We set off from a small dock into the waters of Africa’s Zambezi River, headed toward a small island in the distance. Suddenly, we saw what our guide, Johan, had spotted a few moments before us: a small herd of elephants, including a young calf, swimming from the island back to the mainland. As our Read More
Enjoying New Orleans Cuisine
“Howdy, folks. Welcome to New Orleans.” The wrinkles on the back of the man’s neck told a story of how long he had been greeting people. “What brings you to town?” Patrick and I spoke simultaneously: “Jazz Fest.” “The food.” The man laughed and slapped his knee. “Well, you’re both in for a treat.” He Read More
America’s Waterways – A Year of Experiences Along the Great Loop: Part 3
While doing the Great Loop, we learned to keep advance planning to a minimum. We like to think that a lack of schedule helps us embrace spontaneity and explore unfamiliar waters. While on the Great Loop, we learned that there are a staggering number of historic, out-of-the-way places along the route. Waterfront towns we had Read More
2016 Best Marina Winners – Orange Beach Marina and Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
We are proud to announce the winners of Marinalife’s 7th Annual Best Marina Contest. Thousands of votes poured in for marinas that offer superb customer service and hospitality to all boaters. Thank you to marinas and boaters nationwide for participating in this year’s contest. BEST LARGE MARINA (OVER 100 SLIPS) 1ST PLACE — ORANGE BEACH Read More
3 Days in the Abacos, Bahamas
A WEEKEND BOATING GETAWAY in the Abacos may seem a bit of a misnomer, given that Marsh Harbour on Great Abaco Island is about 250 nm from Palm Beach, Fla., and it is necessary to cross open ocean passages to get there. However, once a boat is in Marsh Harbour, it is the perfect starting Read More
The Jewel of the South – Savannah, Georgia
The Georgia Coast is the western-most point on the Eastern seaboard and one of the last remaining stretches of pristine marshlands and estuaries left in the U.S. Known as the Jewel of the South, Savannah, Georgia is also the heart of Southern charm. Streets lined with Southern Live Oaks (Quercus virginana) draped with Spanish Moss, Read More
Florida’s East Coast – From Fernandina Beach to The Keys
Sunny by day, glittering by night, Florida is irresistible. The 1,350-mile coastline is the longest of any state in the mainland United States, and its unique heritage has had countless influences, with Native American, European, Latino, and African-American cultures among them. From the graceful charm of Fernandina Beach to the casual sassiness of Key West, Read More
Cruising the Windward Islands, West Indies
Just mentioning “the Windward Islands” to a sailor conjures up romantic visions under sail in the West Indies portrayed in Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey-Maturin novels. The Windward Islands extend like stepping stones some 170 nautical miles in an arc from north to south in the Lesser Antilles. My first experience sailing the Windwards was in 1992, Read More
Visit Shelter Cove Marina in Hilton Head, South Carolina
SHELTER COVE MARINA sits along Broad Creek in a protected deep-water cove on South Carolina’s Hilton Head Island. The marina is part of Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, a spacious beachfront development that is home to three world-class golf courses, vacation home and condo rentals, a tennis center, and an 11-mile saltwater lagoon that winds its Read More
Top Dock & Dines in the United States
For those of us lucky to have a boat, there’s nothing quite like grabbing a good meal at a dock and dine. No matter what sort of shape your ship is in, these waterfront eateries welcome foodies by land and sea and offer the type of friendly and casual vibe that boaters hunger for. The Read More