The 10 Best Places To Go Sailing In May
May is the Perfect Month to Go Sailing, With Desirable Conditions and Quieter Waters, With the Mediterranean Season Just Beginning
Where Are the 10 Best Places to Go Sailing in May [2021]
The best destinations to go sailing in May vary in temperature and crowds depending on what type of yacht charter you desire.
May is a great month to go sailing in Caribbean destinations as the weather is warm and the winds have stabilised. The Mediterranean is also a great place to go sailing in May as the weather is getting warmer and the season is just beginning.
Some of the best destinations to go sailing in May are Croatia, Greece, Amalfi Coast, Turkey, Belize, BVI, Malta, and other destinations. May is a great time to go sailing as conditions are favourable, prices are often cheaper outside of the high season for yacht charters and flights.
In May you can often find a last-minute or bargain trip with fewer people opting to go sailing in May as it is out of season for many destinations.
Depending on where you decide to take a sailing trip too, May still has superb weather in the Caribbean and further afield the weather is favourable for sailing. With the Mediterranean season just beginning and the weather warming up. The water temperatures are still ideal for swimming when you go sailing in May.
Top 10 Places To Go Sailing In May
1. Greece
Greece - Our Best Place to Sail in May.
Popular Destination. Greece is one of the most popular destinations to go sailing in May with less crowded islands and marinas, as well as favourable conditions with small towns still open for business but, are less crowded.
Weather. The weather when sailing in May in Greece is great with the average high for the month being 77f (25c) and the average low being 57f (14c). This weather is a lot cooler than July and August when it is often too hot to walk around and explore the villages, hike or participate in strenuous activities on the islands or mainland.
Places In Greece. Greece has over 6,000 islands, many of which are both inhabited and uninhabited. The islands are split into main areas and groups of islands, which each have their own individual climates, winds, and sea conditions. These collections are the Dodecanese, Ionian, Saronic, Sporades, Aegean Islands, the Cyclades, and Cretan islands.
2. Turkey
Turkey - Our Second Best Place to Sail in May.
Turkish Riviera. The Turkish Riviera is a 1,000 mile stretch of coastline, with green mountains, crystal clear waters, historic sites, and superb beaches, making it a great place to go sailing in May.
From diving in Antalya, visiting the archaeological site of Ephesus, the vibrant city of Fethiye, Ölüdeniz lagoon, the medieval castle, and underwater museum in Bodrum.
Weather. Turkey is a great place to go sailing in May, thanks to its warm but cooler weather with an average temperature of 70f (21c), during this time each day has an average of 11 hours of daylight. The sailing conditions in Turkey in May are an average of 5 knots.
3. Amalfi Coast
Amalfi Coast - Our Third Best Place to Sail in May.
Weather. The Amalfi Coast and its surrounding islands are popular sailing destinations in May with comfortable temperatures, uncrowded sites, and beautiful sunny days. The average temperature is a high of 73f (23c). During May the sailing conditions are slightly calmer than other locations with winds reaching 9 knots.
Popular Destinations. The Amalfi Coast has lots of places to visit and things to see, making it a popular destination to go sailing in May, as the landmark places, are uncrowded and many offer low season prices.
Italy can become busy in the summer months, especially on the Amalfi Coast, which means everything from restaurants, anchorages, and marinas are quieter than in July or August. The towns of Positano, Sorrento, and Praiano are often crowded in the summer but May offers a break from the crowds.
4. Sicily
Sicily - In our Top 10 Places to Sail in May.
Weather. Sicily has a Mediterranean climate, with warm dry summers and cool rainy winters. It is one of the best places sail in May as the temperatures on average range from 73f (23c) to a low of 68f (20c).
Winds. One of the best places to go sailing in May is in Sicily, due to its wind conditions. During May the winds are a constant northwest to a westerly wind, averaging 6 knots.
Island. Sicily is a great place to go sailing in May as it has been considered a classical crossroads of Mediterranean culture. Today, the island an exquisite beauty with Norman churches, Greek temples, and Baroque infrastructure forming it. The wonders don’t stop there, Sicily is also rich in natural resources – in fact, on this island, you will find Mt. Etna, Europe’s highest active volcano.
5. Belize
Belize - In our Top 10 Places to Sail in May.
Belize Yacht Charter. Belize is located in the Caribbean and is a small country in Central America, south of Mexico and next to Guatemala. Belize is home to the second-largest coral reef in the world named Mesoamerican Reef, which runs 350NM from Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico) all the way down the coast of Belize.
This is the perfect location for snorkeling with over 50 species of corals, 500 species of tropical fish, whale sharks and seabirds.
Sailing in Belize. Belize is a great place to sail year-round but is also a great place to go sailing in May. Year-round south-easterly trade winds blow between 15 and 22 knots, guaranteeing calm waters with short passages and line-of-sight navigation. The average temperatures when sailing in May are a high of 87f (31c) and low of 75f (24c).
6. BVI
BVI - In our Top 10 Places to Sail in May.
Spring Sun. A great spring sun sailing destination. May is a great time to take a yacht charter in the BVI as there are fewer people visiting the islands, it is a little busier than other times due to America’s spring break season but it shouldn’t be crowded. The BVI is one of the best places to go sailing in May.
Weather In April. The BVI’s weather makes it one of the best places to go sailing in May. The average high for the month is 86f (30c) and the average low is 78f (26c), although rainfall can occur it is rare at this time of year. The wind tends to be stable between 15 – 25 knots in a south-easterly direction, which varies from a southeast direction in the summer months.
Uncrowded. The peak sailing time in the BVI is between December and April, with private boats venturing from the Mediterranean across the ocean, bring more boats and tourists to the area. By May many of these boats have had their high season with a small number being busy for spring break.
But it is not as crowded as during the winter months. Spring is a great time to go sailing in the BVI with regattas and sailing races happening and consistent winds.
7. Croatia
Croatia - In our Top 10 Places to Sail in May.
Weather. Croatia sailing in May is the beginning of the summer season, with the temperature starting to warm up. The average temperature for sailing in May in Croatia is between 12c (54f) and 21c (70f).
While the weather temperature increases the sea temperature sea averages 17c (63f) through May. Croatia has an average of 10 hours of daylight throughout May, meaning plenty of hours of sunshine to undertake activities and sail around different places.
Moderate Winds. When going sailing in May in Croatia the winds tend to be stronger than other months ranging up to 9 knots and below. During this period the winds tend to be more unpredictable than during the summer, but still favourable for sailing.
Experience Everything Without The Crowds. In May sailing in Croatia will give you the opportunity to experience everything Croatia has to offer, in terms of tourist attractions, restaurants, and national parks, without all the tourists they receive in the summer.
Marinas also tend to be quieter, which allows for easy access for mooring without a large number of boats looking to dock at the same port, as the summer season is just beginning.
8. Malta
Malta - In our Top 10 Places to Sail in May.
Malta. Malta is a beautiful island located in a group of islands located between Sicily and northern Africa. The archipelagoes are made up of three islands, Malta, Gozo, and Comino.
Each island has beautiful bays to anchor in to discover the lush greenery of Gozo or the beautiful architecture or history of Malta and its old town Valetta. The islands have beautiful coves, bays, and beaches to explore, with turquoise waters and golden sand.
Weather. The weather in Malta makes it a great destination to go sailing in May, with milder temperatures than during the summer months and fewer crowds.
The average temperature when sailing in May is 24c (76f) and an evening low of 20c (69f). The water temperature during May is 19c (66f) meaning cooler but refreshing waters to cool off in or snorkel when sailing in May. In May Malta still has over 10 hours of sunshine.
9. St Martin
St Martin - In our Top 10 Places to Sail in May.
St Martin/St Maarten. St Martin is a place of sunshine and serenity, mountains and beaches, surrounded by turquoise waters and hidden coves, where you must take advantage of the yachts and sailboats to truly absorb all that this amazing island has to offer. During the month of May, many regattas take place during the month which is great to participate in or watch.
Country of Two Halves. The northern French half evokes a more distinctly European feel with its cafes and French-speaking populace. Here you can enjoy a more secluded atmosphere: you can walk along miles of remote white sandy beaches as far as the eye can see, enjoying some well-deserved privacy among picturesque rocky outcrops.
The Dutch half, on the other hand, caters to anyone looking for that festive Caribbean vibe and is where casinos, night clubs, and skyscrapers mingle with spectacular scenery.
Weather In May. St Martin is one of the best places to go sailing in May with an average temperature of 86f (30c) and an average low of 78f (26c). In May the average wind conditions come steadily from the southeast with a speed of between 15 and 20 knots making it one of the best places to go sailing in May.
10. Sardinia
Sadrinia - In our Top 10 Places to Sail in May.
Sardinia. Sardinia is one of the best places to go sailing in May, with lots of activities and things to do and see. Some of the best places to see are the Costa Smeralda with its scalloped bays which are ideal for dropping anchor and swimming in the crystal clear emerald waters.
Golfo di Orosei’s coves, where sheer cliffs ensure seclusion or sail to La Maddalena’s cluster of granite islands. The islands are also a culinary paradise, with great varieties of pasta, bread and dolci, its own wines (Vermentino whites, Cannonau reds) and cheeses.
Weather. Sardinia is one of the best places to go sailing in May with a water temperature of 17c (63f) and hot days with cooler evenings. The average wind speed in May is 9 knots, in a northwesterly direction.
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