5 Not-to-be-Missed Pacific Charter Destinations

by Zuzana Prochazka

When we think of yacht charter, the default location is the Caribbean. While that region certainly has a lot to offer, it’s also a long way from the left coast. Here are five great charter destinations that you can get to from anywhere in California, all without changing airplanes.

Roche Harbor on San Juan Island is one of the highlights of this destination.

San Juan Islands, Washington

Just off the coast of Washington state lie the beautiful San Juan Islands, a compact cruising ground easily covered in a week-long charter. You can get boats in Everett or Anacortes and provision along the way at any small town stop. The weather is variable and the high season is July to September. These islands provide a unique experience with lots of sea life and great hiking among pine trees.

Tips

1. Bring your passport if you’ll be visiting Victoria, BC, Canada.
2. Consider chartering a powerboat, because the winds are light and the weather changes quickly.
3. You may want to get a boat with radar due to the frequent fog.
4. Pick up a free iPhone app with AIS information to monitor the military and merchant vessels around you.

Read more about the San Juans
The Yacht Insider: Charter in the San Juan Islands
San Juan Islands to Alaska: 3 Tips for Crewed Charters

San Juan Islands Itinerary Highlights
Anacortes
Cornet Bay via Deception Pass between Fidalgo and Whidbey Islands
San Juan Island - Friday Harbor
San Juan Island - Roche Harbor via Haro Strait and Mosquito Pass
Vancouver Island, BC - Victoria
Orcas Island - Rosario Resort in East Sound
Orcas Island - Deer Harbor, Return

View a San Juan Islands 7 day itinerary

Charter Companies

Anacortes Yacht Charters
Moorings

The Channel Islands have rugged scenery and protected anchorages.

Channel Islands, California

For rugged scenery off the Southern California coast, check out the Northern Channel Islands. You can visit Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa and San Miguel islands in a week if the weather cooperates. Chartering is available year-round, but the best times are from May to October. The best places for departure are Oxnard, Channel Islands Harbor, and Santa Barbara.

Tips

1. Bring your hiking boots and water shoes as there are really no docks for dinghy landings; prepare yourself for a remote adventure.
2. Watch the weather as it changes quickly and can get serious in a hurry.
3. Be sure to get a free landing permit from the conservancy to go ashore, and check with the ranger on San Miguel Island for a walking tour up to the sea lion rookery.
4. Provisioning has to be done on the mainland as there are no shopping opportunities on the islands themselves.
5. Bring your best anchoring skills; there are no moorings, and some areas require fore and aft hooks.

Channel Islands Itinerary Highlights
Ventura or Channel Islands Harbor (Oxnard) or Santa Barbara
Lunch hook at Anacapa Island
Santa Cruz Island - Scorpion Bay
Santa Cruz Island – Prisoner’s Harbor
Santa Cruz Island - Pelican Bay
Santa Cruz Island - Painted Cave
San Miguel Island - Cuyler Harbor

Charter Companies
Marina Sailing (Oxnard or Channel Islands Harbor)
Santa Barbara Sailing Center

Catalina Island is a step back in time only 30 miles from Los Angeles.

Catalina Island, California

From downtown Los Angeles, if you travel 30 miles north, east or south you will still be in a bustling metropolis. But 30 miles to the west, across a bit of open ocean, is Catalina Island—a step back in time. Catalina is shaped like a bowling pin, with Avalon on the southeast bottom tip and Two Harbors at the neck of the pin. It is 21 miles long and eight miles wide. There are over 1,100 moorings in the major harbors that are open to the public for a fee, and plenty of room to anchor for free. Catalina is a perfect charter destination for a week or even a long weekend.

Tips

1. The busiest season is from Memorial Day until Labor Day, but Catalina is a year-round destination.
2. Spring and fall offer great quiet time with plenty to do including hiking, kayaking, diving, and snorkeling.
3. For unique adventures check out Buccaneer Days in October and enjoy a Buffalo Milk cocktail at the Isthmus in Doug’s Harbor Reef bar.

Read More about Catalina
Catalina Island: A Charter Back In Time

Catalina Itinerary Highlights
Two Harbors (Isthmus)
Emerald Cove
Cat Harbor
Avalon
White’s Landing
Charter Companies
Marina Sailing (Long Beach, Marina Del Rey or Newport Beach)
Other private companies available

Partida Cove on Esperitu Santo

La Paz & Isla Esperitu Santo Island

For a remote destination in the Sea of Cortez that is an easy trip out of La Paz, visit the island of Esperitu Santo, which is only 15 miles northeast of the city. The island is very remote and offers desert beauty, plentiful sea life, and anchorages where you’re unlikely to run into anyone but other cruisers or eco tour groups. April, October and November offer great weather – summer is hot and winter is cold, so plan ahead.

Tips

1. Esperitu Santo is a challenging sail because the strong winds are usually on the nose, but once at the island, you can slow down and relax with nice swimming and hiking.
2. Provisioning is excellent in town, but you’ll need to take a taxi.
3. You can spend a whole week on Esperitu Santo, but leave yourself two days in La Paz to check out the city, have great Mexican food, and chat with full-time cruisers in the various marinas.
4. Power and sailing cats are available for charter.

Esperitu Santo Itinerary Highlights
La Paz
Esperitu Santo - Partida Cove
Ensenada Grande Cove
El Embudo / Los Islotes – sea lion rookery
Candelero Bay
Playa Gallo

Charter Companies

Moorings at Marina Costa Baja

A view from Tahaa shows the crystal clear tropical waters and grass huts of Tahiti.

Tahiti

A 9-hour flight from Los Angeles or San Francisco will land you on an exotic island paradise. Tahiti conjures up images of white sand beaches, aquamarine waters and steady tradewinds, and you won’t be disappointed. Spend a day in the capital of Papeete before taking a short flight to Raiatea, where you can choose from several chartering companies.

Tips

1. The sailing is relatively easy, but mind the many reefs and familiarize yourself with marker-to-marker shallow-water navigation.
2. Luxury foods are expensive in Tahiti because most are imported. Stick with the basics including local fruit, fresh fish and crusty baguettes.
3. Bring your wallet to buy Tahiti’s unique black pearls.
4. Make sure your camera is working; Tahiti can’t take a bad picture, and every shot looks like a postcard.
5. Provisioning is excellent in Uturoa (Raitea), Vaitape (Bora Bora) and Fare (Huahine)
6. Large crewed yachts are available.

Tahiti Itinerary Highlights
Apoiiti base Raiatea
Tahaa land tour and pearls at Taravana Yacht Club
Tahaa to Bora Bora via Papai Pass
Bora Bora backside with Le Meridien and Lagoonarium snorkeling
Bora Bora back side to front side – Vaitape and Bloody Mary’s
Raiatea Taputapuatea Marae

Charter Companies

MooringsSunsailTahiti Yacht Charters

Read More

Tahiti: Ready for Its Closeup