Dyer, who’s also the resin’s name patron, was quoted in a local paper: “The hull is quite flexible, not brittle…it is easy and inexpensive to repair.” To say nothing about superior resistance to damage inflicted by marine growth and the lack of appeal to pests like termites or worms, which can wreak havoc on wooden hulls. Her many virtues should have assured Arion ’s commercial success, but that’s not how it panned out.

Boatbuilder Damian McLaughlin saved and restored Arion before relaunching her in 2001.

Even though Dyer’s predictions were spot-on and this vessel was a catalyst for a boatbuilding materials revolution that created a new industry and put millions of people on the water, Arion remained a unicorn. Eventually she fell on hard times as a derelict boat in a field, until she was rescued from a potential date with the chainsaw. Her savior was Massachusetts boatbuilder Damian McLaughlin , who made his name constructing oceangoing multihulls designed by the likes of Dick Newick, Chris White, and James Wharram, and also has a predilection for conventional monohull designs by Herres­hoff, Sparkman & Stephens, and Chuck Paine. Arion was just what McLaughlin had been looking for, “long, lean, light and low,” as he states in “The Story of Arion ,” posted on his website. In essence, he wanted a bigger version of L. Francis Herreshoff’s seminal canoe-bodied 28 ‘ (8.53 m) ketch Rozinante, a successful design that still enjoys a following today.

Cosmetically, Arion was a disaster after many years of neglect, but her structure was sound, without any noticeable delamination or excessive moisture in the fiberglass. McLaughlin bought her and started the rehab. Matthew Smith assisted with a lines plan, hydrostatic calculations, and drawings for a new rig. McLaughlin set to work, replacing interior, deck, deckhouse, keel, and aft cabin before relaunching her in Pocasset, Massachusetts, in June 2001, nearly 50 years to the day when Arion first tasted the brine.

“To me it was the resurrection of an antiquity, an archeological excavation, and the assembly of what I thought to be the perfect combination for sailing/cruising,” he explains on his website. “I have been ecstatic over the discoveries of the attributes of this vessel [that I] learned while rebuilding her, getting her tuned, and just sailing her.”

Sidney DeWolf Herreshoff’s drawings show Arion’s sensible arrangement and elegant proportions.

Arion is not a stripped-out camper, he explains, with hull and deck getting plenty of support from six full bulkheads, while floor timbers support the keel. In terms of creature comforts, he lists galley, stove, sink and refrigerator, small settee, enclosed head, two single and two double berths in two separate cabins, and 14 opening ports, inspired by L. Francis Herreshoff’s Goldenball . The boat even has plenty of standing headroom, as long as one stays on deck. “It’s a sailboat, not a kitchen and a bathroom you can take sailing,” McLaughlin quipped, because to him, good boats must move well. Sailing the boat reefed down with his wife, he claims the knotmeter hit 13.9. “She is very fast, with an easy motion; she sails herself with almost no input on the tiller, and she maneuvers inside the harbor like a 15 ‘ day sailor [sic],” he writes in his website. To drive home the point he tells this anecdote: “On Arion the batteries went dead at times because I never used the engine, always sailed her to and from the mooring.”

That does not mean he did not find plenty to improve. McLaughlin said he disliked the sag in the headstay, so he reinforced the wooden spars with carbon fiber, changed the rig to 7/8, and added running backstays. Increasing the size of the main and doubling the rudder’s depth [not length, Ed.] “made a big difference in handling,” he said.

Inspiring a Wooden Replica

Only a year later, McLaughlin started building the Walter Greene , a wooden replica of Arion for a client who’d fallen in love with the shape and appearance of this boat (see also WoodenBoat No. 200, page 74), thus reversing the common procedure that brings about fiberglass copies of wooden boats (e.g., Dragon, Nordic Folkboat, Herreshoff’s 12½ and Alerion, and many others). Walter Greene very much resembled Arion , but her new wooden hull was somewhat lighter, which prompted McLaughlin to add 1,000 lbs of ballast in the keel, which made her stiffer upwind and helped her win the Opera House Cup.

In 2012, Arion was bought by Steve Frary , a now-retired business executive who had grown up sailing Blue Jays in Barrington, Rhode Island, and later was a deckhand on the Bill of Rights , a replica of the gaff schooner Wanderer . Frary found an online advertisement for the boat and liked the idea of owning a Sidney Herreshoff design, as he had also owned boats by Nathanael Greene Herreshoff and L. Francis Herreshoff.

He also liked the looks of this double-ended ketch and the center cockpit arrangement, which was unusual for Herreshoff. Primarily, Frary bought the boat for practical reasons and the performance potential hinted by her long waterline, narrow beam, and relatively light displacement. “All sailors are racers at some point,” he laughed as he explained that he wanted a “daysailer with weekend capabilities for my young family, a boat that was fun and easy to sail, either single- or doublehanded,” adding, “I did not quite understand what I had until I got deeper into the project.”

A deckbeam is fitted on the aft cabin.

That project was a no-expenses-spared affair at Snediker Yacht Restoration in Pawcatuck, Connecticut, including a new cabintop with two layers of 1⁄4 “ marine ply and 1⁄4 “ Sitka spruce, with V-jointed staving running fore-and-aft, and varnished white oak deckbeams, all covered with one layer of glass cloth and Dynel on the outside and then Awlgripped. “We built it upside down on a female jig off the boat to allow prefinishing and installation of the deckbeams,” explained David Snediker. The interior is all teak, with a cypress ceiling. The yard also installed all new systems and tankage, a new 28-hp Yanmar 3YM30 auxiliary diesel, and built new main and staysail booms. “The original glass is in amazingly good shape. We repaired only about 12 blisters,” Snediker added. “Her hull construction is interesting, [consisting] of pigmented resin and narrow cloth strips. Hull thickness tapers from about 1⁄4 “ at the sheer to 13⁄4 “ at the garboard area, [with] yellow pine deadwood between the bottom of the keel and the ballast. Ballast bolts are Monel.”

Arion’s Restoration for Future Generations

While the restoration added some amenities, it also increased Arion ’s displacement to around 11,800 lbs (5.35 t), according to Frary.  “She [still] covers a lot of ground quickly, doing 8.5 knots, no problem,” he said. He mostly day-sails and races her around Narragansett Bay, with an occasional overnighter. Truth is that her narrow beam of 8 ‘ and her low freeboard, which define her distinctive looks and generate compliments, can also make for a wet ride when the breeze and chop are up.

Crew at Snediker Yacht Restoration assemble Arion’s new housetop, turned upside down. It comprises marine ply and Sitka spruce staving on white oak deckbeams.

On the other hand, the boat is “300% overbuilt,” as Frary observed, so she can take a licking. Her robust constitution is the reason she survived her first 70 years and is still around to dazzle those who like the classic looks of a Herreshoff design. But back in the day, building this performance-oriented design in a new and unproven material was a huge gamble for Dyer. As history shows, his vision for fiberglass as a boatbuilding material was correct, but no other boats were built from Arion ’s mold, which makes her one of a kind and adds to her appeal.

Boldly predicting that she “could be around for another 100 years,” Frary said he intends to pass her down to his daughter Elizabeth and son Nathaniel. They are already steeped in her lore and the history that informed her design. Halsey Herreshoff, Sidney’s son, was a high school senior when the vessel was launched in 1951. He accompanied his father and Bill Dyer on the shakedown cruise, and several years ago used Sidney’s original drawings to carve a white-oak tiller, which he presented to Frary’s children.

By the look of things, Arion , the boat that started it all, continues to write her own story. (See also, “Still Ticking,” a 2015 Rovings item in PBB No. 157.)

Damian McLaughlin Jr. Corporation, 294 Sam Turner Rd., North Falmouth, MA 02556 USA, tel. 508–563–3075.

Snediker Yacht Restoration, 22 Mechanic Rd., Paw­­catuck, CT 06379 USA, tel. 860–599–0800.

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Boat Anchoring Techniques Explained (Illustrated Guide)

The basics of anchoring in calm conditions in an anchorage with good holding aren't difficult to master, and you should start with basic anchoring techniques if you haven't read it already and practiced setting your hook.

This article is for when anchoring isn't so easy, but you still have to stop your boat and stay secure. There are several approaches you can take for anchoring in tricky bottoms, bad weather, or in other special situations where conditions are less than ideal.

Your tools are skills and equipment, and a little advance preparation can give you a lot of options.

On this page:

Solve difficult bottoms with different anchors, dealing with tough anchoring conditions, other situations that may prove difficult, special gear (how & why to use it).

We can solve most challenging bottoms with a different choice of anchor, but that's not always an option since you can't stock your bow locker with every type of anchor on the market. Most sailors have two anchors - a primary all around anchor, and a backup. When choosing your backup anchor, make sure it's different from your primary, since two anchors of the same type don't buy you anything with varying bottom conditions.

With most tricky bottoms, more scope is always better than less. So if your anchorage has the swing space, add an extra helping of rope or chain when you set.

Most difficult bottom: rocks

Rocky bottoms and solid rock are probably the most difficult anchoring, since it's nearly impossible for an anchor to cut into the bottom and set. Solid rock is trickier than a rock strewn bottom, and nearly impossible to get a good holding without a lot of weight. A spade or plow can find something to dig into with a rocky bottom, but not much can hold on solid rock.

Fisherman's anchor

The fisherman's anchor is a good choice for rocky bottoms, since it relies more on weight and catching than on digging in like fluke and spade anchors. Mushroom anchors can work, but both mushroom and fisherman's anchors must be heavy to hold, since the weight of the anchor has to do a lot of the work.

On-shore anchors

As an alternative to anchoring, consider using things on shore like trees and other fixtures with a deep water stern anchor. If you can get a stern anchor to set outside the rocks, you can run a line to shore and keep your boat in place.

Use a trip line instead

And if you know you're anchoring in rocks, consider using a trip line. Or if you have a slotted anchor shank, like you'll find on a Rocna, Manson, or other modern anchor, be sure to move the shackle there before you drop anchor - it will help you recover it and decrease your chances of getting stuck fast.

Anchors don't dig in in soft silt

Anchors tend to just sink into silt and soft mud, then drag through without digging in when you try to set them. Thick silt isn't much thicker than water at the top of it, and your anchor has nothing to catch. Anchoring in a really soft bottom requires patience, since your best technique is to let the anchor settle into the soft mud before you try to set.

Drop your anchor in the selected spot, but when you get some scope out, let it sit for a while. A long while - in some places it can take fifteen to thirty minutes for your anchor to sink through the ooze to reach med think enough to catch.

Once you're gotten your anchor nestled into the silt, try setting it gently. Idling back on it in reverse should help it catch in the thicker mud under the soft stuff. Avoid a final "hard set" with this bottom type unless you're expecting some wind.

Avoid false sets in weeds and grass

Like rock bottoms, your best choice for a weedy bottom is an anchor which works well in weeds. Some anchors can not cut through the tough mat of roots and fiber under a weed bed, or have flukes which tangle in the vegetation instead of digging in.

Roll bar anchors will work

Modern roll bar anchors do pretty well in weeds and grass, but some plow and fluke anchors can be quite difficult to set. If your primary anchor is a CQR, fluke, or other anchor known to fare poorly in grass and weeds, try another anchor if you have one.

One caution - even the best anchors for grass and weeds may "false set" on you. They can catch on the grass and weeds and feel like they've caught bottom, but if they load up or the wind shifts, you may have troubles. Take extra care to back down hard to make sure your anchor is dug into the bottom.

Avoid coral heads if you can

Coral heads or "bommies" are in tropical anchorages all over the world, and some remote atolls give you no choice but to anchor near or among them. Anchoring badly among bommies can cause a mess - your anchor chain will get snaked and wrapped through and around the coral heads. Not only is this hard to get out of, but it is terrible for the coral and you should avoid it.

Set up floats

The first thing to look for around coral heads is a large patch of clear sand to drop your anchor. It may be tough to find, but you don't want to drop your anchor on top of hard coral. You won't be likely to find enough open sand for your whole swing range, so you'll need to rig up some floats to keep your chain out of the coral.

Your goal is to get the last 1/3 of the chain to hold you on the bottom, but use your string of three or more fenders to keep the rest of the chain suspended in the water above the coral heads. Your fenders will almost completely sink while you do this, but they will keep the chain from getting tangled.

Start by making your initial drop on that patch of clear sand and let up from one third to one half your expected rode out. Then tie a fender to the chain with a stout line and let out another 1/3 of the remaining rode. Tie on another fender, and let out another 1/3 of the remaining rode. Tie on a third fender, and let out the remaining rode and snub it.

Anything which reduces visibility and hearing, adds shifting forces on the boat, or increases the loads on your anchor will add a challenge to your successful anchoring. If you plan and practice, you can get through it and get a good set.

Communication is key when you have someone on the bow and someone on the helm, and well-practiced hand signals are a must. Headsets can help, but if you use them, make sure you have hand signals to back them up.

Prepare in case of heavy weather

Anchoring in bad weather is fraught with difficulty. Driving rain cuts visibility, howling winds can make communication near impossible even with headsets, and heavy wind will drive you out of position quickly as you try to get the anchor down to the bottom.

The best first step to anchoring in bad weather is to talk your plan out ahead of time. You may have trouble communicating with the person on the bow, so if everyone on board knows the plan for anchoring, you'll do better if you can't hear each other or see hand signals. Heavy weather anchoring cuts across a lot of the tough conditions in our list, but if you're trying to escape a bad weather system, you may have little choice but to deal with it once you've ducked out of open water into a more protected anchorage.

High wind will make positioning hard

High wind causes several problems anchoring. The first is the effect on the boat - with a lot of wind, your boat's windage is much more pronounced, and as you slow down to anchor, it becomes harder to hold the boat on station and put the hook where you want it. Your bow is much more likely to fall off, and while idling into position you may even get blown to a stop or pushed backwards. If you stop, you lose the ability to steer and the wind may push you out of position.

When holding station to drop anchor, try these tips:

• Use a little more engine power and come up to your anchor drop point with a little more speed to maintain steerage. Not a lot more, but an extra knot can keep your ability to steer.
• You will blow backward quickly, so don't let the boat fall back until you've got enough rode out to hit bottom. Use small pulses of the engine forward to stay in place without overrunning the chain.
• If you have main furling, cheating a tiny amount of sail out can help keep you pointed into the wind, like an anchoring sail on your stern might. You don't want too much sail area, since it may start driving the boat forward or even cause heeling. But a small triangle can help keep the boat in irons so you aren't swinging all over as you drop.

Communication will be harder

The other complication is communication - wind won't affect your hand signals, but wind noise can mess with radios by causing a loud hiss in your microphones that drowns out voices. If you use headsets with foam wind mufflers, make sure they're installed. If you don't have them or are using handhelds, a little piece of cloth can cut that wind hissing right out. A thin sock slipped over a handheld radio looks silly, but does a great job muffling wind noise.

Low visibility requires lights or radar

You can lose your visibility in heavy rain, fog, or darkness. Your solutions for each are a little different, as is the impact.

The primary risk of using hand signals without radios is lost visibility; if you can't see the bow, you can't communicate. In darkness, the fix is easy. Make sure bow and helm people have lights, and shine them on your hands when signaling (and not in each other's eyes!). Headlamps work well for this, since helm and bow both need their hands.

Lights won't help you in driving rain or fog, there you will need to do your best with hand signals or use a waterproof radio on the bow. Fortunately, rain and fog are rarely heavy enough to block vision from the helm to the bow, but if it is talking, your plan out first is critical.

If you have radar, make sure it's on when you come into an anchorage in poor visibility, and zoom it in far enough to distinguish boats and estimate distances. While everyone should have lights, we all know there's no guarantee of it. And judging distance from anchor lights in the dark is difficult. Whether it's fog, rain, or dark, your radar can light up the boats around you and give you a clue about their relative positions as you pick your place to drop anchor.

Tidal currents may cause drag

Dropping in tidal currents isn't difficult, but staying anchored can be. A strong pull in one direction can give you a great set, but when the tide changes and starts ripping a couple of knots in the other direction, it can pull your anchor out and cause you to drag.

When anchoring in a tidal zone, always note where you are in the tidal cycle - how much time until the next high or low, and which way it's moving. For the most extreme tidal currents, consider a Bahamian Moor with your two anchors in line with the current. For more details, see our article on using two anchors .

REMEMBER - most places with tidal currents also have a pretty big tidal swing. When you figure out your scope, you need to calculate your ratio from the top of high tide, so you don't get caught up short if you anchor near low tide.

If you anchor with only one anchor, take care to set extra hard, and use extra scope if there is room. Expect your anchor to reset every tide cycle, so the extra rode will give it time to re-bury itself, or even keep it from resetting.

Avoid anchoring in deep water in bad weather

Anchoring out in deep water always feels like standing on the edge of a cliff; there was never quite enough grip to really rest or feel comfortable. But sometimes, you have no choice - it's all there is, but it may be a little nerve-wracking.

If you have an all-chain rode, you can anchor in water up to about 1/3 of your rode length in calm and settled conditions . The conditions are the key - if you can not get out enough scope for wind and weather, you should not stay in a deep anchorage if bad weather develops.

For more detail, check out our article on deep water anchoring:

How to Anchor a Boat in Deep Water (like the ocean)

Sometimes, anchoring isn't so hard, but once you get settled in, you realize things aren't as comfortable as you hoped. When we dropped anchor at Santa Cruz in the Galapagos, it was comfortable when we arrived. But a few hours later, the ocean swell started coming in, and the wind on our bow kept us pointed across the incoming rollers, resulting in a sickening side-to-side roll as the boat swung at anchor.

This is avoidable.

Roll and Chop

If you're in an anchor with a lot of roll in it, set a stern anchor to point your bow into the roll and chop instead of letting your boat swing in the breeze and roll side to side. The up and down motion is much easier on your inner ear and will let you sleep at night. Don't worry about swinging into the wind unless you're expecting bad weather. But if you're expecting bad weather, an anchorage subject to swell isn't a good place to be, anyway.

The key is to keep the roll from hitting the side of your boat and creating that horrid motion.

Tight Quarters

Anchorages can be tight in two ways - they can be crowded, or they can be small or narrow. For crowded anchorages, look at our specific advice on handling a crowd .

With a tight anchorage, you don't want to risk swinging into shallows or bumping into rocks or other hazards. Fortunately, there are a few ways to deal with this.

• Use a stern anchor
• Try a Bahamian Moor if there is room; it should keep your boat swinging on a single point.
• Tie one or more lines to shore to stop you from swinging.

The goal of these approaches is to keep your boat fixed in position or in a very limited swing radius. The best tool will depend on where you are anchoring and how much space you have with sound things to tie off to.

The market is awash with products to help you anchor more easily, but do they all work? The short answer is that some of them can help you, in some circumstances, but the effectiveness of some of them is debatable. And you can cause difficulties if you misuse them.

A kellet is a weight you attach to a midpoint in the catenary on the anchor rode. The theory is that it pulls the rode down more sharply to the bottom and gives a better angle of attack for pulling loads on the anchor shank. This is supposed to help increase holding power. Evidence and testing shows that once the wind blows hard enough to straighten out the rode, the effect of a kellet goes almost to zero for adding holding power.

That doesn't mean they have no value, especially with rope/chain combination rodes. A kellet can reduce the swinging and dancing your boat does at anchor by holding the rode down. But don't expect it to perform any miracles for you while anchored out in a forty-knot blow.

Anchor swivels eliminate twisting in the rode when you pull up the anchor. Some anchors are prone to spin like propellers when they hauled through the water, and this can put an undesirable twist in chain and rope. Too much twist can cause binding and knotting, and make pulling the anchor up in the right orientation to slide into the bow roller challenging.

If you are experience twist in your rode, look into swivels. Some manufacturers suggest them for their anchors, so heed their advice if you choose their anchors.

But an unnecessary swivel adds another weak point to your anchor rode, so if there is no need for one, don't add it. It's one more moving part to corrode, seize up, or break.

Trip lines are handy ways to get leverage on our anchor from points other than the end of the shank where the rode attaches. Many anchors provide extra loops, rings, and attachment points for a trip line, and they can be very helpful with obstructions on the bottom. Everything from rocks to discarded junk can catch on your anchor, and pulling a plow from the front may be a better way to dislodge it than hauling straight up on the shank.

You can rig trip lines with a float, or a line can be secure to the rode when the anchor is set. Either way, you need to take some care that the trip line doesn't tangle into the anchor or break loose until you need it.

Marker Floats

Marking a trip line with a float is an easy and convenient way to keep your trip line clear of the business end of the anchor, while making retrieval easier since you'll know exactly where your anchor is.

But they will make you very unpopular in a crowded anchorage, and you should only use them when there is plenty of space around you.

Remember - everyone swings together in a crowded field, and there will be times when your boat will swing right over someone else's anchor. If that anchor has a floating ball and a line on it, there's a risk it can bang your boat or get fouled on your rudder or propeller. A marker float increases how much open water you and your boat take up, and few people use them for this reason.

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Complete guide to anchoring and moorings

• Complete guide to anchoring

Each year countless new marinas, piers and buoy fields pop up across the Adriatic for sailors to spend the night at, which makes it perfect if you prefer not to anchor in the seabed. In Greece, however, you won't have so much luck — there are fewer harbours and piers, and the most picturesque bays are designed purely for anchoring. So if you don't want to miss out on the best spots, you'll have no choice but to anchor. Therefore, we bring you our comprehensive guide to anchoring techniques, addressing the most frequently asked questions and problems faced.

Types of anchor

Charter boats usually have one main and one spare anchor. For recreational sailing boats, it is recommended that it carries at least two anchors. The larger main one is located on a mount at the bow and in 99 % of cases this is the anchor you will be using. Weighing around 10–30 kilograms, you'll be able to lift it with your hands if necessary. The spare anchor is usually a smaller folding anchor that can be found in the cockpit locker. However, there are countless types of anchor out there and often multiple names for one type.

The best known anchors are:

• Fisherman or Admiralty anchor
• CQR or Plough anchor

Most common type of anchor on charter boats in Croatia.

The anchor is either attached to the end of a chain or rope (the rode). On most of our rental boats, the main anchor is on a chain.

How to choose an anchorage

Although every bay has its own beauty, not every bay is suitable for anchoring. So, what should you consider when choosing a bay to anchor overnight?

For the chain, it is recommended to cast a length 3–5 times the depth plus the bow height. As the chain length on charter boats is around 50–70 metres, it follows that you'd have no chance of a properly anchoring at a depth of 30 metres. Anchoring at a depth you are unable to dive to or where the visibility is poor is also not recommended. And there aren't many who can dive 30 metres on a single breath. Therefore, this makes the ideal depth for anchoring around 3–10 metres.

YACHTING.COM TIP: Caution! Don't forget to add the bow height when calculating the chain length. Some sailboats are up to 2 metres high and t his would even make a difference at a depth of just 3 metres, reducing its effectiveness.

Consider that a boat at anchor rotates around a certain point in a radius determined by the length of the chain. Therefore, the narrower the bay, the more likely you are to get dangerously close to the shore. Therefore choose bays that tend to be wider and where moving around will not put you at risk of colliding with the shore or running aground.

What type of seabed is best for anchoring? That's the million-dollar question. It is largely agreed that an anchor holds best on a bed consisting of mud and clay, or clay and sand, the worst being rock or very soft mud. It is also an issue when dense seagrass or algae cover the bed, as the anchor can it pick up and not hold as it should.

Expected wind direction

Choosing a bay to anchor overnight should primarily be done with expected wind direction in mind. The bay should be as sheltered as possible. If conditions don't allow this, the wind should at least be travelling out of the bay. A place where the wind blows towards the bay, i.e. driving the boat ashore, is a real hell for sailors. Avoid bays like this and don't attempt to anchor there. If the wind were to pick up and with force, you could literally get trapped here, unable to anchor or fight your way out against the wind.

YACHTING.COM TIP: Don't rely on just one source of information to estimate the wind direction for the night. We recommend combining  windy.com  with a trusted offshore forecast site like  marine.meteoconsult.co.uk . And be sure to check local forecast sites as well — for Croatia, for example,  meteo.hr .

Number of boats

Sometimes we simply arrive late and the bay is already full. If this is the case, don't squeeze in between other boats at all costs — you'll be on edge all night as will the captains of the surrounding boats. Physical theory rightly states that all boats should be turning in the same direction at anchor, meaning a collision between boats at anchor shouldn't occur. In practice, however, each boat has a different shaped hull, a different weight, and the anchor doesn't always hold securely. A collision in a bay is not exactly the experience you want to take home from your holiday. So always keep a good distance from nearby boats when anchoring.

Keep at least a boat length apart from surrounding boats.

Have a plan B

After the tenth attempt, your anchor still might not be holding. The crew will be getting fed up, you'll be tired and night will be closing in. So don't underestimate preparation and always have a plan B in mind in case anchoring at your chosen spot doesn't work out. That's why we also recommend not anchoring just before sunset as you might end up hunting for a suitable spot in the dark. 

Planning on sailing in Greece? Check out our article on how to moor stern-to . This method is frequently required at local town piers, but also comes in handy when away from civilisation.

Where is anchoring forbidden?

Anchoring is prohibited wherever there is a no anchoring sign — a crossed-out anchor (the anchor can also be upside down). Commonly, these are places where the state wishes to protect the fauna or flora on the seabed, often national parks or other natural sites. And it is usually forbidden to anchor near a major underwater cable or other power lines. Information about where anchoring is prohibited can be found either directly on the shore where the sign is located, or in the pilot or charts for the area.

YACHTING.COM TIP: For sailing on the Adriatic, we recommend the pilot "777 Harbours and Anchorages". This is a comprehensive guide where you'll find all the bays, harbours and buoys with additional information and tips. You'll also find the anchorages and bays where anchoring is prohibited. This pilot is a must for sailing in Croatia.

More sailing tips:

The ultimate yacht cleaning kit

How to use a dinghy and outboard motor

5 reasons to get your skipper licence

8 reasons why Early Bird deals are worth it

Advanced sail trim techniques

Top 10 reasons boaters contact their insurers

How to have a nautical Christmas

12 tips: what every sailor should experience

Navigational aids: how to sail safely

How to anchor.

So, you have chosen the bay, assessed the quality of the seabed and now all that is left is the anchoring itself. The principle of anchoring is basically simple. However, you'd be surprised how many sailors simply drop anchor randomly somewhere and consider it a success. When anchoring, there are certain principles and procedures that need to be followed, which we will outline below. We will, of course, be dealing with anchoring on engine power, not under sail, although this is possible as well. However, this is more advanced and not common sailing practice.

Take a look around the bay

Naturally, it's a good idea to check the pilot for the area and read up on the bay for basic information on depth, currents and recommendations. Then, take a tour of your chosen bay. Send one crew member to the bow and have them report back to you what they see. Focus primarily on:

• How close the shore is and whether there are unmarked rocks just below the surface.
• Whether there are any obstructions, rubbish, cables, thick seagrass, etc., on the seabed.
• How many boats there are and where their anchors and chains are.

If you are in a bay where there are numerous boats, be careful not to hook your anchor onto someone else's anchor chain or anchor. In the worst cases, a newly arriving boat can pick up the anchor of another boat and cut it off. When the unsuspecting crew of the other boat discover their anchor isn't holding, they certainly won't thank you for it.

Choose a specific place to return to and drop anchor. It should preferably be free of seagrass and algae, otherwise the anchor might immediately get tangled up and won't hold. If this happens, you'd then have to pull the anchor up, remove the slimy algae or grass (which nobody wants to do) and drop it again.

Split the roles up

As with any boat manoeuvre, you need to brief the whole crew on what you're about to do and assign everyone a role. This might simply be just sitting in the cockpit and being quiet. The important thing is that no one obstructs your view, distracts you during the manoeuvre and everyone knows what to do and what not to do. Depending on the length of the boat and the wind, you also need to agree how you will communicate with the person dropping the anchor at the bow. 

Agree on signals

It is useful to agree on the signals you'll be using to indicate whether or not to drop the anchor, and whether to go to port or starboard. You'd be surprised how often sailors don't agree on signals in advance — the person at the bow is pointing to starboard, so the helmsman turns starboard, while the person at the bow is actually pointing to where the anchor is or where there is a shoal, mumbling something under his breath... Although, this makes for an interesting spectacle for the crews of other boats.

There is also the option of sending two people to the bow, one of whom acts as spokesperson, always turning towards the helmsman and shouting what is needed. However, reckon with the fact that in higher winds on a 50-foot boat, the helmsman is unlikely to hear anything clearly from the bow.

Unfasten the cotter pin

Before handling the anchor, be sure to unlock the clevis, cotter pin, rod or string that holds the anchor to the mount. Otherwise, you'll be lowering the chain with nothing on the end, and when you finally release the anchor, it will fall out and flail around destructively.

Switch on the windlass 

This might sound like a joke, but it's often forgotten about, leaving the skipper confused as to why the anchor won't drop. The anchor windlass has a special circuit breaker just for itself which is often located somewhere in the cabin, not on the control panel like all the other switches.

Lower the anchor and reverse

Dropping anchor is best done with the bow against the wind. Manoeuvre above your chosen spot (where there is no grass or obstructions) and lower the anchor gradually. Once it's on the seabed, start backing up slowly and continue lowering until there is as much chain out as you have calculated given the depth.

YACHTING.COM TIP: Caution! There is a lot of tension in the anchor windlass as it has to hold and pull a heavy anchor and chain. When dropping and winding in the anchor, give the windlass a few seconds break. Don't hold the windlass button for too long at a time. You could blow its fuses.

Next, back up a little more and tension the anchor. Don't be afraid to give it full throttle, stare at a fixed point on land, such as a vantage point or rock, and see if the boat backs up. Then put it into neutral and shut off the motor. It is said that the chain of a secure anchor vibrates slightly when reversing at full throttle.

Let everyone know

Last, but not least, when at anchor, you need to display the relevant day shape — the black ball, the anchor mark or anchor ball. It doesn't matter how you call it, as long as you display it. Sailors often don't know where to hang it on a boat but hanging it on the forestay or gennaker halyard and tying it to an auxiliary line has always worked for us (see the photo below). Wherever you attach it, boats in the vicinity will know you are at anchor and will adjust their sailing according to the COLREGs. The day shape for anchoring and for a vessel under sail and power can be found in the storage locker.

Don't forget to turn on the anchor light after dark. This is even more important than the day shape, because at night your boat will be almost invisible to other boats. It's not uncommon for the crew to have gone ashore for dinner, only for their unlit boat to become the guilty party in a collision.

If this boat didn't have the anchor light on, it would be almost invisible without the saloon lights.

Weighing anchor

When retrieving the anchor, assist the anchor windlass with engine power by driving towards the chain. Instruct one crew member to show you where to go to follow the chain. Be careful not to get the chain under the boat or hit the bow when pulling it out. After hauling it out, remember to secure the anchor on board with a shackle.

7 steps to ensure safety when anchoring

What should you take away from this article? To ensure your safety and a good night's rest, here are some key tips and tricks when anchoring in a bay.

1. Check that the anchor is actually holding

When anchoring, the skipper must always makes sure the anchor is holding by backing up and looking at a fixed point on land. This can also be repeated after being at anchor for some time. For example, check after an hour or two to make sure your boat hasn't moved too much.

2. Anchor shape, light, buoy — let others know you are anchored

You are not alone at sea and it's important to let others know that you are at anchor. Don't forget to display the day shape and turn on the anchor light. Some sailors also attach a small buoy to the anchor chain, which then floats in front of the bow to let others know an anchor is there.

3. Regularly monitor forecasts from multiple sources, even at anchor

Don't just take a look at the wind conditions for the night mid-afternoon, anchor, and then forget about it. Forecasts are frequently changing and the information needs to be monitored regularly. When anchoring, be most concerned about the wind and its direction so you don't get blown ashore and the waves don't prevent a restful night's sleep. We recommend that you monitor forecasts not just regularly, but also from multiple sources — often different weather models show different data and within moments may have a completely different forecast for the night.

YACHTING.COM TIP: Before anchoring, look not only at the strength and direction of the wind, but also at underwater currents that could potentially move your boat in an undesirable direction.

4. Check the anchor underwater

All skippers will have already been advised to take a diving course during the captain's course. One of the reasons for this is the ability to check your anchor properly. The ideal situation is if the captain is able to dive down, check the anchor is firmly secured and cut it off if it is snagged. However, it's enough to dive a little beneath the surface just to see if everything is holding as it should or the anchor is not covered with algae... The same applies to a mooring buoy, where visual inspection of the line and underwater anchor is strongly recommended.

YACHTING.COM TIP: Carry an ABC dive kit (snorkel, goggles, fins) with you on board so you are ready to dive down to the anchor, under the boat if you need to repair something, get something out of the propeller or rudder blade, or check the hull.

5. Put the fenders out for the night

To be on the safe side, put the fenders out at night. Not everyone does this, but in a bay where there are many boats it is recommended. You never know when your anchor or the anchor of other boats will come loose. Fenders will slow down or completely prevent your boat from being damaged at the side as a result of drifting.

6. Turn on Anchor Alarm or other anchor app

We recommend all sailors install the Anchor Alarm app or similar app on their smartphone. There's a huge range of apps with this feature on the market, most basic ones are free and almost all work on a similar principle. When you drop anchor, you press a button on the app and it remembers your location and the position of the anchor. Using the length of chain you let out, set the radius of your safe-zone. The app will then monitor your boat's movements throughout the night and sound an alarm if you leave your safe-zone. Some modern sailboats have an anchor alarm integrated into the chartplotter or on the control panel by the captain's table, and you can rest assured that it will wake the entire crew when triggered. The next morning, you'll be able to see how your boat moved during the night, which can be useful for evaluating the quality of your anchoring for next time.

7. Set up regular watches during the night

When at anchor, we recommend skippers set up regular night watches to check that the boat is holding anchor. If there are more than one of you on board, for example 8 crew members, you can instruct each crew member to check the anchor once, done at hourly intervals, i.e. to cover 8 hours of sleep. Of course, you can also check it just once during the night, or in the evening and then early morning. It all depends on your confidence in the anchorage and your level of caution as a skipper.

What is your experience with anchoring? Share your sea adventures or any tips you may have of great spots to anchor. Just send us an e-mail at [email protected]. :) 

FAQ All you need to know about anchoring

There is much debate among sailors as to whether mooring at a buoy or anchoring is best. Some sailors simply refuse to give up on mooring buoys because they firmly believe the underwater concrete block will always hold in high winds, will never move and is simply the safest way to spend the night near the pier. However, as others point out, the ropes and chains holding the buoys in the fields are not always regularly inspected or replaced by local operators. This means the eye splice (loop) you are shackled onto might be disintegrating, be overgrown with shells or has even been broken off by a 20-tonne catamaran that was on the buoy the night before. We believe that each skipper is entitled to their preference (harbour, pier, buoy, anchor), but what matters most is that they know the correct procedures and have adopted safe sailing habits. Therefore buoys and anchors are comparatively safe, but it all depends on what kind of boat you have, how the anchoring process is done, what the skipper checks and the weather conditions.

Fisherman or Admiralty 

CQR or Plough 

Delta 

Bruce 

Danforth 

Mushroom 

1. Check if the anchor is really holding

2. Anchor sign, light, buoy – let others know you are anchoring

3. Regularly monitor forecasts from multiple sources even while anchoring

5. Put the fenders out at night –⁠ protects your boat from impact or damage

6. Turn on your Anchor Alarm or other anchoring app

7. Set up regular night watches to check the anchor

Do you like any of the boats? Give me a call and I'll arrange it for you.

Denisa Nguyenová

Welcome to the Anchorage Yacht Club

2023 marks the 95th anniversary of The Anchorage Yacht Club. Anchorage was formed in 1928 by a group of civilians who had mooring privileges at Great Lakes Naval Base. In 1935 a 17 foot dinghy named the “Moffett” in honor of William A. Moffett, Base Commandant, was designed for the Club. The boats were built by Bill Quigley, a furniture maker located nearby on Green Bay Road. By 1937, a fleet of fifteen Moffett’s was racing every weekend. World War II closed the base to civilians. After the War, sailing resumed with emphasis switching to larger boats and handicap racing on Thursday evenings. Civilian access to Great Lakes was again significantly restricted after September 11, 2001. Fortunately, Waukegan Harbor was nearby. Local members can also be found in many other harbors between Great Lakes and Racine.  Most Anchorage members moved their boats to Waukegan, where activities continued. Anchorage membership and participation in Club events is open to all local harbor patrons.

Anchorage is a member of LMSRF, USSA, and Yachting Club of America and represented on the MWPHRF.  

Membership is open to any person who has demonstrated a commitment to yachting and has participated in club activities for a year. The Thursday Night Race for Fun is currently open to non-members -- for more information see the racing link on this site. For an application for invitation to the club, click here.

The Anchorage Yacht Club PO Box 55 Lake Forest, IL 60045

Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

Is it worth moving to a new anchorage?

• James Stevens
• July 31, 2020

James Stevens answers your Questions of Seamanship. In this article, is it worth moving to a new anchorage it if meant sailing through shoal water in approaching bad weather?

Hugh Town is the main harbour in the Isles of Scilly, but is open to the west and liable to swell in strong winds. Credit: Peter Cumberlidge

Would you decide to move to a new anchorage if it meant sailing through shoal water in approaching bad weather? James Stevens looks at the problem and provides the solution.

Question: Is it worth moving to a new anchorage if it meant sailing through shoal water in approaching bad weather?

Rachel is on board her yacht Pampero , an 11m Sadler 34, secured to a visitors’ mooring in Hugh Town, a port on St Mary’s, one of the Isles of Scilly.

Pampero has a draught of 1.7m and is well equipped for offshore cruising.

Rachel has always wanted to visit the Islands and a two-week break in May has given her the chance to sail there with her family.

The weather has been good so far but the high clouds coming in from the west are indicating fresh winds to come.

Rachel checks the forecast.

The wind, currently southerly Force 3 to 4, is going to veer southwest and increase to 6 to 7 by nightfall.

It is 1400, two hours after low water springs.

The yacht is beginning to roll on her mooring and although rolling is part of cruising in this area Rachel would rather be somewhere more protected.

The most sheltered moorings in the forecast wind would be New Grimsby Sound between Bryher and Tresco.

It is a passage of less than three miles and the route runs across a shoal between the Islands called the Tresco Flats.

The flats are impassable for Pampero at low water.

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Rachel has worked out that in a couple of hours there should be a clearance of 1m, or if she left it until high water, clearance would be 2m.

The alternatives are: a tricky passage of about six miles around Bryher, a shoal passage to the east of Tresco, or stay on the mooring.

Porthcressa, a bay to the south of Hugh Town, looks equally exposed.

Should she risk moving to a new anchorage?

James Stevens answers:

In the absence of local knowledge, yacht skippers have to be very cautious about shoal water in approaching bad weather.

James Stevens, author of the Yachtmaster Handbook, spent 10 of his 23 years at the RYA as Training Manager and Yachtmaster Chief Examiner

Striking the sand with the keel in a swell can cause severe damage and loss of the yacht.

On the other hand the shoals in this case are protected from the Atlantic swell by islands which are going to reduce the power of the sea.

Yachting would be a lot easier if the answer to this question was an exact number of knots of wind beyond which the passage over the flats is impossible.

It depends on the ground swell.

My view would be first to ask the harbour master and second to go out and have a look.

Providing the swell is not too great, the flats should be passable towards high water in Force 4 to 5 in good visibility with a detailed chart.

Once in the lee of Bryher the passage will be sheltered and straightforward.

There are plenty of rocks about so careful pilotage preparation is needed.

Rachel needs to have made her decision and be secured to her overnight mooring or anchored before the wind freshens to Force 7.

Most yacht skippers will be familiar with that feeling that the passage should have been made yesterday.

Anchoring 101: Techniques and Tips for Secure Anchorage

• No Comments

Anchoring is an integral part of the boating experience. Whether it’s a short break to enjoy the surroundings, an overnight stay, or an emergency stop, understanding how to securely anchor your boat is essential for every sailor. A reliable anchorage provides peace of mind, stability, and safety. This article aims to impart a solid understanding of anchoring techniques, covering a range of topics from anchor types and selection criteria to anchoring methods, maintenance, and safety considerations. By the end of this guide, you should be better equipped to make the right anchoring decisions and enjoy a safe and secure boating experience.

Understanding Anchors and Rode

An anchor is more than just a heavy object you drop overboard. It is a carefully engineered device designed to hold a vessel in place even in adverse conditions. There are several types of anchors, each with its unique features and suitable conditions:

• Fluke Anchors (Danforth): Characterized by its flat, fluke-style design, the Danforth is highly effective in sandy or muddy bottoms. Its lightweight and compact design make it a popular choice for smaller boats.
• Plow Anchors (CQR, Delta): These anchors are designed to dig into the seabed and are quite effective in a variety of bottom conditions, including mud, sand, and rock.
• Mushroom Anchors: These are best suited for softer seabeds such as silt or mud. Their design, which resembles a mushroom, allows them to bury into the seabed and provide excellent holding power.
• Grapnel Anchors: Mostly used by smaller boats and kayaks, these anchors are great for rocky or coral bottoms. Their design is not ideal for strong holding, but their lightweight and compact size make them easy to handle.
• Bruce or Claw Anchors: They offer good holding power in most seabeds and are highly resistant to wind and tide changes.

The term “rode” refers to the line connecting the anchor to your boat, and it could be all chain, all rope, or a combination of both .

The choice of rode depends on several factors:

• Boat Size: Larger boats usually require chain rode due to its durability and added weight, which helps in keeping the anchor set.
• Anchoring Conditions: In rocky conditions, a chain rode is preferred because it’s less likely to get cut. In softer seabeds, a rope rode can suffice.
• Depth and Holding Ground: The rule of thumb for rode length is a 5:1 or 7:1 scope, meaning for every foot of water depth, you should have 5 to 7 feet of rode out.
• Storage: Rope is lighter and takes up less space, a factor that can be crucial in smaller boats.

Understanding the differences between these anchors and the factors affecting your rode choice will help you make informed decisions on what’s best for your specific needs.

Choosing the Right Anchor

Selecting the right anchor involves a consideration of several factors. Not all anchors are created equal, and what works well in one situation might be inadequate in another. Here’s what to consider when choosing your anchor:

• Boat Size: Larger boats require anchors with greater holding power. Use your boat’s length and weight as a guide, but consider its windage as well. High-sided boats catch the wind and will need a more robust anchor.
• Bottom Conditions: Different anchors perform best in specific seabed types. For example, a fluke anchor performs well in sandy or muddy bottoms, while a plow anchor is versatile enough to handle various conditions, including rock, sand, and mud.
• Typical Weather and Sea Conditions: If you sail in areas known for their rough weather and high winds, you will need an anchor that can withstand these conditions.
• Storage Space: Some anchors require more storage space than others. Plow anchors, for example, do not stow as compactly as fluke anchors.
• Budget: While it shouldn’t be your deciding factor, the cost of the anchor and its rode is a valid consideration.

Examples of suitable anchor types for different scenarios:

• For a small day-sailer sailing in sandy bottoms, a lightweight fluke anchor might be the best fit.
• A medium-sized cruiser navigating various sea beds could benefit from a plow anchor for its versatility.
• If you’re sailing a large yacht in high windage areas, a heavy plow or claw anchor would be advisable to ensure your vessel remains secure.

Remember, many seasoned sailors carry more than one type of anchor to be prepared for various scenarios. Your choice of anchor can significantly influence your boating experience, affecting your safety and peace of mind. Therefore, it’s essential to make an informed choice based on the unique needs of your vessel and sailing conditions.

Selecting an Anchorage Spot

Finding the right anchorage spot is as crucial as having the right anchor. Below are some factors to consider when choosing where to anchor:

• Depth: You’ll need sufficient depth to allow for tide changes. However, the deeper the water, the more rode you’ll need to let out for a good scope.
• Sea Bed: Sand and mud usually offer good holding grounds for anchors. Rocky or grassy bottoms, on the other hand, can present more challenges.
• Weather: Before you drop the anchor, check the weather forecast. If the wind or current is expected to shift significantly, you’ll need to ensure the spot you’ve chosen is still protected under the new conditions.
• Tide: Take note of the tide and its expected changes. You’ll need to account for how it will affect the depth and your boat’s position.
• Surrounding Hazards: Be aware of any nearby hazards. These might include shallow areas, underwater cables, or busy channels.
• Swing Room: Make sure you have enough space to swing with the wind and tide without hitting anything.
• Distance from Other Boats: Ensure you leave enough space between you and other boats. Remember, different boats can swing differently on the anchor.

Tips for safe anchoring:

• Always lower the anchor slowly and gently to avoid it hitting the bottom with a force that might cause it to bounce and not set correctly.
• When you believe the anchor has set, do a “pull test” by pulling on the anchor rode with the engine in reverse at low RPM.
• Once anchored, take note of reference points in relation to your boat. These can help you know if your anchor is dragging.
• Always set an anchor watch – an alarm that lets you know if your boat drifts outside a certain radius.

Remember, the safety and comfort of your anchorage spot are paramount. You need a place where your anchor will hold, and your boat will be safe from weather and any other potential hazards.

Anchoring Techniques

Anchoring a boat is a skill that improves with practice. Below are the basic steps to deploying an anchor and a brief overview of different techniques for varying conditions.

Steps to Deploy the Anchor:

• Select the Spot: Choose your anchoring location considering the factors discussed above (depth, sea bed, weather, tide, etc.)
• Prepare the Anchor: Ensure the anchor rode is free of tangles and ready to be deployed.
• Approach Slowly: Motor up to your chosen spot slowly and into the wind or current, whichever is stronger.
• Lower the Anchor: Once you’re at the spot, lower the anchor smoothly and gently into the water. Never throw the anchor over as it can lead to tangles.
• Reverse and Set: Once the anchor reaches the bottom, reverse slowly while letting out more rode. When you’ve let out enough scope (usually a ratio of at least 5:1), put the engine in reverse and slowly increase the power to set the anchor.
• Check and Adjust: Check if the anchor is holding by looking at fixed points on the land. If it’s not, you’ll need to reposition and try again. Once the anchor is set, adjust the scope if necessary, considering changes in tide and weather.

Different Anchoring Techniques:

Different conditions and situations call for different anchoring techniques:

• Bow Anchoring: This is the most common form of anchoring where the anchor is deployed from the bow of the boat. This technique is typically used because the bow is designed to cut through waves and is generally the most seaworthy end of the boat.
• Stern Anchoring: This technique is used when you want the stern of the boat facing the shore. This is typically in calm conditions and when the shoreline has a beach.
• Bahamian Moor: This technique involves using two anchors set in opposite directions. This is particularly useful in narrow channels where the tide changes direction.
• Two Anchors Off The Bow: In heavy weather or when the anchorage has a rocky bottom, setting two anchors off the bow can provide extra security.
• Mediterranean Mooring: Common in the crowded harbors of the Mediterranean, this method involves dropping the anchor and then backing toward the dock or quay.

Each anchoring technique has its own strengths and should be chosen based on the conditions and your specific needs. Always ensure your anchor is securely set and remember to keep a watch to detect any dragging.

Setting the Anchor

Setting the anchor refers to the process of ensuring the anchor is securely lodged in the seabed, providing a firm hold for your boat. It’s a crucial part of the anchoring process because an improperly set anchor can lead to the boat dragging, potentially causing collisions or running aground.

Here’s how to ensure the anchor is set properly:

Steps to Set the Anchor:

• Slowly Pay Out the Rode: Once the anchor is dropped at your chosen spot, slowly pay out the anchor rode as your boat drifts back with the wind or current. This allows the anchor to descend straight down and lay out properly along the seabed.
• Determine the Right Scope: The ‘scope’ is the ratio of the length of rode you let out to the depth of the water. Typically, a scope of 5:1 is recommended in calm weather, meaning for every foot of water depth, you let out five feet of rode. However, in windy conditions or choppy seas, a higher scope of 7:1 or even 10:1 may be necessary for a more secure hold.
• Set the Anchor: To set the anchor, apply a gradual reverse force to the rode using the boat’s engine. This helps to dig the flukes of the anchor into the seabed.
• Check the Set: To make sure the anchor is properly set, look for fixed points on shore (like a notable tree or rock) and check that your position relative to these points doesn’t change over time. You can also use your boat’s GPS to monitor for any significant movement. If you notice your boat moving, it’s a sign that the anchor isn’t properly set, and you may need to reposition and try again.
• Set an Anchor Watch: Even after the anchor is set, it’s important to continue monitoring for any signs of dragging, especially if the weather conditions change. An anchor watch isn’t just about physically watching; it can also involve setting an alarm on your GPS to alert you if the boat moves out of a defined area.

Remember, setting the anchor isn’t a ‘drop and forget’ process. It requires careful attention to ensure that your boat stays safe and secure.

Monitoring Your Anchorage

Monitoring your anchorage is crucial for ensuring that your boat stays secure. Even the best-placed anchors can sometimes dislodge due to changes in weather, tide, or sea bed conditions. Regular checks can provide early warning of any problems, allowing you to take corrective action if needed.

Here are some tools and techniques you can use to monitor your anchorage:

1. GPS (Global Positioning System): Most modern boats are equipped with GPS, which can be a great tool for anchor watch. You can set an anchor alarm on your GPS to alert you if your boat moves outside a predefined area. This feature is especially useful for overnight anchorages or in conditions of poor visibility.

2. Mobile Applications (For Android and Iphone)

3. Visual Landmarks: Choosing two or three fixed landmarks (such as distinctive trees, buildings, or other features on the shore) and regularly checking your alignment with them can give you a good indication of whether your boat is drifting.

4. Bearing Checks: A more precise version of using visual landmarks is to take bearings of fixed points with a compass. By regularly comparing these bearings, you can detect even small changes in your boat’s position.

5. Rode Tension: Feel the anchor rode (the line or chain connecting the boat to the anchor). If it’s taut, it could be a sign that your anchor is holding firm. However, if the rode becomes slack, it might mean that your anchor is dragging.

6. Depth Sounder: If your boat is equipped with a depth sounder, this can help you monitor whether the water depth changes significantly, indicating a potential drag.

7. Underwater Camera: Some boaters use an underwater camera to visually check the anchor. However, this method might not be practical for all boaters and conditions.

Monitoring your anchorage should be part of your regular routine whenever you’re at anchor. Remember, the key to a secure anchorage is vigilance!

Retrieving the Anchor

After a peaceful time at anchor, it’s time to weigh anchor and set sail again. Here are the steps to retrieve your anchor safely:

1. Preparation: Before you start the retrieval process, ensure your deck is clear of any trip hazards. It’s also a good idea to put on gloves to protect your hands from any rough or dirty anchor rode.

2. Move towards the Anchor: Start your boat and slowly motor towards the anchor while pulling in the rode. The idea is to get directly above the anchor. Using your boat’s engine will ease the load on your windlass or whoever is pulling in the rode.

3. Retrieval: Once you’re above the anchor, continue to haul the rode until the anchor is clear of the sea bed. Be sure to keep a steady speed; going too fast can cause the anchor to swing and potentially damage your boat.

4. Rinsing and Inspection: As you retrieve the anchor, rinse off any mud or debris. This is also a good time to inspect your anchor and rode for any signs of damage.

5. Secure the Anchor: Once the anchor is onboard, secure it properly before moving off.

Troubleshooting Tips for When the Anchor is Stuck:

Despite your best efforts, sometimes the anchor can get stuck. Here’s what to do if that happens:

1. Gentle Motoring: The first thing to try is to slowly motor your boat in the opposite direction to the one you used when setting the anchor. This could be enough to free it.

2. Change the Pull Direction: If that doesn’t work, try changing the direction of your pull. Move your boat around the anchor, giving a gentle pull from various directions.

3. Use a Trip Line: If you have a trip line installed (a line attached to the crown of the anchor and buoyed on the surface), you can pull on this line to free the anchor.

4. Wait it Out: If the anchor is still stuck, waiting for a change in tide or wind direction can often free it. Be sure to monitor your situation closely if you decide to wait.

Remember, safety should always be your priority. If you’re unable to retrieve your anchor, it’s better to cut your losses (and your rode) than to risk damage to your boat or harm to yourself or your crew. Always carry a spare anchor in case you need to leave one behind.

Anchor Maintenance and Storage

Keeping your anchor and rode in good shape is crucial to ensuring they perform well when you need them. Here’s how to maintain and store them properly:

Regular Maintenance Checks

• Inspect for Damage: Regularly check your anchor for any signs of damage. This includes looking for bent flukes, a warped shank, or any signs of corrosion, particularly if you have a steel anchor.
• Check Your Rode: Inspect your rode, whether it’s chain or rope. Look for signs of wear and tear, such as chafed or frayed spots in a rope rode or rust and weak links in a chain rode.
• Cleaning: After each use, rinse your anchor and rode with fresh water to remove any salt, sand, or mud. This is particularly important for metal anchors and chain rodes, which can corrode if left dirty.
• Lubrication: Lubricate moving parts such as the swivel or shackle to ensure they move freely. Use a marine-grade lubricant for this.

Common Issues:

• Corrosion: This is a common issue, particularly with steel anchors or chain rodes. If you notice rust, remove it with a wire brush and then apply a rust-proof coating.
• Wear and Tear: Over time, your rode can weaken due to constant exposure to saltwater and sunlight, as well as friction from the sea bed or the anchor winch.
• Mechanical Failure: Moving parts can seize or break. Regular inspection and lubrication can help prevent this.

Storing Your Anchor and Rode

• Anchor: Most boats have an anchor locker in the bow where the anchor is stowed. If you have a secondary anchor, it should be stowed in a location where it can be quickly deployed if needed.
• Rode: Your rode should be neatly coiled or flaked in the anchor locker to prevent it from tangling. If you have a rope rode, consider using a rope bag.
• Dry Storage: Before long-term storage, ensure your anchor and rode are completely dry to prevent rust or mildew.
• Accessibility: Wherever you store your anchor and rode, they should always be easily accessible in case of an emergency.

Remember, an anchor is a significant investment and, more importantly, a key safety equipment on your boat. Proper maintenance and storage are well worth the effort to ensure it functions properly when you need it.

Safety Considerations

Anchoring, while often routine, can present its own set of risks and safety considerations. Here’s a look at safety equipment related to anchoring and how to handle anchoring emergencies:

Safety Equipment:

• Gloves: Wearing gloves can protect your hands from rope burns and pinch points when handling the anchor and rode.
• Anchor Ball: An anchor ball is a large, round, black shape hoisted to indicate that a vessel is at anchor. This alerts other vessels to your status.
• Rode Marker: These can be useful for indicating how much rode you have out and can help you maintain a safe scope.
• Anchor Light: An anchor light (usually a white light visible 360 degrees around the boat) is required from sunset to sunrise to signal your status to other vessels.
• Sound Signals: In fog or poor visibility, sound signals such as a fog horn can alert other vessels to your presence.

Anchoring Emergencies:

• Dragging Anchor: If your anchor is dragging, it means it’s not properly set. You’ll need to retrieve it and try to set it again.
• Entangled Rode: If your rode becomes entangled with another boat’s or an underwater obstruction, try to free it carefully. In extreme cases, you might need to cut the rode.
• Unable to Retrieve Anchor: If you can’t retrieve your anchor, it may be caught on something underwater. Try changing your boat’s position to dislodge it. If it’s still stuck, you might need to cut the rode as a last resort.
• Unexpected Weather Changes: If weather conditions deteriorate unexpectedly, you might need to reposition your boat or set additional anchors.
• Collision Risk: If another boat is drifting or motoring towards you while you’re anchored, sound your horn and flash your lights to get their attention. Prepare fenders to minimize impact damage.
• Emergency Anchoring: In an emergency, such as engine failure, you may need to deploy your anchor quickly to stop your boat from drifting onto a dangerous lee shore or into other boats.

Always remember, safety should be your number one priority when anchoring. Regular maintenance of your equipment, vigilance while at anchor, and knowledge of what to do in emergencies can help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Additional Resources

To further your understanding and skills in anchoring, here are some additional resources you may find helpful:

• “Chapman Piloting & Seamanship” by Elbert S. Maloney: A comprehensive guide on all aspects of boating, including anchoring.
• “The Complete Anchoring Handbook” by Alain Poiraud, Achim Ginsberg-Klemmt, and Erika Ginsberg-Klemmt: This book provides in-depth information about everything related to anchoring.
• YouTube Channels: Channels like “Sailing Uma,” “Sailing SV Delos,” and “BoatUS” have various educational videos on anchoring techniques.
• US Power Squadrons’ Anchoring Course: A complete course on anchoring, including choosing the right anchor, how to anchor, and troubleshooting.
• RYA Day Skipper Course: The Royal Yachting Association’s Day Skipper course covers practical skills like anchoring.
• BoatUS Foundation : Offers a range of online courses and articles about boating, including anchoring.
• Discover Boating: This website has a helpful section on anchoring basics.
• RYA Knowledge Base: The Royal Yachting Association provides a wealth of articles and resources about all aspects of sailing, including anchoring.

What is the best type of anchor for my boat?

The best type of anchor depends on various factors such as your boat size, the seabed conditions where you typically sail, and typical weather conditions. It's a good idea to carry more than one type of anchor to be prepared for different situations.

How do I know if my anchor is set properly?

Once your anchor is dropped, slowly back away to let out the rode. When enough rode is out, gently put the engine in reverse. If the boat starts to move, the anchor is not set. If the boat stays in place, your anchor is set.

How can I retrieve a stuck anchor?

Try changing your boat's position or gently moving in a circle around the anchor point. If it's seriously stuck, you may need to use an anchor retrieval system or even a professional diver.

How much anchor rode should I let out?

The amount of rode you let out, known as the scope, should be between 5 to 7 times the depth of the water, depending on the conditions. More scope may be needed in stormy conditions.

What should I do if my anchor drags in the middle of the night?

If your anchor drags, you'll need to reset it. If it continues to drag, you may need to find a new anchorage spot or use a different type of anchor.

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This New Yacht Is Sailing to Gorgeous, Lesser-known Ports in the Caribbean Sea — and I Was on Board With 'Below Deck's' Chef Ben

E merald Cruises' new Emerald Sakara ship brings guests to smaller ports in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, with an onboard marina and the occasional Bravo-lebrity.

With a couple dozen guests looking on, chef Ben Robinson was showing how to slice and dice a fresh red snapper. “You kind of feel him — but you don’t fondle him,” said Robinson, the fan favorite from the Bravo reality show Below Deck, who’s always ready with a quip. As he pulled a perfect filet off the bone, he explained how to salt the fish and that there’s no more important relationship than the one you have with your fishmonger. “My advice is to always be friendly,” he noted. “I like to support my mom-and-pop [businesses]. If you become familiar with them, they’ll say, ‘Hey, I got this in this morning.’”

The cooking demo, which also featured a ceviche how-to and tips on knife sharpening, was one of many “Chef Ben” moments on my trip aboard Emerald Sakara . It’s the newest 100-passenger vessel from Emerald Cruises, which launched in the fall of 2023, a sibling vessel to the Emerald Azzurra .

During an eight-day voyage in March from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, the reality personality was definitely one of the star attractions. Robinson spent several evenings in the galley, creating special dishes such as a panko-crusted veal striploin stuffed with pesto.

He also hosted a well-attended Q&A about his life in the kitchen — and spent plenty of time connecting with fans, many of whom booked the trip specifically to chop it up with Below Deck alum.

“We definitely booked because of Ben,” said Shannon Welnel , a Montana-based travel advisor who had lots of praise for his cuisine — and the yacht-like atmosphere on board the 100-passenger ship. Other guests I spoke with admitted they hadn’t seen much Below Deck, but were intrigued by the chance to chill with a Bravo-lebrity.

Emerald Sakara

• With a max of just 100 passengers, Emerald Sakara feels at times like a private yacht, with no lines and no crowds, and outstanding service from a highly experienced crew.
• Minimalist rooms recall the stripped down aesthetic of Miami Beach or Mykonos, Greece, with pops of color from Missoni Home accents and a sleek-yet-functional bathroom with plenty of storage space.
• While this small ship has but one restaurant and one poolside cafe, there’s plenty of choice when it comes to meals, whether you’re hitting the breakfast or lunch buffet or choosing from the dinner menu.
• The onboard marina, which is open in favorable weather conditions, offers watersports and swimming off the stern of the ship.
• Easy to understand and mostly inclusive pricing covers meals, beverages at mealtime, many tours, and surprisingly speedy Wi-Fi.

The intimate-ship vibe was also one reason the chef wanted to hop aboard. “This definitely has more of a yacht vibe than any other [ship] I've been on,” Robinson told me one afternoon. “A hundred passengers is not a lot,” he said. “I've been on boats with 2,500 passengers, and you really do feel like you're anonymous. But here, the service is great, and you really are treated as an individual and someone important. And you kind of lose that on the big boats.”

While Robinson doesn’t have immediate plans to join another Emerald cruise, he told me that there were plenty of parallels between his life on megayachts and what the Sakara offers its guests. “It’s been incredible,” he said.

I had to agree. The Sakara certainly has much to offer, both in spite of its smaller size and because of it. While it’s available to book by the cabin, like any cruise ship, it still manages to feel at times like a private yacht, particularly when it sails to less-commonly visited ports such as Culebra, on Puerto Rico, or St. Bart’s. In the latter, we dropped anchor near Eric Schmidt’s yacht, Whisper , and had the whole day to explore the glitzy island and its capital, Gustavia. (After a drive around in the morning, I managed to catch the beautiful sunset from the lovely little Shell Beach, right in town.)

“The benefit of being on a small cruise ship like this one is that we can enter small ports and areas where others can’t,” said Robert Kuznin, the captain of Sakara , who previously worked with several cruise lines, including Paul Gauguin, Seabourn, and Virgin Voyages. “For example, when we dropped anchor in Esperanza Bay,” he explained about our stop at the island of Vieques, “there were only two meters under the keel — and that was the shallowest I’ve ever been!”

The ability to go places that larger ships can’t was also on display one morning on St. Kitts, one of the final stops of my trip. It was still early in the morning, but already four mega-ships were docked in Basseterre, the island’s capital. Instead of tying up next to them on the busy cruise pier, we dropped anchor just off the beach in South Friar’s Bay, a long sweep of sand in the island’s southern reaches. There were no crowds to contend with, no paperwork hassles, no touts offering dodgy cab rides. A five-minute tender ride to the beach was all it took to meet our local guide. Time from leaving the breakfast buffet to our first stop? About 25 minutes. Even the most efficient mega-ship would struggle to make that happen — and they can’t drop anchor right off the one of the best beaches on the island. 

Other moments aboard Sakara felt like something out of Below Deck . One afternoon, I made my way to the yacht’s marina, a platform at the stern stocked with lounge chairs, refreshments, and water toys such as a floating trampoline and inflatable sea kayaks. I jumped off the stern into the Caribbean and then tried out the ship’s Seabob, a floating gadget that’s like a cross between a Jet Ski and an electric scooter.

As I continued my joy ride, I could see another vessel anchored just north of us. Turns out, it was David Geffen’s private yacht , Rising Sun . Of course, we were there first.

Here’s a closer look at all the amenities of the Emerald Sakara , which sails seasonally in coastal waters in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean Sea.

The Staterooms

Welcome to your starship: the stripped down, white-and-gray cabins on Sakara feel sci-fi chic, particularly when the accent lighting is switched on. They’re also, thankfully, spacious and super functional, with ample storage space (including a safe), a small minibar, a coffee station, and a clever headboard built-in that’s a great spot for your charging devices and water bottle. Most of the 50 rooms and suites have verandas; ocean-view staterooms are the exception. Bathrooms are just big enough, with plenty of storage, and are stocked with Espa products and a hair dryer. My cabin, 421, was a 300-square-foot balcony suite toward the aft of the ship on deck four: I never once heard noise from the surrounding cabins or in the hallway, though I did occasionally notice sounds and vibrations from the vessel, something that is common on even the largest of ships. A note on power plugs: my stateroom had U.S.-style outlets throughout as well as USB-A charging ports on either side of the bed, a nice touch.

Bars and Restaurants

Because Sakara is smaller than most cruise ships, it can’t compete on sheer volume of bars and restaurants. Still, the food on board is solid. La Cucina is the only true dining room, with both indoor and outdoor seating; it has somewhat limited hours compared to the round-the-clock dining options on bigger vessels. That being said, I certainly didn’t go hungry: a breakfast buffet is complemented by traditional à la minute options such as omelets and pancakes; lunch is also buffet style with a carving station. Dinner is more restaurant style, with options from an ever-changing daily menu plus always available classics such as Caesar salad, shrimp cocktail, grilled salmon, and spaghetti bolognese on offer. (Many dietary restrictions and preferences can be accommodated.)

On my voyage, chef Robinson put together several special plates, including what might’ve been the best dish of the week: a sesame-crusted seared yellowfin tuna with celeriac puree. The Below Deck star also put together a panko veal striploin roulade one night and, another evening, offered a citrus-cured hamachi with, in a touch of molecular gastronomy, “mango spheres.” Elsewhere on board, a poolside cafe, Aqua Café, has quick bites like burgers and flatbreads, as well as sweets and coffee pulled from a Cimbali espresso machine. The cocktails served in the Amici Lounge and the Sky Bar were consistently excellent, mixed by a talented team of pros who’ve previously worked on Seabourn ships and in some of Dubai’s top hotels. One weaker spot was the selection of wine on board: pours at mealtimes are included, but they didn’t rock my boat. A short list of “chairman’s wines,” available at extra cost, included a couple by-the-bottle finds such as 2013 vintage Cristal ($650) and some mid-tier Bordeaux and Burgundy options.

Where Emerald Sakara Sails

Though small, this ship isn’t an expedition yacht. Rather, it’s specifically designed for warm-weather coastal cruising, meaning it spends the lion’s share of its time in places such as the Caribbean and, in the Northern Hemisphere’s summer months, the Mediterranean. My trip aboard was spent entirely in the Leeward Islands of the Caribbean, where passages between ports were short and the seas were often calm. (We did occasionally encounter some swells of up to two meters, or 6.6 feet. I saw many guests wearing medicated patches to prevent motion sickness throughout the trip.) Sakara typically spends a season of several months in a given region, with a variety of cruise lengths offered, ranging from six to 24 days. In 2024, the ship will spend April through November in the Mediterranean. Sakara will return to the Caribbean at the end of the year, through April 2025.

Shore Excursions

Tours off the ship were a strong suit for Emerald, at least on my voyage. Most stops offered a variety of activities, ranging from a simple transfer to a nearby beach to a full-on, multi-hour tour. Usually, I found myself ashore with a very small group of folks — fewer than a dozen — and all the guides Emerald arranged were true pros. Passengers raved about a kayak paddle through the bioluminescent bay on Vieques, something I sadly didn’t try myself. I did, however, enjoy a short guided hike on the island of St. John, to the pristine beach along Salomon Bay, which was all but deserted. The organization of excursions felt flawless to me, thanks no doubt to the crew and shore excursion manager, Pilar Atencio. Worth a mention, too, were Atencio’s detailed briefings on what to expect each day. While these sorts of “port talks'' are common on ships of all sizes, they felt particularly useful on Sakara because of how intimate our groups were; many passengers made a point of attending the pre-dinner talks every night, for info on what to expect about our anchorage, historical background on each island, and detailed info about what each tour offering would entail.

Amenities and Entertainment

Call it small but mighty: Sakara has all the essentials, which is a bit of feat for a ship this size. A cozy spa has wellness and beauty treatments, as well as a small hairstyling and facial studio; morning yoga and stretching are available on deck. The fitness center, with a few cardio machines, a Peloton bike, and a variety of weights and other gear gets the job done. The smallish pool and a top-deck whirlpool were lovely — though I spent most of my time in the ocean: the Sakara ’s marina deck is a key feature, and it was open several afternoons during my trip. It’s like the greatest pool party you’ve ever been to, complete with piña coladas, sea kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and a trampoline, right off the stern of the ship. It is, truly, as much fun as it sounds like, though it is subject to the whims of weather and ocean currents. Also available in some destinations are e-bikes from Gocycle, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis; during my trip, several guests gave them a spin on the island of Vieques. Sakara also carries a ton of snorkeling gear and beach towels, which passengers can borrow whenever they like. In terms of performances, this isn’t the vessel for Broadway-style shows, but guitarist Jamie Ferguson and voyage director Nathalie Millet added plenty of live music to the trip.

Family-friendly Offerings

The youngest passengers I spoke with on my cruise were in their 20s — and they were traveling with their parents. Sakara is perhaps the perfect ship for families traveling with adult children, since it offers such a diverse array of activities to suit different tastes and activity levels, while visiting intriguing destinations. The ship is also intimate enough that everybody can gather easily for meals — or a swim off the stern — without fighting the crowds common on larger vessels. On the other hand, Sakara is probably not the best choice for families with younger children: there’s no kid-specific programming, and you’re likely to be the only ones aboard with little ones. “Emerald Cruises yachts are recommended for people aged 12 and up, and they must be accompanied by and share a cabin with an adult aged 18 or [older],” a spokesperson shared with T+L.

Accessibility

Sakara is probably best described as somewhat accessible: the ship has elevators to all decks and the crew was, on my trip, very accommodating to those with mobility challenges. There are handrails throughout, and bathrooms feature shower grab bars. That being said, several areas of the ship — the outdoor dining terrace, for example — require navigating at least one step even once you’ve reached the deck in question by elevator. “Due to the nature and size of the ships, wheelchairs and scooters are not allowed to be used on board,” a spokesperson told T+L. When the ship is at anchor, it’s only possible to go ashore by tender or Zodiac, both of which could be challenging for those with limited mobility. As Emerald’s FAQ explains: “Guests with limited mobility will require help from a companion, since the crew is limited.” Also of note: many announcements are made only by loudspeaker with no hearing-impaired alternative.

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