Three Islands You Should Sail To

3,303 views  |   November 12th, 2014 

In a recent blog, sailor Alex Thompson Islands of Adventure has got people thinking about their favourite islands and like him, we also love Formentera and Malta in the Mediterranean, but we have a couple of other favs that we’d like to share.

There are two within touching distance for the competent sailor.

The Isles of Scilly for Sailors

The Isles of Scilly are pretty special, stuck out of the end of Cornwall, they have a sub tropical feel to them being so close to the Gulf Stream. Navigating them is not for the faint hearted, a glance at the chart shows hundreds of wrecks confirms this, but there are numerous anchorages that provide shelter from winds of most directions.

There are many stunning long scalloped white sandy beaches backed by palm fringed dunes that extend considerably at low water to reveal all sorts of potential tidal treasures.

The Scilly Isles: beautiful scenery but watch out for the wrecks

Best moment was anchored between Agnus and Gugh, swimming ashore and spending the evening in the pub. We were fortunate to be given a lift back to the boat in a sea sparkling with phosphorescence.

The Island is the Island

The other island close to home is the Isle of Wight, which anyone sailing in the Solent or who has taken part in the annual Round the Island Race will be very familiar with. Cowes is a well-known yachting mecca and a bustling town with lovely restaurants and vibrant pubs and shops.

Once outside of Cowes though it is like stepping back in time 50 years. The pace of life is not quite like what one imagines Caribbean Island life to be like but perhaps not far off.

The Needles and Cowes, part of the yachting heritage of the Isle of Wight

Osborne Bay below Osborne House, Queen Victoria’s summer pad, is a favourite anchorage for a lot of people as is Newtown Creek and sailing around the needles might not be as grand as crossing the equator but it is one of nature’s monument’s and always makes you ponder about the relationship between sea and land.

Have a Blast in San Blas

If you are looking for an extended voyage and some islands that will absolutely take your breath away then set a course for the San Blas Islands off the Panamanian coast.

It is the reason you should be learning to sail because once you have made it there (you may never want to leave) you are rewarded with mile upon mile of tiny palm topped islands with white sand beaches, gently merging into turquoise seas that have to be some of the best cruising waters in the world.

San Blas Islands off the Panamanian coast – paradise found?

As you make you way from East to West along the archipelago you can only sail for a few hours a day. The charts are sketched and say ‘numerous uncharted coral heads’. The sun has to be high enough for you to see and avoid the coral beneath the water.

Once the sun has passed overhead and is in front of you the glare on the water means you must anchor, maybe explore a nearby island in search of a hummingbird or go for a snorkel, pick up some conch shells and maybe a lobster, cook your catch for supper and wait for the morrow before continuing.

If you have ever seen a picture of paradise it was probably taken here.

What’s your favourite island?

Posted by: First Class Sailing

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