New England

Yacht Charter in New England

  • Best time to visit May - October
  • Languages English
  • Currency US Dollar

Chartering in New England

On a New England Yacht Charter, you can putter between historic harbours and scenic villages at leisure – mooring up for dinner at a clam shack or to explore the preened streets that branch off from colourful red-roofed houses.

There are numerous nautical boltholes to visit across its states – on a Maine yacht charter you can try lobsters cooked on a grill as you recline on the jetty listening to an impromptu blues jam or take yourself off for some solitude amid the rugged slopes of the White Mountains.

Meanwhile, on a Connecticut yacht charter, you can get a taste of New England wine at one of 25 vineyards, visit luxurious spas and nose into Long Island, or carry on a little further east to Rhode Island for some of the sunniest and most stylish beaches this side of the Atlantic.

From the yachting capital of Newport, you can cruise easily to the fashionable Hamptons, while in and around picturesque Cape Cod, you can discover why Martha’s Vineyard is such a favoured summer colony and shop to your heart’s content among the high-end boutiques of Nantucket’s cobbled streets.

New England
New England

Where to eat, drink and play in New England

Restaurants in the posh Hamptons can change as frequently as their summer visitors. What makes the east-end of Long Island special is the abundance of local produce and access to both the Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean for fresh seafood. From breezy, curb-side clam shacks to high-end Italian eateries, the cuisine of the Hamptons alone will have you wanting to come back year after year.

These are many cool beach bars along the New England coastline, but few are better than Ocean House on Rhode Island where you can eat the freshest seafood while admiring the sea view from the veranda. Afterwards, unleash your inner Gatsby at the achingly fashionable Newport Yacht Club.

New England
New England

Things to do on a yacht charter in New England

Visit the ‘gingerbread cottages’ in Oaks Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard – a fairy-tale-village where bright Victorian-style cottages are reminiscent of Hansel and Gretel.

Visit the Museum of African American History in Boston to learn about the region’s role in the slave trade and take the Black Heritage Trail, a 1.6-mile walk that takes in Underground Railroad stations as well as sites once used by a pre-Civil War free black community and learn about the white abolitionists who supported them.

Anchor in Acadia National Park and spend your days exploring the 47,000-acre nature reserve on foot or by kayak or bike and look out for moose, bears and whales as you go.

English Yacht Charter

Acadia National Park

Acadia’s Park Loop Road, 27 miles of rocky roadway winding around high coastal ridges and inner wooded valleys, has lots of scenic lookouts, perfect for photo shoots, while elsewhere there are freshwater lakes to swim in, mountains to hike and tons of wildlife-spotting opportunities. The wide variety of natural habitats provides homes for many species of fauna.

Acadia National Park is found on Mount Desert Island, the largest island off Maine’s coast, a region often referred to as “Down East”. The park preserves about half of Mount Desert Island, protecting the natural beauty of the rocky headlands, including Cadillac Mountain, the highest mountain along the Atlantic coast. Its mountains, lakes, forests, and coastlines contribute to a diversity of plants and animals.

Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park

Block Island

Caribbean-blue waters surround this island, 12 miles south of Rhode Island’s mainland, which is an idyllic place for swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, parasailing and surfing. One popular hike is to the 150-acre Clay Head Preserve. Explore its trail known as “The Maze” for a memorable journey with what might be the most sensational views in all of New England.

27 kilometres of pristine, relaxing beaches wrap around Block Island, with crisp waters lapping at the island’s shore. The quaint harbour districts are home to locally owned shops and cosy inns, perfect for taking a break to enjoy a relaxing meal and good night's sleep. Explore the island at your own pace, by foot or on bike.

Block Island
Block Island

Boothbay

Become one with the sea in Boothbay, the boating capital of New England. This seaside community makes for a unique getaway in the great outdoors. There are miles of hiking trails, from relaxed strolls for beginners to challenging treks for more advanced hikers.

Locals say the best way to discover Boothbay is by water. Whether kayaking or cruising on your yacht, do the seafaring yourself to get a true glimpse of this lovely coastal community.

Boothbay
Boothbay

Camden ME

Known as the “Jewel of the Maine Coast”, the town of Camden on Penobscot Bay is as postcard-perfect as they come. Centred around a busy harbour, the town embodies quintessential New England and is one of only two places on the Atlantic seaboard where the mountains meet the sea.

Camden remains a working harbour, with lobstering and fishing boats travelling in and out of the Bay daily to catch fresh seafood. The waters off the coast of Maine are home to 80 percent of the lobster that’s served in the United States, and there are plenty of opportunities on shore to pick up a fresh lobster roll which are a must-try!

Camden ME
Camden ME

Martha’s Vineyard

Just below Cape Cod’s southwestern tip is the extraordinary island of Martha’s Vineyard, one of the most unique and visually stunning places in the world.

In the town of Vineyard Haven, you will find some of the very best seafood restaurants Martha’s Vineyard has to offer, plus the peaceful West Chop Woods, an 85-acre forest with scenic walking trails.

Head to Edgartown for your beach fix – noteworthy beaches include State Beach and South Beach. However, one of the Vineyard’s best- kept secrets is East Beach on Chappaquiddick Island, an easy hop on your New England yacht charter.

Martha’s Vineyard
Martha’s Vineyard

Nantucket

Nantucket is a small island about 30 miles south off the coast of Cape Cod that was once the whaling capital of the world. Little has changed in the town’s architecture since the 17th century, as seaside cottages and old-fashioned lamps still line the streets of the island, a designated National Historic District.

Nantucket Boat Basin is a full-service marina located in historic Nantucket Harbor, the premiere luxury destination for New England area sailors and yacht captains. Nantucket's nickname, "The Little Grey Lady of the Sea", refers to the island as it appears from the ocean when it is fog-bound. The island is a tourist destination in the summer, with the population increasing to at least 50,000.

Nantucket
Nantucket

Newport

During the colonial period, Newport was in competition with Boston and New York as the leader of New World trade and prosperity and became part of the infamous Triangle Trade through its rum production. Newport is now a popular year-round destination and yachting centre, with a good collection of surviving 18th-century houses, and also a vibrant, contemporary side with quirky shops and great restaurants.

Although rum distilleries still exist in and around Newport, the city is known for much more than just liquor. Its rich yachting history is a large part of Newport’s distinction as a world sailing destination. Several regattas are held here throughout the year between mid-spring and mid-fall, with America’s Cup being the pinnacle yachting event.

Newport
Newport

Portland ME

Get acquainted with the roots of Maine’s largest city with a visit to the picturesque Portland Head Light, Maine’s oldest lighthouse dating back to 1791. The former keeper’s quarters have been converted into a museum and shop. The surrounding grounds belong to Fort Williams Park – 90 acres of coastal hiking paths, gardens and beaches.

Saunter down the brick sidewalks and cobblestone streets of the revitalised Old Port District, where you can browse through bookstores, explore craft shops and eat seafood to your heart's content on the waterfront. The Old Port is known for its nightlife and 19th-century architecture, and the Scarborough shoreline is a nice place to take a refreshing dip on hot summer days.

Portland ME
Portland ME

Provincetown

Resting at the very northern tip of Cape Cod is Provincetown, home to the nation’s oldest continuous art colony which offers everyone different ways to enjoy the local art throughout the calendar year. Theatre, poetry, painting, and music thrive as all media and forms are represented and celebrated in the Provincetown art scene.

Experience the town’s liveliness at its colourful and eclectic downtown ‘Commercial Street’, an oasis of quirky stores, funky outfits and people dancing to music all over. Numerous galleries and restaurants line the street, alongside clusters of nightclubs, cabarets and specialty shops.

Provincetown
Provincetown

Sag Harbour

Situated on the Hamptons’ north side waters is Sag Harbor, made the first official port of entry to the United States in 1789, and whose later role in the whaling trade led it to become immortalised in Herman Melville’s classic tale Moby Dick.

Sag Harbor has also been home to a wealth of artists and other notable people, who found inspiration here, including writer John Steinbeck and sculptor John Chamberlain. From its busy marina and beautiful bay views, to antique shops and gourmet eateries on Main Street, Sag Harbor truly encompasses small town charm.

Sag Harbour
Sag Harbour

The Hamptons

Every summer, New Yorkers escape the heat of Manhattan by heading to the east end of Long Island, where an entirely different and refreshing region of New York awaits. Between the private beach trails, dramatic dunes and shingled windmills, it is the perfect environment for relaxation.

From luxury estates and chic shopping in Southampton, to top-notch restaurants in East Hampton, white sand beaches in Westhampton, and surf-worthy waves in Montauk, the Hamptons provide endless options for an accessible, luxurious lifestyle.

The Hamptons
The Hamptons

Things to do on a yacht charter in New England

Best time to charter a yacht in New England

New England’s yacht charter season runs from May to October, when there is a busy social and cultural calendar. The weather can vary a lot from south to west – author Mark Twain famously wrote: “One of the brightest gems in the New England weather is the dazzling uncertainty of it.”

The southern half of New England tends to be sunnier and hotter than the north, with temperatures in Connecticut and Massachusetts around 80-90 °F (27-32 °C) in June, July and August. That said, some people swear by an autumn charter here when the colours of the skies and trees are at their best.

What is the currency of New England?

The US Dollar is the currency of New England.

Language spoken in New England

English is the official language of New England.

Time zone in New England

New England adheres to Eastern Standard Time and it also follows Daylight Saving. So in the summer months it is GMT-5, while in autumn and winter it is GMT-4.

Popular Destinations in 2023

Know the month you would like to travel? Then our charter experts can give you some incredible options on destinations and the right yachts to take you there.Edmiston creates a bespoke itinerary to meet your needs.

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