5 Reasons to Love Winter Sailing
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Not many people curled up all cozy by the fire are listening to a storm brewing outside or checking Predict Wind forecasting a 40-knot southerly and thinking, "Gee, I wish I could be out in my boat right now." (unless you’re channelling southern ocean adventurers Lisa Blair and Skip Novac). There are reasons why most cruisers prefer the warmth of summer or head to milder latitudes in winter.
There’s no doubt summer sailing is incredible — blue skies, blue ocean, dropping the pick in a gorgeous wee bay, lathering up in coconut scented sunscreen, lying on the warm deck and feeling the gentle lap of water against the hull, getting sleepy, feeling hot, then diving off the bow into the sparkling ocean to cool off. It can be pretty idyllic (and yes we’re ignoring the boat jobs list here — ain’t no fun sweltering head-down-bum-up in a locker trying to fix a leaky connection in the most awkward place possible)
Enjoying the boat in summer is THE dream right?.
BUT let’s not be too hasty to write off the crisp months of wintertide. Whether you’re thinking about joining a local club, or taking an off-season charter, there’s plenty to love about wiping a bit of frost off the boat and setting sail. Pick the right conditions and you’ll find an experience that you won’t have in summer.
In fact, in some cruising grounds like the Marlborough Sounds in Aotearoa, New Zealand, I prefer sailing in winter! Nothing gets me more excited than getting away for an adventure when everyone else is hunkering down at home. And there are good reasons you’ll love it too.
The water’s freezing but I love being out here on a calm winters day!
5 reasons to try winter sailing (and love it!)
Quiet waters and empty anchorages in winter
A still, misty morning alone on anchor in Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand
Winter means fewer boats out and about disrupting the peace and quiet, and anchorages to yourself — an experience that’s nearly impossible to find in summer (like trying to find a park at the supermarket on the eve of a public holiday). Best of all, winter sailing is blissfully quiet. There’s a stillness on the water that hits different, a sense of solitude that makes you feel small but alive. You can set sail on a clear, crisp day, and it’s just you, your boat, and the open water. It’s peaceful, with a chance to breathe, and connect deeply with nature.
2. Stunning winter scenery: a photographer’s dream
Cruising in winter in Milford Sound, New Zealand
Winter landscapes are breathtaking — like Turner himself swiped his moody paint brush over the horizon. Picture fog rolling across the water or snow-dusted shores; frost on the rocky shore and rain droplets hanging thick from the bush. Colours of sunrises and sunsets come alive in the cold air, and even on gray days, the winter light is stunning. For anyone who loves a scenic view — or capturing life through the lens — winter sailing offers some of the most dramatic sights of the year.
3. The romance of winter nights aboard
Warm and cosy onboard
Enjoying the last of the sunset before heading below deck
Romance definitely makes the cut as a top reason to love wintertime on the water. When the days are short and the nights cold — there’s nothing like being warm and cosy down below, in a little floating sanctuary with the heater firing, a hearty meal and a good cab sav poured. Whether you’re sharing it with someone special or savouring the quiet solo — it’s every bit as dreamy as a cabin in the woods (albeit with a survival ear tuned for wind changes and anchor movement).
4. The skill-building season for sailors
The longer your sailing season, the more your skills improve
Winter isn’t just about gorgeous scenery and love below deck; it’s also a perfect time to develop your sailing skills. Cold weather can bring stronger, more unpredictable weather systems which means learning to handle the boat in more challenging conditions. Seasoned winter sailors often say this practice helps build experience and confidence that pays off when the fair weather returns. And I agree, having negotiated reefing sailing two-handed in rough conditions, navigated through low visibility and docked in challenging crosswinds!
I will add though — if you watch the weather well, you may find some very settled periods of weather in winter too. Cruising in the dead of winter in Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand offers some of the most settled weather — and some of the most peaceful sailing I’ve ever experienced. The moorings are empty, the native birdsong loud and that feeling like you’re the only one left in the world — very real.
5. Adventure and camaraderie: the winter sailing community
Add staring into a fire on a beach as a favourite pastime
There’s something about winter sailing that attracts the adventurous (or those seeking solitude) — and when you meet another cruiser out on the water, there’s often a shared moment which I always find is pretty special. From genuine care for how you’re doing, to sharing tips on the best anchorages, to setting up an evening fire on the beach and swapping provisions as readily as stories — there’s a camaraderie during winter that’s tough to find elsewhere. It all adds to the experience in ways that summer sailing just can’t match.
Photo © Igor Stropnik. Check out Igor Stropnik’s epic winter sailing adventures
In summary
Go and explore in winter! It’s a season filled with beauty and adventure around every turn. As the kinda people who crave time out on the water and a deeper connection with nature, winter sailing fills that need. Give it a try — you may discover it’s your favourite time of year to be out on the water!
Coming Up Next: Winter sailing guide with everything you need to know to get started.
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