Offshore Sailing from the Bahamas to New York City

The wind and weather at the time will determine exactly what we do and when. Below is a possible itinerary to give an example of how this offshore sailing trip could run.

Join the yacht for initial sailing and training in Nassau

The crew members will join the boat in Nassau, home to Bay Street, a bustling thoroughfare lined with shops, cafes, and the famous Straw Market, where artisans sell handcrafted souvenirs. While you’re here, you should try conch fritters and Bahamian rock lobsters. The surrounding water, crystal-clear, is teeming with marine life. We’ll spend the first morning getting you fully up to speed with the boat, its equipment, and the various safety drills. After lunch, we’ll cast off the lines and head out into the bay, building skills and confidence as individuals and a crew. We’ll likely anchor near a secluded cay that night.

Training and exploring in the Abacos Islands

Weather permitting, we plan to spend the next few days using our exploration of the Bahamas for some hands-on training. It will likely be in the Abacos Islands just north of Nassau. This beautiful cruising ground includes the picturesque Great Guana Cay and is a special place for teaching sailing. Man-O-War Cay is also known for its boat-building heritage, and there’s a good chance to spot dolphins or sea turtles. Elbow Cay and its famous candy-striped lighthouse at Hope Town is another excellent stop. If that is a goal, you can also build skills, miles, and sea time toward three US sailing certifications.

Offshore passage sailing from the Bahamas to Norfolk, Virginia

It’s time to head to sea. As we journey north to the USA, our 700-nautical-mile passage to Norfolk, Virginia, promises a true 4-5 day sailing adventure. Leaving the picturesque coast of Florida to our port side, we set our course due north, bidding farewell to the distant lights of the Bahamas as they fade on the horizon. With the wind in our hair and the taste of salt spray in the air, you’ll swiftly transition into the rhythm of life at sea and the sailing lifestyle.

Watch shifts become our routine, typically with 3 hours on duty and 6 hours off. Those on navigation duty must guide us through the vastness of the open ocean. Others will be cooking, keeping watch, or resting down below. Out on the ocean, you will revel in the endless horizons, the mesmerizing sunrises and sunsets, the ocean-going birds, dolphins, and maybe even whales. This passage encapsulates the essence of offshore sailing. While the instructor will teach sailing and give different sailing lessons every day, there’s a significant element of self-discovery, and you’ll find you build a deep connection with the elements and the ocean.

Approximately four days into our sail from the Bahamas, the distinct shape of Cape Hatteras will emerge on the horizon, marking our approach to Norfolk, Virginia. Pulling into Norfolk is an exhilarating experience. This vibrant waterfront city hosts Naval Station Norfolk, a major US naval base on the Chesapeake Bay. Sailing past the colossal warships of the US Navy instills a real sense of awe and accomplishment. As we arrive, some well-deserved rest awaits us before we set sail again.

Sail from Norfolk, Virginia, to New York City

Our final leg takes us from Norfolk, Virginia, to Manhatten, NYC, and offers a captivating transition from the open ocean to the bustling metropolis of New York. Having left Norfolk, we sail north again, and there’s the possibility of exploring Delaware’s picturesque coastline and charming towns, should weather and time permit. Soon, we transition from the open ocean to the regulated, busy approaches of New York Harbor. Staten Island emerges on the horizon, welcoming us into the iconic waterways of the city and the, for now, of your sailing education. The anticipation of sailing by the Statue of Liberty and the captivating skyline of Manhattan on our starboard side builds and marks the culmination of our remarkable offshore sailing adventure from the Caribbean to the USA.