best sailboat in the world

Top 14 Sailboat Brands for Epic Sea Adventures Unveiled

Imagine slicing through sapphire waters on your dream sailboat. But which to choose? Let's unfurl the sails on the world's top 14 brands that even the pros swear by. Anchors aweigh to discovery!

It really doesn’t matter if you are an accomplished sailor with a Master’s License or a novice who wants to charter a boat for a week on the water in the Caribbean. What does matter is that you want to find the boat that fulfills your dreams from a manufacturer you can trust. Finding that “just right” fit between boat and crew can lead to some magic experiences and remarkable memories.

Our goal is to give you some insight into what the many boat brands have to offer. We will look at quality, construction, features, and customer service.

Hopefully, this will give you some insight into finding the sailboat of your dreams.

Wally Boats has to be at the top of our list as the best overall manufacturer of sailboats. In the sailing world, Wally is synonymous with quality and luxury. Unfortunately, that kind of reputation also comes with a hefty price. Wally Boats will typically also head up the list of the most expensive sailboats in the world.

You won’t find many Wally boats at your local lake marina or the typical coastal municipal marina. We are in a different class of boat here altogether. Wally produces 100-foot-long super yachts, each of which is custom designed.

If you can find one, purchasing a used Wally sailboat is a safe way to go. You will usually get a high-performance racing/cruising yacht that will outperform most other boats in this class day in and day out.

What Do You Get with a Wally?

• Exquisite Design and Visual Appeal - Let’s face the facts. These are boats that look as good as they perform.
• Above Average Performance - Wally boats took the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in 2019, 2018, and 2017.
• Highest Quality Build You Can Buy – At this level, you get what you expect regarding the quality of materials and construction.
• Innovative Design and Engineering – Wally boats incorporate the latest developments in construction techniques, materials, and engineering.

2. Hallberg-Rassy

Ask cruising sailors their choice of sailboat manufacturers, and many will answer with Hallberg-Rassy. This Swedish yacht builder has built a reputation among cruising sailors for producing boats that are almost in a class by themselves. These are boats that are built to be sailed and provide sailors with the utmost in safety, comfort, and handling.

Hallberg-Rassy is a master at integrating form and function to produce blue water boats that perform as well as they look. Most savvy sailors will recognize a Hallberg-Rassy design almost instantly.

Hallberg-Rassy isn’t one of those static companies that finds a popular design and sticks with it year after year. This company studies its designs and listens to its owners to continually improve their designs. A used Hallberg-Rassy is a good bet if you want to move up to a world-class cruising boat.

What Do You Get with a Hallberg Rassy Designed Boat?

• Integrated Bow Sprint – No tacked-on afterthought here. The bowsprit forms an integral part of the Hallberg-Rassy designs to make handling and sailing these boats a joy.
• High-Quality Electric Winches – Electric winches are standard items and ease the effort of sailing these boats in even the toughest conditions.
• A Cockpit Designed for Blue Water Sailing – A safe and dry place from which to steer your boat makes for a much more enjoyable experience when the weather gets rough.
• Powerful Engines with Ample Fuel Storage – You can be confident that you have the power to maneuver your boat safely under power.

3. Catalina

If your budget is more modest, but you still want high quality and a feature-rich design, Catalina boats are a good place to start looking. Catalina takes a more practical approach to boat design and building, creating sailboats that meet the needs for practicality, sailability, and price to create sturdy boats that can take you anywhere in the world safely and economically.

Catalina is a manufacturer that is recognizable from weekend inland water sailors to experienced blue water live aboard families. Cataline has been on the scene for many years and remains a mover and shaker in the sailboat industry.

One of the big attractions of Catalina as a boat manufacturer is its across-the-board market appeal. This company has something for everyone, from small, easy-to-manage daysailers to 50-foot blue water cruisers.

What Do You Get with Catalina Sailboats?

• Customer Service – Catalina has been in business for a long time and has a reputation as one of the most customer-responsive sailboat manufacturers in the business.
• Consistency and Quality – Catalina owners frequently point out the consistency of Catalina’s designs and the quality of their manufacturing as reasons to buy one of these boats.
• Financial and Economic Choices – Catalina sailboats offer customers one of the best values on the market in terms of the purchase price and long-term operating costs.
• Handling and Performance – Catalina owners rave about how their sailboats perform with easy handling in both light seas and heavy weather.

4. Bavaria Yachts

If you are shopping in Europe for an economically priced blue water sailboat, Bavaria Yachts is a company that you will learn quickly. Sailors in the United States know the name, Catalina. In Europe, Bavaria Yachts have the same sort of recognition and reputation.

The reputation of German manufacturing and engineering shows itself in the Bavaria Yachts operation. Leading-edge technology in manufacturing and production helps Bavaria Yachts keep costs as low as possible while producing very high-quality products.

Bavaria Yachts is focused on its customer base and has a good understanding of who purchases its boats and how those boats are used. These boats are designed to be easy to sail, comfortable to be aboard and to provide service without the constant need for expensive repairs and maintenance.

What Do You Get with a Bavaria Yacht?

• Comfort and Liveability – No matter if you are day sailing or cruising the world, Bavaria Yachts’ designs excel in comfort and onboard amenities that make them great for long-term cruising.
• Reliability – Owners point to the quality of the construction of these boats and the reliability they enjoy, which keeps them sailing without constant visits to the boatyard for maintenance and upkeep.
• Smaller May Be Better – Bavaria Yachts has a large following among smaller to midsized boat owners, and the company pays particular attention to designing boats that offer more to this class of owners.
• Overall Value and Economy – Many owners choose their first Bavaria Yacht because of the perceived value of these boats.

5. Beneteau

Catalina may be a bit better known than Beneteau, but Beneteau may lead the way in the actual number of sailboats sold around the world. This is one of the top-selling sailboat brands of all time. Beneteau has been building boats for well over a century, and their knowledge shows in the quality of their designs and construction. From its blue water boats like the Oceanis 62 to its tiny First 14.

Beneteau prides itself on filling the needs of every class of sailor, from the racing dinghy to the blue water cruiser. Simplicity is a keyword when describing Beneteau boats.

There is no skimping on quality or on the essential equipment needed to be safe and secure. There are also no unneeded extras to cause you unwanted hassles or maintenance issues.

Being a French company, you would expect style to be a primary focus of the design of Beneteau boats, and you won’t be wrong. With an eye to clean lines and family cruising comfort, Beneteau produces a line of sailboats that catch the eye without straining the pocketbook.

What Do You Get with a Beneteau Boat?

• Unique and Comfortable Interior Layouts – Your crew or family will feel pampered when onboard a Beneteau boat.  
• Easy Docking System – Beneteau’s 360-degree docking system allows you to maneuver your boat with a joystick to make tight marina spaces a breeze to navigate.
• A Finer Hull for a Better Ride – Even the most seasoned sailors comment on how well Beneteau boats move through the water and minimize pitching and rolling.
• Clear Deck Plans – Beneteau understands that most sailboats are intended for pleasure which makes deck space a premium factor, especially among sailing families who express their love for the clean deck lines of their boats.

6. Island Packet Yachts

I have always thought that Island Packet Yachts build some of the most beautiful cruising sailboats in the world. This company focuses on cruising, and its boat designs reflect the needs of cruising families. Safety, stability, and comfort are the three key ingredients that make Island Packet Yachts outstanding choices for cruising the world.

Anyone who has spent time on a sailboat knows space is at a premium. Island Packet Yachts have some of the most spacious interior designs on the market, which makes living aboard these boats much more pleasant. If you plan on spending much time aboard your sailboat, all the extra interior space you can claim become a luxury.

The focus on extended cruising requires an eye for safety and stability for your boat. Island Packet excels in these categories. The seafaring capabilities of Island Packet Yachts are well documented and one of the favorite features of these boats among owners. A boat that handles conditions well is easier and more comfortable to sail in the long run.

What Do You Get with an Island Packet Yacht?

• Build and Material Qualities – Most Island Packet owners are quick to point out the quality of the construction and material used in their boats, which means fewer problems over the years.
• Full Foil Keel and a Skeg-Hung Rudder - The
• last place you want to have problems when on a cruise is below the waterline. Island Packet continues to include a traditional well-constructed full foil keel and the extra support of a skeg-hung rudder to ensure that below-waterline problems are kept to a minimum.
• Sail Handling and Performance – Island Packet Yachts are not built for racing, but they outperform many comparable boats. The self-tacking jib and 170-percent genoa are favorites among cruising sailors when talking about sails and performance.
• Security Onboard – Island Packet routinely includes a built-in lockbox in their boats to provide a secure place to store your valuables, documents, and other items when onboard.

7. Amel Yachts

If you are looking for innovation and technological sophistication on your sailboat, Amel Yachts should offer you exactly what you want. This company has been building some of the finest blue water cruising yachts in the world for 50+ years and has always had an eye on staying just ahead of the technology curve.

These are not production boatyard sailboats. Amel Yachts works closely with each customer to produce a boat this is uniquely tailored to the owner’s needs and specifications while ensuring the highest quality in the build and the best performance on the water.

In addition, you will probably need to go to France several times during the construction of your yacht, which might be seen as a bonus.

With an eye for tradition, Amel Yachts is always looking forward as well. Advanced engineering and materials have made Amel Yachts some of the most sought-after boats on the water. Such things as the use of carbon fiber in mast construction, flexible couplings on propellor drive shafts, and the latest in electronic controls and navigational equipment are standard issue items.

What Do You Get with an Amel Yacht?

• Eye Catching Lines – Owners are understandably proud of their Amel Yachts and often mention how these boats look on the water.
• Technologically Advanced Designs – Among the most popular and often spoken about features on Amel Yachts are the solar panels fitted to these boats.
• Environmentally Sound Concepts – Sailors are usually much more attuned to the environment than their land-based counterparts. Amel Yachts’ use of environmentally friendly anti-fouling paints and the bonus of extra grey water holding tanks are popular among owners who understand the need to protect the water they love.
• Comfortable on the Water Experiences – Most Amel owners comment on how well these boats ride due to the lower center of gravity that is a feature in most Amel Yacht designs.

8. Nautor’s Swan

On the flip side of the coin, if you want a fast and dependable sailboat that you can also cruise, a Nautor’s Swan should be on your top choice list. Based in Finland, this company has built a reputation for designing and building high-quality sailboats that match speed with stability and safety. Yes, you can go fast in comfort.

These boats are not only fast and comfortable, but they are also surprisingly responsive and easy to handle. Using foam=filled fiberglass construction coupled with space-age material like carbon fiber, Nautor’s Swan has an unmatched record for performance and safety. You can cruise leisurely with your family or put on your best crew and expect to compete successfully with almost any other boat.

You don’t have to sacrifice comfort to gain an advantage in speed and performance. Nautor’s Swan boats are designed for cruising comfort and performance results. The hull designs give stable safe rides through even the roughest water to give you a feeling of confidence with your sailboat.

What Do You Get with a Nautor’s Swan?

• Production Boat or Custom Build Choices – Customers of Swan have two choices. You can buy a production model or visit their custom design shop to get a boat tailored to your exact needs. Most customers choose the middle ground and have one of the production designs customized to their tastes.
• Elegance without Sacrifice – One of the most mentioned features of Nautor’s Swan sailboats are the teak decks featured on their designs which customers love for the elegance this feature yields to their boats.
• Self-Launching Anchors and Electric Winches – Even the most die-hard competitive sailor is fond of the convenience features of Nautor’s Swan boats, such as the self-launching anchor systems and electric winched.

9. Pacific Seacraft

If it is traditional lines you want, take a look at the boats built by Pacific Seacraft. This North Carolina-based yacht builder produces some of the most elegant and eye-catching cruising yachts in the world. These boats are built for comfort and cruising, so don’t expect to win any speed prizes if you choose a Pacific Seacraft design.

On the other hand, if comfort and enjoyment are at the top of your list, you won’t find a better boat. Pacific Seacraft boats are probably a bit overbuilt, making them one of the heavier sailboats per foot on the market. This translates into less speed overall but a more stable and better-handling boat that tends to be less tender when sailing than higher-performance boats.

The stability of these boats is unmatched, and the design lends itself well to safe handling, even with a short-handed crew. This feature alone makes Pacific Seacraft yachts a favorite among live-aboard cruising families that routinely don’t have full crews onboard.

What Do You Get with a Pacific Seacraft Yacht?

• Comfort and Confidence – Families that liveaboard to take extended cruises always mention the space, comfort, and convenience of Pacific Seacraft Yachts as one of the main advantages of these boats.
• Solid Construction for Easy Maintenance – Anyone who does extended cruising knows the importance of regular maintenance. Owners of Pacific Seacraft extoll the solid construction of these boats that make ongoing maintenance chores less intimidating.
• Unmatched Customer Service – Pacific Seacraft supports their boats and their customers with some of the best services in the world. Owners regularly report that Pacific Seacraft is easy to contact, quick to respond, and always helpful.
• Spacious Below Deck Layouts – Live aboard families almost always speak about the creature comforts built into their Pacific Seacraft yacht and in particular, mention how spacious these boats seem below decks.

10. Tartan Yachts

Tartan Yachts has taken a slightly different approach to the concept of cruising with] its sailboat designs. Tartan has made building the strongest, lightest, and safest sailboats in the industry a priority in the business model. They have approached this priority with narrow designs at the water line but provide wider passages.

For those sailors who want comfort, safety, and above-average sailing performance, this makes a perfect combination. In addition, if you want to purchase a boat that holds its value with time better than many other models, you should investigate Tartan. By and large, used Tartans almost always go for a premium price among used sailboats.

You won’t be sacrificing comfort or dependability with a Tartan design. Tartan is well known among owners and enthusiasts as easy to live aboard boats that are simple to maintain, providing years of service. If you anticipate long cruises, a Tartan can be a solid choice.

What Do You Get with a Tartan Yacht?

• A Reputation for Solid Construction – Many Tartan owners admit that Tartan’s reputation for building well-constructed boats that are safe and easy to sail was one of the biggest selling points.
• Performance without Sacrificing Comfort – No one wants to be the last one to port when you are cruising with a group. Tartan designs put performance and comfort side by side.
• Easy Sailing – Most Tartan owners feel like their Tartan Yacht is a forgiving and solid boat that provides an extra level of safety.
• Value – You may not anticipate trading boats very often, but it is nice to know that Tartan boats seem to hold their value better than many other comparable sailboats from other manufacturers.

11. Oyster Sailboats

If I were to use automobiles as an analogy for sailboats, the Wally Yachts would be on par with Mercedes Benz, while Beneteau and Cataline would be comparable to Cadillac or Lexus. I would have to put Oyster Sailboats on par with Bentley as some of the most luxurious sailing yachts on the market today.

Oyster Yachts, a British manufacturer, likes to call their sailboats hybrid adventure machines that bring owners life-enhancing experiences. I would say it more simply. If you want the best performance, comfort, and visual appeal, Oyster Sailboats should be your first stop. Oyster provides the utmost luxury but doesn’t come up short in the performance or safety categories.

Oyster Sailboats are considered thoroughbreds in the sailing world. These boats have logged over 20 million sailing miles and can account for more than 90 sailing circumnavigations of the globe. These numbers support the assertion that Oyster Sailboats are among the best and most prestigious sailing vessels available.

What Do You Get with an Oyster Sailboat?

• Unmatched Elegance – Ask an owner what sets their Oyster Sailboat apart and without hesitation, most will say the elegant and luxurious appointments that these boats bring.
• Unrivaled Construction – Sailors rarely equate luxury with sailing ability, but in the case of Oyster Boats, most owners consider their Oyster sailboats to be among the safest available based on the quality of construction and materials.
• Handling and Performance – Being at the helm of an Oyster Sailboat prompts owners of these boats to make statements like, “the best handling sailboat I have ever sailed,” and “I wouldn’t hesitate to take my family and this boat anywhere under any conditions.”
• Classic Looks – Despite the leading-edge technologies and designs that incorporate the best new ideas, Oyster sailboats are respected among veteran sailors for their classic looks.

12. Hinckley Yachts

Since 1928, Hinckley has been building top-of-the-line sailboats. This veteran company continues to bring designs with classic shapes, strong construction, and dramatic lines. Based in Maine, Hinckley is intimately acquainted with the challenges of sailing the North Atlantic and building boats to meet these challenges head-on. Impeccable craftsmanship is the name of Hinckley’s game, and the results speak for themselves.

Despite the classic lines of their boats, Hinckley manages to incorporate the best of modern performance design and technologies for construction. Utilizing carbon fiber, Kevlar and computer-designed load paths, the boats are some of the most structurally advanced on the market.

However, advanced technology and performance don’t detract from the comfort of these boats. From the ease with which they sail to the small details and amenities that are often overlooked by other boat manufacturers, Oyster Sailboats put customer satisfaction, safety, and comfort front and center.

What Do You Get with a Hinckley Yacht?

• Above Average Construction – Hinckley owners make no secret of how much they hold the construction of their boats in high regard. The quality of Hinckley’s construction is one of the most often noted reasons for purchasing a boat.
• Rich Appointments for a Warm Feel – Many boat owners understand that fiberglass just doesn’t give a feeling of comfort. Hinckley combats this perception by generously using wood inside their boats to bring a rich feeling of luxury.
• Stability and Comfort – Thanks to the Hinckley gyro-stabilization system, owners are assured one of the most comfortable rides in almost any kind of sea.
• Customer Service – Hinckley’s Yachtcare program is often cited as one of the best reasons to own a Hinckley sailboat. This program features mobile service teams, yacht delivery, and routine maintenance, which is often the bane of owning this kind of boat.

13. Hylas Sailing Yachts

Our modern consumable society has spawned a tradition of throw-away products produced in China that are focused more on price than on quality. Wrapping our heads around the idea that one of the best yacht manufacturers is, in fact, based in Taiwan is almost unfathomable. However, in the case of Hylas Sailing Yachts, this is the case.

Hylas, a division of Queen Long Marine Shipyard, has built a reputation for building bespoke yachts for discriminating customers in the custom luxury yacht area. Hylas doesn’t work through brokers or dealers. This innovative company prefers to deal directly with their customer to ensure that complete satisfaction is the result.

The center cockpit design of Hylas’ popular yachts is the centerpiece of their designs. In addition to incorporating the latest in technological designs and materials, Hylas uses almost complete wooden linings on their composite hulls to give their boats rich and warm interiors that exhibit the finest of joinery.

What Do You Get with a Hylas Sailing Yacht?

• Solid Core Fiberglass Construction – Owners of Hylas yachts rave about solid core construction. Foam core is much lighter but tends also to be much less rigid than solid core construction.
• Uncompromising Quality – Those who sail Hylas yachts brag about the quality of the materials used in these boats. Stainless steel tankage, skeg-hung rudders, and the use of Twaron bulletproof fabric in the hulls provide a level of trust that many boat owners can’t understand.
• Immaculate Construction Standards – How many other boat owners brag about the neatness of the wiring on their boats?  Some even make it a point to show off the meticulous way the wiring and plumbing in Hylas boats are installed.
• Unbelievable Storage and Stowage – The innovative use of space and the care with which these boats are designed to allow Hylas owners to enjoy an above-average amount of storage space.

14. Sparkman & Stephens

Sparkman & Stephens are a bit different in the way they view themselves. This company is not just a sailboat manufacturer. Sparkman & Stephens consider themselves more of a naval architecture firm than just a boat-building company. It is this way of thinking that affects each boat that is spawned from the Sparkman & Stephens shops.

Tradition is a huge part of the Sparkman & Stephens design philosophy, but it doesn’t get in the way of innovation and sophistication. Incorporating the best of traditional designs and concepts with the latest and greatest in materials, technologies and engineering is at the core of the boat designs from this company. These concepts tend to take the sailing experience to an entirely new level.

Sparkman and Stephens take a very analytical approach to boat design. Every hull form is thoroughly analyzed and tested using the latest in computer modeling technology. Tank testing is done on most designs to ensure the performance and safety characteristics of each design meet their exacting standards.

What Do You Get with A Sparkman & Stephens Sailboat?

• Unmistakable Designs – Owners of Sparkman & Stephens sailboats enjoy almost instant recognition at any port they visit. The combination of hull forms and profile ensures everyone knows you are sailing an S&S design.
• A Most Functional Cockpit – Experienced sailors often remark that the S&S sailboats have the most functional cockpit designs and layouts they have encountered.
• Trim and Finish Details – The quality of S&S sailboats doesn’t stop at the boat’s exterior. Inside, owners find the finest in joinery and finish possible to complete the overall feeling of luxury in these boats.
• Sailing Characteristics – Ask an S&S owner to describe the way their boat sails, and you will usually get a huge grin and an exuberant “GREAT” as the answer. By and large S&S owners rave about the way these boats handle, maneuver, and perform on the water.

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Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Best catamaran: Our pick of the best yachts on two hulls

• Toby Hodges
• March 31, 2023

Toby Hodges takes a look at all the nominees and the winner of the best catamaran category in the much-anticipated European Yacht of the Year Awards

There are many categories in the European Yacht of the Year awards, from the best luxury yachts and performance yachts to the best yachts for families and event a best specialist yacht category. But with multihulls rapidly increasing in popularity, the best catamaran category was possibly the most hotly anticipated.

The European Yacht of the Year awards are selected by a broad panel of expert judges from across the globe. These are people who spend their professional lives sailing and comparing yachts, so you can be certain that the yachts which stand out in this field are truly the best catamaran options on the market for those looking to set out on more than one hull.

What started out as two separate best catamaran categories – Family and Performance – merged into one once the jury appreciated the boundaries are quite blurred and that some of these catamarans belong in both camps.

All seven of these 40- to 50-footers merit close scrutiny for anyone after space and cruising comfort. The decision lies with how much you tweak the performance:comfort ratio.

Best catamaran winner – Nautitech 44

If the very best catamaran delivers the ideal comfort to performance compromise, here’s a catamaran that seems to strike the perfect balance.

For those who cite a lack of visibility and protection as reasons not to choose this aft helm route, try sailing this first – direct steering brings so much more helming pleasure that you get the enjoyable feeling and communication more associated with a monohull. The attention to keeping weight low and central, vacuum infused vinylester build and a low coachroof and boom all aid this performance. The fine entry Lombard-designed hulls allowed us to properly point upwind at 8 knots (in 13), but it was the hands-on steering sensation that really stayed with me.

While there’s no real inside/outside boundary – the saloon bridges both – the Chedal-Anglay interior design works well. It is not as voluminous as some, but is certainly enough to be smugly comfortable at anchor, finished to a good quality, with walnut Alpi trim as standard. The layout option for a ‘smart room’ office/laundry/bunk room or stowage cabin is indeed really smart.

Out of all the multihulls nominated or sailed last year, this cat impressed me the most under sail. It’s the ideal size to go distance sailing, with good performance, low draught and space for family and friends. It had me dreaming.

Balance 482

I was drawn to the Balance 482, thanks to the combination of good looking modern design, high average speeds and, chiefly, the profusion of clever thinking and practical ideas that it brings. The South African build uses a foam core with E-glass laminate and cored furniture for a light weight of 11.3 tonnes, but also with the ability to take a generous payload.

An electric furler option combined with screecher sail helps offer effortless handling and fun sailing, although the 482 prefers a breeze in the double figures. Smart options such as load cells on the rigging, a bowsprit camera to monitor the anchor chain, plus engine room and mast cams all help for maintaining vigilance. Other features we like include the solar panels properly installed on raised brackets, raincatchers built into the coachroof, and how all sheets and lines are led to the helm station. But the prize solution is the VersaHelm, which allows you to swing the wheel inboard, close off the helm station, and stand watch and steer from a fully protected position.

Catana Ocean Class

The Catana Ocean Class is a bulky model which is geared more towards creature comforts than the higher performance of its predecessors. That said, it uses carbon in the structure and roof, foam cored furniture, the tanks are mounted low in the hulls and it has daggerboards and fine entry bows. The weight savings help it offer a massive 5.5 tonne cruising payload, plus there’s capacious stowage and large tank, refrigeration and laundry capacity.

Positioned between Lagoon and Outremer, the Catana echoes a bit of its sister brand Bali’s concept with its internal cockpit-cum-saloon layout while providing good ventilation via large sliding doors and opening windows. We liked how it’s easy to handle solo from one helm station, including the electric remote control of the boards, plus the layout of the galley and navstation.

Those chasing speed and helming pleasure should perhaps look to the C-Cat 48, as it’s as close to helming a fast monohull as a cruising cat is likely to get and one of the rare times we enjoyed sailing upwind in light breezes on a multihull! This is largely thanks to a lightweight, stiff build – the Comar yard has managed to save 1.7 tonnes over the first boat (9.5 tonnes light) and increased the draught of the curved daggerboards to 2.95m.

A carbon roof and rig comes as standard, as well as an epoxy hull, full carbon deck, bulkheads and compression beam. It is a little quirky with comparatively small volumes, but this François Perus design will outperform most other performance cats and monohulls of a similar length.

The Excess 14 shares that direct sensation you get from aft helms and some of the performance of the C-Cat, but in a more balanced, voluminous layout for cruising. The Excess 14 benefits from the research of VPLP’s Vannes racing office, where attention was focused on weight reduction, with savings particularly in furniture, on improved stiffness (PET foam cored sandwich for main structural bulkheads), and the efficiency of deeper fixed keels.

The result is telling on the water, as it should be for any best catamaran contender, where you can log easy miles: we clocked late 7s upwind, reached in the late 8s and regularly averaged 9 knots with gennaker in 12-15 knots. Clear glass windows give acceptable visibility from the helms through the coachroof and the comparatively minimalist interior. In short it offers a good mix of volume, reasonable performance and enjoyable sailing – see our full review last month.

Sailing performance was another key facet in the battle of the big cats from the big cat yards, Lagoon and Fountaine Pajot. Both models offer luxurious amounts of space for home from home comfort, as watersports bases for long term cruising.

The decision to push the mast to the front of the coachroof to allow for a larger genoa than its recent preference for self-tacking jibs has paid off on the Lagoon 51. It helped us sail efficiently into the waves (albeit not pointing too high) before clocking double figures reaching with the code sail in 15 knots.

The Lagoon’s large flybridge with dual access is a USP at this size that will be a hit or miss deal breaker for many. The 51 offers unrivalled accommodation volume in three, four or six cabins, and relaxation zones, and good circulation through these big spaces. Once again the jury applauds Lagoon for thoroughly testing the prototype model during a six month tour. Over 100 have already sold.

We saw in our December issue how the experienced owners of the Fountaine Pajot test boat choose to live and work full time aboard their Aura 51. It’s a design that promotes space, enough to take friends, family and crucially for them, all the toys to enjoy at anchor. Its capability of averaging 8-10 knots also appeals, although the single side helm and hydraulic steering result in scant connection to the sailing in light winds (the same applies to the Lagoon).

The fact the yard already offers this in a hybrid version and has an electric and hydrogen model in the pipeline could sway some, but the decision between the FP and the Lagoon will likely come down to preference between a central flybridge or offset bulkhead helm together with interior design and layout.

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Best boat brands: Your essential introduction to the boatbuilders of the world

Do you know your Sunseekers from your Sea Rays? Our essential guide explains the best boat brands in the world right now and what makes them different…

The world of boat brands can be baffling at first, with so many names on the market it’s hard to know which are the best boat brands worth investing your hard earned money in.

That’s where MBY comes in – we’ve reviewed thousands of motorboats over more than a century, so we can help you understand what’s hot and what’s not.

If it’s a RIB (rigid-hulled inflatable boat) that you’re after, check out our essential RIB guide instead, while our sister title Yachting World is the place to go to learn all about the best bluewater sailboats .

However, if you want to know about fully-fledged motorboats, read on for our guide to the best boat brands on the market today, including their history, current ranges and star features…

Jump to the best boat brands from the UK

Jump to the best boat brands from mainland Europe

Jump to the best boat brands from Scandinavia

Best boat brands from the USA

The American Tug 485 is the flagship of the range

American Tug

Renowned builders of full displacement trawlers, American Tug was founded in 1999. Based in La Conner, WA, the yard traces its heritage back to the fishing industry.

They build a focussed range of 36-48ft boats, available in either one-cabin or two-cabin layouts. The majority are fitted with single Cummins engines, with the exception of the entry-level American Tug 362, which comes with a 320hp Volvo D4 engine.

Each model has a cruising range in excess of 1,000nm, and that has been put to good use in cruising grounds as diverse as the Bahamas and the Bering Sea. You can expect to find American Tug boats on both coasts of the US, as well as the Great Lakes and far beyond.

Read more about American Tug boats

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Founded in 1957, since 1986 Bayliner has been part of the Brunswick Corporation, one of the world’s largest boatbuilders and the manufacturers of Mercury outboard engines.

Bayliner currently has a very focussed collection of 18-23ft boats, but don’t let the size range fool you, they cover a wide range of styles from watersports boats to fishing boats and from deck boats to overnight cruising boats.

Their international dealer network is supported by a wide range of production facilities – Bayliner boats are built in the USA, Mexico, Brazil and Portugal.

Read more about Bayliner boats

Boston Whaler

With the tagline ‘the unsinkable legend’, Boston Whaler is clearly not messing around – they even boast that you could cut a Boston Whaler in half and drive away in the half that’s got the engine!

The Boston half of their name relates to their 1950s origins in Massachusetts, but since 1996 the Boston Whaler range has been built in Edgewater, Florida by the Brunswick Corporation.

Their current range includes 28 fiberglass models, ranging in size from the 13ft 130 Super Sport, all the way up to the 42ft 420 Outrage center console.

Read more about Boston Whaler boats

Chris-Craft

One of the oldest and most revered boat brands in the USA, Chris-Craft can trace its history back more than 140 years, when it was known as Chris Smith & Sons Boat Co before adopting its now iconic moniker 15 years later.

These days Chris-Craft boats are built in Sarasota, Florida, and their 24-35ft range is characterized by teak decks, deep-vee hulls, reverse-sloping transoms and stainless steel detailing.

Read more about Chris-Craft boats

The Fleming 53

Founded in Taiwan in 1985 by a Brit who is now based in the USA, Fleming Yachts is a truly international brand, which is reflected in their globetrotting, ocean-crossing range of displacement motorboats.

Ranging in size from 55ft to 85ft, the Fleming range covers the high-end of owner-operated boats. Roughly 340 Flemings have been built to date and each one is highly specified to suit its owner’s style of boating.

Read more about Fleming Yachts

Grand Banks

Another global brand, Grand Banks Yachts was founded in Hong Kong by an American who later moved operations to Singapore and then Malaysia.

Their range of fiberglass-hulled cruising boats spans from 44ft to 85ft and the vast majority of the components are built in-house to ensure they have a firm grip on quality control.

Read more about Grand Banks yachts

Hatteras GT70

A veteran of the Billfish tournament scene, Hatteras has been producing tournament sportfish boats for more than four decades. Based in New Bern, NC and named after a notorious local cape, its models are built to withstand rough sea states with a shrug of the shoulders.

After a brief foray into superyacht building, the yard was acquired in 2021 by White River Marine Group, who consolidated the range down to just four models, ranging from 45ft to 70ft.

British boaters will recognise Hatteras from the 1980s TV series Howards’ Way, whose seductive property tycoon Charles Frere was a Hatteras owner.

Read more about Hatteras Yachts

Founded in 1928 in Southwest Harbor, ME as part of the local lobster boat industry, Hinckley has become one of New England’s most highly regarded boatbuilders.

Renowned as some of the best jet boats in the world, Hinckley Yachts can navigate the shallowest of waters due to the lack of exposed propellers.

Construction involves carbon composites from bow to stern, vacuum-infused with epoxy for exceptional durability that is backed up by a lifetime guarantee.

Their current range runs from the iconic 34ft Picnic Boat up to the 57ft Talaria motor yacht.

Read more about Hinckley Yachts

The Nordhavn N120 is the flagship of the range

Founded in 1978 in Dana Point, California, Nordhavn builds a rugged range of 41-120ft displacement trawler yachts that are renowned for their long-distance cruising capability.

Today the range is built in Taiwan and Turkey, and key features include spacious, practical engine rooms that house a main engine and a wing engine that can be used as an emergency backup.

This kind of technical redundancy underpins the Nordhavn range, giving owners the confidence to cruise all around the world in their home away from home.

Read more about Nordhavn yachts

Built at the Brunswick Corporation headquarters in Knoxsville, Tennessee as well as two further facilities in Florida, the Sea Ray range runs from 19ft to 40ft.

Exported worldwide by a vast network of dealers covering 80 countries, Sea Ray boats are renowned for their early adoption of fiberglass as well as pioneering the fixed swim platform.

Read more about Sea Ray boats

Another sportfish heavyweight, Viking Yachts is based out of Gretna, NJ, and this family-owned yard has been turning out state-of-the art, big-game fishing “battlewagons” for more than half a century.

In this time, more than 4,000 GRP Viking hulls have been delivered, starting with a 37ft wooden boat in 1964 before switching to GRP in the early 1970s.

A vocal opponent of the 1990 luxury tax, the yard was instrumental in overturning this levy three years later, and in 1996 they founded the Recreational Fishing Alliance, a non-profit organization that promotes sustainable fisheries and a healthy marine environment.

Read more about Viking Yachts

Best boat brands from the UK

Fairline was founded in Oundle, Northamptonshire in 1963 and got its name from a fair line of minerals found in a nearby quarry.

The current range starts with the entry-level F-33 weekender , which was styled by Italian superyacht designer Alberto Mancini.

Fairline is arguably most famous for its Targa sportscruisers (45-65ft) and Squadron flybridge models (50-68ft), with plans afoot to launch a 65ft sportsbridge yacht that is claimed to offer the best of both worlds.

Read more about Fairline Yachts

Once a manufacturer of aft-cabin cruisers, Pearl Yachts has undergone a remarkable transformation in the past decade to become one of Britain’s most stylish designer yacht brands.

Partnerships with Kelly Hoppen and Bill Dixon for interior and exterior design respectively have led to a highly desirable range of 62-95ft flybridges.

Each new yacht comes with a 5-year warranty and their models are built in the UK at the yard’s Warwick headquarters.

Read more about Pearl Yachts

Founded in Plymouth in 1965, Princess Yachts is one of the true titans of the British boating industry with a fiberglass-hulled range that stretches from a 35ft dayboat to a 95ft superyacht.

One of the distinguishing features of Princess is its design partnership with legendary British naval architecture firm Olesinski and Italian styling house Pininfarina.

Currently owned by L Capital, Princess Yachts are part of the same stable of brands as Louis Vuitton and Moet Hennessy, so their knowledge of the luxury lifestyle is unrivalled.

Read more about Princess Yachts

Founded by Idris Braithwaite in the 1960s as Poole Powerboats, the company was rebranded as Sunseeker in 1979 when it started to sell boats overseas, and so a legendary boating brand was born.

Currently owned by Chinese group Dalian Wanda, Sunseeker remains a British company with manufacturing still based in Poole.

The current Sunseeker collection ranges from the Hawk 38 high-performance sportsboat to the Sunseeker 50M Ocean – a steel-hulled superyacht that is currently under construction at Icon Yachts’ facility in the Netherlands.

Read more about Sunseeker

Best boat brands from mainland Europe

Based in Piacenza, a town in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, roughly 150km north-east of Genoa, Absolute Yachts has been an independent boatbuilder since 2002.

Founded by Marcello Bè and Sergio Maggi, the yard’s range of 48-73ft Navetta, Flybridge and sport yachts is internationally renowned and it has a prominent presence at all of the world’s leading boat shows.

Its name and motto (Reaching for the Absolute) reflects its desire to achieve the finest standards in both build quality and seakeeping.

Read more about Absolute Yachts

Alfastreet 32 Cabin

Slovenian boat builder, Alfastreet, has forged a powerful reputation for the courageous ingenuity of its sportsboats.

Ever since it made its UK debut in 2014, its mixture of classical design, custom-ready upgrade paths and pioneering day-boating solutions has made Alfastreet boats feel bespoke and exclusive.

Its heritage in high-end roulette tables may have helped the quality of its cabinetry, but it’s Alfastreet’s famous hydraulic roof that has become something of an icon.

Built from fibreglass and mounted on stainless struts, it can be elevated at the touch of a button for unobstructed views, or closed for security at the end of a day without any of the fuss associated with zips, poppers and canvases.

Read more about Alfastreet sportboats

Azimut Yachts is one of Italy’s foremost boatbuilders, based at a state-of-the-art 100,000 square metre facility in Avigliana, less than 20 miles west of Turin, which can produce up to 300 boats per year and has built more than 10,000 hulls to date.

Azimut has pioneered several key yachting trends over the years, such as large frameless windows, electric helm seats and walnut wood interiors.

The current Azimut collection includes the sporty Verve weekenders (42-47ft), the semi-planing Magellano trawler models (43-82ft) and the signature sportscruiser and flybridge range (50-83ft), all the way up to the Grande superyacht line (87-125ft).

Read more about Azimut Yachts

Founded in 1978 as a sailboat builder, Bavaria Yachtbau is the largest yacht manufacturer in Germany with its headquarters in Giebelstadt.

Since 2001 the firm has also built motorboats and the current range includes open boats, sportscruisers and flybridges, ranging in size from 28ft to 55ft.

Read more about Bavaria boats

The Beneteau Grand Trawler 62 is the current flagship of the range

Dating back to 1884, Bénéteau is one of the oldest family-run boatbuilders in the business and the world’s largest producer of yachts, launching more than 10,000 hulls per year.

Based in the Vendée region of France, with a second manufacturing base in Marion, South Carolina, Bénéteau is a major player in both the motorboat and sailing yacht markets.

Its current collection of seafaring vessels ranges from 14ft to 62ft, while the Bénéteau Group’s wider portfolio includes a variety of boat brands, such as Four Winns , Glastron , Jeanneau , Prestige , Scarab and Wellcraft.

Read more about Beneteau boats

Cantiere Nautico Cranchi, more commonly known as Cranchi Yachts, is one of Italy’s oldest boatbuilders, with a history that can be traced back to 1870.

Its current range runs from a 26ft open bowrider up to the 78ft flagship flybridge that was launched in 2020.

Based in the Lombardy region, Cranchi works closely with designer Christian Grande to ensure a consistent Italian style throughout its range, while its primary engine supplier Volvo Penta has a relationship with the brand that has lasted more than 50 years.

Read more about Cranchi Yachts

The 77m full-custom superyacht Boardwalk was launched by Feadship in 2021

With a history that dates back to 1849, the Feadship brand is as historic as it is prestigious. Formed from the Royal Van Lent and De Vries shipyards, Feadship as we know it today was officially formed in 1949.

Today, the yard is one of the biggest players in the full-custom superyacht sector, working primarily in steel and aluminium, and launching just a handful of models each year, ranging from 50m up to 110m.

Notable owners include Apple founder Steve Jobs, who commissioned the 78m Venus , and Oracle owner Larry Ellison, for whom the 88m Musashi was built.

Read more about Feadship superyachts

Founded in 1968 in Bologna, the Ferretti Group is now based in the Italian city of Forli.

From here it controls a vast group of yachting brands built across six facilities, including CRN , Custom Line , Itama, Mochi Craft , Pershing , Riva and Wally .

Its signature Ferretti Yachts flybridge range currently runs from 50ft to 100ft.

Read more about Ferretti Yachts

Fountaine Pajot

Founded in 1976 by Jean François Fountaine, Yves Pajot and Daniel Givon, Fountaine Pajot is a French yard based in Poitou-Charentes.

Its catamaran collection includes both sailing yachts and, since 1998, powercats. The latter range spans from the 36ft entry-level MY4S to the recently launched 67ft flagship .

A lot of yards speak boldly about sustainability and alternative energy sources, but Fountaine Pajot is rare in that it has set an ambitious target of being carbon neutral by 2030.

Read more about Fountaine Pajot powercats

Since 1982, Galeon Yachts has been building luxury motorboats in Straszyn, Poland.

Today its range of 30-80ft models is exported worldwide by a network of 15 dealers. Galeon also builds the entry-level Galia range of 15-25ft leisure boats.

In recent years, Galeon has pioneered the use of fold-out platforms, which massively increase the available deck space when resting at anchor.

Read more about Galeon Yachts

A Dutch manufacturer of steel displacement yachts, Linssen was founded in 1949 as a carpentry and ship repair business.

In the last decade, the yard moved to the town of Maasbracht where it currently builds aft-cabin cruisers and sedans ranging from 9-16m.

Propulsion options include Mercury and Volvo Penta units with the aim of delivering comfortable long-distance cruising, both inland and offshore.

Read more about Linssen Yachts

A relatively new player on the motor yacht scene, Cantiere del Pardo was founded in 2016 by Grand Soleil – a luxury sailboat manufacturer of more than 50 years’ experience, based in the Italian town of Forli.

Since then, its range has grown to five models – the Pardo 38 , 43 and 50 T-top sportscruisers, the Pardo Endurance 60 flagship , and the forthcoming Pardo GT52 , which aims to deliver the best of both styles.

Read more about Pardo Yachts

Though originally famed for its robust offshore RIBs, Parker Poland is also an undisputed powerhouse in the world of recreational sportsboats.

The company’s core ethos is to marry capable, seagoing hulls with high-quality construction and to bring its boats to market at remarkably accessible and reasonable prices.

It also makes a point of leveraging feedback from its customers to bring fresh models and design ideas to market each and every year. And with a global reach that now encompasses 80 dealers in more than 35 countries around the world, it’s clearly an approach that works.

Read more about Parker sportsboats

Founded in 1958, Sanlorenzo has grown to become an Italian boatbuilding behemoth, with facilities in Ameglia, Viareggio, Massa and La Spezia.

Building in GRP, aluminium and steel, the yard produces a wide range of semi-custom yachts from 24-72m.

As if that wasn’t enough, Sanlorenzo acquired Bluegame Yachts in 2018, adding its range of 42-72ft motor yachts to its bulging portfolio.

The future looks bright for Sanlorenzo, with a healthy order book, including a cutting-edge 50m hydrogen-powered superyacht , which has been commissioned by company chairman Massimo Perotti.

Read more about Sanlorenzo Yachts

Founded in the 1970s by Frank Fish, Tom Murrant and Ray Walker, Sealine grew in popularity in the 1980s and 90s to become one of the UK’s most prominent boatbuilders.

Following a buyout by German company Hanse in June 2013, the current 33ft-55ft Sealine range is built in Greifswald on the Baltic coast, including sportcruisers and flybridges.

Thanks to the Hanse Group’s connections, Sealine boats are now sold all across the world by a network of 89 dealers.

Read more about Sealine

Best boat brands from Scandinavia

One of the newer boat brands on our list, but also one of the most successful, Axopar has reinvented the market for outboard-powered dayboats, with a comprehensive range of stylish, practical and attractively priced cabin, open and T-top models, sparking a string of imitators.

Axopar was founded in 2014 by a select group of Finnish entrepreneurs and is now headed up by Jan-Erik Viitala, who brought together everything he had learned from working on Aquador , XO and Paragon , hence the name.

The current Axopar range runs from 22ft-37ft and more than 3,500 boats have been built at its production facilities in Poland over the past 8 years.

Key partnerships include Jobe Watersports and German tuning house Brabus, who have produced the Brabus Shadow range of high-performance outboard boats.

Read more about Axopar Boats

Made in Finland since 1976, the Botnia range is revered for its Targa wheelhouse boats, which boast exceptional seakeeping in almost all conditions.

The uncompromising styling and rugged build quality has earned this range a reputation as the ultimate 4×4 of the sea

The current Botnia leisure range runs from 23ft to 46ft, but the yard also builds water taxis, police boats, sea rescue boats and much more besides.

Read more about Botnia Boats

Finnmaster T9

Founded in 1990, Finnmaster range comprises wheelhouse boats, sportsboats, centre consoles and bow riders, all built from GRP and measuring from 5m to 9m.

The group also includes the Grandezza range of sportsboats and sportscruisers (7.5m-11.5m), and Husky aluminium bow rider boats (5m-8m).

While lots of Nordic boat builders have shifted production to overseas factories over the last decade, Finnmaster has remained profoundly connected to its roots. Now, as ever, it designs and builds its boats at the heart of Finland’s historic Ostrobothnia boat building region.

With the famous Gulf of Bothnia directly on its doorstep, that provides a uniquely varied and challenging testing ground for research and development.

Read more about Finnmaster sportsboats

Very much a family business, Marex Yachts was founded in 1973 by Eyvin Aalrud and handed down to his sons Espen and Thomas 16 years later.

Production of its 31-37ft range is split between two facilities in Arendal, Norway and Kaunas, Lithuania.

The brand name comes from the Latin for ‘king of the sea’ and this motto is reflected in the consistently impressive seakeeping of its boats.

Famous clients include former Top Gear presenter James May, who owns a Marex 310 Sundancer .

Read more about Marex Yachts

Swedish brand Nimbus Group has been building boats since 1968. As well as Nimbus Boats, the group also includes the Aquador , Bella , Falcon , Flipper and Paragon ranges.

Famous owners over the years include tennis player Bjorn Borg and the Swedish King Gustaf XVI. Its influence isn’t limited to Sweden either, with a worldwide network of almost 100 dealers.

The current Nimbus range goes from 26ft to 36ft and covers styles as diverse as superyacht tenders, flybridges and commuter boats.

Read more about Nimbus Boats

Established in 2021 by three highly respected Finnish boat builders, Quarken is named after the brand’s home waters around the Kvarken archipelago in the northern Baltic. Though still young, the brand is already becoming known for its modular approach to boat building, which enables each craft to be customised with a minimum of fuss.

You simply pick the model and the hull colour and then configure it with a range of seating choices, dining layouts, deck fittings and  watersports and fishing features. Clean, simple and understated with modern Nordic designs but very keen pricing, Quarken has already formed a new five-year partnership with Yamaha Motor.

This means every current Quarken 27 will be equipped with Yamaha’s 300hp V6 outboard power and future models will have the option of everything up to Yamaha’s imperious  XTO 425hp V8 .

Read more about Quarken sportsboats

Sargo 28 Explorer

Edy Sarin started building boats under the Minor Offshore brand over 50 years ago in Ostrobothnia, situated along Finland’s West Coast. He and his wife Lillemor developed both the range and the business, which has stayed firmly within the family, now headed up by their son Thomas.

In 2014, Thomas Sarin changed the brand name to Sargo to reflect the brand’s ever increasing global reach (Minor doesn’t translate well into some languages).

The current line-up ranges from 28ft to 45ft and comprises five wheelhouse models and one flybridge yacht.

Read more about Sargo boats

The newest boat brand on our list and arguably the most exciting, Saxdor burst onto the scene in 2021 with its headline grabbing Saxdor 200 Sport offering cutting edge styling and exceptional value for money thanks to production facilities based in Poland.

This was quickly followed up by the Saxdor 320 , which brought with it more space, more performance and features such as fold-out balconies and pilothouse accommodation.

This new Finnish brand is definitely one to watch…

Read more about Saxdor Yachts

Founded in Oslo in 1966, Windy is one of the oldest and most highly venerated Scandinavian boat brands.

Founder Hugo Vold was inspired by his father’s sturdy fishing vessels, and the Windy range aims to uphold those high standards of seakeeping today, albeit with much higher levels of performance, style and luxury.

The current range runs from 26ft to 60ft and incorporates everything from superyacht tenders and luxury day boats to fast and efficient sportscruisers.

Read more about Windy Boats

The irrepressible coolness of an XO sports boat goes way beyond its styling. In terms of its sheer usability, the brand’s designs encompass a range of open, hardtop and cabin options that enable you to fine-tune each model precisely in line with the way you like to go boating.

Tough, lightweight, easy to maintain and simple to mend, XO’s famously robust aluminium deep-V hulls mean that, as polished and refined as they might look, XO boats are also brilliant for the rough stuff – for nosing onto rocky beaches, for rafting up at busy berths, or for the knockabout rigours of offshore passages and everyday family recreation.

There are eight models in the current XO fleet – the EXPLR Series offers five versatile cabin-equipped pilothouse models in 9m and 10m variants. Beneath that, the 9m DSCVR Series is available in either Open or T-Top versions.

Read more about XO sportsboats

Yamarin 88DC

When Finnish Yamaha importer, Kesko, founded Yamarin in 1972, the whole point was to create a line of compact open runabouts that would dovetail perfectly with Yamaha’s outboard motors.

They met with tremendous success, quickly establishing Yamaha engines as the biggest player in the Scandinavian boating market – and 50 years on, Yamarin’s Yamaha-powered fleet remains just as keenly focused as it ever was.

With endless hours of applied on-water testing and customer feedback underpinning each model, Yamarin boats have become justly famous for their novice-friendly hulls, for their impeccable ergonomics and for all the comfort, handling and efficiency gains that come with a balanced boat and a properly matched engine.

Read more about Yamaran sportsboats

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The 10 Best Sailing Destinations in the World

When most people think about adventure travel images of trekking through the Himalaya or going on safari in Africa  are typically what come to mind. But sailing just might be the original form of adventure travel, sending intrepid explorers off to the far corners of the globe with little more than the wind at their back and the open ocean in front of them. Today, sailing the ocean isn't quite so dangerous, although it does remain quite adventurous. There is nothing quite like sitting on the bow of ship with the wind blowing through your hair and the sound of the surf crashing against the hull. 

Fortunately, there are still plenty of great places for adventurous travelers to experience this feeling for themselves. To help you do just that, we've selected the ten best sailing destinations for those who would never consider a cruise but are still looking for a waterborne adventure of a lifetime. 

South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean

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Located in the Southern Ocean, South Georgia Island is probably best known for the crucial role it played in Ernest Shackleton's doomed Endurance expedition to the Antarctic. But the place is also a pristine environment that is home to thousands of penguins and numerous rare sea birds, including a variety of albatross that are only found there. Visitors also get the chance to see elephant and fur seals by the hundreds, while exploring the remains of long-abandoned whaling stations left over from a bygone era. Those stations have been inactive for decades, and as a result, whale populations have rebounded nicely. It is not uncommon to find humpbacks, sperm whales, southern right whales, and even blue whales just off shore, along with dolphins, and an array of other sea life. 

Sailing the Southern Ocean is an adventure in and of itself, taking travelers across some of the most turbulent waters on the planet. The team at Classic Sailing are an experienced crew who have made that voyage many times however, and offer one of the best opportunities to visit South Georgie in a tall ship. If you're looking for a grand adventure out on the high seas, this is one that should certainly be near the top of your list.

The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

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The Galapagos Islands have long been a popular adventure travel destination, offering exceptional opportunities to view wildlife that simply can't be found anywhere else on the planet. Visitors can spot giant tortoises, sea lions, blue footed boobies, and the archipelago's famous aquatic iguanas. Snorkeling and diving in the Galapagos are favorite pastimes, as are kayaking and stand up paddle boarding, making this a great destination for those who like to stay active on their vacations. 

Most visitors to the Galapagos stay aboard a small cruise ship while visiting the islands. But when Charles Darwin first arrived there back in 1835, he came aboard the HMS Beagle , a sailing sloop that was part of the British Royal Navy. Intrepid travelers can capture a similar experience by sailing the Galapagos too. Andando Tours offers excellent opportunities to explore this magnificent place, with tall ships and catamaran itineraries available. 

The Whitsunday Islands, Australia

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When visiting Australia most travelers have the Sydney Opera House, the Outback, or the Great Barrier Reef on their bucket lists. Most have never even heard of the Whitsunday Islands , let alone considered visiting them.

Located off the coast of Queensland—not far from the Great Barrier Reef—the Whitsundays are a chain of 74 islands that are the Australian version of paradise. With spectacularly beautiful beaches, an abundance of wildlife, and waters that are a shade of blue that isn't found anywhere else on Earth, this is a place that visitors will never want to leave. The diving and snorkeling are practically unmatched and the scenery is simply awe inspiring.

Setting out from Airlie Beach, the so-called "gateway to the Whitsundays," you'll find plenty of sailing ships that offer everything from single-day escapes to three-day adventures on the open ocean. Visit Sailing-Whitsundays.com to sort through all of the choices. 

Zanzibar Island, Tanzania

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Tanzania's Zanzibar Island is a destination that offers history, culture, adventure, and a chance to relax all in one amazing place. For centuries the island was a nexus of a trade and commerce for the Arab world and the remains of that heritage can still be found there today. But the azure-colored Indian Ocean also offers excellent snorkeling and diving, chances to go fishing, or just soak up the sun. Travelers will also find ancient villages to visit, markets to explore, and beaches to wander too. 

A visit to Zanzibar is a perfect extension after finishing up a Tanzanian safari or as a destination in its own right. Sailing options include single day outings or week-long excursions, with Intrepid Travel offering one of the most affordable and full-featured options, including a seven-day journey aboard a modern catamaran that somehow manages to be both active and restful at the same time.

The Greek Isles

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The Mediterranean is filled with great opportunities for sailors, but few options compare with island hopping off the coast of Greece . Places like Mykonos, Santorini, and Paros make for the perfect escape for those seeking a dash of culture and history to go along with their adventure. Sea kayaking is a great way to explore these islands, and day-excursions to wander the villages and landscapes are a must-do as well. As you would expect, the food is exquisite and the locals are accommodating, making this sailing destination one that will stay with you long after you've returned home.

Options for sailing out of Athens or Mykonos abound, with opportunities to travel for just a day or two or more than a week if your schedule permits. You'll find affordable options for Greek Islands excursion from G Adventures , with more upscale offerings coming from National Geographic Expeditions . 

The Adriatic Coast, Croatia

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In a country filled with opportunities for adventure, Croatia's Adriatic Coast just might be the most breathtakingly beautiful destination of them all. With more than 1100 miles of coastline, not to mention a dizzying number of islands to explore , Croatia has seemingly endless miles of beaches and crystal clear waters to snorkel and dive. And when you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the vibrant Croatian cities, try sailing into some of the remote fishing villages that can be found in the numerous hidden lagoons that dot the shore. 

If you're looking for a truly active escape while sailing the Croatian Coast, try REI Adventure's Croatia Island Hopper tour. This trip not only mixes great sailing and snorkeling opportunities, it also gives travelers the chance to go hiking, cycling, paddle boarding, and kayaking too. You'll also have the opportunity to tour the UNESCO heritage site of Dubrovnik, while enjoying local food and wines while en route.

The Bay of Islands, New Zealand

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New Zealand has long had a rich sailing culture, which is due in large part to its amazing coastlines which offer epic scenery and plenty of places to explore. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Bay of Islands , a place that has launched countless sailing adventures. 

The Bay is the perfect spot to go sea kayaking or fishing, but it is especially well known for its diverse wildlife. Seagoing travelers can spot penguins, whales, and dolphins all in a relatively small area. And when they're ready to spend some time on dry land, they can go ashore one any one of the 144 islands from which the bay gets is name. There, they'll have the chance to walk in pristine environments that are virtually untouched by man.

There are literally dozens of options to choose from when it comes to sailing the Bay of Islands. Thankfully, there is a website built to help adventurous travelers sort through them all. Start planning your trip here . 

French Polynesia, Tahiti

TripSavvy / Lauren Breedlove

French Polynesia is the name given to a wide swath of islands and section of sea that is located in the South Pacific. There are a number of fantastic places to sail here, but Tahiti and its surrounding islands –– which include Huahine, Bora Bora, and Moorea –– may just be the best. You'll find crystal-clear and warm seas all year long, with great diving and snorkeling across the entire region. You'll also witness plenty of sea life, as the oceans are teeming with colorful creatures at every turn. The region also boasts some of the most pristine beaches found anywhere on the planet, many of which can only be reached by ship. 

More experienced sailors can charter a ship in Tahiti and spend their days sailing completely on their own. Those of us who aren't seasoned enough to do that on our own will have to book with someone else instead. As you would expect, there are plenty of options to choose from, with the Offshore Sailing School being chief amongst them.

The British Virgin Islands

cdwheatley/Getty Images

The Caribbean has long been a mecca for sailors looking to navigate between its numerous islands, each with its own culture, history, and attractions. But the British Virgin Islands just might offer the best sailing in the entire region, giving visitors a chance to combine luxury and adventure into one epic excursion. 

Some of the very best beaches in the entire Caribbean can be found in the BVI, many of which are in hidden coves strung out across the various locales. These secluded spaces make for stunning places to drop anchor, providing great opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, or just lounging in the sand. And when you're ready to go ashore, you'll find beautiful resorts, delectable restaurants, and some surprisingly great hiking trails to wander too. 

Once again, G Adventures offers one of the best options for sailing in the British Virgin islands. The company's seven-day excursion out of Tortola is a good mix of activities and relaxation at a solid price. 

Lycian Coast, Turkey

For a sailing adventure that combines time both on sea and on land, travel to Turkey and take on the Lycian Coast. This beautiful destination features quaint fishing towns, beautiful and secluded beaches, and miles of rocky cliffs. Most visitors split their time on the open ocean with visits to a number of intriguing archaeological sites, many of which are found not far from shore.

To experience this amazing location for yourself, join one of Peter Sommer Travels' departures for Turkey . All excursions are aboard a traditional tall sailing ship known as a Gulet, which serves as a comfortable and accommodating vessel for adventurous travelers. 

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The 10 Most-Exciting Yacht Debuts at the Palm Beach International Boat Show

Besides the debut of smaller vessels, more than 60 yachts over 100 feet will be at palm beach this week. it promises to be a banner event., howard walker, howard walker's most recent stories.

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For superyacht shoppers, the Palm Beach International Boat Show, kicking off its four-day run this week, is set to break records with more than 60 yachts over 100 feet long on display. Last year was also a banner year for superyachts at the show. 

Headliners will include the likes of the 295-foot Corsair Nero ,  the 278-foot Victorious by AKYacht, the 230-foot Turquoise-built Talisman C , and 213-foot Benetti Triumph among brokerage yachts, and in new yachts, the 113-foot Ocean Alexander Puro 35 is making its world debut.  

There are so many gleaming white vessels over 100 feet, in fact, that the fleet will be split between the Palm Harbor Marina at the main show site on the downtown West Palm Beach waterfront and the Safe Harbor Rybovich Marina two miles north. 

Now in its 42nd year, PBIBS will also showcase hundreds of models of dayboats, cruisers, and fishing boats, as well as marine accessories. Running from this Thursday through Sunday, the show coincides with the Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary art show, a fortuitous opportunity for yacht owners wanting to add new art to their collections.

Here are 10 must-see boats at this year’s show.

Corsair Yachts ‘Nero’

The undisputed star of this year’s Palm Beach show? That would be the 295-foot, classically styled superyacht Nero , built in 2007 and inspired by American financier J.P. Morgan’s legendary 1930s steamer Corsair IV . Nero ‘s attendance at PBIBS marks its return to the charter market after an extensive refit in 2021. Now better than new, the boat is being managed by Burgess. With weekly charter rates from $497,000, the vessel offers five-star accommodations for 12 guests in six cabins, with pampering from a crew of 20. Part of the refit included a full interior refresh by Italian interior designer Laura Pomponi, plus a major focus on wellness. That meant the construction of a new, state-of-the-art gym and spa, the assistance of a certified onboard trainer, a masseuse and beautician. After PBIBS, Nero will spend the winter in the Caribbean before returning to the Med for the summer season.

Ocean Alexander Puro 35P

Ocean Alexander is debuting the first of its new Puro superyacht series at PBIBS. The 113-foot Puro 35P comes from the drawing board of Italian designer Giorgio M. Cassetta and is a step back from the polarizing lines of OA’s recent Revolution and Explorer series with their bold, vertical bow designs. Aimed at long-distance cruising, the 35P can carry over 5,000 gallons of fuel and is powered by twin 2,000 hp MAN V12s for a 24-knot top speed. Twin 55kW Kohler generators can also keep the yacht powered at anchor for long periods. Other standout features include extensive glazing in the chiseled fiberglass hull, a forward deck plunge pool, and spacious accommodations for 10 guests. 

Think of it as the “starter” Sirena. Aimed at a younger demographic, the Turkish builder’s brand-new Sirena 48 is making its U.S. debut at PBIBS after a global reveal at last fall’s Cannes boat show. Such is its appeal that 27 hulls have already been sold, with 13 of the orders coming from North America. Looking like a scaled-down version of Sirena’s popular 58, its distinctive, trawler-style lines are from Argentinian designer Germán Frers. With more interior space than a typical 48-footer, the yacht offers three staterooms—plus a crew cabin—a spacious, light-filled salon, a large cockpit, an oversized flybridge, and a vast forward social area. Take your pick from twin 550 hp Cummins QSB, or 670 hp Volvo D11 turbo diesels. Or the builder is also offering hybrid power with twin 285 hp electric motors charged up by variable-speed generators that are good for a 30-mile battery-only range.

Feadship ‘Olympus’

Picture purchasing a classic 180-foot Feadship superyacht, and then getting a $10 million bill for a major refit. That was the case with Olympus , built by the Dutch masters at Feadship in 1996 to a design by Britain’s Andrew Winch and the celebrated naval architect Frits De Voogt. Sold in 2022, the new owner sent it to the Monaco Marine refit center in La Ciotat, France for a major makeover. It included overhauling the 2,600 hp Caterpillar engines and generators, repairs to the structure, substantial upgrades to the guest areas and crew quarters, and new paint throughout. With the work completed just last year, the vessel is said to be in mint condition. Offered jointly by brokers Fraser and Edmiston, Olympus has an asking price of $28.5 million. With accommodations for 16 guests in eight cabins, the boat’s highlights include two primary suites, tropical-spec air conditioning, and Palm Beach-chic decor.

Benetti ‘Triumph’

Italian yachting powerhouse Benetti is showing off its superyacht-building skills with the 213-foot Triumph . Delivered in 2021, this Giorgio M. Cassetta-designed steel-and-aluminum world girder features six decks, a 1,400-square-foot primary suite with outdoor terrace and adjoining lounge, a 750-square-foot beach club, and a touch-and-go helipad. What sets Triumph apart, however, is its lavish interior furnishings put together by the owner along with Benetti Interior Style and Monaco-based Green & Mingarelli Design. It includes pieces by French glassmaker Lalique, marble from Marfil, Statuario and Armani, furs, silk and wool carpets, plus a collection of cool black-and-white wildlife photographs by British fine art photographer David Yarrow. The pièce de résistance? That would be the owner’s Triumph Bonneville motorcycle displayed in the salon.

Fjord 39 XP/XL

Germany’s Fjord Yachts, part of the Hanse Group, has a new 39-foot day boat that it’s unveiling at the Palm Beach show. The 39 XP and XL keep all the bold design cues of the bigger Fjord 41 XP and XL, like a big, open cockpit, walkaround center console, vertical bow, mile-high windshield and stretched hardtop. As for the differences between the XP and XL, it’s all about power. The XL comes with a choice of twin 320hp Volvo D4 diesels, or bigger 440 hp D6 versions, both with Volvo stern drives. Likely more appealing to U.S. buyers will be the XP powered by twin 400 hp Mercury Verado V10 outboards giving a 50-knot top speed. Pricing starts at around $500,000.

Turquoise ‘Talisman C’

Chandeliers don’t come more dramatic than this. Cascading down the central spiral staircase of the Turkish-built, 231-foot superyacht Talisman C , this jaw-dropping piece of art comprises an array of multi-colored glass balls threaded on stainless-steel rods and illuminated by hanging fiber-optic strands. It’s the creation of Prague-based Crystal Caviar and is one of a number of glass installations on this sleek, low-profile superyacht. Built in 2011 by the Proteksan Turquoise shipyard, Talisman C was designed inside and out by London-based studio H2 Yacht Design, with naval architecture by Italy’s Hydro Tec. With cabins for 12 guests, one of its highlights is a huge primary suite, which boasts more crystal chandeliers and a private library. Twin 2,447 hp Caterpillar diesels give a top speed of 18 knots and a transatlantic range of 7,000 nautical miles at 12 knots. It’s listed with Burgess for $59.9 million. 

Sanlorenzo 44 ‘Kamakasa’

Delivered in 2020 and sold to a new buyer just last August, the 146-foot Sanlorenzo 44 Alloy Kamakasa will be for sale at PBIBS. The asking price, through the Italian Yacht Group, is $23.75 million. Lack of use might also be the issue here; the yacht’s twin 2,600 hp MTU V16 diesels have a mere 289 hours on the clock. Built in aluminum to a design by Rome-based Zuccon International Project, Kamakasa was the second hull in the Sanlorenzo 44 Alloy series. One of the top features is a primary suite that spans three levels and almost 1,600 square feet; it also comes with a private Jacuzzi, separate bathrooms, a walk-in closet, and a private study. The yacht’s lightweight construction and MTU power combine to deliver an impressive 20-knot top speed.

Bahama 41 GT2

As ultimate, reel-’em-in, fishing center consoles go, the Bahama 41 from West Palm Beach-based Bahama Boat Works is as hard-core as they come. But when owners kept asking for a little more comfort for the family, the builder responded. The result is the brand-new flagship 41 GT debuting at PBIBS. While the proven, wave-slicing hull stays the same, the cockpit layout is new. In place of the single bench seat, there are now three-across bucket seats with a second row behind. The wider console now has space for a pair of 22-inch Garmin screens, while the new extended hardtop features sun shades and even a rain shower. Outboard choices stay the same with either twin Mercury V12 600s, or four 400 hp Mercury V10s, good for a 65-knot-plus top speed. Pricing is from around $920,000.

Heesen ‘Book Ends’

Launched in 2022, this 164-foot Heesen is part of the Book Ends collection, owned by an American couple who have had more than 18 yachts with the same name. The exterior design of this Heesen was by Omega Architects, while Dutch studio Van Oossanen did the naval architecture. The yacht is part of Heesen’s fast cruising series, which is more efficient than other vessels its size, and can reach 23 knots at full speed with its MTU 16V 4000 M65L engines. The yacht is listed through Ocean Independence for 42 million Euro, or about $45.7 million.

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Top 20 Cruising Destinations for Your Bucket List

• By Cruising World Editors
• Updated: January 29, 2024

Wondering what the best sailing destinations in the world are? Whether you’re planning a sailing charter vacation or a journey on your own boat, these 20 sailing destinations are part of many sailor’s bucket lists. From the isles of Greece to Australia’s Whitsunday Islands, the colorful Caribbean to dramatic Patagonia, these locations offer something for everyone.

Windward Islands

Tropical rainforests, barrier reefs, secluded anchorages: In the Windward Islands, you’ll get a taste of all that the Caribbean has to offer, and plenty of fine trade-wind sailing to boot. For sailors, there are multiple choices for your Windward Islands adventures, and from any of them, you can choose to make your sailing vacation as laid-back or as challenging as you’d like.

Leeward Islands

The Leeward Islands are full of cruising hot spots, with much to offer to sailors, making passing through the Caribbean. lush scenery, vibrant reefs and a laid-back vibe make for the ultimate sailing destination.

Lesser Antilles

The Lesser Antilles, in the Eastern Caribbean, are among the best charter destinations on the planet. Why? Diversity and conditions. The winds, seas and harbors in the Lesser Antilles are nearly ideal 99 percent of the time, and landfalls are perfectly spaced. In many of the most popular chartering waters, destinations are 30 to 40 miles apart — or less. This means you can get up at a reasonable hour, have a thrilling sail, and still manage to clear customs by happy hour.

Cuba is one of those mysterious destinations for US-based cruisers: close, intriguing, but seemingly out of reach. In 2017, when regulations were a bit more relaxed for cruisers, Cruising World hosted a rally to the island nation. The verdict? Cuba is everything we expected, and so much more.

USA, Canada and Atlantic

The islands of the Bahamas are a cruiser’s playground — clear water, colorful communities and great sailing. The Bahamas offer endless islands to sail between and explore; from the Abacos to the Exumas, each island is unique.

Intracoastal Waterway

Those with a mast height under 64 feet can also take advantage of the beauty and convenience of the Intracoastal Waterway on their trip north or south through the East Coast. While navigating the ICW requires lots of motoring, when conditions are good, the sailing is spectacular.

Southern New England

Cruising through Long Island Sound, anchoring in the Great Salt Pond of Block Island, exploring the coast of Cape Cod – there are endless opportunities to enjoy a romp through Southern New England.

The Great Lakes

Some of the best freshwater cruising in the world, the Great Lakes offer endless opportunities for exploration. Each lake offers unique cruising grounds, ports and conditions, from uncharted rocky inlets on the Canadian shores, to bustling cities.

For as long as ocean-going sailors have been sailing the North Atlantic, Bermuda has been the crossroads and a popular race destination. But Bermuda is so much more than just a waypoint—it’s also a wonderful cruising destination.

Nova Scotia

Packed with geologic and cultural history, the beautifully quiet coast of Nova Scotia is a nature lovers dream. Spruce trees, granite, grasses, sea, seals and terns, there is no shortage of excitement here.

Greece Isles

The sailing can be challenging, but the landfalls — full of history, diverse towns and tasty cuisine — are worth it. Greece boasts thousands of islands, spread across an enormous geographical area stretching from the Aegean to the Ionian sea. Four of Greece’s five island groups are prime cruising areas: the Cyclades, the Saronic Islands, the Ionian Islands and the Dodecanese. Each group has its own unique character and charm, making each one worth exploring.

South Pacific

Cruising yachts from all over the world come to Fiji to anchor in the crystal-clear waters of the South Pacific. This Pacific crossroads is a refreshing break, with world-class snorkeling, beach combing and hiking.

Smack dab in the middle of the South Pacific, the remote and untamed Marquesas are an unforgettable sailing stop – if you can get there. The topography of these young islands ­reflects the dawn of time; the exquisite drama of the islands’ violent, volcanic origins has not yet been smoothed and worn, with towering peaks rising above anchorages.

Tasmania offers world class cruising, friendly, welcoming people, and a rich sailing history. The beautiful anchorages are uncrowded and private, and the sailing is world class. Just ask anyone who has ever sailed a Sydney Hobart Race.

Whitsunday Islands

Pristine white sand beaches begging for footprints; the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park just waiting to be snorkeled; and our charter catamaran tugging on her mooring lines, ready to set sail. Who could resist such a tempting welcome from the Whitsunday Islands? Not us.

Southeast Asia

Phang Nga Bay

Towering rock sculptures rise out of the water in Thailand’s Phang Nga Bay, providing a surreal backdrop for cruising. Anchor among the hongs and hope into a dinghy for an unforgettable experience exploring hidden caves and uncovering secrets from the 10,000 year history of the bay.

From the blustery southeaster that can blow 45-60 knots for days on end, the “table cloth” on Table Mountain, to the waterfront with all its great seafaring tales and bars and the beaches of the suburb of Clifton, Cape Town has it all. The weather is like Southern California; you can stay active in the great outdoors year round.

Madagascar is a true cruising gem. Its culture is a delightful convergence of Europe, Africa and the Middle East, as evidenced by the gourmet French meals, baked goods, mélange of rum drinks, vibrant materials for both traditional and modern dress, and the combination of French and local Malagasy language.

South America

The Cape Horn archipelago conjures images of heroic voyages through inhospitable landscapes and harsh, raw conditions, the true beauty Chile is that it’s remote enough to be pristine, but not isolated enough that you feel completely cut off from the rest of the world.

Cold, unforgiving and a challenge for even the most seasoned sailor, there isn’t quite any place on earth like Antarctica. Just ask anyone who has been, though, and you’ll find that the journey to the bottom of the world was unforgettable.

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Better Sailing

Best Small Sailboats To Sail Around The World

While there are plenty of 30-35ft blue water cruising yachts currently on the used sailboat market, many of them are tired and need new standing rigging, sails, engine, etc. That said, there are good boats out there that have been loved and looked after. Those that are well used have most likely been well maintained, too, so don’t be put off by yachts that have crossed oceans or even circumnavigated before, as their owners will have had to keep them properly seaworthy. Sailing around the world is no easy task, so these boats should be in tip-top shape. 

Some might consider 30-35ft too small for bluewater cruising or for a circumnavigation (sail around the world), but that has been disproved over the years. Bigger might be better for coastal cruising with friends, but maintenance costs rise exponentially with every extra foot. A small sailboat should be more than enough to carry a couple off on the adventures of which they dream.

Nicholson 35

Now somewhat legendary, the tough and dependable Nicholson 35 first appeared in 1971, and between then and 1985, some 228 boats were launched. Built to Lloyds’ specifications with a hand-laid solid GRP hull, she boasts a fully encapsulated lead fin keel and full-depth skeg. She has an alluring sheer with nicely balanced overhangs, giving her bows a powerful go-anywhere look, while her low-profile coachroof blends pleasingly into the decks.

Compared to today’s modern cruiser, the Nic 35’s accommodation is somewhat limited due to her relatively narrow beam and pinched ends, but what there is has been used intelligently and makes for a good working environment on long passages. The need to pass through the heads to reach the forecabin can be inconvenient with guests on board. Still, for two people cruising, these minor irritations are more than compensated for with the high quality and solidity of the fittings and joinery and the availability of safe sea berths on passage.

The main saloon is comfortable with 1.88m/6ft 2in headroom. A U-shaped dinette makes a narrow but long double in port, and the 1.92m/6ft 4in-long starboard settee a great sea berth. However, many were fitted with one or two pilot berths above the settee backs instead of lockers. The galley boasts a huge coolbox, full-size gimballed cooker, deep sink, and plenty of stowage. A crash bar, bum strap, and bulkhead pole make it a great working galley at sea. Opposite is a large aft-facing chart table with instrument mounting space on a half bulkhead separating it from the watch seat and wet locker further aft. A few boats had a forward-facing chart table and roomy quarter berth instead.

The water tanks are under the sole above the keel, not under the saloon settees as with many modern crafts. Small portlights and hatches mean natural light and ventilation might not be so plentiful as on a newer boat, but then there is less opportunity for leaks. Her cockpit is business-like – not over wide but with high coamings to support the crew securely and keep them dry. She also has a high bridge deck to stop water going below should a wave find its way into the cockpit and very deep cockpit lockers. The mainsheet track is within reach of the helmsman, just forward of the pedestal, but getting to the primaries entails climbing over the seats from behind the wheel. Her masthead sloop rig has a keelstepped mast. It is stout and uncomplicated, with twin lower shrouds and a removable inner forestay for a storm jib.

Post-1975 models had a taller mast option (51ft as opposed to 45ft), increasing the sail area considerably. No doubt most will now have the control lines led aft into the cockpit for safer shorthanded sailing. Under sail, the Nic comes into her own. She has a very positive helm, although she can be prone to weather helm if overpressed. Her performance under sail is well mannered and drama free. However, her large (145%) genoa can take some sheeting in (don’t leave the inner forestay on). Her high bows part the waves with a gentle motion, and her deep, longish keel keeps her tracking dead straight in a following sea. She won’t break any speed records, averaging around 5 knots on a long passage, but she’ll always get you there safely and in comfort.

Nicholson 35 Specs

>>Also Read: Best Sailboats Under 30 Feet

The Sadler 34 evolved from the 32, and while the 32 was a tough, capable seaworthy sailboat cable of sailing around the world. The 34 offers much more in the way of accommodation thanks to her wider beam. Apart from being pretty, the most notable feature of the 34 is her double-skinned hull, sandwiched with thick closed-cell foam, making her unsinkable and eliminating condensation thanks to the added insulation. She came with a deep fin, shoal fin, or bilge keels, and the post-1990 models had a Stephen Jones-designed, foiled fin keel with ballast bulb that upped upwind performance. Under sail, she is responsive and vice free with a comfy motion and predictable handling. While her pinched (in modern terms) stern might limit the width of the aft cabin, it works well at sea, allowing her deep full skeg-hung rudder to keep a good bite on the water.

The Sadler 34 is quite a powerful performer and, despite having a fairly high displacement, achieves excellent passage times due to her ability to soldier on through foul weather and rough seas. Her deep and secure cockpit is perfectly dimensioned so as not to get thrown around at sea, and yet it provides enough clear seating for dining alfresco with mates. Stowage is also good, especially in the full-depth locker to port. There are harness points in the cockpit, but the mainsheet track runs across the bridge deck, which can catch out the unwary if the traveler isn’t locked in place.

On deck, the layout is practical, and the side decks uncluttered. Her foredeck is set up ideally for regular anchoring with a twin roller stemhead fitting and big anchor locker. Her accommodation is spacious enough for four. Though it was called a ‘double’ aft cabin, it only really works as a single, roomy quarterberth. She has an excellent U-shaped galley where pretty much everything can be reached with ease. The chart table opposite faces forward with its own seat, and there’s room aplenty for instruments and pilot books. Her saloon is roomy, and the table and seating are large enough for six to dine in comfort.

To port, the heads have a basin and its own door, allowing access to the forecabin. But in shower mode, the entire compartment runs athwartships, which isn’t ideal, especially as the hanging locker is in the same enclosure. There’s a decent-sized vee berth forward, which makes an ideal owner’s cabin at anchor. Stowage is reasonable, although the water tank is under the starboard settee.

Sadler 34 Specs

>>Also Read: Best Sailboats Under 100k

Not unlike the Nicholson 35 in both hull lines and reputation, the Rival 36 is a tough, solid yacht designed for passagemaking in virtually all weathers and sea conditions. The 36 slotted between the slightly cramped 34 and the larger 38 ketch, with 78 in total being launched. Possibly a squeeze on such a tight budget, but you get a lot more space in the R36 than the older R34, and there’s a good chance you could find one that’s already equipped for bluewater cruising. She was offered as a masthead sloop or with a cutter rig option. Keel choice was between a deep lead-ballasted fin, a shallower Scheel keel, or a centerboard (R36C).

Under sail, she’s predictable and easily handled, although, like her predecessors, she’s not the fastest boat around. As with most heavy displacement cruisers, she’s designed more to get you safely across oceans than to race around the cans. Wheel or tiller-steered, she has a large, deep cockpit with high coamings and excellent stowage for deck gear. Access along the wide side decks is good, assisted One of a range of solidly built and well-found cruising yachts built by Northshore Yachts, the Vancouver 32 was designed specifically for serious passagemaking.

Full hull sections and short overhangs offer a high-volume yacht with excellent load-carrying abilities. Her fully encapsulated shallow keel contains nearly 3 tonnes of lead ballast, giving her an enviable ballast ratio of nearly 45%; a keel shoe extends aft to support the rudder and protect the prop from floating debris and lines. Only available with tiller steering and transom-hung rudder, she has an easily manageable masthead cutter rig with full shrouds and twin straight spreaders.

A smart teak-capped bulwark offers extra security going forward while large scuppers ensure rapid deck drainage. The interior is surprisingly spacious and comfy. The long quarterberth and port-side straight by high teak-capped gunwales and long handrails on the coachroof, and the foredeck big enough for handling the headsails and ground tackle, which can be securely stowed in the large, deep anchor locker when sailing. Below decks, she is warm and woody and retains the trademark Rival ‘keyhole’ bulkhead separating the superbly designed and well-appointed galley and navigation areas from the saloon. The twin-leaf saloon table has fiddles and can seat six for a meal, while the settees are straight and make comfortable 1.91m-long sea berths with lee cloths. Most had a pipe cot above as well.

Maximum headroom is 1.91m/6ft 3in, and stowage is good, thanks in part to the water tank being above the keel. With no double cabin aft and only a quarterberth, the forecabin provides a comfortable vee berth with ample floor space to dress, plenty of lockers to stow your clothing, and even a dressing table. The heads/shower compartment is also roomy, and Jack and Jill doors offer access from both saloon and forecabin.

Rival 36 Specs

>>Also Read: Best Sailboat Brands

Vancouver 32

One of a range of solidly built and well-found cruising yachts built by Northshore Yachts, the Vancouver 32 was designed specifically for serious passage making. Full hull sections and short overhangs offer a high-volume yacht with excellent load-carrying abilities. Her fully encapsulated shallow keel contains nearly 3 tonnes of lead ballast, giving her an enviable ballast ratio of nearly 45%; a keel shoe extends aft to support the rudder and protect the prop from floating debris and lines. Only available with tiller steering and transom-hung rudder, she has an easily manageable masthead cutter rig with full shrouds and twin straight spreaders. A smart teak-capped bulwark offers extra security going forward while large scuppers ensure rapid deck drainage. The interior is surprisingly spacious and comfy.

The long quarterberth and port-side straight settees make excellent sea berths, leaving the U-shaped starboard saloon settee (converts into double berth) and roomy vee berth forward for sleeping at anchor. A half bulkhead separates the galley/navigation areas from the saloon, with a support pillar on either side providing excellent handgrips. It’s a bonus having the quarter berths behind the ch

art table as it allows the off-watch crew to keep one eye on the instruments and chart. However, having the heads forward can result in a lot of water dripping off your oilies when going below in wet weather.

All that lovely solid hardwood adds to her weight (nearly twice that of a modern 32ft Bavaria). Most owners are more concerned with her superb oceangoing abilities, though. She sails predictably and undramatically, her high bows and fine balance ensuring she parts the waves with little spray and no slamming – ideal for long passages where many lighter boats can throw you about.

Vancouver 32 Specs

Peter is the editor of Better Sailing. He has sailed for countless hours and has maintained his own boats and sailboats for years. After years of trial and error, he decided to start this website to share the knowledge.

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Best Sailing Destinations In The World

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

June 15, 2022

If you've been dreaming of an adventurous vacation that allows you to explore the farthest corners and most beautiful places around the globe, a sailing vacation might be what you've been looking for.

Imagine the smell of the salt in the air, the feeling of air in your hair, and an open ocean in front of you! Well, it can't get better than this.

So get ready to pack your bags, cast off your bowlines, and explore some of the best sailing destinations around the world.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or still finding your sea legs, one of the most amazing ways of discovering and exploring a new destination is through sailing. This is how the Europeans discover the Americas and Africa and still remains one of the greatest joys of travel.

So when your friends are planning for a safari in Africa or a trek through the Himalayas, why not plan something quite different and enchanting altogether?

Just imagine the feeling that you'd get waking up to the soothing sound of the ocean, eating your breakfast under the colorful sun, feeling the wind in your hair and the spray of the ocean on your skin while watching colorful fish swim peacefully by your boat!

Well, this is exactly what you get to experience when you sail to some of the best sailing destinations around the world.

With over 70% of the world covered by water, there are almost a limitless number of sailing destinations. As such, it's almost impossible to pinpoint one single place as the best sailing destination in the world. This is why we offer a list of the 10 best sailing destinations so that you decide which one suits you best.

So without further ado, here are the best sailing destinations around the world for your sailing vacation. 

Table of contents

Best Sailing Destinations around the World

Whether you're looking for an awesome place to dance and party after a long day at the sea or a tranquil destination to relax, chill out and improve on your tan, Thailand offers hundreds or even more gorgeous places that seem to have been put in place, especially for sailors.

Known as the "Land of Smiles" thanks to its friendly locals and a plethora of some of the world's best cuisines, Thailand offers one of the best if not the best in the world of sailing. From the colossal rock sculptures rising out of the water in Phang Nga Bay and some of the Technicolor coral reefs that dot the Andaman Sea, as well as some of the world-famous beaches and honey pots such as Maya Bay, Thailand offers everything that you need for an ultimate sailing vacation.

You can anchor your boat among the hongs, jump into a dinghy, and explore some of the world's most hidden caves. We hope that you may be able to uncover secrets from more than 10,000 years ago at the bay. The water is warm, snorkeling and diving is part of the culture, the locals are friendly, the food is wonderful, the nightlife is sensational, and we promise that a sailing trip to Thailand will be enchanting.

The Adriatic Coast, Croatia

From the smart marinas, quaint harbors, historic towns, deserted islands to isolated anchorages, Croatia's Adriatic Coast is probably the most gorgeous sailing destination in the northern Mediterranean. Stretching from Pula all the way to the medieval Dubrovnik, this 1,100-mile coastline offers over 1,100 islands that you can explore.

You can explore islands such as Hvar, Brac, Vis, and Korcula, which is the birthplace of one of the world's greatest explorers, Marco Polo. You can escape the hustle and bustle of Croatian cities by visiting the remote Kornati archipelago; an unspoiled oasis that's home to several hidden lagoons that line the park's shore.

One of the must-visit places when sailing in Croatia is the country's crown jewel: Dubrovnik. This is a charming Old Town that's a UNESCO heritage site and the filming place of the critically acclaimed "Game of Thrones".

So if you're looking for a superb sailing destination that has an amazing culture and offers extraordinary wine and cuisine, Croatia should be your ultimate choice. It's a great destination for yacht owners who want to explore Europe without having to pay the huge taxes imposed by the EU. Well, Croatia is in Europe but it's not an EU member and this might be an added advantage to your sailing escapades.

The Greek Isles, Greece

With some of the world's best islands such as Mykonos, Paros, and Santorini, it's easy to see why CNN refers to Greece as "a country with seemingly more islands than stars in the sky". From charming harbors, quiet coves, deserted bays, turquoise waters to white-washed buildings, and olives groves, Greece offers just about everything anyone would require for a sailing pilgrimage.

The country's rich culture, exquisite natural landscape, and incredible ancient archaeology are a real draw for many sailors across the globe. You can sail through the country's ancient seas while exploring over 3,000 islands both inhabited and not inhabited.

Besides sailing, you can experience epic nightlife in Santorini, a hillside town with striking white-washed houses. Mykonos is another tourist hub known to draw celebrities from all over the world. Of course, you can forget to sample impeccable Greek cuisine while basking under the magnificent Mediterranean sun.

The French Riviera

Packed with awe-inspiring beaches, spectacular scenery, and thousands of yachts and boats, the French Riviera is a coastal region along the Mediterranean that offers a sailing experience like no other. In addition to offering warm waters and sunshine throughout the year, you should be surprised to come across those big Hollywood actors during your sailing escapades.

This is an incredible region that perfectly brings together a rugged landscape, and very cosmopolitan and world-class resorts of Nice, Cannes, and Monte Carlo. If you want to escape the crowd, you can sail down Porquerolles and Port Cros for a relaxed and laid back adventure. The white sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, small but smart marinas, and sumptuous French cuisines will make you come back for more.

The Whitsunday Islands, Australia

When it comes to visiting Australia, many people often think about sampling the world-famous Sydney Opera House, the Great Reef Barrier, and the Outback. Yet, they've probably never heard or even thought about visiting the Whitsunday Islands.

Widely known as Australia's version of paradise, the Whitsunday Islands is a chain of incredible 74 tropical islands located between the coast of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef. These islands have an abundance of wildlife, breathtakingly gorgeous beaches, and lots of amazingly blue waters that call out for sailors to explore them.

Imagine a place where you can dive and snorkel at the backdrop of unparalleled scenery and sublime views. You'll come in close quarters with some of the biggest turtles in the world. Just do not forget your underwater camera!

The Grenadines, Caribbean

Sometimes called the Spice Islands, the Grenadines is a chain of 32 scenic islands spread across a 60-mile radius on the southern Caribbean coast of West Indies. With its picturesque white-sand beaches, an abundance of marine wildlife, incredibly blue waters, melodramatic landscapes, unique culture, and utterly friendly locals, this is a place that you'll visit for your sailing vacation and never want to leave.

Unlike some of the best sailing destinations, the Grenadines lack huge crowds and so you should be surprised if you have miles and miles of water all for yourself! This place is known for offering one of the best sailing waters in the world. Bequia is specifically known for its ideal sailing conditions and has been a favorite destination for sailors for many centuries.

The spectacular scenery of the Grenadines provided some of the best filming locations for the movie Pirates of the Caribbean but that doesn't mean that you'll come across pirates while sailing on these waters. If anything, you'll have several miles of water all for yourself. 

Zanzibar Island, Tanzania

Some years ago, the Indian Ocean, especially off the Somalian coast was all over the news for pirates and all the wrong reasons. But if you ever dreamt of sampling a great African sailing destination, you can head off to Tanzania's Zanzibar Island and sample how it feels sailing on an ancient dhow.

Despite being ancient, these dhows are nice, comfortable, and easy to sail. You'll not only get a real perspective of the island's history, culture, numerous adventures, and get to meet the island's very friendly people. This is a place that, for centuries, was the hub of trade between Arabs and Europeans, especially the Portuguese; a heritage that's still present on the island today.

In terms of sailing, the azure-colored Indian Ocean is all there for you to explore. Whether you just want to sail around, go fishing, snorkeling, diving, or just work on your tan, Zanzibar offers it all. You can also take some time off your sailing and head deeper into Tanzania for a real African safari. The best part is; it's a lot cheaper than you ever thought. You can also indulge in some Swahili dishes while learning a thing or two about the Swahili language.

The British Virgin Islands, Caribbean

For centuries, the Caribbean has been considered a mecca for sailors, and the British Virgin Islands are arguably the crème de la crème of the entire region. With its deep blue seas, warm winds, blissful beaches, and waterside restaurants for eating, drinking, and indulging into the island's vibrant vibe, there are many reasons why the British Virgin Islands remain a sailor's paradise.

Although Hurricane Irma caused devastating damage to the region a few years ago, these islands are bouncing back as a sailing destination with real swagger thanks to the region's unique culture, friendly locals, and endless attractions. With some of the very best beaches in the Caribbean, there are a lot of hidden gems such as spectacular sea life and sunken shipwrecks across the islands that are meant for the adventurous sailors and tourists. If you are looking for a secluded place to anchor your sailboat, dive into the water and snorkel, or just lounge on the pristine sandy beaches, there will be no shortage of these amazing things.

And if you want to recharge yourself, you can head inshore and enjoy the best that some of the greatest resorts in the world have on offer. It doesn't matter whether you want delectable meals, world-class hotels, or hiking trails, the British Virgin Islands is a top-notch sailing destination.

The Bahamas

From the clear azure waters to vibrant communities, sumptuous dishes, and great sailing conditions , the Bahamas is a real sailor's playground. Located just next door, off the southeast coast of Florida, the Bahamas is widely known for its gentle trade winds, over 700 coral cays, and endless marine life.

Home to several islands that seem almost endless, each island is unique in its own way and offers something different for every sailor. What you'll experience in the Exumas is far much different from what you might encounter in Abacos. While Abacos is the epicenter of sailing in the Bahamas, you might just want to explore the entire area and see what it has to offer. Imagine a sailing destination that will offer a Treasure Cay in one region and a small but vibrant colonial-era town when you anchor next.

In terms of relaxation, the Bahamas is probably the best. You can sail for hours on end and you'll be naturally invited to lounge and soak some sun in the pink sand beaches that are common in the islands. And if you're so much into big-game fishing and want to combine it with your sailing escapades, look no further than the Bahamas.

French Polynesia

Located in the South Pacific, there are several reasons why French Polynesia is becoming more and more popular with sailors. This is a great sailing destination that brings together a combination of heavenly beaches, crystal-clear lagoons, swaying palm trees, fringing coral reefs, endless marine life, and incredibly friendly locals.

With over 118 exotic islands such as Tahiti, Bora Bora, Tahaa, Huahine. Raiatea, and Moorea, there are a lot of places to explore just from your sailboat. The best thing about this region is its consistently sunny climate, balmy trade winds, open-water passages, and sheltered waters that make it a great destination for sailing adventures.

The waters are also crystal-clear, which makes it great for snorkeling and diving, especially if you want to come up close and personal with the region's unique but endless marine life. You can also soak up some sun and work on your tan while lounging on some of the most pristine beaches found anywhere on earth.

What's more; you can sample the sumptuous South Pacific cuisine, indulge in the local culture, and experience the traditional way of life by moving inshore. The fact that English is widely spoken in the region is an added advantage, especially if you're looking for a sailing crew to accompany you on your adventures.

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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The Best New Small-Ship Cruises to Book in 2024

A uthentic. It was Merriam Webster's top searched word for 2023 and one that has dominated the travel vernacular in recent years. And while many would not necessarily associate the word with ocean cruising , the growth in popularity of small-ship cruises-particularly sailings with 500 guests or fewer-indicates that in the cruising world, passengers are seeking a more intimate, less crowded, and yes, arguably more authentic sailing experience.

Take expedition cruising , for example. As the number of adventure-focused ships and yachts has exploded in recent years, these cruises are no longer just about extreme voyages in polar regions. They are also about offering a deeper look into the culture, food, history, and environmental fragility of remote wonders of the world.

Although there isn't a huge number of new small ships being introduced, there are a few notable vessels that have either recently launched or are launching this year with a focus on the idea that smaller is not just better, but more sustainable, too. These new small-ship cruises bring with them some exciting and more immersive new itineraries to destinations both warm and wintry that have us ready to pack our bags and sail away.

Sea Cloud Cruises' "Sea Cloud Spirit"

• Suggested itinerary: Reset your mind and body on an eight-night sailing through Spain's Canary Islands and on to Morocco on a special cruise featuring experts in restorative health. Pricing starts at $4,895 per person.

What's more authentic-and sustainable-than setting sail on a tall ship where the sails are hoisted up each day by hand? Although not technically new (it was launched in 2021), the 136-passenger Sea Cloud Spirit and its two sister ships, Sea Cloud and Sea Cloud II , are upping their game in a push to introduce Sea Cloud Cruises' unique product to North American travelers. The German company has traditionally catered to German and British passengers. As part of its effort to expand its reach and appeal, Sea Cloud is adding wellness programs with daily onboard yoga and guest fitness gurus, in addition to special food- and wine-focused sailings with well-known chefs making appearances. Sea Cloud Spirit , the largest of the three-ship fleet with 69 cabins, was meticulously designed to pay homage to the original Sea Cloud , which was the world's largest private sailing yacht when Wall Street broker Edward Francis Hutton had it built in 1931 for his wife, Marjorie Merriweather Post.

The Sea Cloud Spirit combines the experience of decades of traditional seamanship with the modern-day luxuries of a private yacht. Cabins range from 172-square-foot single cabins to 300-square-foot balcony suites with soaking tubs. There's a large fitness center and spa, which has a steam room, sauna, and thermal area for two; indoor and outdoor lounges; and a main dining area, plus a more casual bistro. The action, however, is out on deck, where passengers can stargaze at night or simply gaze in awe at the impressive sails blowing in the wind.

Atlas Ocean Voyages' "World Navigator"

• Suggested itinerary: Go searching for Arctic wildlife on a 12-night cruise from Reykjavík, which sails along the eastern coast of Greenland and to Longyearbyen in the Svalbard archipelago, one of the world's northernmost inhabited areas and home to polar bears, reindeer, arctic foxes, and other Nordic wildlife. Pricing starts at $6,499 per person.

World Navigator , which sailed its maiden voyage in Antarctica this past November, is the third vessel to join the fleet of one of the newest players in small-ship expedition cruising, Atlas Ocean Voyages. The company's 100-cabin expedition yachts are almost identical and provide a hybrid of sorts between traditional expedition and luxury cruising. Cabins are spacious, almost all with balconies, desks, and seating areas. The bathrooms have glass-mosaic tiled showers with rain showerheads, wall jets, and even benches.

Everything on the ship-including the sauna with floor-to-ceiling windows-is designed to provide maximum views. The ships also have spacious pool decks with two hot tubs, a fitness center overlooking the sea, a spa, and water toys like kayaks and paddleboards. There's even extreme camping gear for those willing to brave an overnight under the stars in Antarctica. During North American winters, all three of Atlas's expedition yachts sail in Antarctica. With the addition of World Navigator , the company is launching more Arctic Circle cruises during the North American summers while also adding a host of new epicurean and cultural expeditions in South America, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and northern Europe this year.

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's "Ilma"

• Suggested itinerary: Spend a little extra time in port on a 10-day sailing from Barcelona to Lisbon, which has three overnight stays, in Palma de Mallorca and Malaga in Spain, and in Lisbon, Portugal, one of Europe's oldest cities. Pricing starts at $10,600 per person.

Another newcomer to luxury small-ship cruising is the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, which debuts its second ship, the Ilma , this year. With 224 suites, the ship is larger than the original Ritz-Carlton yacht, the 149-suite Evrima , which launched in October 2022. On the Ilma , all the suites will have private terraces, including a two-story suite with soaking tub; the coveted, 1,000-square-foot owner's suite has a private outdoor whirlpool. Even the smallest suites are not all that small, at 300 square feet, and come with a personal concierge and 24-hour room service. The yacht boasts what Ritz-Carlton says is the highest ratio of space per guest at sea.

And you can expect to find the same meticulous service standards that you would find at Ritz-Carlton resorts throughout the world as the line aims to impress hotel guests seeking a luxury hotel experience at sea. Onboard are five dining venues, including S.E.A., a European tasting experience designed by chef Sven Elverfeld of Aqua, the three Michelin-starred restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton in Wolfsburg, Germany; Talaat Nam, featuring Southeast Asian cuisine and a sushi bar; and Mistral, a casual come-as-you-are alfresco grill with a Mediterranean-inspired menu. Light bites are served at the marina at the aft of the ship, where you can also hop on a borrowed paddleboard. Oh, and did we mention there are two outdoor pools, too?

Watch CBS News

Who won Oscars for 2024? See the full list of Academy Award winners

By Jordan Freiman

Updated on: March 11, 2024 / 9:09 AM EDT / CBS News

"Oppenheimer" won big at the 2024 Oscars , coming in with 13 nominations and earning awards in major categories such as best director, best actor and best picture .

"Barbie," the other half of the dual box-office Barbenheimer sensation , earned eight nominations, but only got one win Sunday night for best song. 

Other big winners at the 96th Academy Awards were "Poor Things" — which won awards for hair and makeup, production design and costume design — and Cillian Murphy, who won best actor , continuing his winning streak after taking home comparable awards at the 2024 Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards for the title role in "Oppenheimer."

Emma Stone, in what some consider an upset win, took home best actress for her role in "Poor Things," beating out Lily Gladstone , who became the first Native American to be nominated for best actress for her role as Mollie Burkhart in Martin Scorsese's "Killers of the Flower Moon."

This year's ceremony took place at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles and featured its share of both hilarious and touching moments . Comedian and late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel returned to host the Oscars for the second year in a row and his fourth time overall. 

The full list of this year's Oscar winners and nominees is below.

Who won the most Oscars for 2024?

"Oppenheimer" won the most Oscars at the 96th Academy Awards with seven, including some of the most coveted awards — best picture and best director. Robert Downey Jr. and Cillian Murphy won best supporting actor and best actor for their roles in the film, while the movie also took home awards for cinematography, editing and score.

Best picture

• "Oppenheimer" — Winner
• "American Fiction"
• "Anatomy of a Fall"
• "The Holdovers"
• "Killers of the Flower Moon"
• "Past Lives"
• "Poor Things"
• "The Zone of Interest"

Best supporting actress

• Da'Vine Joy Randolph, "The Holdovers" — Winner
• Emily Blunt, "Oppenheimer"
• Danielle Brooks, "The Color Purple"
• America Ferrera, "Barbie"
• Jodie Foster, "Nyad"

Best animated short film

• "War Is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko" — Winner
• "Letter to a Pig"
• "Ninety-Five Senses"
• "Our Uniform"
• "Pachyderm"

Best animated feature film

• "The Boy and the Heron" — Winner
• "Elemental"
• "Robot Dreams"
• "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse"

Best original screenplay

• "Anatomy of a Fall" — Winner
• "May December"

Best adapted screenplay

• "American Fiction" — Winner
• "Oppenheimer"

Best makeup and hairstyling

• "Poor Things" — Winner
• "Society of the Snow"

Best production design

Best costume design, best international feature film.

• "The Zone of Interest," United Kingdom — Winner
• "Io Capitano," Italy
• "Perfect Days," Japan
• "Society of the Snow," Spain
• "The Teachers' Lounge," Germany

Best supporting actor

• Robert Downey Jr., "Oppenheimer" — Winner
• Sterling K. Brown, "American Fiction"
• Robert De Niro, "Killers of the Flower Moon"
• Ryan Gosling, "Barbie"
• Mark Ruffalo, "Poor Things"

Best visual effects

• "Godzilla Minus One" — Winner
• "The Creator"
• "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3"
• "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One"

Best film editing

Best documentary short film.

• "The Last Repair Shop" — Winner
• "The ABCs of Book Banning"
• "The Barber of Little Rock"
• "Island in Between"
• "Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó"

Best documentary feature film

• "20 Days in Mariupol" — Winner
• "Bobi Wine: The People's President"
• "The Eternal Memory"
• "Four Daughters"
• "To Kill a Tiger"

Best cinematography

Best live action short film.

• "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar" — Winner
• "The After"
• "Invincible"
• "Knight of Fortune"
• "Red, White and Blue"
• "The Zone of Interest" — Winner

Best original score

• "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny"

Best original song

• "What Was I Made For?" from "Barbie" — Winner
• "It Never Went Away" from "American Symphony"
• "I'm Just Ken" from "Barbie"
• "The Fire Inside" from "Flamin' Hot"
• "Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People)" from "Killers of the Flower Moon"
• Cillian Murphy, "Oppenheimer" — Winner
• Bradley Cooper, "Maestro"
• Colman Domingo, "Rustin"
• Paul Giamatti, "The Holdovers"
• Jeffrey Wright, "American Fiction"

Best director

• Christopher Nolan, "Oppenheimer" — Winner
• Jonathan Glazer, "The Zone of Interest"
• Yorgos Lanthimos, "Poor Things"
• Martin Scorsese, "Killers of the Flower Moon"
• Justine Triet, "Anatomy of a Fall"

Best actress

• Emma Stone, "Poor Things" — Winner
• Annette Bening, "Nyad"
• Lily Gladstone, "Killers of the Flower Moon"
• Sandra Hüller, "Anatomy of a Fall"
• Carey Mulligan, "Maestro"

Full list of Oscars 2024 winners

• Best picture: "Oppenheimer"
• Best director: Christopher Nolan, "Oppenheimer"
• Best actress: Emma Stone, "Poor Things."
• Best actor: Cillian Murphy, "Oppenheimer"
• Best supporting actress: Da'Vine Joy Randolph, "The Holdovers"
• Best supporting actor: Robert Downey Jr., "Oppenheimer"
• Best original screenplay: Justine Triet and Arthur Harari, "Anatomy of a Fall"
• Best adapted screenplay: Cord Jefferson, "American Fiction"
• Best animated feature: "The Boy and the Heron"
• Best animated short: "War is Over! Inspired by the Music of John Lennon and Yoko Ono"
• Best international feature: "The Zone of Interest" (United Kingdom)
• Best documentary feature: "20 Days in Mariupol"
• Best documentary short: "The Last Repair Shop"
• Best live action short: "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar"
• Best score: Ludwig Göransson, "Oppenheimer" 
• Best original song: Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell, "What Was I Made For?" from "Barbie"
• Best sound: Tarn Willers and Johnnie Burn, "The Zone of Interest"
• Best production design: James Price, Shona Heath and Zsuzsa Mihalek, "Poor Things"
• Best cinematography: Hoyte van Hoytema, "Oppenheimer"
• Best makeup and hairstyling: Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier and Josh Weston, "Poor Things"
• Best costume design: Holly Waddington, "Poor Things"
• Best editing: Jennifer Lame, "Oppenheimer"
• Best visual effects: Takashi Yamazaki, Kiyoko Shibuya, Masaki Takahashi and Tatsuji Nojima, "Godzilla Minus One" 
• Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
• Academy Awards

Jordan Freiman is an editor and writer for CBSNews.com. He covers breaking news, trending stories, sports and crime. Jordan has previously worked at Spin and Death and Taxes.

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10 of the most incredible ocean pools around the world

Mar 19, 2024 • 6 min read

From diving into the Irish Sea to splashing in a natural sinkhole, here are the world's best oceanside pools © Valerio.Galli / Shutterstock

Sometimes we crave the sensation of plunging into the ocean, waves breaking over our heads, the deeps beneath our feet.

But other times we want a more "contained" seaside swim – the same elemental experience, but with the luxury of being able to touch the bottom (and maybe even grab a hot shower after). This is where ocean pools come in.

Whether natural rock grottoes or artificial from concrete and tile, these oceanside pools give you the best of both worlds: safe, serene waters with boundless sea-and-sky views. If you’re looking for an alternative seaside experience, or maybe a stepping stone to transition from traditional swimming pools to the "big blue," these aquatic oases could be right for you. Here are the world's most incredible ocean pools.

1. Dive in the Irish Sea from Dublin's Forty Foot

When serendipity smiles and time, tide and sunlight conspire to transform the sea at Sandycove into a turquoise-tinted lagoon, then a dawn dip in the Forty Foot is the perfect start to a Dublin day. Such moments are all the more special for their rarity. Usually conditions are choppy and the water’s complexion mirrors the mood of the irascible Irish sky.

But whatever the weather, the Forty Foot is never dull and Dubliners have been throwing themselves into the chilly embrace of the Irish Sea here for over 250 years. Join them for this quintessential local experience, but remember to look before you leap – it's tidal and the depth varies.

2. Take a hot-tub soak at Queen’s Baths, Eleuthera, Bahamas

Clamber up the rocky hillside on this laid-back Bahamian island to find the series of shallow, sun-warmed pools known locally as the "Queen’s Baths" or (the slightly less fancy) "hot tubs." Visit at low or medium tide to spend an hour or two soaking, splashing and looking for shells as the navy-blue Atlantic churns below. Just a half-mile away is the famous Glass Window Bridge , where the island becomes so skinny you can stand on the cliff and see the startling contrast between the choppy Atlantic on one side and the peaceful aquamarine Caribbean on the other.

3. Leap down to the Adriatic at Grotto della Poesia, Salento, Italy

Meaning "cave of poetry," this 30m-wide (100ft) natural sinkhole is certainly worthy of verse. Leap from the limestone cliffs into the cool cyan water, and then swim under the archway into the Adriatic Sea. Arrive early in summer to avoid the crowds; the rest of the year it’ll be just you and the seabirds. There are several archaeological sites nearby, including Grotto della Poesia Piccola ("little cave of poetry"), its walls covered in ancient inscriptions. You’ll find the grotto on the east side of Italy 's  Salento Peninsula (aka "the boot").

4. Walk through cliffs to reach Tunnels Beaches, Devon, England

Tiptoe through a series of dim cliff tunnels, hand-hewn by Welsh miners in the early 1800s, to reach these hidden beaches near Ilfracombe in North Devon . At the "ladies beach" (though coed now for more than 100 years), a tidal pool appears for three hours before and after low tide. The pool’s retaining wall was built by the same miners using boulders and lime mortar. In the height of the Victorian era, ladies "took the waters" here in private horse-drawn wooden bathing machines that were rolled into the ocean to protect their modesty. Before that, the deeply furrowed sea cliffs were once used by smugglers and fugitives. Don’t expect any sugar-white sands; these beaches are pure English pebble – slippery, chilly and delightful.

5. Clamber – or jump – down to Samoa's To Sua Ocean Trench

From above, this gemstone-green swimming hole looks like a giant’s eye blinking up from the lava landscape of Samoa ’s ‘Upolu Island . The 30m-deep (100ft) pool is accessible by a tall and slightly terrifying wooden ladder, though the brave (or foolhardy) simply jump. The water here is so clear you can see fish flitting far below. The trench is fed by an underwater lava tunnel that leads out to the South Pacific – skilled divers can swim through it, but all levels of swimmer should be aware of the undertow. The edge of the hole drips with jungle foliage, which opens into manicured seaside gardens with picnic areas and a small swimming beach beyond.

6. Swim in the iconic Bondi Icebergs Pool, Sydney, Australia

Built into the cliffs just above the crashing Tasman Sea, the Bondi Baths at the edge of Sydney ’s most famous beach have been iconic for more than a century. Anyone is welcome to take a dip in the lap pool or the adjacent kiddie pool, but to become a member of the Bondi Icebergs winter swimming club you’ll have to commit to swimming three Sundays out of four during the chilly months – for five years! Because the pools are concrete, the water here is actually colder than the sea, and in rougher weather you might get pummelled by a rogue wave. Nothing like a soothing dip, eh?!

7. Admire the architecture of Piscinas das Marés, near Porto, Portugal

Fancy submerging yourself in a national monument? And we don’t mean figuratively. The two saltwater swimming pools of Piscina das Marés were sunk into the rock of Leça da Palmeira beach in Matoshinhos, a fishing village north of Porto , in the 1960s at the behest of renowned Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza Vieira. The maestro wasn’t finished there, though: after a dip to work up an appetite, follow the coastline north to his Boa Nova Tea House , an alluring Michelin-starred restaurant with wraparound views of the fuming Atlantic.

8. Take a boat to the natural pools of Porto de Galinhas, near Recife, Brazil

In a country with an embarrassment of riches when it comes to beaches,  Porto de Galinhas , south of pulsating Recife , still manages to stand out thanks to a scattering of turquoise and aquamarine inlets a short boat ride from its fine, white sand. Fisherfolk ferry visitors to these Instagram-worthy natural pools, formed between the beach and the sheltering reef, in distinctive triangular-sailed jangadas (small sailing vessels) for a fee per person. For something more vigorous, head south for windsurfing and kitesurfing off the reliably blustery Pontal de Maracaípe .

9. Splash in the scenic pools of Sea Point Pavilion, Cape Town, South Africa

Facing the chilly Atlantic at the edge of suburban Cape Town , Sea Point Pavilion is a splashy, noisy, summer-long swim party. It’s got a lap pool, a diving pool and two kiddie pools – all saltwater, with some refreshingly fed directly from the adjacent ocean. When you’re ready to dry off, spread out on the lawn with a picnic and a cold soda from one of the park vendors, and watch the clouds floating above the peak of Lion’s Head. It’s hard to imagine a more scenic public pool in either hemisphere; not to mention – no sharks!

10. Wonder at the illusions in the waters of Limu Pools, Niue

Surrounded by the endless blue of the South Pacific, the tiny Polynesian country of Niue is home to the sheltered and superbly scenic Limu Pools. A sturdy staircase descends through the shade of tropical rainforest to a pair of natural pools fringed by forested shards of indigo coral. One pool, is wonderfully sheltered, while in the other pool colder fresh water mixes with warmer saltwater rolling in from the open sea to create a strange phenomenon. Where the flows combine, the water resembles fractured glass, and when viewed through a diving mask it’s like swimming through a liquid ice cube.

This article was first published April 2019 and updated about 10 hours ago

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4-Day, 4-Park Magic Ticket from $99 Per Day, Plus Tax (Total Price from $396, Plus Tax)

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Date-based ticket with start dates from April 2 through September 22, 2024. Ticket must be used within 7 days of selected start date.

Fun in the Theme Parks

Discover new experiences and classic favorites in all 4 Walt Disney World theme parks when you purchase a 4-Park Magic Ticket. Read More

Discover new experiences and classic favorites in all 4 Walt Disney World theme parks when you purchase a 4-Park Magic Ticket.

As a reminder, the 4-Park Magic Ticket provides one visit to each of the 4 Walt Disney World Resort theme parks (one theme park per day).

• NEW! Stroll along a lush trail where you can explore the wonders of water and discover its playful personality at Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana .
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Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park

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Magic Kingdom Park

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• See some favorite Characters around the park—including Toy Story Characters, Disney Junior pals, Frozen friends and Star Wars Characters.

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Review: In new play ‘Dominion,’ a faith-based event brings out intense debate about beliefs

Written by Maine's Hal J Cohen, the show is in its premiere run at The Footlights Theatre in Falmouth.

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Victoria Machado as Miriam and Zack Handlen as the minister in the premiere of “Dominion” at The Footlights Theatre in Falmouth. Photo courtesy of The Footlights Theatre

As the country has become increasingly polarized over a variety of issues, many people in the middle of it all don’t know which way to turn. Playwrights have taken notice by creating works that attempt to present a closer look at what the options are. These often unsettling plays can provide much food for thought while hopefully offering more than just imaginative civics lessons.

THEATER REVIEW

WHAT:  “Dominion”

WHERE: The Footlights Theatre, 190 Route 1, Falmouth

REVIEWED:  March 16 (matinee); continues through March 30

TICKETS:  $20

CONTACT:  207-747-5434; thefootlightstheatre.com

Last month, Mad Horse Theatre presented Will Arbery’s “Heroes of the Fourth Turning,”  a play that offered a glimpse of youthful, far-right conservatives gathered around a small Catholic school in Wyoming. Now, the Footlights Theatre has opened a production of Maine author Hal J Cohen’s new play “Dominion” in a powerful, heartfelt and very well-acted world premiere run that follows a group of five individuals interacting at a faith-based event in the Midwest.

We begin with an introduction to a semi-goofy actor (Sean Farrelly) who has been hired by a creepy, self-proclaimed “rogue” minister (Zack Handlen) to play Jesus in a theatrical production geared toward reinforcing Christian beliefs and confirming the value of the minister’s services. This “Jesus” has problems staying on script and, though he offers few answers, he soon gets into highly emotional and empathetic conversations with visitors Ruth (Justine Wiesinger) and Miriam (Victoria Machado).

Sean Farrelly as an actor playing Jesus in “Dominion.” Photo courtesy of The Footlights Theatre

Ruth’s a bit of a tortured soul who has lost a loved one and blames the purported representatives of God for her fraught state of mind. Miriam, a seemingly more together professional person, reveals her own very personal grudge against the minister and the money-seeking corruption of faith that he appears to represent.

Conversations between various combinations of these four characters feature some very strong, even fierce, acting, no doubt a bit heightened for the audience by the proximity provided by the intimate theater space in Falmouth. Threats and minor acts of violence do startle.

Rounding out the cast is Daniel Rennie as The Man in the Shadows, a sort of reliable local guy who happens to be surrounded by people on the edge. His guitar and song performance opens the play with a gentle touch that he continues to give to his role throughout.

There is a passage in the play where one character outlines Dominion theology, the goal of which is to establish Christian control over all aspects of society, including government, family, education and the arts. Playwright Cohen may not have gone as deeply as he could have in unraveling all the forces at work in such religious/political movements. The focus of this 90-minute play, as directed by Michael J. Tobin, is more on the personal issues for those who are made to feel insecure and vulnerable as they confront intense confusion surrounding the question of what to believe. At that, it’s very good.

Steve Feeney is a freelance writer who lives in Portland.

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