Destination comparison
South Pacific vs US East Coast & Florida
Two distinct sailing grounds — here's how they compare on conditions, cost, season, and who they suit.
Quick Comparison
| Dimension | South Pacific | US East Coast & Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Region | — | — |
| Peak season | Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr |
| Shoulder | May, Nov | May, Nov |
| Sailing difficulty | moderate | easy to moderate |
| Recommended level | intermediate | intermediate |
| Avg wind (winter / summer) | 14 / 15 kn | 14 / 10 kn |
| Hurricane risk | Jan, Feb, Mar | Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov |
| Currency | XPF (French Polynesia), AUD (Australia), NZD (New Zealand) | USD |
| Mid-tier price (7 days) | $12,000 | $12,500 |
| Luxury tier price | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Detail page | View → | View → |
At a Glance
Best sailing June-October (austral winter, 14-16kt SE trades). Cyclone season December-April; most French Polynesia operators pause. Reef-protected anchorages; Society Islands and the Whitsundays are the two main charter hubs.
- • 0 base marinas
- • 0 must-visit anchorages
- • 4 boats in our fleet database for this region
Two seasons in one region: Florida and the Keys shine November-May (warm Gulf Stream water, steady easterlies) while summer brings heat and hurricane season; New England's window is Memorial Day through mid-October, with Newport, Nantucket and Maine's Penobscot Bay at their best in July-September. Bareboat and crewed options are both strong out of Fort Lauderdale and Newport.
- • 0 base marinas
- • 0 must-visit anchorages
- • 11 boats in our fleet database for this region
Sailing Conditions
South Pacific averages 14 knots in winter and 15 knots in summer. Hurricane risk runs Jan, Feb, Mar — outside these months the sailing is generally dependable.
US East Coast & Florida averages 14 knots in winter and 10 knots in summer. Hurricane risk: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov.
In terms of sailing difficulty, South Pacific is generally rated moderate and US East Coast & Florida is easy to moderate. The difference matters: South Pacific asks more of the skipper — confidence at the helm and some experience with coastal navigation helps.
Cost Comparison
For a 7-day charter of a typical 45-ft catamaran (4 cabins, sleeps 8):
- Low season: $4,000
- Mid season: $12,000
- High season: $24,000
- Luxury / crewed peak: $65,000+
- Low season: $4,800
- Mid season: $12,500
- High season: $28,000
- Luxury / crewed peak: $55,000+
Bareboat base rates. Crewed typically adds ~$1,500/day (captain + hostess). Prices exclude fuel, provisioning, mooring fees, gratuity.
Anchorages & Must-Do
- Details coming soon.
- Details coming soon.
Which Should You Choose?
Both work for first-timers. The default choice for the industry is BVI; choose that unless you have specific reasons to prefer South Pacific or US East Coast & Florida.
Choose South Pacific. Warmer water year-round (often 75–85°F), palm-fringed anchorages.
South Pacific has 0 cultural anchorages vs US East Coast & Florida's 0. Pick by what kind of stop you want between swims.
Timing and Budget: South Pacific vs US East Coast & Florida
Frequently Asked Questions
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Choose Between South Pacific & US East Coast & Florida
Tell us your dates and group. We'll recommend the right one — honestly.