Best Boat Trips 2018

The wide open water beckons. You’re ready to take your boat out or to rent one for adventures, but you don’t have all the time in the world. You gotta prioritize your trips wisely, so what are some excellent boat trips for 2018? In no particular order, they are…

Jacksonville

Florida offers a lot of good boating, and Jacksonville is a gem that some boaters may have overlooked. You can boat to Cumberland Island in Georgia or stop by a restaurant that’s accessible to boaters. Other possible destinations include the zoo, St. Augustine, Fort Caroline National Park and Fort George Island. You may also want to dock your boat downtown when a fireworks show is on display. If none of that appeals, you can, of course, stick to the water and the open ocean.

Lake Superior

You might have boated some of the other Great Lakes, but have you checked out Superior yet? It’s last on many boaters’ lists (if it even shows up) due to the short season and distance to get there. However, the experiences you get here more than make up for the challenges this lake presents. You’ll see scenes of incredible beauty and get the opportunity to visit different seashores and national parks.

For a Great Lakes boating experience that is urbaner, try the Chicago area (Lake Michigan) or the Detroit area (Lake Huron).

Snake River/Hells Canyon

Oregon, Washington and Idaho are rich with opportunities for outdoor recreation, and one area to venture into is Hells Canyon. It’s North America’s deepest river gorge and well worth doing. The terrain and climate change as you progress on your trip, offering up an experience in remote lands that can make you feel like you’ve traveled hundreds of years into the past. The water can be rapid and rough, testing your mettle, and you may need permits for part of your trip.

Southern California Coastline

If you’ve got about a week, why not check out the Southern California coastline? Start in the Point Vincente area and end around Venice Beach. If your window of time is shorter, you can pick something such as Newport Beach to Long Beach with plenty of time to see popular sights. Overall, this should be a fun and relaxed trip that lets you experience much of Southern California in one fell swoop.

Bar Harbor, Maine

From Mount Desert Island to Frenchman’s Bay, you can choose from different boating adventures in the Bar Harbor area. Also: freshwater, saltwater, whale watching and more. This is a perfect area for boating alone, with a loved one or with the entire family.

So, where are you going?