Mon-Sun: 9-9pm CET ICON-Phone-3 +44 20 3318 3641
Sailing holidays in the USA
A Guide to setting sail in the US: Enjoy the beauty and diversity of 30 coastal states
Select your boat typeCatamaranGuletMotor boatSailboatSpeedboat
Zizoo / Destinations / USA
Skip to: When to go Things to do Sailing routes Sailing conditions Boats
Zizoo's Guide to Sailing in the US
The United States offers a range of diverse destinations for the perfect sailing holiday. From the charming coasts and major hubs in New England and the Mid-Atlantic to the dramatic cliffs and popular beaches on the Gulf Coast and Pacific. Yacht charter holidays in the U.S. allow you to experience an alternative side to the country's most popular destinations.
Beaches of the Florida Keys
Lobster fishing ports in Maine
Dolphin and whale watching in Oregon and California
Best time to sail
Boat base locations
Key West - Yarmouth - South Portland
Closest airports
Florida Keys (MTH), Bangor (BGR), Portland (PDX)
Key West Nature Preserve, Acadia National Park, Tillamook State Forest
Ready to set sail?
Contact one of our holiday planners or make a request directly below.
Mon-Sun: 9-9pm CET | Sat-Sun: 11-7pm CET
Best time to sail in the United States and how to get there.
Set sail along USA's unique coastlines
Depending on where you'd like to go on your sailing holiday, the best time of year will vary throughout the United States. Off the coast of Florida, you'll want to visit in the early part of the year to take advantage of the driest season from January to May. Off the coast of New England, such as in Maine, May through to September is prime sailing season. With the United States Visa Waiver Programme, citizens from the UK, many EU countries and others can enter for up to 90 days without a visa. The currency is the US dollar
Airports include Florida Keys Marathon, Bangor in Maine, and Portland in Oregon. You'll find a wide range of well equipped and modern marinas along each coast. The most popular include Key West, Bar Harbor in Maine and Long Beach at Los Angeles.
Things to do and see when sailing in the United States
Try lobster in New England
With world-class monuments, historic sites, fantastic beaches and incredible natural parks, the United States remains one of the top visited sailing destinations. Each piece of the coast offers a little something for everyone. For nature lovers, New England's many beaches, national parks and mountain ranges will be a major draw while sailors looking for a glimpse of works by some of today's most popular artists should not miss the galleries and museums in the bustling city of Miami.
Bay Harbor, Miami, Honolulu and countless other great historic hotspots have ports for stopping off and visiting on your travels. Eat great shellfish at Galyn's at Bar Harbor in Maine, or try Caribbean fusion cooking at Area 31 in Miami. Sail into New York City and dance at Marquee or Cielo, or at Sevilla and Holocene in Portland. Enjoy Acadia National Park by the sea in Maine, with scenic beaches nearby.
Diving and other watersports are also plentiful. Visit Long Island, New York, and go scuba diving, or try hang gliding over the Gulf of Mexico in New Orleans. Sail the Potomac River and visit Washington, D.C. with its National Mall housing the majority of the city's museums. The state of Florida also offers many opportunities for water sports enthusiasts. On the eastern coast, you can try surfing or go snorkelling around Marco Island in the Gulf of Mexico. The possibilities are endless and offer thrilling excursions ashore for fun and culture when sailing in the U.S.
With world-class monuments, historic sites, fantastic beaches and incredible natural parks, the United States remains one of the top visited destinations.
Coast of Miami
Suggested sailing routes in the United States
Yaquina Head in Oregon
Whether you decide to go sailing for a day or for a weeklong holiday, sailing opportunities in the US are endless. New England is an exceptional area for scenic routes, visiting Massachusetts, Maine and Rhode Island. The Mid-Atlantic includes New York, New Jersey, Washington, D.C. and others, while the Keys in the south-east offer fine weather. Florida is situated on the Gulf Coast and California and Oregon on the Pacific Coast. Not to be forgotten are Alaska, which offers magnificent mountain scenery and wildlife, and the gorgeous island of Hawaii.
One of the most popular sailing routes for those going on a sailing holiday in the southern US, is sailing to the Bahamas from Florida. Read our route to sailing to the Bahamas from Florida for more inspiration.
Bay Harbor in Maine remains a popular base location for sailing around New England. The Keys, including at Key West Bight Marina, are a great place to escape to at the beginning of the year, when most of the country is still in the cold heart of winter. Down from the coast of Oregon, Long Beach is one of California's most popular coastal hotspots, with a marina and nearby islands like Santa Catalina. You'll have access to a wide range of destinations not available to those that stick to the land.
Whether you decide to go sailing for a day or for a weeklong holiday, sailing opportunities in the US are endless.
Parasailing in Florida
Sailing conditions in the United States
Headlight in Portland, Maine
Conditions vary so it is best to do some research and check local information for the area you'd like to visit. The coast of Florida is ideal for a sailing holiday in the early part of the year, with dry conditions and air temperatures of 26°C or higher and a warm 24°C in the water. Wave heights vary from coast to coast. In Bay Harbour, in Main, winds are up to about 10 knots on average with waves usually under a metre.
Conditions vary so it is best to do some research and check local information for the area you'd like to visit.
The California and Oregon coastline is a little rougher, even in the summer, and recommended for more experienced sailors who will nonetheless take advantage of gorgeous beaches, islands and nature. As always, check local conditions for the time of year you intend to sail, and book moorings ahead of time at peak season to avoid disappointment. Remember you can also book a skippered sailing holiday with Zizoo.
The Mid-Atlantic includes New York, New Jersey, Washington, D.C. and others, while the Keys in the south-east offer fine weather.
Lighthouse in the Florida Keys