Victor Dituro and his family have been actively cruising for nearly seven seasons. Each season Victor, his wife Rosemarie, his twins Peter and Olivia, and their three dogs frequent their favorite destinations throughout New England. Victor’s love for boating began in 2006 when he bought a 27-foot powerboat, hired a captain and took lessons. His wife had grown up on the water, so he wanted to give boating a try. After just a few lessons, he immediately realized that boating could become a lifelong passion. He quickly upgraded to a 2007 40-foot Meridian Motoryacht named Time Well Wasted (and he and his family have been the first ones in the water and the last ones out ever since). Rosemarie named the boat after her favorite country-music song “Time Well Wasted” because, “relaxing on the water as a family and enjoying each other’s company is time spent wisely.” Here are some of their most cherished stops.
SHELTER ISLAND, NEW YORK
Marina: Coecles Harbor Marina & Boatyard (631-749-0700, www.chmb.net).
Highlights:
- Dinner at Vine Street Café (631-749- 3210, www.vinestreetcafe.com). Food Network chef Ina Garten tapped this restaurant’s Pasta Bolognese for an episode of ‘The Best Thing I Ever Ate’.
- Sunset Beach (631-749-2001, www.sunsetbeachli.com). To anchor out and enjoy drinks at the lively beachside restaurant and bar.
MONTAUK, NEW YORK
Marina: Montauk Yacht Club Resort & Marina (631-668-3100, www.montaukyachtclub.com)
Highlights:
- Dinner and drinks at Navy Beach (631-668-6868, www.navybeach.com), which serves casual coastal cuisine in a laid-back, family-friendly setting. It’s situated on a 200-foot private beach with amazing sunset views.
- The Surf Lodge (631-668-1562, www.thesurflodge.com) located on Fort Pond in Montauk is just a half-mile from the beach and set on a beautiful pond. There is indoor and outdoor dining in addition to the bar, where tunes range from Bob Marley to The Rolling Stones.
BLOCK ISLAND, RHODE ISLAND
Marina: Block Island Boat Basin (401-466-2631, https://blockislandboatbasin.com)
Highlights:
- Rent a Jeep and eat at The Atlantic Inn (401-466-5883, www.atlanticinn.com), which first opened in 1879. It has served as an inn since 1879 and now boasts a delicious restaurant as well. The restaurant has an ever-changing menu that focuses on local seafood and produce (including from the inn’s own garden).
- The 1661 Inn and Hotel Manisses for brunch (401-466-2421, www.blockislandresorts.com).
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND
Marina: Newport Yacht Club
Highlights:
- Dinner at White Horse Tavern (401- 849-3600, www.whitehorsetavern.us), which has a long history extending back to 1652 when it was constructed as a private residence. In 1673 it was converted into a tavern and currently lays claim to the title of America’s Oldest Tavern. Today the tavern maintains the architectural essence of colonial times while offering contemporary American cuisine to diners.
- Lunch at the Black Pearl, known for its delicious New England clam chowder (401-846-5264, www.blackpearlnewport.com).
- The Newport Cliff Walk is a three-and- a-half mile public walkway that borders the shoreline and passes behind many of Newport’s famous gilded mansions. The majority of the walk is paved and offers expansive views.
NANTUCKET, MASSACHUSETTS
Marina: Nantucket Boat Basin
Highlights:
- Rent a Jeep or hop in a taxi and head to the Wauwinet Hotel for lunch or dinner at Topper’s Restaurant (508-228-0145, www.wauwinet.com/restaurant.php), which was awarded best overall restaurant on the island by Zagat Survey. You can eat inside for fine dining or outside on Topper’s Deck for casual dining and gorgeous views of the Atlantic.
- A great way to explore the island is by bike. There are a multitude of shops that rent bikes such as Young’s Bicycle Shop (508-228-3038, www.youngsbicycleshop.com), and most offer maps to help you navigate the island on two wheels. The route options are plentiful. One option is a leisurely bike ride to Surfside, which is three-and-a-half miles along the Surfside bike path.
- The Nantucket Whaling Museum (508-228-5618, www.nha.org/sites) offers homage to the industry that sustained the island for many years. Nantucket was known as the whaling capital of the world in the first half of the 19th century. The museum’s main attraction is a skeleton of a 46-foot sperm whale that died near ‘Sconset on the east end of the island in 1998.
