Favorite Cruising Grounds with NO Cruise Ships

[Saleen411]

We are not into crowded "tourist trap" places......love areas that are a fairly quiet and relatively unspoiled.

The BVIs for example. When I first started sailing there in the mid 80s, it was not crowded at all, esp during the off season. I never saw a cruise ship or a mega yacht. There were no mooring balls that I can remember, few if any cats and The Moorings was a small operation. Restaurants and bars were uncrowded and reasonably priced. Lobster was available everyday and was quite affordable.

How nice it was....and how things have changed.

I would be most grateful if any like minded sailors would be willing to share their personal "gems"...esp in the Caribbean.

Thanks in advance,

[Stumble]

The south coast of Jamaica is wonderful.

[Cheechako]

The Bahamas, especially south of Georgetown.

[MarkJ]

No cruise ships in Haiti.

[Saleen411]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

No cruise ships in Haiti.

PERFECT! Will start planning a trip immediately.

[NewMoon]

Anywhere NW of Vancouver on the BC coast the big cruise ships will be only passing by - no tourist trap stops. In SE Alaska, they stop at Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Hoonah, and Sitka. Apart from these, you'll see them only underway. Avoid spending much time in Ketchikan Juneau and Skagway, and you'll avoid most of their passengers. You can't miss seeing the ships in Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm, but the scenery's worth the trouble.

Lots of exquisite cruising along the Inside Passage where they don't appear at all, or don't intrude much. Scenery and critters rule.

[captmikem]

Tonga, Vavau, lots of islands, clear water, nice people, great cruising. Like the Bahamas but not crowded and very friendly people.


And the Yasawas in Fiji.


Cocos Keeling in the Indian ocean, I pulled in there once and was going to stay a couple of days, stayed six weeks... Only problem is it is a long haul from there to any place.

M

[astokel]

There are only a couple floating around Cuba. I think they are both Canadian.

[Mike OReilly]

I know this is not where you asked, but people looking for glorious unspoiled cruising grounds with little or no people should point their bow north to Lake Superior, particularly the Canadian shore.

Thousands of nm of real wilderness, with almost no cruisers out there. Beautiful sandy beaches, lots of anchorages, wild animals, great fishing, and lots of big open water with serious seas for those who want to challenge themselves. All this and fresh water to boot.

… I miss Lake Superior .

[zeehag]

if folks rat out their favorite places they will no longer be relatively isolated, would they--you must find the good places by exploration.
everyone else did that-- but then that involves weighing anchor, sailing, then re anchoring in other locales.

[redhead]

Second the Pacific Northwest north of Desolation Sound. After a week or so you start looking around for at least one other boat......... happily, there isn't one. The solitude and quiet takes some getting used to, just you and the bears. I can't wait to go back.

[CHRIS V CLEMENT]

Try the Sea of Abaco in the Bahamas. Check out Treasure Cay. It is advertised as one of the top 10 beaches in the world. The beach is 3.5 miles long. We had it to ourselves for the better part of 2 days. Because the Sea of Abaco is relatively shallow, cruise ships will never be a problem. It is Catamaran Paradise !!!!

[Scorpius]

As someone who was born and raised, and has extensively sailed the central BC coast (or Great Bear Rainforest as the "Greenies" have recently renamed it) I can attest to its attraction. However, recognize that it is NEVER warm, after a couple of days of sunshine, expect fog (the result of the sun on cold water and cold nights), and you have to transit some of the most challenging salt water rapids in the world. The picture is of Scorpius in my favourite anchorage - where I suspect you could stay year-round and not see another boat. Sorry, I won't tell you exactly where it is.

I'm surprised no-one has mentioned Australia or New Zealand in this thread.

[alctel]

West coast of Vancouver Island, especially above Hot Springs Cove. Spent two weeks going down there in August and saw a grand total of 2 other boats from Cape Scott to Hot Springs Cove.

On the inside, after each 'gate' (set of tidal rapids/whirlpools) you will see less and less boats. North of Port Hardy we saw around one a day.

[Ndavies]

The Bahamas, Cuba......as to where specifically? Well the fun is in finding them for yourself!