Clearing Customs Windward and Leeward Island Chains

[Beagle123]

We are planning a Cruise to Granada from BVI's and back to Annapolis from late December 2017 to May 2018. I have a question about how long we should allow to clear customs at most of these Islands ...and whether there is any means of expediting the process. As an example is it unrealistic to think that leaving BVI's in Late december or even early January 2018 that we could get down to Granada by February 8th and still have time to enjoy stops as shown below?
Thanks for your thoughts.

BVI’s to St Martin Jan 7th or earlier (105 N Miles)
Passage 2: Jan 9th St Martin to St Barts (19 NM)
Jan 13th St Barts to St Kitts (31 NM)
Passage 3: Jan 16th St Kitts to Dominica (88 NM)
Jan 21 Dominica to Martinique (60 NM)
Passage 4: Jan 26th Martinique to St Lucia (32 NM)
Passage 5: Jan 31st St Lucia to Grenada (132 NM) via Grenadines
Feb 4th arrive Grenada for independence Day Celebrations on February 8th

[Cheechako]

Doesn't sound too bad to me. Quick trip but Ok, a few days here and there. I cant remember though, aren't some Customs not open on weekends IIRC? Maybe someone has an update on that?
Also... stop in Les Saintes! Love that place. You are stopping in the Tobago Cays right?

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Beagle123

how long we should allow to clear customs at most of these Islands ...and whether there is any means of expediting the process.

20 minutes each country. Bvis longer. Antigua longer as they are jerks. French islands 10 minutes while you drink beer or buy chandlery.

No method of expediting as all attempts to integrate have failed... ECclear for example.


It's all so easy don't fret it. ☺️

[donradcliffe]

Any cruise that is based on leaving each island on Day X will not end well. You cannot ignore the weather, especially on the BVI to St Martin leg.

[Beagle123]

Thanks Cheechako...any info from others about the weekend closure of customs clearance? Thanks for assurance of simplicity Mark J, and yes donradcliffe we have "wiggle room" of about 10 days..and will adjust for weather..... we have a much more leisurely trip back up (3 months) and will visit different islands on the North trip...would welcome suggestions which Islands and in which sequence

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Beagle123

any info from others about the weekend closure of customs clearance? e

Everyone is open 7 days/week.

[admiralslater]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Everyone is open 7 days/week.

Yes but you pay extra ,somtimes a fair bit !

[TeddyDiver]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Everyone is open 7 days/week.

There're excemptions as we encountered in Bonaire a few years back. Immigration had a day of for schooling and we had to take taxi to airport to clear us in..

[Beagle123]

Thanks everyone., we had not planned to visit some of the Islands mentioned....our Current Sail Plan for the return from Grenada late February.

I would welcome comments on this plan...are we missing any "must visit" stops ?

A 10 week Return North from Grenada would begin February 21st
The following Islands would probably be included on the trip North. These passages would be divided into 2 week (or one week if possible) passages
Grenada again one week.
Tobago Cays 2-3 days
Mustique 2- 3 days
Bequia 2-3 days
St Vincent one week
St Lucia one week
Martinique 2- 4 days
Dominica one week
Guadeloupe 2-4 days
Montserrat 2-4 days
Nevis and St Kitts One week
Barbuda 2 days
St Barts …and North next 3 weeks back up to Turks and Caicos (approximate arrival …end April 2018)
Early May Passage 1,225 miles Turks and Caicos to Annapolis (10-14 days sailing)

[RickG]

Looks optimistic. We do a couple of weeks of sailing in the Virgin Islands in January each year. You can plan on strong blows with the Christmas winds blowing well over 20kts sustained for more than a week at a time. If the north swell is up you could enjoy big swells as well. How do you feel about an upwind sail in those conditions? You'll have a shorter passage if you leave the BVIs from Virgin Gorda for St. Martin. Virgin Gorda's North Sound is a good spot to wait for a weather window.

Cheers, RickG

[AiniA]

The Christmas winds really matter, especially if you need to get to windward, e.g. BVI to St Martin. You might consider heading further south and go to places like St Martin on the way back. Also try to fit in a couple of days at Saba. You need to have winds from east rather than northeast and on the weaker side to make the moorings there more pleasant, not to mention making the dink ride ashore nicer.

[FLJim]

Another option - take off on port tack when leaving Virgin Gorda, and stop wherever that takes you. Since you plan on visiting the northern Leewards on the return trip, why bash to get there in the first place? Do this when the wind is north of east, and Nevis is easy to reach with a single overnight.

[inchcailloch]

Slow down! It took me 3 seasons to cover those. BVIs you will want to spend a long time in, they, in my opinion are the best. Agree with MarkJ that Antigua is over priced for entry fees, anchoring etc plus not brilliant for replenishing of food. Grenada (Prickly Bay a great centre for socialising). Carriacou a definite must along with Bequia. So many gems along the route you are taking. You might find Guadeloupe too long for 2 to 3 days unless you go into Desheias (can clear in and out here) and to the gardens there, beautiful tho a little over priced. When i was there the bridge was closed so you would have to double back on yourself and motor into the wind if going to Pointe a Prite.........not a pretty town and longish walk from anchorage. Marigot Bay a definite must in St Lucia even for one night. So many of these places I went for a couple of days and ended up over 3 months in some

All customs and immigration chagre extra for evening and weekend clearances usually after 1600. On 2 occassions I arrived 20 mins early, being the only one there they kept me talking then charged me extra even though i was out for 2 mins past the hour!

I'm envious, you are in for a treat.

Do not go without Chris Doyle's cruising guides, the will save you money and havent come across a better guide with excellent charts for this area as hes cruised the islands for decades!

[svinvictus2]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

20 minutes each country. Bvis longer. Antigua longer as they are jerks. French islands 10 minutes while you drink beer or buy chandlery.

No method of expediting as all attempts to integrate have failed... ECclear for example.


It's all so easy don't fret it. ☺️

we live in the BVI and cruise up and down occasionally, The info above is as accurate as it comes.....too short a trip. go to fewer places but stay longer!@!!!!

[MarkJ]

A word on your schedule...

New Years Eve in St Barts is fantastic!

Montserrat is really just an overnight stay. Lob in, check out the volcano and head off to Antigua.

In Antigua English Harbour is unmissable. If you are short of time just do that and head off.

It's all quite achievable on a short time scale, you just keep rolling along.

Mark