SHORTLISTED FOR THE MARITIME FOUNDATION AWARD FOR BEST BOOK

Cast off the lines and discover 50 of the most fabulous off-the-beaten-track sailing destinations on our planet.

If you own a sailing boat, chances are that you've wondered what it would be like to throw in your job, cast off and sail over the horizon.

Here are 50 out-of-the way destinations to encourage you to sell up and go (or enjoy a temporary escape) with practical tips including formalities, the prevailing weather and GPS positions. The selection of locations is based on over 70,000 miles of sailing. Some (St Helena, Cocos Keeling) are classic yet remote destinations that have been favoured by circumnavigators ever since the days of Joshua Slocum. Others (in Japan, Patagonia or the Pacific Northwest) have been chosen as perfect examples of the attractions of those regions. Common denominators are protection from the weather, scenic beauty and historic and/or human interest. And the fact that, while solitude is not guaranteed, you won't be troubled by the arrival of a cruising flotilla or by a novice dragging anchor onto you.

Each anchorage is introduced with a lively account describing the place, its history and people (if any) as well as the author and his crew's adventures. Each account is followed by a beautifully hand-drawn sketch of the anchorage and an information box.

Introduction

PART 1: NORTH PACIFIC & NORTH AMERICA
1) Isla Guadalupe Mexico
2) Isla Clarion Mexico
3) Isla Canal de Afuera Panama
4) Pohnpei Federated States of Micronesia
5) Guam USA
6) Kabashima, Goto Retto archipelago Japan
7) Mitarai, Inland Sea Japan
8) Shimoda Japan
9) Geographic Harbor, Alaska Peninsula USA
10) Nellie's Rest, Prince William Sound, Alaska USA
11) Kliuchevoi Bay, Southeast Alaska USA
12) Summers Bay, Alison Sound, British Columbia Canada
13) Rose Harbour and S'Gang Gwaay, Haida Gwaii, British Columbia Canada
14) Hollywood Passage, Bunsby islands, British Columbia Canada
15) San Miguel Island, California USA

PART I I : SOUTH PACIFIC
16) Caleta Brecknock, Tierra del Fuego Chile
17) Puerto Eden Chile
18) Isla Juan Fernandez (Robinson Crusoe) Chile
19) Easter Island Chile
20) Aukena, Iles Gambier French Polynesia
21) Motu Haamu, Raivavae, Iles Australes French Polynesia
22) Aitutaki Cook Islands
23) Palmerston Atoll Cook Islands
24) Niuatoputapu Tonga
25) Apia Samoa
26) Kavala Bay, Kandavu Fiji
27) Port Resolution, Tanna Vanuatu
28) Port Havannah, Efate Vanuatu
29) Twin Waterfall Bay, Banks Islands Vanuatu
30) Port Mary, Santa Ana Island Solomon Islands
31) Lola Island, Vonavona Lagoon Solomon Islands
32) Middle Percy Island, Queensland Australia
33) Lizard Island, Queensland Australia
34) Possession Island, Endeavour Strait, Queensland Australia

PART I I I : INDIAN OCEAN AND AFRICA
35) Christmas Island Australia
36) Cocos Keeling atoll Australia
37) Rodrigues Island Mauritius
38) Kraalbaai, Langebaan Lagoon South Africa
39) Luderitz Namibia
40) Alkwasir Island, Khartoum Sudan

PART IV: SOUTH ATLANTIC
41) St Helena Island
42) Ascension Island
43) Fernando de Noronha Brazil
44) Praia Cantagalo, Angra dos Reis Brazil
45) Puerto Deseado Argentina
46) Spaniard Harbour, Bahia Aguirre Argentina

PART V: NORTH ATLANTIC AND CARIBBEAN
47) Quebec Harbour, Michipicoten Island, Lake Superior Canada
48) Anse aux Petites Iles, Saguenay Fjord, Quebec Canada
49) Man O'War Bay Tobago
50) Cayo Herradura, Isla La Tortuga Venezuela

Appendix A Note on Charts
Index