Away from the world of the Mediterranean and the Asian sailing destinations comes a fresh change with the beautiful Caribbean Islands.

The Caribbean is a region consisting of the Caribbean Sea, its islands (most of which enclose the sea), and the surrounding coasts. The region is located southeast of the Gulf of Mexico and Northern America, east of Central America, and to the north of South America.

Situated largely on the Caribbean Plate, the region comprises more than 7,000 islands, islets, reefs, and cays. These islands, called the West Indies, generally form island arcs that delineate the eastern and northern edges of the Caribbean Sea. These islands are called the West Indies because when Christopher Columbus landed here in 1492 he believed that he had reached the Indies (in Asia).

The region consists of the Antilles, divided into the larger Greater Antilles which bound the sea on the north and the Lesser Antilles on the south and east (including the Leeward Antilles), and the Bahamas which are in fact in the Atlantic Ocean north of Cuba, not in the Caribbean Sea.

The region takes its name from that of the Carib, an ethnic group present in the Lesser Antilles and parts of adjacent South America at the time of European contact. In the English-speaking Caribbean, someone from the Caribbean is usually referred to as a “West Indian,” although the phrase “Caribbean person” is sometimes used.

Some of the finest sailing regions within the vast Caribbean Islands would be :-

British Virgin Islands

The beauty of the islands, the short distances (rarely more than 2-3 hours) between anchorages and the relatively smooth sailing, have made them the favorite cruising area for large numbers of north American sailors, particularly in the winter months. The increase in numbers since 1987 has been dramatic.

The area has become so crowded that it was essential to come into many anchorages as early as possible, no later than two to three in the afternoon, to find a convenient anchorage or to pick up one of the moorings provided in many of the more popular places.

The best times for cruising in the B.V.I. are: November to mid-December; from the week after Easter to the end of May. In these time periods the charterer will obtain substantially lower rates, the anchorages are less crowded and it is easier to get space on the feeder airlines into Tortola’s small airport.

Guadeloupe

This archipelago of small, beautiful, mountainous islands lies a few miles south of the main island Guadeloupe. They consist of two larger islands Terre d’en Haut (Windward land) and Terre d’en Bas (Leeward Land) and a number of smll rocky, uninhabited islands.

There are several good anchorages. The principal anchorage off the town Bourg des Saintes tends to become crowded with visitors from Guadeloupe during weekends, leaving space only in quite deep water for late arrivals. It is better to anchor away from the ferry traffic in the 20 foot depth of the bay to the south of the main anchorage.

The entire bay is well protected – Ilet a Cabrit breaks the force of any chance morth-westerlies – but does sometimes have a swell.

St. Vincent

Of all the anchorages in the Grenadines this is the most beautiful, although not deserted. The island is privately owned and hosts a small, charming resort. However, contrary to most resort owners, those at Petit St. Vincent welcome visiting yachtsmen, as long as they respect the privacy of the paying guests in their bungalows. Yachtsmen may also enjoy the bar and restaurant. The anchorage has good holding and is well protected from ocean swells by reefs to the east.

Another delightful and deserted anchorage, exposed to the wind but sheltered from swells by the reefs, is located on the north side of the island. This anchorage provides immediate access to fantastic snorkeling on the reefs and to deserted, pristine, sparkling white beaches. From here it is also a short dinghy ride over to Mopion, a tiny deserted sand spit, upon which a palm leaf shelter has been erected. It must be the smallest island in the world with a permanent structure!

For more info on yacht charters in the Caribbean Islands click here…

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