Virgin Islands to Grenada in early August

[jimithing]

I have seen a couple other threads on this but hoping to get some fresh dialogue. My family has been invited to sail from Virgin Islands to Grenada first 2 weeks in August to get boat south for hurricane season. It seems clear that first of August is actually in hurricane season. I would love thoughts on how/if this can be done safely. Thanks in advance.

[GreenWave]

Originally Posted by jimithing

I have seen a couple other threads on this but hoping to get some fresh dialogue. My family has been invited to sail from Virgin Islands to Grenada first 2 weeks in August to get boat south for hurricane season. It seems clear that first of August is actually in hurricane season. I would love thoughts on how/if this can be done safely. Thanks in advance.

Well it’s a crap shoot depending on weather at that time. If there is nothing brewing then it would be fine. Unfortunately you won’t know that until 1-2 weeks out.

[Montanan]

Weather to go or weather to not go, the oldest question for navigators.

Also, keep aware of the requisite Covid-19 entry requirements to enter the Virgin Islands [specifically as to the U.S. or British Isles] and that of Grenada which are of course subject to abrupt changes depending on how the pandemic is evolving.

Reference the excellent guidance at Noonsite Grenada:

https://www.noonsite.com/place/grena...curity-section

Noonsite has similar sites for other yachting destinations.

The present Yachting Protocols:

May 2021

From May 1, 2021, persons providing proof of full vaccination will only be required to quarantine for up to 48 hours, pending a negative result from a PCR test, administered on entry. See further information at the Government website.
For the latest published yacht entry protocols see details here. https://covid19.gov.gd/grenada-yacht...-december-2020
In short:
Register with www.sailclear.com at least 24 hours prior to entry into Grenada.
If yachts do NOT register on SailClear, they will not be permitted entry into Grenada.
Only St George’s (Grenada) and Tyrell Bay (Carriacou) are open for health clearance.
ALL yachts up to 40ft LOA MUST make a booking for a quarantine mooring operated by Grenmoor Ltd, before they arrive into Grenada. Bookings are made through https://dockwa.com/explore/destinati...form=transient
Note: Yachts above 40ft LOA are allowed to anchor in the designated quarantine anchorage as indicated below, until suitable moorings have been installed, at which time they also will be required to book through Grenmoor Ltd.
All travelers must have a Pure Safe Travel Certificate in order to travel to Grenada which must be shown on check-in.
Arrive with a negative COVID-19 rt-PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure for Grenada (children 5 years and under are exempt). Vessels and crew who have not pre-cleared with the online system or who cannot show proof of a PCR test are being turned away and refused entry into Grenada.
Mandatory quarantine of up to 7 days in designated anchorage.
PCR test is done on the 4th day after arrival in Grenada. A Ministry of Health Clearance will be required to exit quarantine after receiving a negative test result. Results can take up to 48h to be available.
Yachts that have been at sea for a minimum of 4 consecutive days, with no land stop, will be permitted to test upon arrival or at the earliest available testing day. Proof of route will be required by providing GPS tracker data.
Arrival details and procedures with quarantine zone guidance can be found here.
Yachts that are under mandatory 7-day quarantine are required to use a mooring at a cost of US$10 per day for the duration of their quarantine period.
Please check https://covid19.gov.gd/travel/ and https://grenadagrenadinesyachting.com/ for more recent travel information.
The email addresses for more information about arriving in Grenada are:
info@puregrenada.com (for general enquiries about yacht arrivals).
info@health.gov.gd (for health protocol questions).
Tyrellbay@grenadaports.com (for Carriacou yacht arrivals).
If arriving by air to join your yacht, follow the airport arrival protocol and quarantine in approved accommodation ashore. You will not be permitted to quarantine on your yacht.
The vaccination program on Grenada is now open to the resident cruising community. All cruisers on island are encouraged to be vaccinated at the earliest opportunity. Take photo ID and boat documents. Check the Ministry of Health Facebook page for vaccination centers.