So many boats heading for the Caribbean

[Sea Change]

In my limited ocean voyaging I had as you say great times meeting up with fellow voyagers and enjoying a different life but I also spent time with the local people …..does that happen in the Caribbean orare you just meeting fellow travelers ?

 

[geem]

I can understand the interest and excitement of crossing to the Caribbean what I don’t have clear is what do you do once your there apart from sailing in steady warm breeze under the lmplacable sun.From the pictures there are hundreds of European and American yachts anchored off islands that don’t have much to offer except for expensive food .Is there a relationship with the local people how are the days filled…doing maintenance,eating ,drinking…..

For us, kite surfing, wing foiling, running, hiking, diving, socialising with locals and lots of other nationalities. Oh, and sailing between the islands.

 

[Sea Change]

In my limited ocean voyaging I had as you say great times meeting up with fellow voyagers and enjoying a different life but I also spent time with the local people …..does that happen in the Caribbean orare you just meeting fellow travelers ?

It's a good point. We've tended to socialise with other cruisers, just because we have a lot in common and the talk and the rum flow easily and freely.
I've met a handful of 'real' locals through the music scene, and plenty of blow ins too.
But in general we meet locals in shops, bars, taxis etc, and undeniably the relationship is different. You're first and foremost a customer, not a friend. And even though we're at the lower end of the income scale for cruisers, there's a gulf between us and the locals in most Caribbean countries. We do not face the same challenges in life. That does have an effect on the type of relationship you can form, unfortunately.

 

[geem]

There are so many different islands that there are different favourites for different things. Dominica has incredible jungle and plenty of trails where you see nobody or very few people even on a day long walk.
The French islands are very French with a twist of Caribbean.
Antigua is home to the classics regatta, Antigua sailing week and the Caribbean 600 as well as the arrival point for the 35 or so rowing boats coming across the Atlantic ( leaving la Gomera next month). Lots going on and a very yachtie island with a base for super yachts and all the maintenance that goes with them.
Lots of the the other islands such as Saba, Statia, Monserat see little in the way of visiting yachts. If you want to see the biggest collection of superyachts, there is normally 50 or more anchored of St Barts for new year.
Just a sample of stuff. I haven't even mentioned the stunning Grenadines and the busy Grenada during hurricane season

 

[geem]

It's a good point. We've tended to socialise with other cruisers, just because we have a lot in common and the talk and the rum flow easily and freely.
I've met a handful of 'real' locals through the music scene, and plenty of blow ins too.
But in general we meet locals in shops, bars, taxis etc, and undeniably the relationship is different. You're first and foremost a customer, not a friend. And even though we're at the lower end of the income scale for cruisers, there's a gulf between us and the locals in most Caribbean countries. We do not face the same challenges in life. That does have an effect on the type of relationship you can form, unfortunately.

We spend a lot of time in Antigua, we do know some locals really well, but you are right that it's easier to mix with fellow cruisers as we have so much in common

 

[BobnLesley]

We spend a lot of time in Antigua, we do know some locals really well, but you are right that it's easier to mix with fellow cruisers as we have so much in common

If you want to meet locals you need to get away from the rest of the fleet and Parham in Antigua was one of the best places we found to manage that. We made several visits there; initially as it provided a secure anchorage within easy walking distance to the cricket ground (not that we ever walked all the way - there was invariably someone who stopped to offer us a lift) but after a couple of visits we tended to stop off there whenever we passed Antigua even if there was no cricket on, just to catch-up with the people that we'd met before. Regular buses through to St Johns for provisioning too. Ashton on Union Island (anchored in behind Frigate Island) was another favourite... then again, we maybe liked there because the alternative was Clifton and we hated that place with a passion.

 

[Wansworth]

For us, kite surfing, wing foiling, running, hiking, diving, socialising with locals and lots of other nationalities. Oh, and sailing between the islands.

Sounds exhausting

 

[capnsensible]

Sounds exhausting

Try going to cricket matches or watching football on telly in bars away from the front line. That's where real people go.

 

[Sea Change]

If you want to meet locals you need to get away from the rest of the fleet and Parham in Antigua was one of the best places we found to manage that. We made several visits there; initially as it provided a secure anchorage within easy walking distance to the cricket ground (not that we ever walked all the way - there was invariably someone who stopped to offer us a lift) but after a couple of visits we tended to stop off there whenever we passed Antigua even if there was no cricket on, just to catch-up with the people that we'd met before. Regular buses through to St Johns for provisioning too. Ashton on Union Island (anchored in behind Frigate Island) was another favourite... then again, we maybe liked there because the alternative was Clifton and we hated that place with a passion.

We quite liked Parham but it does hold the distinction of having the most expensive laundry we've ever used. I don't know how the locals afford it.

 

[seeSimon]

There have been noticeable changes as the wealth of the world has grown…..here in Galicia in the early 1980s very few had a car or pet they shopped in the local markets…….now the place is jammed full with cars there are more pet shops than you can shake a stick at plus vets and animal sanctuary’s for mostly abandoned dogs……..and roads ,miles of empty motorways going nowhere important!

Galicia in the 80s -early 90s very much reminded me of the Cornwall of my childhood...happy memories of empty spaces, more relaxed living , and less dog-eat-dog money grabbing at every possible opportunity.
Neither have since improved, imho. City-style living has been imported, by those allegedly seeking to escape.

I feel sorry for the local folk currently inhabiting the few remaining "hidden gems" in the carribean

 

[geem]

Galicia in the 80s -early 90s very much reminded me of the Cornwall of my childhood...happy memories of empty spaces, more relaxed living , and less dog-eat-dog money grabbing at every possible opportunity.
Neither have since improved, imho. City-style living has been imported, by those allegedly seeking to escape.

I feel sorry for the local folk currently inhabiting the few remaining "hidden gems" in the carribean

You have to remember that sailing boats only anchor on the leeward side of most islands because that is where they are sheltered from the wind and waves. There are large chunks of many islands that the average cruiser never gets to.
Cruisers provide a constant form of revenue to the islands that can't be match by the horrendous cruise ships that frequent the Caribbean more and more. The economy of some islands is partly supported be servicing the cruisers needs.

 

[seeSimon]

You have to remember that sailing boats only anchor on the leeward side of most islands because that is where they are sheltered from the wind and waves. There are large chunks of many islands that the average cruiser never gets to.
Cruisers provide a constant form of revenue to the islands that can't be match by the horrendous cruise ships that frequent the Caribbean more and more. The economy of some islands is partly supported be servicing the cruisers needs.

.

I've seen very little of the Carribean, tbh. Seems not really my thing, having done some work in Florida, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Curacao.

However, we too are now afflicted with an excess of tourists gawping from ludicrously large visiting cruise ships...to the alleged benefit of a small number of locals.
The worst was probably "The World", stuffed with tax evaders, and very much in the way, both ashore and afloat. Even the "tenders" (effectively medium size MoBos, carrying >100 pax) were a pita, to the extent that a near mooring neighbour very loudly hailed, to suggest that they f off back to their tax havens with their ill gotten loot.

 

[Muddy32]

After a first visit in the late 60s, and twice since, I see a downward slope in terms of the quality of experience.
Mind you, the same applies in many other places, but I still find "friends" around in smaller places closer to home but still foreign.

 

[Sea Change]

.

I've seen very little of the Carribean, tbh. Seems not really my thing, having done some work in Florida, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Curacao.

However, we too are now afflicted with an excess of tourists gawping from ludicrously large visiting cruise ships...to the alleged benefit of a small number of locals.
The worst was probably "The World", stuffed with tax evaders, and very much in the way, both ashore and afloat. Even the "tenders" (effectively medium size MoBos, carrying >100 pax) were a pita, to the extent that a near mooring neighbour very loudly hailed, to suggest that they f off back to their tax havens with their ill gotten loot.

All a world away from my experience of anchoring off an uninhabited island, with only our friends' boat for company in the anchorage. Kids running free, cooking that day's catch on the beach fire.
It's not so cruise ships and beach bars.

(I'll admit that you do have to actively seek out the quieter spots, but they do still exist).

 

[davethedog]

I think living in Europe in winter is in decline

Can not agree more, last winter was the first we have spent in the UK for the last 6 years....was not fun!

 

[Bajansailor]

Soon it will be time to seek out those out of the way spots.

Barbados is always fairly quiet (re yachts) in comparison to the other islands, even in the run up to Christmas.
Most folk might stop in here on their way to the other islands (or they just bypass us) - but for the folk who bypass us, there is a lot to see and do here.
And if you change your mind, then we are just an overnight sail on a close reach (no tacking required) from Sainte Anne in Martinique.
An English singlehanded pal of mine comes back here every year on his cat for a couple of months from the islands, and he is never bored.

 

[wully1]

I spent 6 winter months in the Caribbean on a ship in the mid 70’s. Chaguramus was a dockyard and I don’t remember seeing even one yacht until we got to Florida.
I don’t think I’d like to go back now.

 

[geem]

I spent 6 winter months in the Caribbean on a ship in the mid 70’s. Chaguramus was a dockyard and I don’t remember seeing even one yacht until we got to Florida.
I don’t think I’d like to go back now.

Why not?
We are on the way back there now. It's winter there but not like the UK. A lovely climate to spend the winter outside.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

Barbados is always fairly quiet (re yachts) in comparison to the other islands, even in the run up to Christmas.
Most folk might stop in here on their way to the other islands (or they just bypass us) - but for the folk who bypass us, there is a lot to see and do here.
And if you change your mind, then we are just an overnight sail on a close reach (no tacking required) from Sainte Anne in Martinique.
An English singlehanded pal of mine comes back here every year on his cat for a couple of months from the islands, and he is never bored.

That was my first Caribbean stop on my first transatlantic. After clearing customs (before I cleared the officer sent me back to the boat for a shave and smart clothes - massive lesson learned), we left the harbour, anchored and rowed ashore. That evening, at the beach bar there was a reggae night with free rum. A great way to blow out and twist off after just over 3 weeks at sea. If I return, no doubt big changes, but Barbados would be my first stop again. I handed the boat over and BA had a massive flight delay and I got placed in a nice resort overnight, which was a good end.

 

[geem]

That was my first Caribbean stop on my first transatlantic. After clearing customs (before I cleared the officer sent me back to the boat for a shave and smart clothes - massive lesson learned), we left the harbour, anchored and rowed ashore. That evening, at the beach bar there was a reggae night with free rum. A great way to blow out and twist off after just over 3 weeks at sea. If I return, no doubt big changes, but Barbados would be my first stop again. I handed the boat over and BA had a massive flight delay and I got placed in a nice resort overnight, which was a good end.

It was my first stop as well in 2004.
We are in Mindelo at the moment but will be heading direct to Antigua this time.