March, April, May: where to sail in spring?

Some have kept their boat in the water all winter, at the moorings of their preferred marina, and with the good weather, they wish to go beyond short trips along the coast a few miles from their berth; and then there are those who are just ending their long winter dry storage these weeks, and want to inaugurate the new nautical year with a cruise of one or more days. Indeed, sailing in spring offers several advantages, from lower navigation costs (starting with more favorable marina rates) to enjoying the most popular bays with few or very few other boats besides our own. Sailors who navigate in spring can also
count on favorable wind conditions. But what are the destinations to set course for in these spring months?

Boating in spring: Liguria and Cinque Terre

The first recommendation on where to sail in spring could only be about our Liguria.
Certainly here, starting from our marina in Genoa, there is no shortage of alternatives.
We think of boat trips from Genoa towards Portofino, San Fruttuoso, and Camogli, but
also for example trips towards the Côte d’Azur. However, when talking about spring
navigation and boat cruises between March and April, one of the favorite destinations for those using
our Genoa marina is the Cinque Terre. As is well known, this
term refers to that jagged coast of the Eastern Ligurian Riviera that extends between Punta
Mesco and Punta di Montenero, where the five stunning villages of Monterosso al Mare,
Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore are located. What can we say: the boat is the perfect means to visit
these places and especially to best enjoy the view they can offer, with their unique colors,
enhanced moreover by spring on sunny days. A true Italian jewel, envied by
the whole world, within easy reach from our marina Marina Porto Antico in Genoa!

Sailing in spring: the Amalfi Coast

Let’s move decidedly south of our Genoa marina. Certainly, in spring it’s beautiful
to sail along the Tuscan coasts as well, perhaps lingering around Elba, Argentario, or
Versilia. Those who want to go further South could certainly plot a course to the
Amalfi Coast, with its unique natural setting: along with the Cinque Terre, probably
this stretch of the Tyrrhenian coast is among the most distinctive marine landscapes, for the combination of
natural beauty and villages. Here too, the advantage of visiting these bays in spring is undoubted,
knowing well how crowded these same places become every summer. The advice is to
tour slowly from cove to cove, from port to port, sampling everything that Amalfi, Positano, Ravello,
Scala, Cetara, and other villages offer.

Boating between April and June: Sicily and Aeolian Islands

Even further South, this time in Sicily. And while it’s true that the Sicilian coast is very long and
packed with destinations to consider for spring navigation, it’s undeniable that among the top
places on the list should be the Aeolian Islands. These islands of volcanic origin – which still
count two active volcanoes today – form an exceptional archipelago both landscape-wise and
touristically. In order of size, the islands that form it are Lipari, Salina, Vulcano,
Stromboli, Filicudi, Alicudi, and finally Panarea. In the spring months you can enjoy – especially in

May – practically summer weather, without having to deal with the extremely high temperatures
(often over 40 degrees) that are reached here between July and August. Sailing in spring in the
Aeolian Islands, moreover, means enjoying to the fullest the colors of their wild nature and their sea!

Sailing abroad in spring

Certainly, there aren’t only Italian destinations for spring sailing. No sir: the
Mediterranean offers many other possibilities for cruises between March and May, always
guaranteeing an unparalleled wealth of choices. Think for example of Croatia, and
particularly its southern part, where the sea is warmer, and where the climate during these
months is particularly favorable (not having to deal with the dryness of summer months). Or
you can look South of the Balkans, and thus towards Greece: in the Ionian Sea in spring
temperatures are typically between 20 and 25 degrees, the ideal climate for discovering Corfu, Cephalonia,
Zakynthos and the other wonders of this sea. And still, the spring Mediterranean offers excellent
destinations like Corsica, or the Balearic Islands. Those who want to leave the Mare Nostrum can take
just a few more steps, heading to the Canary Islands, or completely change continents,
looking towards the Caribbean, a typical destination for international spring boating.

Tips for spring sailing
We have thus seen what the ideal destinations are for spring sailing, starting from our
marina in Genoa as well as from other marinas scattered throughout the Mediterranean or the world. Typically,
spring navigation is by definition safer: because there is less traffic, because the weather is
favorable, and because – a factor not to be overlooked – the boats come out fresh from
typical winter maintenance, ready to give their best.
However, it should be emphasized that sailing between March, April, and May means dealing with temperatures
that aren’t always very high. It is therefore good to have everything necessary to dress in layers, with outer layers
capable of defending well against cold and air. It’s better to opt for functional technical underwear,
fleece in the middle, and waterproof jackets possibly oilskins, as well as gloves.
And you, where will you set sail from this spring with your boat, and where will you moor? If Liguria is among
your destinations, don’t forget to book your berth at Marina Porto Antico, in the heart of
Genoa’s historic center!