United States Florida Peninsula
Home to some of the most famous stetches of beach in the eastern United States, and also one of the largest marshlands in the country, the Florida peninsula offers great sailing opportunities as well as many other touristic pursuits, all with the highest American standard.
Sea & Coast
Nicknamed “The Sunshine State”, Florida is a peninsula on America’s southeastern shore, bordering the Gulf of Mexico on its western shore and the Atlantic on its eastern. To the north there are the states of Alabama and Georgia. This gives Yacht Charter sailors plenty of coast to explore and enjoy.
Most of the geography of the peninsula is flat, with the northwestern corner rising just 105m above sea level. The eastern shoreline isn’t very different from the western. The eastern, or the Atlantic shoreline, is characterized by low landscape, bordered by narrow strips of sand bars, coral reefs and barrier islands, with its southern tip turned into a swamp, known as the Everglades. The western shoreline, is pretty much the same, with the addition of numerous barrier islands, which are a real Yacht Charter haven for explorers.
When it comes to the vegetation in Florida, there are lots of national parks where you can marvel at the unique species of plants and animals that live here. Both tropical and marshland species can be found, with an added bonus of a great variety of bird species migrating here in the winter months. Yacht Charter birdwatchers can enjoy some 498 species at various times of the year.
The climate in florida can be best described as humid subtropical, with high temperatures rarely going over 38 degrees, the cooling effect given by the proximity of the ocean. Though known for its sunny weather, Florida also is the frequently affected by thunderstorms (especially from late spring to late autumn) as well as hurricanes on occasions. Though this might deter some members of the Yacht Charter community, but if you know to stay away during hurricane season (June 1st to November 30th), you should be OK.
Culture & History
Though Florida’s history begins with the first European settlements, the peninsula was inhabited much earlier than that by indigenous peoples that gave way to the French and Spanish. Later, the British came in from the north with more success and gradually took over most of the territory. However, this was one of the less populated states in the country until the mid 20th century which coincided with the arms buildup of the Second World War. This is also when the Yacht Charter touristic potential came into play.
Today, metropolitan regions such as Tampa Bay, Miami and Orlando make up for the most of the Yacht Charter tourist revenue while also being some of the most famous stretches of beach in the Western hemisphere with all the class and luxury of the French Riviera. Also, the Everglades proves to be a very attractive location for those fascinated by nature in general, thousands being drawn by the unique landscape each year.
Apart from the extensive Yacht Charter sailing opportunities, there are miles upon miles of famous sandy beaches, fishing opportunities and the chance to experience one of the culturally and ethnically diverse societies in America.
Seamanship & Experience
The shores of Florida offer a great variety of sailing, from the open waters of the Atlantic to the shallow and murky waters of the Everglades. There are also plenty of marinas along the coast, catering to both rich and very rich Yacht Charter skippers as well as a variety of sailing schools where you can familiarize with the local rules and regulations, as well as with the sailing conditions, which are in many ways similar to those in the Caribbean.