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| hatteras
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11-12 hrs. Yeah, you know where it is. It's almost even either up I-85 /I-40 to Raleigh (and then US 64) or across I-20 to Columbia and up I-95 to Rocky Mount. Generally, from central, western and northern metro Atlanta, it's faster to go up 85. Just try to avoid rush hours along the way. You have your choice of how to get to US 64. Via Ocracoke and ferry is scenic but longer. For beginners: While Hatteras has a great reputation among advanced sailors, this is a great place to sail as it is chest deep for a long way (depending on wind, even 4-5 miles) out. You can make your mistakes and still walk home if need be. Also, the many shops and frequent clinics make instruction readily available. You will learn more in a week here than a year at Lanier. Need more info? | ||
| emerald isle, nc
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9 hr. Could this be the next Outer Banks? It's a lot closer than Hatteras. Check out a map because there are a lot of ways to get there but none direct. Either go north from Wilmington on US 17 (not a bad idea in case there's wind- you can stop along the coast and sail), or cut across from Lumberton or Fayetteville off I-95. There is great Outer Banks type sailing- both sound and ocean. Our Charlotte correspondent Alan White writes, "I have been sailing there for over 5 years now. Our club (IBSCC) goes there twice a year on official outings to a campground located right on the water. It is a great place during the Fall,Winter, and Spring! There is even a sailboard shop located where annual regattas are held for the benefit of the Raleigh club. ( There used to be somewhat of a rivalry between us)" "Most of our club members sail in the sound since you can leave your gear rigged at the campground. Personally, I enjoy a local hot spot called "Harkers' Island". At Harkers' Island ( 20 miles from the campground) one can enjoy an open fetch to the NE or SW. By 'open' I mean really open. There's nothing between Harkers' and Hatteras except sound. When you look at a map look for the point of land that juts out into the ocean like a miniature Hatteras. If you sail across to another spot near Harkers' you can go straight into the waves....truly an awsome experience becsuse you launch off of Portsmouth Isle which is totally primitive......not a house nor trailer in sight." Triangle Boardsailing Club's notes on Emerald Isle (Recommended) Also, same page has notes on Harker Island just north of there. | ||
| sunset beach, nc
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7 hrs. 1/2 hr. south of Wilmington, NC or 1/2 hr north of Myrtle Beach SC. Take NC 179 of of US 17. This may be a good alternative if you are stuck with a non-sailing family in the northern part of Myrtle Beach. (Note: Georgetown, south of Myrtle is where many locals head from the Myrtle area.) Correspondent Lanneau Lide of Columbia, SC writes: It's the westernmost of NC's beaches, and faces slightly east of due south. The beach is quite wide at low tide. The summer seabreeze does not produce enough wind to plane, but summer fronts usually generate a southwest breeze strong enough for a slalom board and a 7-7.5 meter sail or less. I've sailed at Sunset Beach since the early eighties, and usually have the whole ocean to myself. You can park anywhere along the beachfront road and walk across to the beach, and it's not crowded enough to worry about getting in or out without hitting someone if you're careful. The sandbars extend at least half a mile into the ocean on the east end of the island at Tubbs Inlet, and strong winds generate many lines of breakers there, especially with an outgoing tide (opposing the wind). Although the most common sailable wind direction is southwest, any direction from southeast to westerly may be good. "Easterly" winds seem more often to be northeast, and can be sailed from the cityfront park in Southport, a forty-five minute drive to the east, in the Cape Fear River unless the tide is going out, in which case the wind and current are in the same direction and you can't stay upstream. Of course, easterly and even northerly winds can be sailed off the beach in Wilmington (Wrightsville Beach or any of the Cape Fear beaches (Carolina, Kure)), but that drive is farther. Sunset Beach as few shells and you can certainly sail barefoot without fear of injury. | ||
| charleston, sullivan's island
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5-6 hrs. Directions to Sullivans Island (the main squeeze): From Atlanta go I-20 to I-26 South. Take the 526 Mt Pleasant exit (north end of Charleston) Take the Georgetown exit. The exit ends at a stoplight. Turn left here onto HWY 17 north at the second stoplight, turn right towards the Isle of Palms (there is a sign for the Isle). You'll go over a big bridge to the Isle at the stoplight, turn right go over the next bridge, now you are on Sully. Take the first left take another left onto station 29 (the streets are numbered) drive straight to the sand dunes and park ONLY in the designated parking areas and do not rig in anyone's yard. This is the local hotspot for NE to SW winds. There is a sandbar which creates the "inside" for beginner to intermediate sailing. From the sandbar on it's surf and waves. There is a 6 knot current that runs through the sandbar inlets so landmark yourself. Ask the locals about the sandbars if you can't see them yet if the tide is high. They pop up quick as the tide goes out eating up many fins. Everyone at sully is very friendly. For first timers, don't ocean sail on an outgoing tide. For w or nw wind, intermediates to expert can go to the Fort (Sumter) but only on an incoming tide. The currents are mega strong, the waves can be like the gorge, and ships go through here. (Thanks to Renee Jenkins) More Charleston Sailing Sites (Isle of Palms, Sullivan's, the Point, Charleston, Folly Beach) Through the kindness of the Charleston Boardsailing/Kitesurfing Club, we have posted a separate page of Charleston sites ranging from Isle of Palms down to Folly Beach. Our thanks to them. Group moderator Bubber Hutto also mentions: "We also have several swap meets during the year (late spring and early fall), so you folks can plan your vacations accordingly. We also use it to inform locals and vacationers of what local law enforcement would like for us to do and stop doing, before it gets to be a big issue. Works pretty well for us, especially during tourist season, when the SI police are stretched a bit thin, and don't really need the additional challenges of uninformed windsurfers from outa town. Let me know if you are coming to/near Charleston. there are some good spots elsewhere that are not technically in "Charleston" that you might be interested in (Pawley's Island, Edisto, Lake Marion). " Charleston Harbor can also be sailed during the summer regattas. James Island, Charleston and others host races. | ||
| hilton head
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"At Hilton Head there is a very good launch on the ocean side. It is Burk's Beach. It is a public access, there is parking and you can rig on the grass if you don't mind a bit of a carry. The shore break is not too bad because the gradient is very gradual. "I normally sail in the Calibogie Sound at Harbourtown. I launch at the jetty which is right behind the 18th green at the Harbourtown Golf Course where the Herritage Golf Tournament is played. You can get out except within 1 hour of low tide. You can launch anytime if you don't mind mud up to your knees. Please stay out of the way and do not disturb the golfers. I don't want to lose my launch. "You should wear booties because of the oyster shells, and be careful of the tides whcih run up to 5 kts. If the wind is strong, the tide is no problem, however if the wind quits, you can have the 'walk of shame'. When the wind opposes the tide, you get a great chop and you don't have to worry about going upwind. Another launch at Houbourtown is on the other side of the jetty. You just drive to the lighthouse. At the beginning of the parking lot which is beneath the lighthouse, you can unload and rig in the grass behind the hedge. The launch is right there. You would probably have to park in another lot because the lighthouse lot is usually full. "Another launch is Sea Pines is at South Beach. You drive to the end of the road where it says "Private Property" and circle back in the other direction. There will be a big field on your right. On the left hand edge of the field is a dirt path which leads down th to beach. You will need to unload and then park the car back near the shopping area. There is grass to rig on near where you will unload. The only caution at South Beach is the tide. On an outgoing tide, you could end up in Bermuda. For anyone entering Sea Pines, tell the guard that you are going to launch at South Beach and there should be no problem. "If you are in Hilton Head, give me a call at 843-363-5443. I spend about 8 weeks a year in Hilton Head and it's much more fun to have company. If you know in advance when you are coming, E-mail me". -Stewart Snodgrass webmaster's note: AFAIK, Island regulations ban trailers. | ||
| ft. clinch state park amelia island
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5-5.5 hr. Courtesy of Lehel Somogyi. Ft. Clinch is on Amelia Island close to Fernandina Beach. The Park has two camping sites, one on the ocean, the other on the inlet. There are two fairly long jetties almost perpendicular to the shore so the launch site near the camp on the ocean is pretty friendly. The current is strong and the waves were 4-5 ft, so if you are not comfortable with waterstarts and jibes you are better off in the inlet. Anyway the place is good on anything from the N, E, or S. The access to the launch sites between the two jetties is restricted to campers so you may want to talk to the park rangers if you are not staying overnite. | ||
| huguenot park
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(aka Jibe City Jacksonville) 5-5.5 hr. Directions. A great flatwater spot (with no jetskis) in a small bay that's great for working on jibes. Ocean sailing is also available on the outside. Check tidal tables before going as when the tide is out the sailing is VERY limited. When it's in, it's great. Camping available at the park. However, if you don't have an RV, during warmer weather we recommend you camp at Little Talbot Park (251-2320) just down the road as they have a 10 pm quiet time. | ||
| st. augustine
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6 hr. Not a bad spot to sail even though overshadowed by Jacksonville and Daytona. You can sail in Anastasia St. Park (just over the bridge from St. Augustine) in Salt Run, a narrow tidal basin that's fairly protected. The local shop Windsurfing St. Augustine is there and offers rentals and lessons. Just beware of the oyster shells at the edges near the tall grass. You can also hop over the dunes at the parking lot for ocean side sailing. There is also intermediate/advanced sailing in the bay, accessible near the lighthouse. Salt Run is a good place, like Huguenot, for those working on their jibes but, while a bit narrower at low tide, is still sailable, unlike Huguenot. The state park also offers camping or you may wish to stay in town in a B & B. |
