Caribbean Sailing

[floridajoe]

Since I'm going to be sailing the Caribbean in the near future, do you guys have any tips for sailing there? Such as the best time of year, good anchorages, what places to avoid, etc.

[krafthaus]

Originally Posted by floridajoe

Such as the best time of year.

Avoid hurricane season - June to end of October. Check the National Hurricane Center for updates National Hurricane Center

Originally Posted by floridajoe

good anchorages.

Check on Amazon for guidebooks. Chris Doyle's anchorages for the Windwards or Leewards for example. Also the cruising guides, they are very valuable in my experience.

Originally Posted by floridajoe

places to avoid

Check on Noonsite Noonsite.com — Noonsite
and Caribbean Security and Safety Net Caribbean Safety and Security Net
Also you can read other people's experiences on sailing blogs. Many are interesting and informative.

Happy Sailing!

[FSMike]

The Bahamas are not in the Caribbean.

[Hud3]

Lot's of threads on this topic in the archive, Joe. Try the google search function. That'll give you some specific ideas, and then you can come back here with specific questions.

It would be helpful to those offering advice if you could tell us what you like--restaurants/nightlife, quiet isolated anchorages, blend in with the locals, hang out with cruisers, etc. The islands are so different that your preferences make a difference.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by FSMike

The Bahamas are not in the Caribbean.

[skipmac]

Yes, the answer will depend on what it is you like.

Diving, sailing, surfing, eating, drinking, fraternizing, doing nothing, living cheap, living high?

No one island is best at all the above.

[jcknox]

Put me down for Diving, Doing nothing and living cheap...oh... and solitude

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by jcknox

Put me down for Diving, Doing nothing and living cheap...oh... and solitude

The southern Bahamas (as long as you bring your own food and/or catch fish. Has plenty of diving (bring your own compressor or lots of tanks and visit the nearest island with a dive shop every few weeks) and lots of nothing and plenty of solitude.

It has been a few years but last time I was south of Clarence Town on Long Island (no, not the one in New York) I didn't see another boat for days or weeks.

[AiniA]

Last time I looked Bermuda was even more not in the Caribbean than the Bahamas. Did they move it?

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by AiniA

Last time I looked Bermuda was even more not in the Caribbean than the Bahamas. Did they move it?

Yes. Hooked it up to a tug and towed it south and parked it next to the Turks and Caicos................

that also are not in the Caribbean.

[watson1990]

Ihave spent about a month,maybe 6=7 weeks in the B.V.I. and I still love going back.Always 10-15 knots of wind [some times 30 !!] and lots to see and do or not see and not do ...I must admit that I am looking around a bit ,,maybe the T&C or St martin is next.. then across the specific to fiji for at least a one month stay///
But for now ...The B.V.I are hard to beat!!

[Teknav]

Hi Watson! The BVI are great, but also consider the Grenadines (Caribbean) as a getaway sailing destination. If you have very deep pockets, visit French Polynesia (South Pacific), the Seychelles and the Maldives (Indian Ocean). The USVI during the 70's were great and not too touristy; it's a different picture now. The BVI is getting too crowded, for those of us who enjoy remote anchorages. It will be a long while before French Polynesia will be crowded. Not many folks are willing to shell out $2000 USD for the airfare (from/to the US) to visit Tahiti and its islands. As for the sailing enthusiast, provisioning there is very pricey. Enjoy!

Mauritz
Remote islands are my favorites.