Winter Boating Locations Where It Is Warm Enough to Cruise
Winter has settled in for the long haul in many parts of the country. Boats are covered and in storage. Lakes are frozen solid or soon will be. Launch ramps are closed. Boat owners’ hearts turn to thoughts of chasing the sun. Some long for a nice stretch of winter boating. But where?
Where can you take your boat for a week of boating action? Fortunately, in a country the size of the United States, you have plenty of options where winter boating fun in the sun is widely available. We looked at four areas where winter boating takes place on the water, not in your dreams. Visit one of these spots, or use them to expand your search elsewhere. As long as you get out on the water.
The Florida Keys
Ever since Ernest Hemingway plied the waters off Key West in the 1930s on his 38-foot fishing boat Pilar, the Florida Keys have held a special romantic allure for many American boaters.
And not without good reason. The winter weather here is unbeatable, with temperatures rarely dropping below 60 degrees. The turquoise waters that tempted Hemingway to seek out the wily marlin offer great fishing opportunities. In addition to your basic inshore fishing, the Keys offer access to deep water where you can stalk marlin, mahi mahi, sailfish, blackfin tuna, and more. But there are also backwater mangrove islands and reef fishing for more secluded and stealthy fishing action.
Are you more into the chilled-out, laid-back Jimmy Buffett kind of vibe? Then take your boat island-hopping. You have plentiful options. On Key Largo, you can snorkel or dive in the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Or stop at Big Pine Key to escape the crowds and visit the Key Deer Refuge. Do you love turtles? Marathon is home to a turtle rehab hospital you can check out.
Southern California
They say it never rains in Southern California. While that may not be entirely true, SoCal does enjoy an undeniable abundance of year-round sunshine. For the boat owner craving winter sunshine, you could do worse than checking out boat-friendly coastal cities such as San Diego and Newport Beach.
They have whale watching, gorgeous sunsets, sailing regattas, a plethora of waterfront restaurants, and a unique holiday-themed boat parade in Newport Beach. You might also consider a day trip out to Catalina Island, where you can see wildlife both aquatic and terrestrial. Scuba dive and snorkel in waters with 40 to 100 feet of visibility. Or take a Jeep tour and see a herd of bison and tons of migratory birds on shore.
You can find plenty of boating opportunities in inland California, as well. Party on your boat with the crowd at Lake Havasu on the Arizona border or trailer it to Lake Elsinore, a recreational hot spot about 60 miles inland from Newport Harbor. Lake Elsinore’s water temperature dips into the high 50s during the winter months, so you absolutely need a wetsuit to perform any watersports, but you can cruise and fish in relative solitude during the lake’s off-season. If you’re coming from Michigan or North Dakota, though, “winter conditions” are going to feel just fine.
Lake Powell
Lake Powell on the Colorado River on the Arizona-Utah border is an exciting destination for winter boating. For one thing, Powell is great during the winter simply because it’s a much more serene and chill experience, with the lightest visitor load of the year and cooler temperatures. While you won’t have the San Diego style sun, Lake Powell never freezes over completely, and you’ll find temperatures that reach into the 60s. And you don’t have to get into the water to enjoy the lake. You have great opportunities for fishing and cruising. Take advantage of gorgeous hiking trails and other onshore activities off the boat.
But for boating, you will find four marinas and six public launch ramps. Explore the waters that are surrounded by stunning red rock cliffs reminiscent of a Martian landscape. The view is a joy unto itself.
Anglers will find green sunfish, crappie, bass, trout, catfish, bluegill, walleye, and the occasional Northern pike. Do be aware that wildlife officials have confirmed invasive quagga mussels in the lake, so they have strict regulations about cleaning, draining, and drying any vessel that has come into contact with the water. These mussels can damage marina infrastructure as well as clog internal boat systems and cause engine damage or even failure. Don’t take them lightly. The authorities don’t.
The Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Texas
The Gulf Coast of Louisiana possesses a uniquely wild beauty that hits differently than the other areas we’ve highlighted. The Barataria Waterway is a gateway to wild bayous and the rich history of the area. The town of Lafitte is named after the pirate Jean Lafitte, who supposedly buried treasure up and down the area. But even if you don’t find a chest full of gold and jewels, cruisers and anglers can delight in the bays and marshland of the area.
For a more civilization-oriented vacation, take a boating journey to New Orleans to check out the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain. They offer delights of their own, not least of which is New Orleans itself. Do visit Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar while you’re there. It is a haunted Bourbon Street establishment that dates back to the 1700s.
Lake Pontchartrain is technically an estuary, not a true lake. Nonetheless, it is 40 miles across and offers all kinds of boating delights, including fishing, watersports, and cruising under a Southern sky.
The Gulf Coast of Texas offers a variety of boating opportunities as well. Are you looking for quieter fishing and cruising areas? Check out Matagorda Bay, Port Aransas, and Freeport at the mouth of the Brazos River. Aransas and Freeport boast access to the Gulf of Mexico’s abundant redfish, trout, snapper, flounder, grouper, and kingfish. Matagorda Island is a great place for kayaking, exploring the sand dunes, and seeing wildlife, including migratory birds, sea turtles, and alligators. Yes, alligators.
Do you want a more party-oriented experience for your winter boating trip? Check out South Padre Island or Galveston Bay. Each has its unique charms. They both offer a beachgoing experience with nightlife and waterfront fine dining off the boat. During the day, though, enjoy boating activities such as fishing, cruising, watersports, and more.
Get out There for Some Winter Boating
Just because Old Man Winter might have you off the water where you live doesn’t mean you have to give up boating entirely. Check out any of these destinations for a fun winter boating getaway.
Kurt Brighton
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