Caribbean Cruising Guide for Leeward and Windward Islands

[Caribbeachbum]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

We’ll be heading down to the Caribbean this Fall/Winter of 2019/2020 and would like some advice on which cruising guide books might be the most helpful. I noticed two on Amazon both by author Stephen Paulidis, one titled “Cruising Guide to the Leeward Islands,” and the other “Cruising Guide to the Windward Islands.” Do these guides offer a good overview, or do the folks currently cruising these areas prefer others?

In some ways, we use the guide books to help avoid crowded anchorages; we sort of look to find the popular spots... then anchor someplace uncrowded nearby.

Many thanks in advance.

Ken

I have both, and find them to be quite good. I cannot compare them to the other offerings on the same subjects. Also, Waterway Guide for the Bahamas is quite good.

[Sea Venture]

Chris Doyle do a brilliant one. He has just released his 2019/2020 book

[Kenomac]

Thanks, Chris’ guides look good, I’ll check them out.

[ohdrinkboy]

Doyle's is my favorite for the leewards, can't speak to the windwards.

[terrysandling]

Dear sailing friends, I am basically new to this group ,I don’t know how to post a thread except like this so forgive me if this is wrong, I am looking for a dock in the Caribbean that is not a rip of to antifoul a56 footer sail boat ,your thoughts would be most appreciated thank you terry

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by Captain Scott

I have been up and down the Windward and Leeward Islands a couple times these past three years. Love the guide books for the general layout, customs & immigration times/locations and a peek into some very interesting history that lends to a greater appreciation of where you are. Doyle is the author of one of the ones I have. I carry paper charts as well for the whole area (though I don't know how I ended up with and extra set... anybody interested? -S

I'm interested, how old are the charts? Which ones and by which company?

[Northbound44]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

We’ll be heading down to the Caribbean this Fall/Winter of 2019/2020 and would like some advice on which cruising guide books might be the most helpful. I noticed two on Amazon both by author Stephen Paulidis, one titled “Cruising Guide to the Leeward Islands,” and the other “Cruising Guide to the Windward Islands.” Do these guides offer a good overview, or do the folks currently cruising these areas prefer others?

In some ways, we use the guide books to help avoid crowded anchorages; we sort of look to find the popular spots... then anchor someplace uncrowded nearby.

Many thanks in advance.

Ken

The one I prefer is the one published by IMRAY “ Grenada to the Virgin Islands, A Cruising Guide to the Lesser Antilles “ from Jacques Patuelli. It is straight forward, no advertising, accurate charts and good pictures.

The others are the one wrote by Chris Doyle, more expensive considering you have to buy numerous books to cover the Caribbean but more detailed with a lots of advertising.

The worst in my opinion is the one from Stephen J. Pavlidis. However, Mr. Pavlidis publications are still my number one in the Bahamas.

[Mike Scheurich]

I am enjoying this interchange. It’s very helpful and informative. I’m thinking about a bareboat charter next April or May from St. Lucia to Grenada. In other words, a one-way trip south. Is that a sensible approach? In doing some preliminary research, I’ve noted that the charter rates are substantially less than those for, say, BVI. Any idea why that might be? Thanks!

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Mike.

[AllenRbrts]

I recommend NV charts. They come with access to a nice app so you can see the same charts on your tablet or phone. Nice to be able see your position on the charts. On guides, Doyle is great.

[Lionelsole]

Originally Posted by Mike Scheurich

I am enjoying this interchange. It’s very helpful and informative. I’m thinking about a bareboat charter next April or May from St. Lucia to Grenada. In other words, a one-way trip south. Is that a sensible approach? In doing some preliminary research, I’ve noted that the charter rates are substantially less than those for, say, BVI. Any idea why that might be? Thanks!

A one way trip is a good idea, allows you to see more islands. But, by that time of year, the prevailing wind tends to be south of east so I would go the other way.

[Flagman101]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

We’ll be heading down to the Caribbean this Fall/Winter of 2019/2020 and would like some advice on which cruising guide books might be the most helpful. I noticed two on Amazon both by author Stephen Paulidis, one titled “Cruising Guide to the Leeward Islands,” and the other “Cruising Guide to the Windward Islands.” Do these guides offer a good overview, or do the folks currently cruising these areas prefer others?

In some ways, we use the guide books to help avoid crowded anchorages; we sort of look to find the popular spots... then anchor someplace uncrowded nearby.

Many thanks in advance.

Ken

Get Chris Doyles Leeward and Winward guides. Aerial photos give you a nice perspective on what to expect when you get there. Nice complement to charts.
Then you need Jaques Patuelli guide des Antilles.
Not sure if availlable in English
Those combined with charts, you should be fine.

[Kenomac]

The Chis Doyle guides sound excellent and will make for a good combination with the Navionics platinum+ charts on the plotters and Nobeltec TZ on the iPads. Looking forward to a warm winter for a change.

[Lionelsole]

Patuelli’s guide is published by Imray as ‘Grenada to the Virgin Islands’. Recommended. Has basically the information required for navigation. Doyle will tell you where to get the best cocktails.