While the east may have the thrills, and the south has the Caribbean charm, Florida West has that unmistakable magic for yacht charters seeking a softer spirit. The coastal cities that punctuate the more northern shores of the gulf offer an endless array of sublime sunsets, glorious golf courses, sigh in delight nature reserves, and lesser known islands for extraordinary anchorages peppered with cocktails. From the botanical gardens of Naples to the beaches of St Petersburg and the charm of Clearwater – Florida West is the ultimate sunseekers yacht charter destination.
Reasons to Charter a Yacht in Florida West
Island Hopping
A plethora of pretty little islands scatter the warm gulf waters around Florida West. Marco Island is the largest and most northerly spot in the Ten Thousand island chain and is a firm favorite with the yacht charter crowds seeking island bliss, stretches of white sand, and rare shell hunting on the shores. Keewaydin Island is another little gem that has two distinct spirits to suit two very different moods – choose to party with the spring break crowds on the river side or hop across to the ocean side for serene sands.
Free from the Crowds
Compared to the crowded resorts and theme parks of East Florida and Orlando, Florida West has her own free from the masses mood. While Florida West isn’t a stranger when it comes to the buzz of tourism, she still captures a feel of endless ocean space, powder white sands, and quaint beach towns that ooze with a timeless laid-back vibe.
Tee Time
Yacht charter guests who love going from the deck to the green will find their slice of heaven in Florida West. Hailed as one of the golf capitals in the world, you can practice your handicap and perfect your swing in any of Naples ninety golf courses. Florida West is also home to some of the finest VIP courses in the world – from Greg Norman’s Tiburon Golf Course to the Lely Resort, this is the place to get swing happy.
Natural Bliss
The Botanical Gardens around Naples offer a dazzling display of flora and sink down soft grass for those wanting to stroll, picnic or partake in a spot of yoga. A decadent 170 acres beside the dreamy lull of the seaside is the perfect setting. Along with botanical bright gardens, yacht charter guests can also find wild waters brimming with dolphins and some of the world’s most photographed sunsets over the sands of the wild west coast.
Where to Visit in Florida West
St Petersburg
Shaking off the shackles of its spring break or retirement haven, St Petersburg is becoming somewhat of a cultural gem in the Florida West Scene. Yacht charter guests looking for a heady dose of artistic flair can hit up the Dali Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Morean Arts Center. In-between all that gallery gazing, there are plenty of fine tuned dining spots and craft breweries to keep you cool and refreshed. St Pete Beach is also one of the hallmark stretches of sand decorating Florida West – the perfect spot for dolphin watching from candy floss sands.
Clearwater
Another of Florida West’s most famous stretches of sand – Clearwater is as alluring as its name suggests. Clearwater Harbor holds a lively vibe, blending street performers, al fresco spaces, and jazz weekends against the backdrop of a golden setting sun. Clearwater has a weird and wonderful Americana heritage that is infinitely hard to place – this is the home of Hooters and the epicenter of Scientology which makes for a fascinating eclectic mix of people. But for yacht charter guests who want to keep it dreamy – you can’t beat watching turtles in the aquarium, stretching out on the beach, and admiring the vistas from the yacht home of the marina.
Tampa
Tampa is quickly morphing into one of Florida West’s most stylistic little spots. Etched with sophisticated green spaces, river walks, and with an achingly cool nightlife scene down in Ybor, yacht charter guests won’t find themselves short of things to do. If you are sailing with little ones in tow, then Tampa has got the gift of the gab when it comes to entertaining children. A sprawling aquarium, the dizzying thrills of Busch Gardens, the Lowry Park Zoo, and adrenaline-fueled acres of waterslides at Adventure Island invite endless chances to expend your energy in tantalizing Tampa.
Naples
Whimsical romance, botanical bliss, and an upscale beach scene all collide to create the starry-eyed Florida West destination of Naples. Naples is a form favorite on the yacht charter route around the clear waters of the west coast. Golf lovers can hit the scores of courses, seafood enthusiasts will find endless perfect places to perch and mop up buttery lobster, and the Sunset Beach Bar at the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club is the ultimate way to end another day in palm fringed paradise.
When to Charter a Yacht in Florida West
Sunbaked sands, warm gulf waters, and sweet soaring temperatures – there are a million and one reasons to charter a yacht around the enigmatic coast of Florida West. Those who want to hit Florida at her weather peak will find the months of April and November have the least rain. May and October can be sublime times to visit as rain is low, but temperatures haven’t yet hit blistering figures. If you want to avoid packing an umbrella steer clear of the Florida coast during June.