Five Top Cruising Waypoints Around the World

Cabo’s Solmar Resort is the perfect jumping-off point to explore southern Baja California in Mexico. Jon Whittle East Cape, Mexico Away From It All

Less than two hours by car from the souvenir-hawking shops, restaurants and bars of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, is a personal favorite of mine: the region known as East Cape. It’s located on the back side of the southern Baja peninsula and is so far from Los Cabos, it could be on another planet. This is old-school Mexico at its best: virtually deserted white-sand beaches on the placid Sea of Cortez, friendly locals who are genuinely happy to see you, and some of the best cantina-style margaritas and seafood you’ll find anywhere. And not a tourist trap in sight.

From Desert to Sea

The Sierra de la Laguna mountains hide freshwater swimming holes amid spectacular scenery, and the open desert offers miles to explore on foot, by horseback or on all-terrain vehicles. The quaint seaside East Cape community of Los Barriles is Baja’s kitesurfing and windsurfing capital. Sport fishing and scuba diving also top the to-do list.

Marina Cabo San Lucas has 380 slips including transient dockage for visiting vessels. Jon Whittle Shore Leave

Southern Baja has several world-class marinas, with key facilities including Marina Cabo San Lucas and Marina Puerto Los Cabos in the Los Cabos region, and Marina Costa Baja, Marina Palmira and Marina de La Paz in La Paz on the Sea of Cortez.  A bit farther up the coast is Marina Puerto Escondido, part of a luxury seaside community in Loreto that’s known for its blend of stunning natural beauty and amenities.

Sea of Life

Filmmaker, author and oceanographer Jacques Cousteau once described the Sea of Cortez as “the world’s aquarium” to emphasize the incredible biodiversity found throughout the region.

The remote islands of Alphonse (above) and La Digue attract adventure-minded voyagers. Jon Whittle The Seychelles Get Wild(life)

Scattered across the Indian Ocean off East Africa like pearls against an azure backdrop, the 115 islands of the Seychelles are famed for their powdery beaches, coral reefs, lush nature reserves and special wildlife, from Aldabra tortoises to world-record-class giant trevally. The remote location is home to some of the world’s most diverse marine life.

Don’t-Miss Islands

Exploration often begins on the island of Mahé, home to the nation’s capital, Victoria, and the Morne Seychellois National Park, where rainforest-clad mountains offer stunning vistas. Praslin has the UNESCO-listed nature preserve called Vallée de Mai with its rare Coco de Mer palms, and Anse Lazio, a pristine beach. A short ferry ride from Praslin brings travelers to La Digue, where local fishermen glide across the shallows in skiffs and Anse Source d’Argent’s pink sands meet calm turquoise waters in one of the most frequently photographed spots in the country.

These famous rock formations have become informally known as “the national monument of La Digue.” Jon Whittle Granite Guardian

So many people take photographs amid these famous rock formations that they’ve become informally known as “the national monument of La Digue.” For seasoned yachtsmen, they’re as easily recognized as the Statue of Liberty.

From bustling Bangkok to the thousands of laid-back coastal villages, Thailand is like nowhere else. Jon Whittle Thailand Dive In

Expatriates call it “going bamboo” when you visit Southeast Asia, fall under its spell and never want to leave. After experiencing Thailand’s raw natural beauty and warm, inviting culture firsthand, it’s easy to see why. Around every bend lies something truly unexpected: a rainforest alive with sounds and smells, or a view so striking it lingers long after you’ve moved on. From bustling Bangkok to the thousands of laid-back coastal villages, Thailand is like nowhere else.

Food and Drink

Thai cuisine is a celebration of balance: sweet, sour, salty and spicy, sometimes with a hint of bitterness. Dishes burst with fragrant herbs like lemongrass and fresh vegetables, which are expertly woven into curries, stir-fries, spicy salads and noodle bowls. Meals are often served family-style. And while some may pair it with wine, to me nothing suits the heat and zest of Thai cooking better than a cold local beer. Singha and Chang are classic favorites. 

Disrespecting statues or images of Buddha can have legal consequences under Thai law, including fines and imprisonment. Jon Whittle Point A To Point B

Though it’s far from most well-traveled cruising grounds, Thailand rewards the effort. Yacht shipping companies like Peters & May and Sevenstar can help bring this once far-flung adventure within easier reach. Phuket is one popular disembarkation point during the November-to-May cruising season. Phuket Yacht Haven is only a 10-minute drive from the international airport and is a good base for exploring the Andaman Sea.

On Kauai, the 10-mile-long Waimea Canyon traversing the Sleeping Giant mountain ridge is a popular destination. Jon Whittle Hawaii’s Out Islands Hot, Hot, Hot

The Hawaiian Islands were born millions of years ago from volcanic activity at a hot spot beneath the Pacific Plate. As the plate shifts, it carries the islands ever so slowly to the northwest, leaving the youngest and most active volcanoes on the Big Island and the older, more eroded peaks farther away. The result is a chain of islands with strikingly varied topography and landscapes that are specific to this part of the world.

Island Hopping

I recommend using Oahu or the Big Island as jumping-off points for exploring the more distant islands. Kauai, nicknamed the “Garden Isle,” is blanketed in a tropical rainforest with dramatic valleys. On Molokai, visitors can hike the remote Kalaupapa Peninsula’s famous sea cliffs, which reach up to 3,000 feet above sea level. Lanai’s rugged Shipwreck Beach is home to the rusting remains of a World War II tanker, while nearby Polihua Beach is a sanctuary for nesting green sea turtles. 

Night with the Giants

One of Hawaii’s most unforgettable experiences is diving with manta rays. After sunset, tour operators use underwater lights to attract plankton, drawing in these graceful giants. Manta Village, just south of Kona near the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort, is considered the original site for manta dives. Garden Eel Cove is famous for its consistently large gatherings of rays.

Knowledgeable local guides with shallow-draft skiffs are found throughout the southern Bahamas. Jon Whittle The Southern Bahamas

Far from the crowds of Nassau, Freeport and the Abacos, the southern Bahamas—known as the Out Islands—include Acklins, Crooked Island, Great Inagua, Mayaguana and Ragged Island. These remote islands are lightly developed and offer a profound sense of solitude. For  anglers, the hundreds of miles of crystal-clear shallow flats beckon. Bonefish, the famed silver ghosts of the shallows, are among sport fishing’s most prized trophies. While a simple jig tipped with a bit of shrimp or conch will work, purists favor fly rods with carefully tied flies to provoke a strike. Fast and strong, bonefish grow to impressive sizes in the southern Bahamas. And true to their name, bonefish are virtually inedible, so catch-and-release is the rule. But the thrill of the chase is unforgettable. 

The Legend of Crazy Charlie

Charlie Smith had many names, but most people knew him simply as “Crazy Charlie.” Born in 1936, he caught his first bonefish on a handline at age 6. After serving with the U.S. Navy on Andros, he built the island’s first fishing lodge in 1968 and became a professional guide. When bait ran short one day, Charlie improvised by tying flies instead of using crabs. The result became one of the world’s most famous fly patterns: the Crazy Charlie.

Top Pick

No trip to the Bahamas is complete without some fresh conch salad. Raw diced conch is marinated in lime and orange juices, then tossed with Bahamian onion, fiery local peppers and ripe tomatoes. Just one rule is sacred: Never, ever mayonnaise. This salad is best enjoyed in the salty breeze straight from a seaside stand.

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