We're going to the carribean too

[richardh10]

But we will be arriving from South Africa. Calling in to St Helena first then maybe Brazil before either Barbados or Antigua. Let's see how it goes

 

[Roberto]

Let's see how it goes

Careful, depending upon your personal tastes you might stop in Brazil and like it so much to keep Caribbean cruising for a much later date (or maybe skip it, God forbid). Otherwise, the NE of South America is a high speed sailing highway to the Carib. Enjoy whatever

 

[Beelzebub]

I've been in the Caribbean since 20th Nov; Guadeloupe, St Lucia and now in Barbados

 

[Bajansailor]

I've been in the Caribbean since 20th Nov; Guadeloupe, St Lucia and now in Barbados

There are quite a few yachts at anchor off Port St Charles - are you one of these?
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:-59.644/centery:13.260/zoom:16

@richardh10 Barbados is a nice place to visit - and if you stop here first instead of Antigua that will knock 2 days off your total passage time.
Many moons ago a Froggie pal arrived here on his wee S & S 24, singlehanded, after a 45 day non stop passage from South Africa, after originally setting off from New Zealand. After spending a few seasons working in the Caribbean charter trade as a cat skipper, he sailed his wee boat (again singlehanded) to France.

 

[john_morris_uk]

I’m not disagreeing with any of the above but the OP might think about their passage planning a bit. Crossing from St Helena to Brazil is straightforward enough but the passage northwards up the Brazilian coast is a long beat to windward. I’ve done it and over 1000 miles hard on the wind isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

 

[richardh10]

I’m not disagreeing with any of the above but the OP might think about their passage planning a bit. Crossing from St Helena to Brazil is straightforward enough but the passage northwards up the Brazilian coast is a long beat to windward. I’ve done it and over 1000 miles hard on the wind isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

If we do go to Brazil it will only be for a pit stop at Isla de Fernando de Noronha. 1000 miles into the wind is definitely not my cup of tea and I would almost certainly have a mutiny on my hands from my wife!

Barbados is definitely on the cards especially as that is where we made landfall after our Atlantic crossing.

 

[Sea Change]

I've been in the Caribbean since 20th Nov; Guadeloupe, St Lucia and now in Barbados

How did you find it getting to Barbados?

 

[john_morris_uk]

How did you find it getting to Barbados?

I wondered that as well.

 

[Bajansailor]

Re getting to Barbados from the Windward Islands, it is fairly easy really if you are setting off from (say) St Anne in Martinique - if the wind is north easterly then it is a close reach on one tack overnight to get here.

 

[richardh10]

Arrived in Barbados a couple of days ago.
Left south Africa a few days before Christmas for St Helena. Fairly straightforward passage, around 1500nm with wind behind all the way. Enjoyed St Helena, but a bit of a strange place and deep anchorage which always can be a little disconcerting! We then decided to give mainland Brazil a miss although others were planning on going to the carnival in Recife. We will just make do with Notting Hill in the summer!
We did decide to stop at Fernando de Noronha for a couple of days. Again wind behind all the way. From there to Barbados the wind came round onto the beam and got quite a bit stronger. 20+ knots most of the way so it was quick but a little uncomfortable for us. We tend to go for comfort over speed! However, after a few beers, a good meal, and a good nights sleep you forget the hardships!

Anchored off Port St Charles to find the outboard wouldnt start so had to swim ashore to check in. I am getting too old for that sort of thing

 

[Bajansailor]

Sorry, I only just saw your post above - a belated welcome to Barbados.
I hope that you were able to get your outboard engine sorted out ok, and that you are enjoying having a look around here - lots to see and do here, including (of course) sampling the local rum.