Overlooked Fall Boating Destinations

Some people may consider fall as the “offseason” for boating, but we don’t believe that to be true at all!

Sure…warm, long summer days are replaced with cool, short autumn days – but there’s still a lot of places for you to set sail to and feed your adventurous side.

To give you an idea – we’ve compiled a list of boating destinations that we feel are underrated and overlooked in the fall.

So, don’t plan your next fall boating trip without considering these following destinations below!

 

Overlooked Fall Boating Destinations

 

Hudson River (New York)

A beautiful mix of red, yellow, and golden leaves cover the Hudson River during the fall, making New York a perfect destination for a calm and relaxing cruise along the iconic 315-mile river.

Planning on doing a bit of fishing this fall? You can find largemouth and smallmouth bass around the Hudson River’s tributary mouths – as well as walleye, salmon, and mako shark at other parts of the Hudson River.

 

Annapolis, Maryland

Without a doubt, Annapolis is one of the most famous boating destinations in the world.

With a giant shoreline spanning 533 miles long and the country’s largest estuary right in its backyard in the Chesapeake Bay, there’s no shortage of water activities to have fun with.

Come fall – you can enjoy a nice fishing trip consisting of black drum, smallmouth and largemouth bass, flounder, bluefish, and silver perch.

Visitors in the fall can also take part in a bit of paddle boarding, or even book a historic water tour at the “Sailing Capital of the U.S.”

 

St Marys, Georgia

St Marys is the gateway to the scenic seashore that covers the Georgia Coast’s largest and southernmost barrier island, Cumberland Island.

Picturesque views of the St. Marys River and 10,000 acres of preserved habitat makes this Georgian city a great place to bring your boat to.

Fishing in St Marys is arguably better in the fall – so look for flounder and redfish in the Beah Creek or black sea bass and striped bass at the North River rock piles.

 

Newport, Rhode Island

Deemed the Yachting Capital of the Northeast – Newport has been a top destination for traditional boating for many years.

From powerboating and fishing to a calm sailing experience paired with delicious New England cuisine, Newport remains a staple fall destination for all boaters to cross off their bucket lists. Fisherman can look forward to catching flounder, striped bass, black sea bass, bluefish tuna, and mako shark in the local waters.

Every fall – Newport offers a bunch of “can’t miss” events. You can catch the Newport International Boat Show in September and then come back in October to enjoy some of the best seafood in the world at the free Bowen’s Wharf Annual Seafood Festival.

 

Bar Harbor, Maine

Known as the entrance to Acadia National Park – Bar Harbor is home to a generous variety of seafood restaurants and customized boat rides.

If you’re into fishing – you can catch a wide range of species of fish here in the fall, including brook trout, salmon, and cutthroat trout.

Bring your camera if you come to Bar Harbor in the fall. You’ll get a taste of stunning New England fall foliage along the rugged Maine coast!

 

Block Island, New York

Aside from being a premier boating destination, Block Island is a small, beautiful place to unwind and relax by one of their pebbled coves or soft sand beaches.

Every October, people flock to Block Island for the empty beaches, quaint shops, and self-guided bike tours around the island.

Don’t forget to bring your fishing rod when you go in the fall because you can catch salmon, mako shark, thresher shark, and walleye in the Atlantic Ocean, Great Salt Pond, and the Block Island Sound.

 

Wilmington, North Carolina

Nestled between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean, TripAdvisor recently selected Wilmington, NC as one of their “Top Destinations on the Rise.”

Wilmington is home to a wide array of water activities and historic attractions to visit in the fall – such as Riverfest, Oysterberfest, Cape Fear Kite Festival, N.C. Surf to Sound Challenge, and the Carolina Beach Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K.

Those looking for a fall fishing adventure can catch wahoo, spotted seatrout, bluefish, yellowfin tuna, and black drum around Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach to Wilmington’s river district.

Book your visit to Wilmington this fall because many of the local hotels and motels offer very affordable off-peak rates before the holidays!

 

Norwalk Islands, Connecticut

The Norwalk Islands are made up of a collection of 25 islands that make for a great fall day trip and is the perfect playground for boaters, kayakers, fishers, beachgoers, and adventure seekers.

If you are down for a scenic fall hike, Sheffield Island offers 57 acres worth of diverse hiking trails to snap pictures of. The Sheffield Island Lighthouse can get busy on the weekends, so get there early to enjoy a family picnic and one of their famous lighthouse tours.

Fishing enthusiasts can visit one of the islands in the fall – where black seabass, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and bluefish are known to swim around the brisk Connecticut waters.

 

Menemsha, Massachusetts

Menemsha is a small fishing village located on Martha’s Vineyard Island, in the town of Chilmark, MA.

Visitors can enjoy Menemsha as a place to relax, go to the beach, grab a bite to eat at one of the local restaurants, or go fishing year-round in the waters of the Menemsha Harbor that’s swarming with tasty bonito, feisty bluefish, and monster striped bass.

In the fall – we recommend Menemsha as a quiet, laidback place for nature-loving boaters to escape to from crowds that frequent the area this time of year.

 

New Smyrna Beach, Florida

Whether you enjoy lying around on the sunny beaches of Florida or cruising down the calm and open blue waters, New Smryna Beach has something to offer to everyone.

New Smyrna Beach is known by some anglers as the “redfish capital of the world,” where those looking for a fall fishing challenge can enjoy catching redfish, barracuda, grouper, and sailfish – among other species of fish.

Some of the fun fall activities that you can take advantage of around New Smyrna Beach are pumpkin picking, enjoying a glass or bottle of wine from local vineyards and wineries, or checking out various arts and crafts at one of the local farmers’ markets.

 

Going to the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show 2018?

You know another place that’s worth making a trip to this fall? The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show!

Come and join thousands of boat lovers in Fort Lauderdale from October 31^st to November 4^th as we launch our much-anticipated Release 43’ Quad Outboard Walkaround to the world.

We can’t wait to see some new and familiar faces this year at the “Yachting Capital of the World,” – so let us know which day(s) you’ll be attending the show!

To learn more about our new Release 43’ Quad Outboard Walkaround boat, check out our new press release here.