Bermuda is a small group of islands about 700 miles due east of South Carolina. Boats have traveled to or through Bermuda for a long time, and it is the most popular offshore destination for sailors on the US East Coast. Bermuda is also a frequent way point for sailboats from the Canada and Europe. As a vacation spot, Bermuda is the end of classic sailboat races and pulls hundreds of American boats on sailing vacations.
The weather is generally good for cruising (Location voilier méditerranée) in November, when most sailboats travel to Bermuda. These islands are far from the southern trade winds, however historical data on pilot charts show that the wind can come from any region. If you'll be boating across the Gulf Stream, watch the weather diligently before leaving port to avoid being caught in a northerly wind, which can produce steep currents that are uncomfortable and can become dangerous. In the historical Newport-Bermuda sail travels in June of even years, almost 200 quick sailboats made the crossing in 3 days, depending on the currents. In odd-numbered years the Marion-Bermuda race is a more relaxed competition for cruising boats.
A British overseas territory, Bermuda has much to offer cruising sailing enthusiasts. The town of Hamilton has the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and holds a quality huge harbor full of all types of sail boats. On the other side of Bermuda, the lesser city and harbor of St. George's are home of the St. George's Dinghy and Sports Club. Both clubs and both harbors have excellent benefits for transient cruisers. Boat manufacturers, and other resources abound.
With about 20 square miles of land stretched over many closely placed islands, Bermuda hosts a resident population of about 66,000. The economy is high quality and the people happy, and even low income neighborhoods are beautiful and make for fun walking everywhere. The subtropical climate keeps the islands warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Scenic beaches of white sand seem to cover all the islands, and beautiful oceans make for good diving, although the ocean is colder than in the Caribbean.
With such a large number of boats coming there from so many other areas, Bermuda has excellent procedures for assisting with sailing and arrival. Mariners need high quality charts to avoid the plentiful reefs around the island chain, especially on the northern side, but Bermuda Harbor Radio is easily reached on the VHF and should help guide you in. International customs must be cleared first in St. George's Harbor, customs is well marked and lit for night entry. You enter the port via a narrow rocky cut that seems very small even for a mid sized boat, but fears about squeezing through soon turn to embarrassment as you watch a gigantic cruise ship make the same passage.
Written by Christophe Denois of the French website www.voilevoilier.com which has all sorts of enlightening facts to assist you learn more on the subject of Pacific sea sailing (Location voilier Antibes).
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