Sailing in Bermuda

Bermuda is a small chain of islands about 700George's Dinghy and Sports Club. Both clubs and
miles due east of South Carolina. Sailboats haveboth harbors have fantastic facilities for traveling
traveled to or through Bermuda for a long time,cruisers. Boat manufacturers, and other
and it is the most popular tropical destination forbusinesses abound.
sailing enthusiasts on the US East Coast. BermudaWith around 20 square miles of land spread over
is also a frequent stop for sailboats from thenumerous closely placed islands, Bermuda hosts a
Canada and Europe. As a vacation spot, Bermudastable population of about 66,000. The economy
is the end of historical sailing races and pullsis healthy and the locals friendly, and even low
hundreds of American boats on cruising trips.income neighborhoods are well kept and make for
The weather is usually good for sailing (Locationpleasant visiting everywhere. The subtropical
catamaran) in November, when some sailboatsclimate keeps the island warmer in the winter and
cruise to Bermuda. This island chain is nowherecooler in the summer. Beautiful beaches of pink
near the southern trade winds, however historicalsand seem to be everywhere, and coral reefs
records on nautical records show that the windmake for good snorkeling, although the ocean is
can arise from any region. If you'll be crossing thecooler than in the Caribbean.
Gulf Stream, check the weather carefully beforeWith so many boats traveling there from so
sailing to miss being grabbed by a northerly wind,many other areas, Bermuda has amazing
which may produce steep currents that areprocedures for assisting with sailing and arrival.
nauseating and can become troublesome. In theMariners should have high quality charts to avoid
famous Newport-Bermuda sail race in June ofthe plentiful reefs surrounding the island chain,
even years, almost 200 fast boats made theespecially on the northern side, but Bermuda
journey in 3 days, depending on the currents. InHarbor Radio is easily reached on the VHF and
odd-numbered years the Marion-Bermuda race isshould help guide you in. Customs must be cleared
a more relaxed competition for cruising boats.first in St. George's Harbor, customs is well
A British territory, Bermuda offers much tomarked and illuminated for day entry. You enter
cruising sailing enthusiasts. The city of Hamiltonthe harbor through a thin jagged cut that seems
boasts the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and has avery small even for a medium sized boat, but
quality large harbor full of all types of boats. Onconcerns about squeezing through soon turn to
the other side of Bermuda, the lesser city andembarrassment when you see a large cruise ship
harbor of St. George's are home of the St.make the same passage.