Eight destinations for sailing on a boat for Christmas

We usually associate Christmas with snow, Christmas carols or family dinners, but another option to enjoy this time of year is to spend the holidays on board a sailboat.

Certain places offer the perfect opportunity to sail on their waters at Christmas, either because of the favourable climate, the lower concentration of people or to contemplate different ways of celebrating these holidays.

Below we suggest eight destinations in Spain and other countries that are highly recommended for a Christmas sailing trip.

Caribbean Sea

From November to March, the waters of the Caribbean offer an ideal environment for sailing. It is not surprising that more and more skippers are proposing Christmas trips in the area, with routes to suit all tastes.

Among the sailing proposals we find routes through the Lesser Antilles (Martinique, Guadeloupe, the Grenadines...), through the Panamanian archipelago of San Blas or through the Bahamas , to give some examples of the various plans for sailing at Christmas in the Caribbean.

Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are the traditional destination for Spanish and European sailors in the winter season, mainly due to the mild climate characteristic of the islands and the trade winds that blow constantly, offering an additional challenge for boat trips.

Each island has its own distinctive character, from Lanzarote to El Hierro via Gran Canaria and Tenerife. It is possible to sail between the islands or reach them after a long-distance crossing of the Atlantic.

Balearic Islands

The Balearic Islands are a typical summer destination, but those who want to escape the crowds that are typical of that time of year can find Christmas to be a great time to enjoy the archipelago.

Although it may be necessary to wrap up a little more warmly, travelling at Christmas to Ibiza , Mallorca or Menorca allows you to discover the islands in a much more relaxed way, at your own pace and with the possibility of entering port if necessary, something unlikely in summer due to the lack of moorings.

Thailand

Although Christmas is not celebrated very much in Thailand, the climate at this time of year makes it a good place for a sailing trip.

The Asian country offers attractions for sailing, such as being able to take a route between islands or go down to beautiful beaches, such as those in Phuket.

Danube River

Beyond the seas and oceans, another option for sailing is to take a boat trip along a river like the Danube. At Christmas time, Central Europe displays a classic festive decoration, which perhaps compensates for the region's cool climate.

On a river cruise along the Danube you will be able to admire not only the beauty of one of the most emblematic rivers in Europe, but also the various towns and cities it passes through.

Seychelles

The Seychelles Islands are a paradise located in the Indian Ocean, a place often associated with the most luxurious and privileged tourism.

Embarking on a Christmas trip to the Seychelles means being able to sail calmly at this time, contemplating the particular beauty of the place through ideal routes for travelling by boat and accessible ports that allow you to discover the country from land as well.

French Polynesia

The hundreds of islands that make up French Polynesia are a very exotic destination for spending Christmas sailing. The mix of local traditions with French influence (they are an overseas territory), the turquoise lagoons or the bungalows combine with the warm temperatures of the season to offer an exceptional place for more adventurous sailors or couples looking for a different honeymoon.

Sailing around Bora Bora with all-inclusive is, for example, one of the several Christmas trips that can be made around this archipelago.

Madeira

Sailing in Madeira combines the pleasure of discovering a unique natural environment with the challenge of travelling by boat across an Atlantic Ocean that is always challenging with the force of its winds.

Christmas can be an interesting occasion to discover the islands of this Portuguese archipelago. You have the opportunity to take a Tall Ship trip from Funchal , aboard a large classic sailing ship that is almost impregnable at sea.