6 Places to Hit the Waves this Summer

If you can’t stand the heat, head for the water. It’s what countless vacationers do each summer, seeking relief from the hot summer sun in resort pools, cool lakes and the grand expanse of ocean. Here, we’ve gathered a few great nautical getaways on both coasts that offer world-class adventure in, on and under the waves, whether you are a beginner kayaker or not:

• Sail Martha’s Vineyard. From its Edgartown perch overlooking the water, the historic Harbor View Hotel is the perfect base for a nautical adventure on Martha’s Vineyard. Open since 1891 and surrounded by the 19^th-century former homes of whaling captains, the hotel is a short stroll from Edgartown Harbor, where guests can charter a fishing boat, or book a sunset cruise or sailing charter through The Edgartown Yacht Club. The club hosts several sailing regattas every summer, including the upcoming Twelve Metre Regatta this August 12-13. The annual event is exciting to watch as classic vintage, classic traditional, modern and Grand Prix 12-meter yachts take to the waters off Edgartown in a thrilling race across Nantucket Sound. After a day on the water, guests can continue the nautical vibe with dinner at Harbor View’s own Lighthouse Grill, where the focus is on just-picked island produce and seafood fresh off a local fishing boat. For reservations, visit www.harbor-view.com or call 800-225-6005.


• Paddle Board at Pebble Beach. It’s no secret that Pebble Beach Resorts has stunning views of the California coastline from its legendary greens. But guests who venture from the golf course will find the water has so much more to offer. Thanks to the resort’s relationship with Adventures by the Sea, guests can launch a kayak or paddle board right from The Beach Club to explore the marine life of beautiful Stillwater Cove and mingle with the Monterey coast’s famous seals and sea otters. For reservations, visit www.pebblebeach.com or call 888-251-9790.


• Live the Lake Tahoe Dream. For the maritime-minded, Lake Tahoe is a vacationer’s dream, with daily sailing cruises and charters, fishing charters, and a wide array of personal water sports from jet skiing and tubing to paddle boarding and kayaking. Summer Sunday boat rides are a tradition at the Tahoe Maritime Museum. And classic boat lovers are drawn to see vintage boats en masse at the annual Lake Tahoe Concourse d’Elegance (Aug. 11-12, 2017). For the perfect vacation-on-the-lake, guests can make it a dream-home getaway with InvitedHome, a leader in the red-hot luxury vacation home rental market. Among the options: Meeks Bay Getaway, with its private dock with buoys and dockside dining. Perched high above the lake, it sleeps 11 in five bedrooms, complete with balconies, private hot tub, and a large modern kitchen. The Gilded Edge, also with five bedrooms, has its own 100-foot private beach, a private dock with plenty of buoys, and an open layout with soaring floor-to-ceiling windows that capitalize on the lake views. For reservations, visit www.invitedhome.com or call 866-600-8075.


• Take the plunge off Pompano Beach. Dubbed “the wreck capital of Florida,” this Gold Coast beach is a top destination for scuba and snorkeling enthusiasts. Water lovers can explore world-class wreck and reef dives; charter a fishing boat for sport, deep-sea or kite fishing; take a day sail along the Intracoastal Waterway; or enjoy beach rentals of kayaks, paddleboards and jet skis during their stay at the oceanfront Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa. At nearby Deerfield Beach, the Quiet Waters Park features the nation’s longest “cable ski” course – a hybrid of surfing, skiing and wakeboarding. And for a no-effort water adventure, there are sightseeing and sunset cruises past the historic Hillsboro Lighthouse and Millionaire Mile. Make reservations online or call 855-954-4683.


• Dive into Singer Island. With the world’s third largest barrier reef at its doorstep, the AAA Four Diamond-rated all-suite Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa is the perfect base for an underwater adventure. Local operators offer a wide array of snorkeling and SCUBA diving opportunities for all skill levels, including shark dives (both cage and free) that let adrenaline junkies share the water with predators ranging from sandbar and lemon sharks to massive tiger sharks. Resort guests can take advantage of onsite non-motorized water sports, and will find parasailing, fishing charters, jet skiing and catamaran sunset tours nearby. Reserve a stay online or call 561-340-1700.


• Kayak, canoe and cruise Lake Placid. Tucked into the Adirondack High Peaks in Lake Placid, New York, Whiteface Lodge offers summer guests a classic mountain lake getaway with the Canoe Club, an exclusive seasonal beachfront facility with complimentary canoes, kayaks, pedal boats, paddle boards and more, ready to launch from Lake Placid’s Paradox Bay. For a fee, guests can captain the resort’s classic Hackercraft or pontoon boat for a lake cruise (picnic fare or wine and cheese can be stocked for an additional fee), or a Ski Nautique outfitted with tubing, water-skiing and wakeboarding equipment. All motorized boats are escorted by a certified driver for guests’ safety. Make reservations at www.thewhitefacelodge.com or call 888-582-0505.



 
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