Carribean

[PabloPicasso]

I Might get the chance to charter a yacht in the Carribean for a week or two next winter

Any recomendations for where to go or avoid?

Any one good experiences with specific charter companies?

 

[Sea Change]

Depends what you like doing.
Lots of people told us to avoid BVI, but it was one of our favourites cruising grounds. Just have to avoid anywhere with a marina, beach bar, or restaurant.
For snorkeling and proper Caribbean atmosphere the Grenadines are hard to beat.

 

[john_morris_uk]

French islands for food, Grenadines for Caribbean atmosphere although that’s a joke as in our experience all the islands have their own character.

We like the area where we are now (Antigua - St Martin - St Kitts etc). But you’ll struggle to explore many places in a week. Martinique has big charter fleets and it’s close to St Lucia.

 

[Deleted member 478]

• Tobago Cays are not to be missed
• Another vote for the French islands
• Tyrrel Bay, Carriacou is super laid back and has a decent supermarket across the road from the beach.
• Carriacou has over 150 Rhum Shops (bars) and 1 petrol station, which tells a story about the place
• BVI is stunning and has lots of variety, hence it being the so popular with the charter market.
• Avoid the US Virgin Islands because you will need a B1/B2 visa, which is a right PITA

 

[geem]

One man's meat is another man's poison. I can't stand the BVIs. Charter hell. Bays ruined by loads of moorings at stupid prices with an online booking system. Yes, you can find spots where you can anchor but for me that's not the idea.
We like Antigua when we have visitors. Lots do do for a week or two and some nice anchorages.
Grenadines is lovely and a true flavour of the Caribbean.

 

[fredrussell]

This thread is depressing me!

 

[Greenheart]

Spelling of the title depresses me.

 

[Sea Change]

One man's meat is another man's poison. I can't stand the BVIs. Charter hell. Bays ruined by loads of moorings at stupid prices with an online booking system. Yes, you can find spots where you can anchor but for me that's not the idea.
We like Antigua when we have visitors. Lots do do for a week or two and some nice anchorages.
Grenadines is lovely and a true flavour of the Caribbean.

Our month in BVI was probably our cheapest ever month cruising. Anchored every night and visited the supermarket twice. Didn't eat or drink out, barring one time we meet friends at the Willy T and the Glaswegian barman insisted on giving me a free drink .
Not everyone's idea of a good time but our buddy boats had the same idea and we shared some beautiful anchorages away from all the noise and activity.
We had one run in with an idiot in a charter cat who put out 7:1 scope needlessly. But when we cruised the Balearics that was what happened on a daily basis so we've been fairly thick skins.
(But if anybody sees a Lagoon 620e called Ripple, please pass on my regards to the selfish twassock at the wheel)

 

[geem]

Spelling of the title depresses me.

What depresses me is thought of this winter coming back to the UK

 

[mrming]

I’m in Martinique right now, but sadly not sailing (promised the family a normal holiday!). Very jealous of the many people out there at anchor living the life.