Escape the Chill: 12 Sunny Yacht Destinations to Visit This Winter

With winter just around the corner, now is the ideal time to plan your escape to warmer waters. As blustery winds, rough seas, and frigid temperatures make local yachting impractical, a world of sun-drenched destinations awaits. Picture yourself sailing under clear blue skies, anchoring off pristine white-sand beaches, and diving into inviting turquoise waters—all while others back home are bundling up against the cold.

The secret to this perfect winter getaway? Selecting the ideal destination for your yacht charter.

British Virgin Islands

In the British Virgin Islands, you can enjoy the sun on your face and a gentle trade wind at your back while sailing through brilliant cobalt waters all year-round, but winter is widely regarded as the prime time. This is the dry season with average high temperatures ranging from 82 to 84 degrees, while trade winds are steady at 15 to 20 knots, ideal conditions for yachting, snorkeling, diving, and more. Plus, there’s a lively social scene at the islands’ marinas and beach bars. 

One of the most popular routes sails round-trip from Tortola, with stops at Norman Island, Cooper Island, Virgin Gorda, Marina Cay, Jost Van Dyke, and Cane Garden Bay. You’ll be able to spend time at The Baths, an iconic geological wonder on the north shore of Virgin Gorda, formed by huge granite boulders that shelter pools at the edge of the beach for unforgettable swims. Jost Van Dyke’s beach bars are another highlight, particularly The Soggy Dollar. Accessed by swimming from your yacht, it’s famous for inventing the “Painkiller” cocktail.

La Paz & the Sea of Cortez Islands, Mexico

A yachting excursion from La Paz to islands in the Sea of Cortez in the winter can be ideal with warm but not excessively hot temperatures typically ranging in the mid-70s to mid-80s, while winds are consistent and rain is practically unheard of. Prevailing winds are generally steady for good sailing conditions, and this is the peak time for dolphin and whale sightings, including gray whales and humpbacks. You’ll also have the chance to snorkel or dive in what ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau called ‘the world’s aquarium.’ Swim among countless tropical fish and play alongside sea lions at Los Islotes, a small islet near Espiritu Santo Island, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Other highlights include Ensenada Grande on Espiritu Santo, which has a stunning white sandy beach and excellent anchorage. Isla San Francisco is known for its magnificent crescent-shaped bay, ideal for beachcombing, paddleboarding, and hiking to the ridge for a panoramic view. Closer to La Paz, you can visit famous Balandra Beach, often named Mexico’s most beautiful, with its iconic “Mushroom Rock” formation and shallow, turquoise water that looks like a big natural swimming pool. 

Belize

Belize is a sailing paradise providing access to the world’s second-largest barrier reef. The Mesoamerican Reef stretches for hundreds of miles alongside its shores, which not only creates sheltered, easy-to-navigate waters but also opportunities to explore abundant marine life. While consistent trade winds blow year-round, this is the dry season, providing outstanding sailing conditions with speeds of 15 to 20 knots from a northeasterly to easterly direction.

There are more than 400 islands and coral atolls that can be explored, with highlights including Placencia, South Water Caye, and Goff’s Cay. The Great Blue Hole is a famous, not-to-be-missed site near the center of Lighthouse Reef. Perfectly circular in shape, this vast underwater sinkhole is believed to be the world’s largest of its kind, measuring a thousand feet across with a depth of 410 feet. At its heart is a deep sapphire blue, contrasted against aquamarine waters. It contains caverns with up to 40-foot-long limestone stalactites. Caribbean reef sharks can often be seen here as well. 

Canary Islands, Spain

The Canary Islands are ideal for winter sailing with steady trade winds and temperatures ranging from the upper 60s to mid-70s. Providing a haven for yachters seeking adventure off the coast of northwestern Africa. The archipelago is known for its black and white sand beaches as well as its abundant marine mammals. You’ll have the opportunity to watch for dolphins and many wales, including humpback whales, fin whales, sperm whales, and occasionally blue whales. Each of the seven islands offers unique landscapes with everything from lush forests to volcanic terrain, and you’ll find plenty of secluded beaches for relaxation. There are vibrant local cultures and charming villages to explore as well.

Tenerife is a great place to start, with a wide range of attractions and activities, including the Pyramids of Güímar in the Chacona district, which were built from lava rock without the use of mortar. If you like to hike, Mount Teide is the highest peak in Spain at nearly 12,200 feet and provides awe-inspiring views from the summit. Cueva del Viento is a series of caves that can be explored with over 11 miles of lava tubes and a maze of underground tunnels with lava stalactites, a lava lake, fossils, and more. 

The tranquil island of La Gomera is home to ancient forests in Garajonay National Park and offers a unique culture, including the whistled language Silbo Gomero. The capital of San Sebastian was the starting point of Christopher Columbus’s voyage to America, with all of its key sites linked to the explorer.

Thailand

An exotic paradise for winter yachting, Thailand offers places with lively beach parties and secluded, quiet destinations. This is the cool, dry season with temperatures hovering in the low 80s, calm seas, and predictable winds that allow for smooth sailing and outstanding visibility for snorkeling and diving. You’ll have your choice of many breathtaking islands and sheltered bays. 

Phuket is the central hub on the west coast along the Andaman Sea, providing an ideal starting point for exploring iconic islands. Just north of Phuket, Phang Nga Bay is renowned for its dazzling lagoons, dramatic limestone karsts, and sea caves. To the northwest, the Similan Islands are part of a national park, famous for diving with crystal-clear waters, vibrant marine life, and world-class sites like Richelieu Rock with its abundant marine life and the intricate tunnels of Elephant Head Rock.

Seychelles

The Seychelles are a string of jewels in the Indian Ocean that welcomes yachters with balmy breezes, abundant sunshine, and temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to mid-80s, while much of North America is covered in frost or snow. This archipelago of 115 islands is like a living postcard with calm, vivid turquoise waters, vibrant coral reefs, giant tortoises, and fantasy-like beaches with pristine white sands and coconut palms. 

One of the most popular itineraries sails around the main islands of Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue, which offer sheltered anchorage with coral reefs for snorkeling and diving among colorful fish. Praslin boasts some of the world’s top-ranked beaches and the endemic Coco de Mer palm that’s featured on the archipelago’s coat of arms. In the Vallée de Mai nature reserve, you can spot black parrots. It’s also possible to visit Curieuse, a protected marine national park with the islands’ famous giant tortoises. 

The Bahamas

With pleasant winter weather bringing temperatures in the 70s and lower 80s, unspoiled beaches, beautiful blue waters, steady trade winds ideal for sailing, and over 700 islands. The only downside of sailing in The Bahamas is that you’ll have to narrow down your many options. The Abacos are known as the “Sailing Capital of the Bahamas,” with the Sea of Abaco a 60-mile protected lagoon with calm waters that are easy to navigate between the main islands and outer cays. Popular stops include Green Turtle Cay, Marsh Harbour, Man-O-War Cay, and Great Guana Cay.

The Exumas are worth considering as well, with the opportunity to swim with the famous pigs at Big Major Cay and snorkel at Thunderball Grotto. Other highlights include Compass Cay, where you can swim with nurse sharks. Bitter Guana Cay is home to the unique northern Bahamian rock iguana, and Norman’s Cay is a small island with a unique past, once a key drug smuggling hub for Pablo Escobar’s cartel. 

The Grenadines

The Grenadines offer laid-back charms with a more authentic Caribbean vibe minus the sprawling tourist resorts. Winter offers outstanding conditions with a combination of steady winds for reliable sailing, lower humidity, and warm temperatures. Plus, it’s just a short distance between islands, allowing for easy navigation, ideal for island hopping between destinations like Bequia, Mustique, Union Island, and the Tobago Cays. 

The Tobago Cays Marine Park is a highlight for many yachters, made up of five uninhabited islets protected by coral reefs, which include Petit Tabac. It might look familiar, as this was where Jack Sparrow was marooned in “Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl.” The snorkeling is excellent here with abundant marine life, including sea turtles, and with good anchorage, you can enjoy a memorable night under a canopy of stars.

Grenada

Grenada is located north of Trinidad and Tobago, approximately 40 to  60 nautical miles from the Grenadines, depending on your specific starting point. Many yachters combine Grenada and the Grenadines, but there’s plenty to enjoy right here. The country is made up of three islands, Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique, providing vibrant culture, picture-perfect beaches, waterfalls, dive sites, and sheltered anchorages. The “Spice Isle” is a leading producer of ginger, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, leading to its nickname and the fabulous aroma that wafts through the salty sea air. 

Set out from the island’s main port, St. George’s, admiring the colorful waterfront from the water before sailing to the other islands and sheltered bays, perhaps taking advantage of the fantastic snorkeling and diving among vibrant color reefs. On land, watch for mona monkeys, armadillos, and mockingbirds. Like the Grenadines, you can expect ideal sailing conditions with calm seas, steady winds, and abundant sunshine for all your outdoor activities.

Martinique

You’ll find reliable trade winds, known as the Alizés, provide consistently good conditions for yachting in Martinique during the winter. It can make for varied sailing too, with the option to choose from open-water passages or a more sheltered, scenic excursion by cruising along the leeward coast, protected by the island’s landscape. Discover everything from black and white sandy beaches, rainforest, and lush nearby islands. This season is also a great time for taking part in the festive Christmas traditions and world-class rum distilleries. 

The main departure point on Martinique is typically Le Marin. From here, if you sail north, you’ll be met with a wild, tropical environment with few tourists and many magnificent landscapes. There are beautiful corals just off the shores of the large beaches, making it a popular place for snorkeling and diving. Anyone interested in maritime history will enjoy it here as well, with the chance to explore historic ports and fishing villages while navigating the same waters that Christopher Columbus once did.

Cape Verde

The island country of Cape Verde is made up of volcanic islands that lie about 350 miles off the coast of West Africa in the Atlantic. They offer a less-busy alternative to the Caribbean with pleasant winter temperatures around the mid-70s—a perfect backdrop for a sailing adventure. It’s a melting pot of cultures influenced by Portuguese, African, and Brazilian heritage, bringing the opportunity to experience the rhythms of traditional music and dance as well as mingle with the friendly locals in picturesque fishing villages. 

If you have a week, focus on São Vicente, starting from Mindelo—the country’s cultural capital. The city is renowned for its vibrant music scene, colonial architecture, and colorful Carnival celebrations each February. Sail to mountainous São Nicolau with its dramatic volcanic landscapes, opportunities for hiking, and iconic Carbeirinho beach. It’s not your typical swimming beach but boasts remarkable rock formations and cliffs, making it popular for photography, although there is a small beach with tide pools tucked into a rocky cove. 

Nature lovers shouldn’t miss uninhabited Santa Luzia. It draws yachters as a protected nature reserve that serves as an important nesting site for sea turtles. The marine biodiversity is impressive, and there are unspoiled beaches to relax on as well. 

Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Indonesia is a yachter’s paradise, with Raja Ampat off the northwest tip of Papua, one of the most sought-after destinations, particularly for those who want to enjoy an off-the-grid experience with world-class snorkeling and diving. The nutrient-rich waters result in unparalleled marine biodiversity that includes a vast array of various fish species, manta rays, reef sharks, and much more. And, unlike much of the country, it enjoys the clearest skies and calmest seas between October and April.

There are more than 1,500 islands in Raja Ampat, providing plenty to choose from for your itinerary too. Some of the top spots include iconic Wayag with its dramatic karst islands that rise from clear cobalt waters while offering panoramic views from the top. Piaynemo is more easily accessible and also known for its karst landscapes as well as its brilliant blue lagoons that are surrounded by lush greenery. You’ll find even more tranquil lagoons at Fam, Misool, and Penemu islands, which also boast rich marine life and incredible beauty.