Top 10 Cruising Adventure Photos of 2024

A freak dismasting near the Canaries. A sweet, southern sojourn down the Dismal Swamp Canal. A father-son duo’s first serious offshore trek to Bermuda. The exhilaration of riding out a Cat 3 hurricane in the Caribbean. A bitter-cold bucket-list voyage across the Northwest Passage…

Cruising World photographers and writers captured these stories and more in the past year. Here are our Top 10 most riveting images from 2024, and the stories that tell the tales.

The 74-foot bluewater beauty Annka, designed by Berret-Racoupeau and built by Garcia Yachts, ghosts past Alaska’s Tracy Arm Fjord. Neil Rabinowitz

In Outsmarting the Storms, Jimmy Cornell explores the profound effects of climate change on long-distance cruising, highlighting unpredictable weather patterns, more intense storms, and extended tropical cyclone seasons. Based on decades of observations and surveys of experienced sailors, Cornell discusses the rising challenges, including shifting routes, increased insurance costs, and the critical need for reliable weather forecasting. While many sailors remain undeterred, they emphasize careful planning, strong boats, and adaptability. High-latitude sailing is emerging as a viable alternative, offering opportunities amid changing polar conditions, but the evolving global climate demands vigilance and flexibility from the cruising community. Full story HERE.

Trapped by pack ice, the Stevens 47 Polar Sun spent nine days moving from floe to floe in Pasley Bay in Nunavut, Northern Canada, to avoid being dragged aground. Ben Zartman

In Riders on the Storm, Ben Zartman recounts a grueling 112-day journey through the Northwest Passage aboard Polar Sun. Facing relentless pack ice, fog, and uncharted dangers, the crew navigates Arctic extremes, dodging icebergs and enduring weeks trapped in floes. As the short season closes, they encounter a rogue typhoon in the Bering Strait, forcing desperate maneuvers to escape treacherous conditions. The harrowing passage, marked by exhaustion and near-misses, ends in Nome, Alaska, where survival triumphs over adversity. Zartman reflects that the Northwest Passage only truly ends when you make it home. Full story HERE.

Moonrise over the dramatic Pacific Northwest landscape. Tor Johnson

In Into the Mystic, Herb McCormick recounts a magical voyage aboard the Cal 40 Dancing Bear from Anacortes, Washington, to the remote archipelago of Haida Gwaii in British Columbia. Sailing alongside old and new friends, McCormick explores the stunning “Galapagos of the North,” navigating challenging currents, misty fjords, and pristine wilderness teeming with wildlife. Anchored in serene isolation, the journey becomes a spiritual retreat, offering profound connections to nature and history. By journey’s end, Haida Gwaii leaves an indelible mark on his soul, blending adventure with a touch of mysticism. Full story HERE.

A rally around the Leeward islands blends cruising camaraderie with a dash of competitive spirit among like-minded catamaran sailors. Laurens Morel

The Caribbean Multihull Challenge offers more than just competitive sailing—it’s a celebration of adventure and camaraderie. Initially created as a racing regatta exclusive to multihulls, the event has grown to include a relaxed rally component perfect for cruising sailors. Participating aboard a Sunsail 424 charter cat, Andrew Parkinson discovered the true spirit of the event: enjoying time on the water, pushing beyond comfort zones, and “winning the party” with fellow sailors. Whether racing or cruising, the CMC proves there’s more than one way to savor victory—especially when fun takes the helm. Full story HERE.

David H. Lyman’s Lord Nelson 41 cutter, Afaran, rides the swells while at anchor in Mayo Bay, St. John, during Hurricane Luis. David H. Lyman

When Hurricane Hugo slammed into the Virgin Islands in September 1989, David Lyman meticulously prepared his cutter Afaran to ride out the 140-mph winds in Coral Bay. While the storm left devastation in its wake, Afaran was one of only five boats still afloat from a fleet of 55. Lyman’s harrowing account captures the raw power of the hurricane and the fight to protect one’s vessel. Six years later, Lyman would face Hurricane Luis aboard Afaran, surviving yet another test of seamanship before Hurricane Marilyn finally claimed his beloved boat. Full story HERE.

Trekking south along the Dismal Swamp Canal Onne van der Wal

As the first whispers of autumn chill the air, a familiar yearning pulls many a cruiser south, bidding adieu to the budding tapestry of fall foliage that begins to paint the shoreline back home. Cruiser and photographer Onne van der Wal captured his own moment on a recent passage down the Dismal Swamp Canal, part of the Intracoastal Waterway through Virginia and North Carolina. Opened in 1805, it’s the oldest continuously operating human-built canal in the United States. Says Van der Wal: “People had warned me of stumps, duckweed and low-hanging trees. They said, ‘Watch out—it’s dangerous in there.’ You can reroute via Coinjock and avoid the Dismal Swamp if you have a draft of more than 5 feet, but the more I heard the warnings, the more it intrigued me. As you can see, I was not disappointed.”

A fleet of Moorings and Sunsail charters makes its way toward Bora­Bora’s Mount Otemanu. Tor Johnson

When Mark Pillsbury joins a birthday sailing adventure in French Polynesia, it’s an unforgettable mix of charted waters, vibrant culture, and idyllic island-hopping. Over 10 days, the crew explores Raiatea, Taha’a, Huahine, and Bora Bora aboard Sunsail charter boats, navigating coral reefs, snorkeling pristine lagoons, and sailing trade-wind passages. Between squalls, birthday bashes, and lazy afternoons on motus, the trip captures the magic of the South Pacific—culminating in vivid memories of towering peaks, turquoise seas, and a once-in-a-lifetime party in paradise. Full story HERE.

The Herreshoff-designed Q14 Questa on Montana’s Flathead Lake. Onne van der Wal

When Brianna Randall parted ways with her beloved catamaran in the Bahamas, she thought her sailing days were on hold—until Montana’s Flathead Lake offered an unexpected fix. Solo sailing aboard Sueños, a Catalina 25, she navigates this vast, regal lake, soaking in mountain vistas, cold swims, and quiet anchorages. As she charts a course toward her next adventure—racing to Alaska with a friend—Randall reflects on the freedom of solo sailing, the thrill of a challenge, and the magic of finding new horizons close to home. Full story HERE.

Quetzal had just completed a fast downwind passage from the Canary Islands when she lost her rig—a classic dismasting as the starboard forward chainplate failed in dramatic fashion. Despite a prior year of challenging sailing, it was a hell of a surprise.

In “The Great Mast Disaster,” John Kretschmer recounts the harrowing experience of dismasting his Kaufman 47, Quetzal, while en route to Cape Verde. After the mast buckled, Kretschmer and his crew worked together to manage the situation, with assistance from nearby sailors. Though initially shaken, Kretschmer remained calm and resolved to continue. Despite the overwhelming damage, the crew’s resourcefulness and support from a local boatyard in Mindelo ultimately restored Quetzal. In the end, Kretschmer reflects on the journey’s challenges, noting that a dismasting is a detour, not a disaster, and that perseverance always prevails. Full story HERE.

Steve Burzon works the cockpit of the Swan 411 Albireo, offshore somewhere between Virginia and Bermuda. Matthew Burzon

Steve Burzon had long dreamed of sailing offshore with his son, Matthew, but their first trip together aboard the Swan 411 Albireo did not go as planned. While navigating rough seas between Virginia and Bermuda, Steve fell ill, leaving Matthew and the crew to manage the journey. As they worked together to face challenges like stormy weather and a near-collision with a cruise ship, the father and son deepened their bond. After reaching Bermuda, they shared a meaningful experience, but the trip also marked the end of Albireo’s run with the family, prompting Steve to focus on other sailing adventures. Full story HERE.

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