What Does Offshore Sailing Mean?

Offshore boating is the practice of navigating a water vessel far away from the shore or inland waterways, with the intention of returning to the same harbor or another in the same coastal region. Offshore sailing involves long-distance journeys across open waters, often far from land. Coastal cruising typically involves shorter trips along the coast, while bluewater cruising is a type of ocean cruising and yachting.

Offshore sailing can mean any passage that takes you out of sight of land or more than 12 miles offshore and lasts for more than 12 hours. It requires yachts to be completely self-sufficient for extended periods of time and capable of withstanding the distance. The main difference between inshore and offshore sailing is the location, with inshore being within two miles of the shore.

Offshore sailing is difficult to define, as it means sailing on no protected waters, such as the open ocean or large lakes like the open ocean. Onshore winds are the sound of wind blowing from land towards water, meaning that the wind is coming from the shore. Sailors who embark on long-range, oceangoing travel may consider an offshore sailing class as the quickest and cheapest way to get an offshore sailing experience.