Sailing in the Caribbean | Everything You Need to Know | Sunsail
Sailing in the Caribbean is a sailor’s paradise where you are guaranteed to create memories that will last a lifetime. Just imagine exploring over 5,000 islands, reefs and cays and enjoying a combination of line-of-sight sailing and blue water stretches in your monohull or catamaran charter. Not forgetting the chance to discover an array of white-sand beaches, colourful coral reefs, picturesque harbours and laid-back island culture.
Does the Caribbean sound like your perfect getaway? Read on to find out everything you need to know about sailing in the Caribbean.
What size of boat do you need to sail the Caribbean?
When choosing your perfect yacht, think about what you want from your Caribbean sailing vacation. If you are interested in performance sailing and having optimal control in all conditions, then the classic single hulled monohull would be ideal. On the other hand, if you would rather the space, comfort and manoeuvrability, then a catamaran would be best suited.
Most of the Caribbean destinations such as Antigua, BVI, Grenada, St Lucia and St Martin offer monohulls and catamarans. However, Belize and Bahamas only offer catamarans and Martinique offers monohulls.
In the Caribbean, the monohull yachts vary in size from 35 – 45 feet and the size will depend on how many cabins and berths are included. The same goes for catamarans, however these yachts are designed with space in mind and range from 40 – 50 feet. You can also select the age of your yacht charter, whether that’s 0-1 years old, 1-3 years old or 3+ years old.
With a great selection of yachts, you can choose what size, age and type would suit you best.
How long does it take to sail around the Caribbean?
The time you need to sail around the Caribbean all depends on the route you want to take. It also depends on how many miles you plan on covering each day and the time you want to spend sailing versus snorkelling in the crystal clear waters or exploring the pristine beaches.
The Caribbean islands stretch down a long 2500-mile chain. If you were to sail this stretch, it would take approximately 10 days, however this would involve sailing through the night. Most sailors would take at least a month to sail the distance leaving time to anchor up and enjoy the wonders of the Caribbean.
What are the best sailing itineraries around the Caribbean?
There are numerous sailing routes that you can do, depending on where you set sail and how long your sailing vacation is for. A bareboat charter sailing vacation means that you decide your route and the pace. If you would like local insight into Caribbean sailing, you can hire a skipper who can take you to the famous spots and hidden gems. Sunsail provide carefully designed itineraries within each destination page that includes the must-see landmarks or experiences. You can also speak to Sunsail’s vacation planners who can provide their advice on the best sailing itinerary for you.
An example two-week sailing itinerary could begin with the picturesque Martinique, where you can immerse yourself in the French-Caribbean culture and discover the mountainous, volcanic landscape. Then set sail to St Lucia, ‘The Jewel of the Windwards’ and admire the soaring peaks and stunning waterfalls. You may decide to then stop off at a few other islands such as Union Island and Mopion Island on your way to Grenada. Here, you can take advantage of the 45 beaches as well as the unbelievable snorkelling and scuba diving.
Sail the Caribbean Today
Author Name:
Caroline Badour
Contributor
Caroline Barbour
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