Crewed Yacht Charter - Cruise the Islands of Southern New England

Newport, Rhode Island hosts the largest group ofprobably the most well known is the harbor for the
private yachts available for charter in New Englandtown of Edgartown. Accessing the harbor of
the summer season. Newport is a perfect spot toEdgartown requires cruising in through a cut, with a
begin a private crewed charter, for out of Newport,rather swift current. Once inside, the anchorage
on a one week cruise, you can easily visit all of theoffers many mooring balls, but only up to a certain
islands in southern New England, including Martha'ssize yacht. If the yacht is on the larger end,
Vineyard, and Nantucket. While both of these areanchoring outside of the harbor is a better bet.
lovely, resplendent in quaint New England ambianceEdgartown surrounds the harbor and is a lovely New
and architecture, complete with cobblestone roads,England town full of clapboard and shingle sided
there are other islands to visit close by, such as Blockhouses, with rose covered trellises, secret gardens
Island, Cuttyhunk and the Elizabeth Islands. Try a oneand cobblestone streets. Edgartown is well know in
week charter out of Newport, Rhode Island tocertain circles for upper level shops and restaurants
explore the islands of southern New England.and is a hideaway for any number of well known
Newport, Rhode Island is one of the largest deeppeople worldwide.
water harbors on the east coast of the UnitedOnly 22 nautical miles from Edgartown is the island of
States, with a large amount of available dockage,Nantucket. There is only one main town on
making this a natural summer New England home forNantucket, which surrounds the one harbor. Enter
visiting yachts. As the heat builds on land, escape tointo this harbor by a well marked channel leading right
sea with the cooling thermal winds.into the anchorage. Here is and area of overnight
When cruising out of Newport, a perfect first stop isanchoring, serviced by the local water taxi service,
Block Island. Unlike the other islands in the area thathowever there are also a number of docks available,
are part of Massachusetts, Block Island is part ofalthough as this island is a very popular summer
Rhode Island, and a mere 22 nautical miles away.destination; dockage reservations should be made in
One unique aspect of Block Island is the large interioradvance. Around this harbor are the typical New
bay or the Salt Pond, as it is referred to locally. ThisEngland shingle and clapboard houses, many built in
is the perfect anchorage for visiting yachts with wellthe last few centuries, when Nantucket was a
protected waters. In the Salt Pond, there is plenty ofthriving whaling port. Look to the roof tops for the
space to anchor and several marinas, if docking ismany Widow's Walks where seafaring Captain's
your preference. Block Island has few year aroundwives looked for the return of their sailor from sea.
residents, but the population swells in the summerCobblestone roads still lead out of the harbor, but the
with visitors. Downtown, where the ferries dock, is astreets and quaint buildings in the center of town are
bustling few blocks, anchored by several largenow home to a wide variety of upscale shops
summer hotels that used to cater to the turn of thecatering to the many visitors. There are various
century summer visitors. Drop by and you will still findbeaches around the edges of the island and plenty of
rocking chairs on the long front porches of these oldwide open spaces to ride bicycles or explore. This is
hotels, a great place to sit and take in the oceananother island, well known for restaurants, and you
views. There are several blocks of stores and littleshould stop by the Club Car, a bar and restaurant
shops to visit. Rent a bicycle and ride around the restalong the edge of the harbor, which is an
of the island, which is still fairly uninhabited, andunmistakable downtown fixture. This restaurant is
covered with wild roses.housed in one of the train cars used at the turn of
Not far from Block Island is Cuttyhunk. This island isthe century in Nantucket to travel from one side of
much smaller than Block Island and is one of thethe island to the other. When the train service was
smallest of this group. There is a central interiordiscontinued, the coach car, sitting at the train
harbor, with a small dock. Take care on the size ofterminal, where is it still sitting now, was turned into a
the yacht that enters this harbor, as there may notrestaurant.
be room to turn around. A very small settled areaNantucket is 68 nautical miles from Newport. Begin to
exists on the one road running away from the maincruise back in the direction of Newport, but stop for
dock. Explore the area, or have a picnic on one ofthe night in Hadley's Harbor on the north end of the
the beaches. There are mooring balls available,Elizabeth Islands. A lovely quiet harbor, tucked away
depending the size of your yacht, just outside of thefrom it all, Hadley's Harbor is a great place for a final
main harbor.quiet night on anchor. Next stop is back in Newport,
Nearby are the Elizabeth Islands. While privatelyabout 35 nautical miles. If time was not spent in
owned there are several anchorages, includingNewport before the charter, time should definitely be
Tarpaulin Cove, a good spot to anchor for lunch,spent in Newport at the end of the charter.
depending on which direction the wind might beThis charter itinerary is a comfortable cruise, by
blowing. As the islands are privately owned, one canpower or sailing yacht, with numerous islands within a
anchor in the anchorage, but visiting ashore is notreasonable proximity of one another. There are
encouraged.plenty of anchorages, and all awaits just a short
Just east of Cuttyhunk is Martha's Vineyard. Thiscruise away from Newport.
island has several harbors and anchorages, however