Coastal Cruising

Coastal cruising is recreational sailing within roughly a day-sail of shore, with passages planned port to port rather than across open ocean. The boat stays inside coastal waters where landmarks, buoyage, and harbors of refuge are reachable, and where VHF coverage and inshore forecasts hold. It contrasts with bluewater or offshore cruising, which crosses oceans out of sight of land for days. Coastal work relies on chart navigation, tidal-stream planning, and pilotage, and it sets lighter equipment and crew requirements than category-0 offshore sailing.