The Best Sailing Vacations for Exploring Beautiful Beaches
Pristine licks of sand curve around the world’s most incredible tropical islands. From Bora Bora to the Bahamas, these dazzlingly beautiful beaches are best explored by yacht.
Ready to discover the most remote, unspoilt archipelagos on the planet? These eight-day sailing holidays from TRIPS by Culture Trip feature a succession of spotless and secluded beaches. Travelling as part of a small group, you’ll swim in deserted Caribbean coves, snorkel in the warm waters of the Seychelles and tan on uninhabited islands in the Bahamas. Here’s our pick of the top sailing holidays for beach lovers.
Swim, kayak and stand-up paddleboard off white sand beaches in the British Virgin Islands
Drop anchor off palm-shaded White Bay on Jost Van Dyke, your first beach stop on this fully catered sailing adventure through the BVIs. Swim among bobbing yachts before grabbing a seat at the Soggy Dollar Bar for a pre-lunch tipple; their rum-based painkiller cocktail is legendary. Most activities on this trip centre on sugar-white beaches, from kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding off Deadman’s Bay on Peter Island to turtle spotting off Guana Island. You’ll also meet the pink flamingos of Anegada.
From US$
Next available from 1st Jan 1970
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Le Marin, Martinique
ENDS AT
Le Marin, Martinique
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
12
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Explore Bora Bora, beaches and more on this voyage around French Polynesia
Star in your own version of Cast Away (2000) on this sailing expedition around French Polynesia, a remote collection of archipelagos in the South Pacific. After snorkelling the barrier reef around Bora Bora and visiting a black pearl farm on Raiatea, you’ll wind up on the quiet island of Huahine. Snorkel, swim and paddleboard off Ana Iti beach, a sliver of white sand backed by dense greenery. After that, sail down the island’s south coast to Avea Bay, another white-and-turquoise lagoon with bars dotted along the sand.
From US$
Next available from 1st Jan 1970
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Uturoa, Raiatea
ENDS AT
Uturoa, Raiatea
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
12
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Admire rock formations and meet giant sea tortoises on these deserted Seychelles beaches
Striking granite boulders scatter the pale, empty beaches of the Seychelles, as you’ll discover on this nautical odyssey. The islands of Grande Soeur and Praslin provide plenty of opportunities for tanning on untouched sands and swimming or snorkelling in balmy waters. You’ll also visit Cousine Island, a former coconut and cinnamon plantation that has transformed into a bird-spotter’s paradise; swim with tropical fish in Sainte Anne Marine Park; and meet the only wild population of aldabra giant tortoises in the world.
From US$
Next available from 1st Jan 1970
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Seychelles, Africa
ENDS AT
Seychelles, Africa
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
12
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Explore over 30 secluded Bahamas beaches on this Caribbean boat journey
This yachting holiday around the Bahamas includes chill-out time on the unsullied sands of Norman’s Cay, a long, thin island once used as a hideout by the Medellín drug cartel in the 1970s and ‘80s. On the much larger Warderick Wells Cay, there are over 30 equally picturesque beaches to choose from, most of which feature snorkelling spots that teem with colourful marine residents. You’ll share the white sands of Allen Cay with tame rock iguanas, a critically endangered species only found in the Bahamas.
From US$
Next available from 1st Jan 1970
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Nassau, Bahamas
ENDS AT
Nassau, Bahamas
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
12
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
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