While days in Europe might be getting shorter and the wind colder, the sailing season in the Caribbean is only about to begin. This natural paradise of coral reefs and endless beaches is a great place to escape the bleakness of the winter months. So let us inspire you for an early booking in this tropical paradise brimming with adventurous pirate tales of the past.
Who will enjoy sailing the Caribbean the most?
Sailors worldwide agree that chartering a boat in the Caribbean is a fundamentally different experience from sailing in the Mediterranean. According to the sailing family of Sailing Britican blog, the most significant advantages of visiting the exotic islands are:
- Cleaner environment: Less rubbish in the sea and clearer water, beautiful beaches feel like walking in silk.
- More favourable sailing conditions: Almost constant wind, less yacht traffic, and more anchorage space.
- Breath-taking natural sights: Unique coral reefs originating in the volcanic basis of the islands and plentiful vegetation in the rainforests.
Therefore, the Caribbean is often recommended to families with children and nature lovers. The warm climate and excellent conditions can also help you cut down on the size of your baggage and be ready for two weeks of the sailing trip with just a carry-on. Let’s look at some of the most popular destinations of yachters in the Caribbean.
1.) British Virgin Islands
Welcome to the sailing capital of the world! British Virgin Islands (BVI for short) are a deserved starting point for recreational and sporting yachters. Often cited selling points of BVI are:
- Some of the best views in the Caribbean: Whether from the yacht’s deck or while resting up on a beach, the beautiful islands of Greater Antilles make for a great show.
- Excellent spots for snorkeling: Well-preserved coral reefs and plenty of small and large fish to observe underwater.
- There is always something new on the horizon: The longest passage between islands is 4 hours from one end of the BVI to the other.
You can begin your journey at Tortola, the biggest island of the group. However, Virgin Gorda island and its unique beaches are a must-see for first-time visitors.
2.) St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands)
- Festivals galore: Whether you join the V.I. Carnival (mid-April through May), the second most popular celebration in the Caribbean or the Crucian Christmas Festival (from December through New Year’s), you are in for parades, colourful costumes, lively music and delicious local cuisine.
- Preserved 17th century Caribbean architecture: the Virgin Islands used to be the melting pot of the Caribbean area, and you can see this in rare architecture – do not skip out on the popular attraction of 99 steps leading up to Blackbeard’s Castle.
- Alexander Hamilton lore: Charlestown on a nearby island of Nevis is the birthplace of the first U.S. treasury secretary and a must-see for the fans of the famous 2015 musical.
You can arrive at St. Thomas via the busiest airport in the United States Virgin Islands, Cyril E. King Airport.
3.) Martinique
Homeland of Napoleon’s love Josephine is often called “taste of France” in the Caribbean, and it is considered a good destination for those who like chocolate croissants and sailing. Other plus points of Martinique include:
- One of the most beautiful bays in the world: Fort-de-France is Martinique’s capital, an entry point for all visitors, and the home of one of the most beautiful and safest bays in the world.
- Safest in the Caribbean: According to tourism index surveys of recent years, Martinique has been voted the safest island in the region.
- A genuinely French experience: For all the lovers of France, Martinique is a great place to admire typical French coastal architecture – for example Fort Louis guarding the island’s capital.
You can reach Martinique through Aimé Césaire International Airport. You can start your voyage at marinas in the capital Fort-de-France or the city Le Marin on the southeast coast of the island.
4.) St.Martin
Divided between two countries, with the French side of Saint-Martin and the Dutch side of Sint Maarten, the island of Saint Martin is an exciting mash of European and Caribbean cultures. It is often called the capital of the Eastern Caribbean. On top of that, the island is a host to:
- Legendary beaches: Tourists enjoy distinctive beaches surrounding the island (e.g. Orient Bay Beach). If you are looking for a quieter spot, Mullet Bay offers clear waters, soft sand and surfer-ready waves.
- World’s steepest zip-line: Thrill-seekers can scratch one thing off their bucket list – zooming back down a mountain at 56 miles per hour on a zip-line dubbed The Flying Dutchman.
- Plane take-offs from the beach: Maho Beach is at the end of the local airport runway. Seeing giant passenger jets land and take off right from the beach is one of the most unusual things you can encounter in the Caribbean.
You can get to Saint Martin via Princess Juliana International Airport and start your sailing trip at the French side’s capital Marigot.
5.) Grenada
The southeastern corner of the Caribbean Sea has closed off with the island Grenada and its six smaller islands at the southern end of the Grenadines island chain. Nevertheless, visitors hail to Grenada because it is:
- The second-largest exporter of nutmeg: So-called “island of spice” is a paradise for cinnamon, cloves, ginger, mace and especially nutmeg, providing 20% of the world supply.
- Chocolate Festival: During this annual celebration, you can visit cocoa farms that started their operations in Grenada’s rainforests approximately a hundred years ago.
- Gateway to Carriacou: Island northwest of Grenada is a popular Caribbean destination for divers. Unspoiled coral reefs and calm waters are why it’s known as the “Isle of Reefs”.
International flights are available to Maurice Bishop International Airport, located near Grenada’s capital of St. George’s.
