Key facts about sailing in the Caribbean

The Season

The Main season runs through from November through to July each year.  High Season runs from mid December through to March.  The Caribbean is the most popular charter ground in the world due to the pristine waters and beaches offered up by every one of the islands in the chain.  Because of the warm winds, protected waterways and safe anchorages the Caribbean draws a wide mix of sailing adventurers from around the globe.  

Caribbean sailing is a major tourist industry, attracting jet loads of sailors from around the world and, as a result, these are also the most congested charter grounds to be found. The only drawback to the Caribbean is that too many sailors know about it.

The trade winds average 20 - 25 knots in winter throughout the Caribbean, but the outside islands protect this cruising ground from the Atlantic swells, providing great sailing.

The climate throughout the Caribbean is close to perfect with a minimum temperature of 70F/21C and a winder high of around 82F/27C.  In the summer this rises slightly but feels warmer as the wind is generally lighter. 

Where we go

This cruising ground is essentially a long string of islands stretching through a crescent that curves east and south from Florida to the Venezuelan coast. From the Virgin Islands in the north to Trinidad and Tobago in the south, each island offers distinctive landscapes and cultures all within easy sailing distance of each other.

We run our yacht along a specific route each year in order to enjoy the best weather, whilst getting a chance to absorb more and more of the different islands along the course.  Our forecast plans are as follows:

Month	2012 Cruising Grounds
February	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines from Kingstown to Union Island including Bequia, Canouan, Mayreau and Tobago Cays
March	Saint Lucia - Around the costal anchorages in the South and West of this very popular destination
April	Saint Lucia - Around the costal anchorages in the South and West of this very popular destination Martinique - One of the French Islands in the Caribbean Island Chain with many tropical beaches, clear seas and historical sites of interest. The botanical garden is world famous.
May	Saint Lucia - Around the costal anchorages in the South and West of this very popular destination Martinique - One of the French Islands in the Caribbean Island Chain with many tropical beaches, clear seas and historical sites of interest. The botanical garden is world famous.
June	Martinique - One of the French Islands in the Caribbean Island Chain with many tropical beaches, clear seas and historical sites of interest. The botanical garden is world famous.   Saint Vincent and the Grenadines from Kingstown to Union Island including Bequia, Canouan, Mayreau and Tobago Cays
July	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines from Kingstown to Union Island including Bequia, Canouan, Mayreau and Tobago Cays
August	OFF SEASON
September	OFF SEASON
October	OFF SEASON
November	Grenada to Tobago Cays, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - Including southern Grenada anchorages, Saint Georges and the island of Carriacou, Union Island and adjacent anchorages
December	Grenada to Tobago Cays, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - Including southern Grenada anchorages, Saint Georges and the island of Carriacou, Union Island and adjacent anchorages
Month	2013 Cruising Grounds
January	Grenada to Tobago Cays, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - Including southern Grenada anchorages, Saint Georges and the island of Carriacou, Union Island and adjacent anchorages Saint Vincent and the Grenadines from Kingstown to Union Island including Bequia, Canouan, Mayreau and Tobago Cays

Hurricanes

The hurricane season peaks between mid August and late October.

Our itinerary is planned to specifically avoid hurricanes because we really don't like being around them very much.  If you booked a trip and a hurricane did arrive on the scene we would need to depart as quickly as possible.  We would give you a full refund for the days you lost as a result.  

If you booked a trip and your flight got cancelled due to hurricanes in the area, we would also give you a full refund for this situation.