Best summer charter destinations close to the USA

A luxury yacht rental is about exploring horizons and venturing to new places, but it doesn’t have to mean straying far from home. The US coastline is near to some of the best and most diverse cruising grounds in the world, from the dune-lined beaches of New England to the frigid seascapes of Alaska’s Inside Passage. The best adventures start from the minute you step onto the yacht.

If you live in the USA, your options aren't limited to Caribbean islands like Tortola in the BVIs

The Bahamas

The island country of The Bahamas is all about hopping between destinations, dropping anchor off deserted islands and rubbing shoulders with the swimming pigs. A yacht rental gifts the freedom to roam around daily or stay put into one bay for a fortnight. However, you choose to play it, it’s only a short 2.5-hour cruise from Miami to Nassau, making even a few days on Bahamian waters feel like a lengthy vacation.

Why not feed the locals at Stingray City in Great Harbour Cay? Make memories of a lifetime and swim with the magnificent marine life

The Exumas

If island hopping is on the agenda, then the Exuma Cays is where it’s at. The clearest of waters in sandy shallow cays make it a dream for watersports lovers of all abilities. The chain of 365 islands is home to secluded footprint-free beaches and high-end resorts, though the main attraction is the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park — the first marine reserve in the wider Caribbean where mangrove forests, seagrass meadows and vibrant coral reefs play host to turtles, sharks, dolphins, and myriad fish.

Abacos Islands

Located in the northern Bahamas, east of southern Florida, the Abacos Islands is a boating and fishing paradise. The 120-mile-long chain of uninhabited outer islands deliver charter guests their very own Robinson Crusoe experience. It’s also one of the best locations for deep-water fishing, where pelagic creatures, such as marlin, sailfish, wahoo, and tuna, give sportfishers a run for their money.

Set sail for Hope Town on Elbow Cay in the Abaco Islands

Florida Keys

The Keys are a string of tropical islands that drip from the southern coast of Florida, linked by the 113-mile Overseas Highway from Key Largo, a diving mecca, to Key West, a sunset haven, before bleeding into the Florida Straits. The coral cay archipelago bears witness to North America’s only living coral barrier reef. The tranquil Marquesas, a circular group of ten uninhabited islands, provide seclusion from morning to night. Be sure to stop off at the smaller Keys to be rewarded with mangrove islands and loggerhead turtles.

Key West

Key West is Florida’s southernmost point. It’s defined by its pastel-hued, conch-style houses on land and a raft of pristine dive sites at sea. A Key West sailing charter will likely combine the bliss of cruising under wind power and the thrill of discovery under the water, with reef dives, large shipwrecks and a litany of sunken aircraft to explore for charter guests young and old.

Islamorada

In short, Islamorada is considered the sport fishing capital of the world. The colourful waterfront village encompasses six of the Florida Keys, from the former quarry of Key Fossil Reef and Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park that’s cloaked in tropical forest, to Indian Key Historic State Park with ruins from the 1800s. The area's flat waters are ideal for kayaking, paddleboarding or gentle snorkelling.

What better way to end the day than in a hammock on the beach as the sun sets

The Caribbean

Forming part of the superyacht winter season milk run, the Caribbean has long been a sailing hub. Stretching from Turks and Caicos across to the British Virgin Islands and down to Barbados, Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago, each island state brings its own slice of Caribbean life.

The US Virgin Islands

Forming part of the Leeward Islands, the US Virgin Islands bring vitality and adventure to any yacht charter. Popular for providing a gentle sea breeze, bounty beaches and safe shallow waters, this cluster of isles also offers incredible anchorages, including a stop off at Christmas Cove on St Thomas to order a pizza from the famed boat restaurant Pizza Pi VI.

Antigua

The twin island state of Antigua and Barbuda brings double the fun. Pink coral beaches, scarlet sunsets and the natural limestone phenomenon that is Devil’s Bridge are just a few of the sights on offer. Renowned as another dive hotspot, snorkellers and divers alike can swim among coral, fish, and tropical marine life, all just a stone’s throw from shore.

Belize

Bringing South America within easy reach of North America, a Belize yacht charter celebrates jungle-edged coastlines and bountiful wildlife, supported by some serious marine conservation. The Sapodilla Cayes Marine Path is where migratory whale sharks can be spotted, while St Herman's Blue Hole National Park is scattered with ancient Mayan artefacts. Bringing a taste of the exotic within fingertip reach, Belize has it all.

Visit the famous Blue Hole and take a leap of faith as you dive underneath the surface

New England

Home to the iconic America's Cup sailing regatta from 1930-83, New England has yachting in its veins. The area’s old-world charm is captured in Martha’s Vineyard and the one-time whaling port of Nantucket, while Cape Cod serves some of the juiciest seafood around. From vintage markets to bustling marinas and chic little eateries, dropping anchor in New England brings a smorgasbord of all-American delights.

Pass Brandt Point Lighthouse, perched on the sands at the harbour's entrance, and you're in Nantucket Harbor

Why charter close to the USA?

Aside from the convenience of hopping from your Manhattan duplex to sun-kissed decks, the beauty of chartering close to American shores is the chance to cut down on travel time and maximise time at sea. It’s akin to travelling the world at the bottom of your garden, where shifting cuisine, wildlife, landscapes and activities bring something new each day. Wake up to new horizons, set sail for nearby shores and discover a new style of American adventure on your doorstep.

Discover luxury megayachts available to rent in the USA with Burgess. Enquire today.

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Yachts, prices and availability are correct at the time of publication.