Suggested Landfall Caribbean December 2018?

[Segelplaner]

Hi!
We will make landfall in the Caribbean in December 2018.
We start the journey from Spain/Canary Islands, not as a part of the ARC Rally.
The original plan is to make landfall in Antigua/Falmouth because they have this Nelson dockyard.
Then the rough plan is: Saba, Nevis, Ille des Saintes, Bequia, Grenadines.
After all above we are heading for the islands around Aruba.

• Is the landfall OK after a passage over the Atlantic?
  Do you suggest other landfall for some reason?

[mbartosch]

Originally Posted by Segelplaner

We will make landfall in the Caribbean in December 2018.
We start the journey from Spain/Canary Islands, not as a part of the ARC Rally.
The original plan is to make landfall in Antigua/Falmouth because they have this Nelson dockyard.
Then the rough plan is: Saba, Nevis, Ille des Saintes, Bequia, Grenadines.
After all above we are heading for the islands around Aruba.

We knew what to expect in St. Georges, Grenada and chose it for landfall because of the excellent showers and the nice island. Would do that again. But we went northwards from there.

I understand you want to arrive in the north and make your way southwards. In this case I'd personally choose Guadeloupe over Antigua for better provisioning (from a Central European point of view) and infrastructure.
The marina in Pointe a Pitre is a little shabby but the island itself is worth staying a week or so for exploring after stocking up.
From there you could still visit Antigua, maybe Barbuda (but I am afraid it might not be the magic place it used to be after being hit by hurricane Maria in 2017). Spare Saba a visit, it's special.
Don't forget beautiful Dominica, spend a week in Prince Rupert Bay near Portsmouth, do some hiking on the island, arrange some trips with the locals from PAYS and enjoy the famous sunday BBQ from the guys.

[Segelplaner]

Thanks, will check up those places you mention!

[Sojourner]

I don't know about first landfall, but we're making a crossing in a few months from cape verde, and have been thinking a lot about this. One island that has come on my radar is Dominica, after I saw this photo.... seems like a "do not miss this or you're a moron" sort of thing



THEY'RE SLEEPING!!! All over around that area.... got to be one of the highlights of any trip I'd think

[stewie]

Getting from Antigua or Guadeloupe etc, to St. Lucia will be a fairly hard sail to windward. From there on it is easy.

[mbartosch]

Originally Posted by stewie

Getting from Antigua or Guadeloupe etc, to St. Lucia will be a fairly hard sail to windward. From there on it is easy.

I tend to disagree. Wind directions are E or NE in this season, getting from Antigua to St Lucia is not a problem at all. In fact, most of the time it's proverbial smooth sailing.

Going from Grenada northwards to i. e. Carriacou, Union Island, Bequia, St Vincent, St. Lucia can be rough, especially in the "Christmas Winds" (it was for us).

[Segelplaner]

Originally Posted by mbartosch

I tend to disagree. Wind directions are E or NE in this season, getting from Antigua to St Lucia is not a problem at all. In fact, most of the time it's proverbial smooth sailing.



Going from Grenada northwards to i. e. Carriacou, Union Island, Bequia, St Vincent, St. Lucia can be rough, especially in the "Christmas Winds" (it was for us).

Thanks, sounds great for us!

[Mithril Bham]

Second Guadeloupe. Good food. Civilized place to start from.

[Nicholson58]

Landfall from Saint Martin and south is a good choice. We enjoyed several weeks in Falmouth, Antigua last season. Lots of sites, good restaurants, hiking, craft brewer. If you choose Antigua and you plan to spend time there then enter at Jolly Harbor. Big grocery, nice restaurants. Move to Falmouth and enjoy the history and great atmosphere. Check out back in Jolly and you will avoid the daily park fee assessed to anchor in Falmouth or English Harbor.

All of the French islands are country of France. Wine, rhum, bread, food are all inexpensive and the entry formalities are the most relaxed of the Caribbean except perhaps Dominica. We love the west coast of Guadeloupe. Marin and Saint Anne on Martinique are our favorites. Martinique has 27 rhum distilleries.

Prince Rupert, Portsmouth on Dominica is where to be on the island. You can anchor or take a mooring from PAYS. You want to be at the north end of the harbor near the PAYS dock. Moorings are not expensive. Utilize the PAYS boat boys and facilities. They offer many really nice tours and weekly BBQ on the beach. Hike above the fort, tour the fort. Tour the Indian River. If you dive be sure to use Fabian at PAYS as your tour guide and dive master. Some of the best diving in the Caribbean. Hail PAYS on your way in and they will get you to a mooring and help with lines. There is a water buoy for filling your tanks and wash down - very reasonable and great water. Ask about the fresh market. Laundry pick up at the PAYS office.

Check out the commentary on Zulu Waterway for a bit of help. Get cruising guides.
https://www.zuluwaterways.com/map/18...72934246063232

Winds are always east. Running up and down the windward and leeward (eastern Caribbean) chain is easy. Barbados is the only problem destination.

You may see us. Say hi to Mark and Lynn on ROXY

[DMCantor]

We really enjoy Antigua, there are MANY nice anchorages to choose from. The customs office in Nelson's Boatyard has been much easier to deal with than the office in Jolly Harbor (though we haven't tried Jolly Harbor in years, after a few bad experiences).

Second the recommendation for Dominica, a truly beautiful island and a great community of cruisers.

[AJ_n_Audrey]

We love Saba, but it might not be the best place to re-provision. St Martin, 30ish miles north, would be a better choice for that purpose, but I would not miss Saba as a destination. Very, very friendly island.

[Segelplaner]

Originally Posted by Nicholson58

Landfall from Saint Martin and south is a good choice. We enjoyed several weeks in Falmouth, Antigua last season. Lots of sites, good restaurants, hiking, craft brewer. If you choose Antigua and you plan to spend time there then enter at Jolly Harbor. Big grocery, nice restaurants. Move to Falmouth and enjoy the history and great atmosphere. Check out back in Jolly and you will avoid the daily park fee assessed to anchor in Falmouth or English Harbor.



All of the French islands are country of France. Wine, rhum, bread, food are all inexpensive and the entry formalities are the most relaxed of the Caribbean except perhaps Dominica. We love the west coast of Guadeloupe. Marin and Saint Anne on Martinique are our favorites. Martinique has 27 rhum distilleries.



Prince Rupert, Portsmouth on Dominica is where to be on the island. You can anchor or take a mooring from PAYS. You want to be at the north end of the harbor near the PAYS dock. Moorings are not expensive. Utilize the PAYS boat boys and facilities. They offer many really nice tours and weekly BBQ on the beach. Hike above the fort, tour the fort. Tour the Indian River. If you dive be sure to use Fabian at PAYS as your tour guide and dive master. Some of the best diving in the Caribbean. Hail PAYS on your way in and they will get you to a mooring and help with lines. There is a water buoy for filling your tanks and wash down - very reasonable and great water. Ask about the fresh market. Laundry pick up at the PAYS office.



Check out the commentary on Zulu Waterway for a bit of help. Get cruising guides.

https://www.zuluwaterways.com/map/18...72934246063232



Winds are always east. Running up and down the windward and leeward (eastern Caribbean) chain is easy. Barbados is the only problem destination.



You may see us. Say hi to Mark and Lynn on ROXY

Thanks for all good info, we sure say hi to you at Roxy!

[Segelplaner]

Originally Posted by AJ_n_Audrey

We love Saba, but it might not be the best place to re-provision. St Martin, 30ish miles north, would be a better choice for that purpose, but I would not miss Saba as a destination. Very, very friendly island.

Thanks!

[Segelplaner]

Originally Posted by DMCantor

We really enjoy Antigua, there are MANY nice anchorages to choose from. The customs office in Nelson's Boatyard has been much easier to deal with than the office in Jolly Harbor (though we haven't tried Jolly Harbor in years, after a few bad experiences).

Second the recommendation for Dominica, a truly beautiful island and a great community of cruisers.

Thanks, we planning for Nelson’s!