Under Wide and Starry Skies: 50 Sailing Destinations in Seas Less Travelled

by Nicholas Coghlan

Overview

Cast off the lines and discover 50 of the most fabulous off-the-beaten-track sailing destinations on our planet.

If you own a sailing boat, chances are that you've wondered what it would be like to throw in your job, cast off and sail over the horizon.

Here are 50 out-of-the way destinations to encourage you to sell up and go (or enjoy a temporary escape) with practical tips including formalities, the prevailing weather and GPS positions. The selection of locations is based on over 70,000 miles of sailing. Some (St Helena, Cocos Keeling) are classic yet remote destinations that have been favoured by circumnavigators ever since the days of Joshua Slocum. Others (in Japan, Patagonia or the Pacific Northwest) have been chosen as perfect examples of the attractions of those regions. Common denominators are protection from the weather, scenic beauty and historic and/or human interest. And the fact that, while solitude is not guaranteed, you won't be troubled by the arrival of a cruising flotilla or by a novice dragging anchor onto you.

Each anchorage is introduced with a lively account describing the place, its history and people (if any) as well as the author and his crew's adventures. Each account is followed by a beautifully hand-drawn sketch of the anchorage and an information box.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781399413756
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	05/06/2025
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 8.70(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Nicholas Coghlan and his wife Jenny have sailed 70,000 miles offshore in two successive 27ft sailboats Tarka the Otter and Bosun Bird. Their adventures include a circumnavigation of the world and a year in Patagonia. Nicholas is the author of Winter in Fireland and is a frequent contributor to Sailing Today magazine.

Nicholas was the first Canadian Ambassador to South Sudan; both he and Jenny hold Canada's Meritorious Service Cross for evacuating Canadian citizens from Juba, South Sudan in 2013.

Table of Contents

Introduction

PART 1: NORTH PACIFIC & NORTH AMERICA

1) Isla Guadalupe – Mexico

2) Isla Clarion – Mexico

3) Isla Canal de Afuera – Panama

4) Pohnpei – Federated States of Micronesia

5) Guam – USA

6) Kabashima, Goto Retto archipelago – Japan

7) Mitarai, Inland Sea – Japan

8) Shimoda – Japan

9) Geographic Harbor, Alaska Peninsula – USA

10) Nellie's Rest, Prince William Sound, Alaska – USA

11) Kliuchevoi Bay, Southeast Alaska – USA

12) Summers Bay, Alison Sound, British Columbia – Canada

13) Rose Harbour and S'Gang Gwaay, Haida Gwaii, British Columbia – Canada

14) Hollywood Passage, Bunsby islands, British Columbia – Canada

15) San Miguel Island, California – USA

PART I I : SOUTH PACIFIC

16) Caleta Brecknock, Tierra del Fuego – Chile

17) Puerto Eden – Chile

18) Isla Juan Fernandez (Robinson Crusoe) – Chile

19) Easter Island – Chile

20) Aukena, Iles Gambier – French Polynesia

21) Motu Haamu, Raivavae, Iles Australes – French Polynesia

22) Aitutaki – Cook Islands

23) Palmerston Atoll – Cook Islands

24) Niuatoputapu – Tonga

25) Apia – Samoa

26) Kavala Bay, Kandavu – Fiji

27) Port Resolution, Tanna – Vanuatu

28) Port Havannah, Efate – Vanuatu

29) Twin Waterfall Bay, Banks Islands – Vanuatu

30) Port Mary, Santa Ana Island – Solomon Islands

31) Lola Island, Vonavona Lagoon – Solomon Islands

32) Middle Percy Island, Queensland – Australia

33) Lizard Island, Queensland – Australia

34) Possession Island, Endeavour Strait, Queensland – Australia

PART I I I : INDIAN OCEAN AND AFRICA

35) Christmas Island – Australia

36) Cocos Keeling atoll – Australia

37) Rodrigues Island – Mauritius

38) Kraalbaai, Langebaan Lagoon – South Africa

39) Luderitz – Namibia

40) Alkwasir Island, Khartoum – Sudan

PART IV: SOUTH ATLANTIC

41) St Helena Island

42) Ascension Island

43) Fernando de Noronha – Brazil

44) Praia Cantagalo, Angra dos Reis – Brazil

45) Puerto Deseado – Argentina

46) Spaniard Harbour, Bahia Aguirre – Argentina

PART V: NORTH ATLANTIC AND CARIBBEAN

47) Quebec Harbour, Michipicoten Island, Lake Superior – Canada

48) Anse aux Petites Iles, Saguenay Fjord, Quebec – Canada

49) Man O'War Bay – Tobago

50) Cayo Herradura, Isla La Tortuga – Venezuela

Appendix – A Note on Charts

Index

Editorial Reviews

Crammed with interesting stories and loads of informative material.” —Sandy Duker, The Cruising Association

“This book offers the inspiration and the know how to anyone dreaming of truly sailing off the beaten track...There are 50 fabulous and unexpected cruising destinations here, brought to life by the author's vivid descriptions of his own sailing adventures, and made a real possibility for all sailors through the practical and accessible advice.” —BookHub New Zealand

“A fascinating read” —Coast

“Always engaging and frequently hair raising ... Coghlan has always had a skill for mixing his description of a place with the history of the place in a style that is educational without being dull, preachy or patronising” —Sailing Today

“This is, primarily, a very enjoyable read to while away the 'off' season and dream about locations for future cruises.” —Royal Cruising Club

“THE book for every offshore and armchair sailor” —Currents (Bluewater Cruising Association)

“This beautiful book is replete with colour photographs, maps and the narrative you need to sail – in actuality or imaginatively – to these most rarely visited places on the globe. ... Under Wide and Starry Skies will create dreams; if you are fortunate enough to own a sailboat, it will inspire you to GO.” —Currents (Bluewater Cruising Association)

“both a practical guide and enjoyable account of voyaging under sail... A wonderful read, you'll laugh, you'll cry and I am sure you'll enjoy it.” —Cruise News Magazine

From the Publisher