Island hopping Caribbean

[capnsensible]

As it will be a charter, I expect the flags to be on board. It does sound a pain when the islands are close together. Guadeoupe - Antigua e.g. If we shuttle between the two, do we need to have clearance each time?

How long are you there? It's best not to be too ambitious going to lots of islands in a short charter I reckon.

Yes the flags should be onboard and yes clearing in and out is a pita. Top tip, it's much quicker clearing just before the office shuts than just after it opens!

Hope you enjoy it, it's hard not to!!

 

[RichardS]

As it will be a charter, I expect the flags to be on board. It does sound a pain when the islands are close together. Guadeoupe - Antigua e.g. If we shuttle between the two, do we need to have clearance each time?

You'll have to clear in and clear out every time, no matter how short the visit. Don't get it wrong because the punishments are severe.

One thing I seem to remember is that once you clear out, you are at least given 24 hours to leave. This is a lot more flexible than Croatia where once you clear out you must walk back immediately to your boat on the Customs dock, start the engines, cast off and head straight out towards international waters. Any deviation from this and you will be clobbered. :ambivalence:

Richard

 

[pagoda]

You'll have to clear in and clear out every time, no matter how short the visit. Don't get it wrong because the punishments are severe.

One thing I seem to remember is that once you clear out, you are at least given 24 hours to leave. This is a lot more flexible than Croatia where once you clear out you must walk back immediately to your boat on the Customs dock, start the engines, cast off and head straight out towards international waters. Any deviation from this and you will be clobbered. :ambivalence:

Richard

We chartered from Grenada a couple of years ago and went north as far as Bequia - and back. We had a US -flagged yacht . Clearing in and out on such a small scale is a PITA. However - it generates some local revenue and jobs. Meeting folk in these islands is generally a pleasant task - so long as you can manage to relax and let time and angst flow past. We found the locals great, bureaucracy light and the sailing excellent.

 

[Zing]

With a number of different island nationalities, should the yellow flag be permanently bent on and ready to hoist?

No. I’ve done countless clearances. Never used it once. Not got into trouble yet. No courtesy flag either. Sorry for being rude. Want a beer?

 

[Graham_Wright]

How long are you there? It's best not to be too ambitious going to lots of islands in a short charter I reckon.

Yes the flags should be onboard and yes clearing in and out is a pita. Top tip, it's much quicker clearing just before the office shuts than just after it opens!

Hope you enjoy it, it's hard not to!!

Last one was two weeks out of Guadeloupe. We would like to repeat with three weeks and do the bits of Guadeloupe we missed last time and then up to Antigua. The problem I foresee is the quality of the boats. Previous post relates to the so-called upgrade from the one we chose. Posh, new but not for sea-going! I like a chart table for starters! The one we chose was still available and we transferred back. Lost a day in consequence but worth it. Harmony 42, proper boat. Dufour 42, caravan on water.

 

[Graham_Wright]

And MUD!