Carribean in February 2021

[Cheeky Girl]

Hi
Looking to go the Carribean for a week or 2's sailing in February - family get together
Looking for suggestions as never sailed here.

I aware that Covid will still be kicking around so looking at direct flights from UK and Canada (west Coast)

It will need to be a non-quarantine on return country but that could change at anytime so does mean booking at very last minute.

Any thought/help greatly appreciated.
Graham

 

[RichardS]

For relaxed, easy sailing with no long hauls, unless you want those, and plenty of restaurants and supermarkets, the BVI's are probably your best bet, although I have not been there since the hurricane disaster.

Richard

 

[Zing]

The only sailing charter destination with direct flights from the UK is Antigua. You can fly on to any island of course. Check with noonsite for quarantine issues, but it’s not good now. BVI is closed and probably everywhere will require quarantine on returning soon, if you can get home at all. People were stranded for months earlier this year.

The pandemic is worsening fast, so it’s not looking good for making plans.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Special Procedures Being Introduced in Ports of Entry Worldwide | Noonsite

 

[Frogmogman]

I agree with Zing. I certainly wouldn't be planning any travel that far ahead.

Maybe just buy yourself a bottle or two of Mount Gay, a plastic palm tree and a couple of bags of sand, and put some Soca on the sound system.

 

[capnsensible]

I've heard you can get Ting in Morrisons now!

Ting is a grapefruit soda very popular to mix with rum in the windies?

 

[Frogmogman]

Pref

I've heard you can get Ting in Morrisons now!

Ting is a grapefruit soda very popular to mix with rum in the windies?

I much prefer my rum with freshly squeezed lime juice and a little bit of sugar

 

[BlackwaterLad]

For relaxed, easy sailing with no long hauls, unless you want those, and plenty of restaurants and supermarkets, the BVI's are probably your best bet, although I have not been there since the hurricane disaster.

Richard

Our only Caribbean trip was to the BVI last December, loved it but ... .. ...

1. We got lots of wind 20 - 25kts every day (and 30 on one nasty afternoon!)
2. No direct flights and we were unlucky with our transfer and had a few days panic while we rearranged our entire itinerary
3. Still lots wrecked boats in the water and several major destinations inaccessible
4. A lot of the famous beach bars were still closed.
5. Phone data is expensive and tricky to arrange
6. Compass variation is 15 degrees !

I'm not sure how much of this is typical or unusual for the Caribbean but we'd certainly go back.

 

[RichardS]

Our only Caribbean trip was to the BVI last December, loved it but ... .. ...

1. We got lots of wind 20 - 25kts every day (and 30 on one nasty afternoon!)
2. No direct flights and we were unlucky with our transfer and had a few days panic while we rearranged our entire itinerary
3. Still lots wrecked boats in the water and several major destinations inaccessible
4. A lot of the famous beach bars were still closed.
5. Phone data is expensive and tricky to arrange
6. Compass variation is 15 degrees !

I'm not sure how much of this is typical or unusual for the Caribbean but we'd certainly go back.

Were Foxy's, Soggy Dollar and Willy T's closed? I agree that without at least one of those then a trip to the BVI's would be missing something.

Richard

 

[Laser310]

Antigua has direct flights, and had very little hurricane damage.

someone can correct me, but i think it has had more liberal covid travel and tourism policies - at least recently.

 

[Zing]

Antigua has direct flights, and had very little hurricane damage.

someone can correct me, but i think it has had more liberal covid travel and tourism policies - at least recently.

They had a big lock down. See the link in my post above, which itemises all their measures if you really want the detail.

 

[Bajansailor]

Be aware that the Caribbean Corona situation is changing weekly, if not daily.
Up until last weekend visitors from the UK to Barbados only had to arrive with a negative Corona test, but in view of the worsening situation now in the UK, UK visitors will now have to do one week of quarantine at an approved hotel on top of a negative test on arrival - this regulation has been in place for a while already re visitors from the USA.

I am not too sure how this relates to folk who are in-transit here.
But be aware that the other islands (eg Antigua) might well impose a similar period of quarantine for UK visitors - I don't think that anybody can confidently predict what the situation will be like in December or January.

There is a Barbados Travel Advisory group on Facebook, and there are many very upset folk on there now who have booked holidays in December and beyond, but are now cancelling, as there is not much point in spending one week of a two week holiday in quarantine.

In the meantime I will endorse Mr Frog's suggestion below - make sure that the Mount Gay is Extra Old.
Extra Old compared to Eclipse is like comparing Single malt to ordinary Scotch whisky.
I am sure that the Rum Pirate in St Kitts will agree with me here - I think he is Mount Gay's best customer there.
Oh, and make sure that you have a good supply of lime juice.
And don't even think about fizzy mixers with Extra Old - sacrilege!

Maybe just buy yourself a bottle or two of Mount Gay, a plastic palm tree and a couple of bags of sand, and put some Soca on the sound system

 

[Frogmogman]

In the meantime I will endorse Mr Frog's suggestion below - make sure that the Mount Gay is Extra Old.
Extra Old compared to Eclipse is like comparing Single malt to ordinary Scotch whisky.

The Mount Gay Black Barrel is pretty damn fine too.

 

[st599]

It will need to be a non-quarantine on return country but that could change at anytime so does mean booking at very last minute.

Quarantine on arrival would be more painful, you'd probably lose 1/2 your holiday in a lazarette.

 

[BlackwaterLad]

Were Foxy's, Soggy Dollar and Willy T's closed? I agree that without at least one of those then a trip to the BVI's would be missing something.

Richard

Foxy's was open, Soggy Dollar closed and we missed Willy T because it moved (it's a boat !)

 

[eddystone]

We were in BVIs in December - concur on winds 15 - 30kts first few days but some awsome gusts lightening towards end of our 10 day trip. Plenty of hurricane damage still visible but not enough to spoil holiday - apart from marinas and resorts that are rebuilding, some big scars in vegetation. Virgin Gorda Sound seemed derelict but was able to moor in Byras(?) Creek. Peter and Norman Islands, Jost van Dyke you may not realise had been hurricane.

We're taking the risk and booked for Antigua (probably even windier!)in December accepting we may not be able to go and have to take credits from charter company and airline for use in future - it's daughters 21st present!

 

[Sandy]

Any thought/help greatly appreciated.

You might want to keep an eye on the Ocean Cruising Club website for up to date information regarding CV-19 and access.

 

[alan_d]

The first time I chartered in the BVIs (a long time ago now) and saw a headline in the local paper SUNSAIL MOUNT GAY REGATTA, I thought the company was striking a blow for sexual diversity.