8 DAY ITINERARY
As you might imagine, taking your time cruising this route offers benefits for every age. You will step back into time while relaxing, reading, eating, drinking and experiencing the cruising lifestyle. Cruising by yacht offers you flexible, effortless ease of movement from place to place.
Newport is a great place to start a yacht charter as it offers a large number of marinas and many excellent provisioning options. It is also renowned for the mansions built by many leading American families. The Cliff Walk is a beautiful 3-mile path along the rocky coast that provides a rear view of the mansions on Bellevue Avenue. You can take a guided tour of many of the mansions there. The Museum of Yachting is located in Fort Adams State Park and exhibits much of Newport’s significant yachting history.
If you prefer to walk around downtown, there are many shops and restaurants of all kinds. There are yacht races and sports clubs, beaches and trails for hiking and biking. If you’re in the mood for sweets, don’t forget to stop at Cupcake Charlies! They’re known for their desserts and were also on Food Network’s Cupcake Wars.
Edgartown, on Martha’s Vineyard
Head out to the Vineyard to rub elbows with other salty New Englanders at this idyllic storybook island. Pull your yacht into one of several quaint harbors amongst cedar shingled fishing shacks and some of the country's finest culinary restaurants. The Vineyard has plenty to see and do while there and boredom is not an option!
Edgartown is recognized as one of New England's most elegant communities, and was Martha's Vineyard's first colonial settlement; it has been the county seat since 1642. The stately white Greek Revival houses built by the whaling captains have been carefully maintained.
Rent a bicycle and ride around the island or spend your day shopping, at the beach, or eating at one of Edgartown’s delicious restaurants. Whatever you choose, you won’t be disappointed.
Nantucket is the beloved summer refuge of New Englanders and New Yorkers. Despite its popularity, it offers privacy, anonymity, great boating and fishing, rolling dunes and beautiful beaches. This Island’s charm goes far beyond the excellent restaurants and chic shops downtown. The 82 miles of beaches that make up Nantucket are part of nearly 40% of Nantucket that is protected conservation land.
Take a walk on the wide sandy beaches, shop the boutiques and explore the art galleries and museums. Get the best sunset views you’ve ever seen at White Elephant Hotel’s Brant Point Grill, a popular restaurant in the area.
Wake up early and cruise on the outside of Cape Cod from Nantucket past the Monomoy Point Lighthouse that is south of Chatham, Massachusetts. This area is a known wildlife refuge and the vast beach is often dotted with grey seals of which some of the locals would consider an overabundance of them. Also, this is a well-protected harbor from any direction and once you head out from this area you might spot a few whales off the coast watch – it’s one of New England’s best activities.
Provincetown at the northernmost tip offers moorings or you can anchor here. When you anchor, explore this historic New England town known for its flamboyant street scenes, art galleries, nightlife and vast beaches.
Arrive in Boston and enjoy the waterfront or head into town to enjoy one of the many tourist attractions such the beautiful Public Garden for a Swan Boat Ride or walk the Freedom Trail. Don’t forget to stop in the North End for some delicious Italian food at one of their wonderful restaurants. Another option is to dine at Studio Restaurant, in the center of New England’s largest Art colonies. Don’t pass up a visit to Gloucester’s most famous landmark, the statue of a fisherman that stands overlooking Gloucester Harbor. It is dedicated to the over 10,000 Gloucester fishermen lost at sea since the early 1600’s.
This is about a day cruise north bypassing Portsmouth, NH onward to Maine. Enjoy lunch onboard and then head out to peruse the many specialty shops in Dock Square in the quaint town of Kennebunkport. This neighborhood is nestled in the center of town and bustles with boutique shoppers and art gallery hoppers during the summer months. The plentiful patio cafes offer great people watching as well as succulent lobster rolls and other fresh-catch dishes. This seaside town has become one of the most prominent vacation spots in New England over the years. You don’t want to miss a visit to Blowing Cave and Spouting Rock.
From ornate mansions to the ocean views this charming city, the largest in Maine, will enchant you. The Old Port area is fun and full of great restaurants and coffee shops. The historic city offers plenty of shore side excursions, arts and culture, yet by sea, there’s plenty to discover. Nearby islands like Harpswell, Orrs and Bailey are a short ride, and provide a haven for beach walks, kayaking and fresh seafood (Cook’s Lobster & Ale House is a Bailey Island mainstay.)
Bath, Maine, is famous for its shipbuilding and maritime history as well as Boothbay’s scenic harbor view of the working waterfront, rocky coastline, charming village shops and lighthouses. Boothbay is known as the boating capitol of New England. With water ranging from open seas to calm and protected rivers and inlets there are plenty of opportunities for the water enthusiast to go kayaking and even paddle boarding!
The picturesque village, features a charming waterfront, with many boutiques, restaurants and tourist amenities. Yet, the real draw is the stunning bay. Known for its islets, rivers and inlets, Boothbay is a kayaker’s dream. Ospreys, seals and bald eagles frequent the area, and the region’s rocky, woodland coasts feel like you’ve stepped into another world.
Camden is home to some of the most beautiful and natural scenery, amazing ocean vistas and unique attractions that you can find in Maine. Located on Penobscot Bay – a venue for numerous summer regattas – Camden is one of the bay’s favorite hamlets. The region is a summertime hangout for humpback whales – so bring your camera – and seals and sea lions bask in the region as well. In Camden, explore the charming waterfront, with its many shops, spas, and upscale eateries.
For the adventurers maybe a tour in the tender for a scenic cruise up to Penobscot (Fort Knox). There you will see remote islands, wilderness as well as the Native American culture nestled in between two historical and serene towns. For others maybe experience the Penobscot Narrows observatory for the breathtaking panoramic views or the Midcoast region of Maine. The top of the tower is 42 stories high above the Penobscot Narrows Bridge which makes this observatory the tallest public bridge observatory in the world at 420 feet high.
Bar Harbor has long been a favorite vacation spot; aristocrats started flocking here during in the 19th century. The town is situated near Acadia, and offers access to its most iconic landscapes, including Cadillac Mountain. And the town also has a thriving summertime nightlife. Explore the harbor by kayak during the day and retire to a historic pub in the afternoon.
If you haven’t already done some whale watching the approximate 45 minute trip from Bar Harbor to Roque Bluffs should provide a few sightings. This amazing stretch of beach and beautiful archipelago is a photographers dream. On the way north and return south you can leap frog so you don’t repeat some of the hot spots in between such as Great Wass Island which is a natural preserve untouched by humans and Jonesport, the local fishing village.
A snorkel amidst the infamous partially submerged wreck of a drug smuggling Curtiss C-46 Commando is a must. Guests may also try their hand at spearfishing or hire a local flats bone fishing guide. Late in the afternoon, explore the island and visit Norman's Cay Beach Club, formerly known as McDuff's, for a burger, cocktail and island stories as the sun sets.
The piglets are catching more attention from travelers, both local and foreign. Seeing the swimming pigs in action in the clear and blue waters of the Bahamas is an activity that everyone has to experience.
Once back aboard, pick up anchor we can head to Guana Cay. There is great snorkeling along the way at the Fowl Cays and a good reef break for surfing. The Sea of Abaco offers great conching grounds in these parts for the trained eye. Bakers Bay Resort is a new development with a beautiful yacht facility.
The Tom Fazio golf course at the resort also offers world class golfing and views. There is great snorkeling and diving just off the reef to the north end and one of the most spectacular beaches in all of Abaco. Guana Cay is home to famous Nipper's Beach Bar & Grill and is definitely worth the trip up the hill. Enjoy the quintessential beach bar overlooking white sand and every hue of turquoise and aqua imaginable while sipping on a Nipper's cocktail.
