Setting Sail for Bermuda
Bermuda is a tiny chain of islands some 700 miles due east of South Carolina. Sailboats have traveled to or through Bermuda for hundreds of years, and it is the most popular offshore destination for sailing enthusiasts on the US East Coast. Bermuda is also a frequent stop for boats sailing from the Canada and Europe. As a vacation spot, Bermuda is the finish line for classic sailboat races and pulls hundreds of American boats on sailing trips.
The weather is usually good for sailing (Location voilier Corse) in April, when some sailboats cruise to Bermuda. This island chain is far from the southern trade winds, and historical data on nautical records show that the wind can come from any direction. If you’ll be boating across the Gulf Stream, watch the weather carefully before sailing to avoid being caught in a northerly wind, which may produce steep waves that are nauseating and can become dangerous. In the famous Newport-Bermuda sail travels in June of even years, almost 200 fast sailboats make the crossing in 6 days, depending on the wind. In odd-numbered years the Marion-Bermuda race is a more relaxed competition for cruising boats.
A British territory, Bermuda offers much to cruising sailors. The city of Hamilton boasts the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and has a fine huge harbor full of all kinds of sail boats. On the other side of Bermuda, the smaller town and harbor of St. George’s hosts the St. George’s Dinghy and Sports Club. Both clubs and both harbors have excellent benefits for traveling cruisers. Boat manufacturers, and other businesses abound.
With about 20 square miles of land stretched over many closely linked islands, Bermuda has a resident population of about 66,000. The economy is high quality and the locals friendly, and even modest neighborhoods are beautiful and make for pleasant 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 coral reefs make for good diving, although the water is colder than in the Caribbean.
With so many sailboats coming there from so many other countries, Bermuda has excellent systems for aiding with sailing and arrival. Mariners need good maps to avoid the high concentration of reefs around the islands, especially on the north most side, but Bermuda Harbor Radio is easily reached on the VHF and should help guide you in. Customs must be passed first in St. George’s Harbor, which is well marked and lit for day entry. You enter the harbor through a thin rocky cut that seems very small even for a medium sized boat, but concerns about fitting through soon turn to embarrassment as you see a gigantic cruise ship make the same trip.
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