The summer yachting season is in full swing. If your vessel is cruising around New England this summer then hopefully you will have a chance to take in some of the rich history of the area. Although there are many small towns and hamlets up and down the New England coast, as yacht crew you may be in one of these areas when the vessel is not being used by the owner or guests.
Cruising New England in the summer months can be a very enjoyable experience for crew and guests. The new England season stretches yachts from The Hamptons to Maine. The scenery is stunning but the water is quite chilly, the activities available for you and your crew are exclusive to the area your vessel is located.
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport was once the host city for the America’s Cup Regatta so it has a rich sailing history. Newport is a typical port for yachts to call home between trips and charters while in New England. Provisioning in this area is easier than in the smaller hamlets of New England. Many of the stores and shops in Newport are used to working with yachts and yachties to assist in finding those hard to procure items.
When it comes to the sights to see in Newport, there are plenty of options just stepping off the boat and going for a walk. The Cliff walk is gorgeous and also a great place to take a run or go for a walk. Doing a mansion tour is always a fun activity for crew. There are a ton of wineries and breweries to tour as well as local restaurants that are budget-friendly hangouts. There are a number of historic sites around Newport that you can easily see on a self-guided walking tour through the streets.
Sag Harbor, New York
Sag Harbor is located on Long Island just between Easthampton and Southampton, and is considered a village. This little village has a lot to offer, if your vessel is able to secure dockage, then you have an abundance of activities at your disposal just stepping off the boat. Main Street offers shops and restaurants great for crew. There are farm stands that are open daily as well as farmers markets that take place on the weekends, these provide some amazing produce as well as other local products from the surrounding farms. Similar to Newport, there are wineries all over Long Island and most of which are a short drive from Sag.
Sag Harbor is also not a far drive to Montauk, NY, which is the surf city of New York. Montauk has an amazing lighthouse as well. It provides a very chilled out surfer vibe and is a great place to spend the day if you should have the opportunity, rent a surf board or just hang out on the beach.
Bar Harbor, Maine
Bar Harbor was first settled in 1763 and has a very rich history in fishing and ship building. There are plenty of activities for crew in the area. Acadia National Park is a must see and from the Bar Harbor area you can venture to Sand Beach, Otter Cliff and Thunder Hole. Acadia has trails for biking and hiking, as well as 14 mountains for hikers to choose form. Whale watching on the Atlantic ocean is a fun activity for crew, so if you are interested, see about booking a guided tour or possibly using the tender for an excursion with the whole crew.
Walking around Bar Harbor on a beautiful day offers many sites to be seen. Bar Harbor has been the getaway for many of America’s richest families and the mansions by the ocean make for a beautiful back drop for a leisurely stroll or even a run. If you have the opportunity to take Oli’s Trolly you can see downtown Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park on a guided tour. As for your guests, you can arrange a private tour with Oli’s or hire a registered Maine guide that is an expert in the history and wildlife of the area. There are also several lighthouses to explore, 3 to be exact; Egg Rock, Mount Desert and Bear Island.
New England Yachting – A Summer of Boundless Experiences
So, if you have the chance to explore the beauty New England has to offer, be sure to take advantage of the opportunity!
