Onda Bella Cruises luxury yacht experience launches in Northport, channeling the Mediterranean

Cruising into Long Island Sound with views of homes along the Gold Coast and a glass of local orange wine in hand, you may feel like you've been transported to a seaside village in the Mediterranean — but you haven't left Northport Harbor.

Sitting beneath the canopy on the plush leather seats surrounding a gourmet spread of pizzas or fried calamari, you'll experience the absolute luxury of what it must feel like to have your own private, captained yacht.

This new, immersive escape sails with Onda Bella Cruises (ondabellacruises.com; 631-213-5008). The two-hour luxury Mediterranean-style sailing excursions dock just five minutes from Northport Village. Operated by local couple Tiffany and Frank DeMayo, the private charter features a 22-foot, whisper-quiet electric Duffy yacht built for intimate groups of up to six guests. Duffy boats are popular in Southern Californian harbors, but are rarely seen on the East Coast, Frank says. 

"It's a very unique boat that stands out to people immediately when they see it sitting here in the harbor," he says. "Everyone tells us they feel worlds away from Long Island."

Onda Bella, which means "beautiful wave" in Italian, has been docked at Britannia Yachting Center (81 Fort Salonga Rd.) since December. Cruises run daily in the morning, afternoon and around sunset through October, weather permitting. Rates vary from $540 to $700 depending on the date and time of sail. For a maximum group of six, this breaks down to approximately $90 to $117 per person, before factoring in customizable food and decor upgrades. Guests are also welcome to bring their own alcoholic beverages. 

The experience draws both special occasions and casual outings. You can also swim or paddle board from the boat. "We've had people that have done proposals, bachelorette parties and even had just couples looking to have a nice evening out," Frank says. "It's for anyone looking for a beautiful experience on the water."

Lisa Pincus, 48, of Greenlawn, recently sailed the afternoon cruise, which she describes as "elegant and relaxing." "The moment I stepped aboard, I felt like I had been transported somewhere along the Amalfi Coast," she says.

 

The route highlights some of the best views along the Gold Coast, where Gilded Age mansions and green bluffs populate the shoreline. The cruise winds through the marina past sailboats, yachts and Northport Village, curves along Asharoken and heads toward Sand City, where wildlife is often visible. From there, it continues past Centerport and the Vanderbilt Estate before returning to the dock.

Once onboard, there's little to plan. Guests order ahead from a selection of local restaurants, including La Porta Northport (61 Main St.; laportanorthport.com; 631-239-6062), Salted. On the Harbor (14 Woodbine Ave.; saltedontheharbor.com; 631-651-2600) and James Street Market (51 Main St.; jamesstreetmarket.com; 631-820-0044). The Onda Bella crew will pick it up and arrange it onboard before the boat leaves the dock. La Porta offers popular choices like the "Carmine" pepperoni hot honey pizza ($26), fried calamari ($24) and an arugula salad ($18), paired with a glass of Del Vino Vineyards (29 Norwood Rd.; delvinovineyards.com; 844-335-8466) orange blossom wine, light and floral.

Table settings can be dressed up further with arrangements from All Set by Gabrielle (allsetbygabrielle.com; 631-513-0495), including a coastal theme designed specifically for the boat.