Where to park up in Caribbean after the ARC

[Delfini]

I wonder if anyone has recommendations on where to safely park up after the ARC for 3 to 4 months based on a plan to fly home to UK late December and then return March/April time - initially for a bit of a cruise (or maybe Antigua week) but eventually to bring the boat back via Bermuda and Azores sometime in May

St Lucia is an obvious choice but I have been advised of a few alternatives (mostly ashore and a bit cheaper) not too far away and relatively secure - but would be grateful for any first hand advice ?

 

[snowleopard]

Jolly Harbour Antigua. Simpson's Bay St Maarten. Marin Martinique.

 

[BobnLesley]

For a storage afloat, enquire about a mooring buoy at Rodney Bay Marina, assuming that they're still there - about 3 years since we last visited - as I recall those looking equally secure/well sheltered and a lot cheaper than a marina berth there.

 

[TQA]

In water Rodney Bay on a mooring ball would be safe BUT 3-4 months in there and you will have significant bottom fouling, it is a very fertile area.

Marigot Bay in St Lucia has dock space as the Moorings charter boats are now in Rodney bay marina. You might get a deal. Fouling not as bad.

Prickly Bay in Grenada has mooring balls and gardianage. Contact Denise at Safe Yachts. www.safeyachts.com/

St Lucia to Grenada is a cracking cruise.

 

[Bajansailor]

I will second TQA's suggestion re Grenada - while making sure that you allow enough time to enjoy the Grenadines on the way there, or on the way back north (or both even).

And re bringing your yacht home, the general consensus is that later is better, and setting off from Antigua in May is a bit early really (never mind that many boats leave then - but they usually have to get to the Med in time for the summer charter season).

 

[AndrewB]

Le Marin, Martinique is conveniently near. I stayed there 10 years ago. It was then cheaper than Rodney Bay, better facilities, and I thought safer. (However the lift-out price was prohibitive).

But if there is any chance you will still need a berth through the hurricane season, then try one of the yards in Chaguramas, Trinidad.

 

[KellysEye]

If you want avoid the hurricane area Trinidad is the place to go, when Hurricane Ivan went through lots of boats in Grenada were damaged. If you are happy to leave your boat where you might get a hurricane my choice would be Jollly Harbour, Antigua.

Here are the boatyards/ marirnas in Trinidad: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=b...,0.06437418169156217&fz=15&qop=1&rlfi=hd:;si:

 

[capnsensible]

A few years ago. I delivered a yacht to the Windies and back for a chap with similar requirements. Went over in December, he then lifted out in the very good Jolly Harbour yard in Antigua.

Back in June, lovely trip back after some boat problems sorted. Hurricanes that early are rare. Plenty of cruising in the north islands with more time to look about.

Enjoy!

 

[Wandering Star]

I'd also recommend Grenada, we based our boat for a couple of years at Le Phare Bleu Marina in Petite Calvigny Bay, it was just down the road from Prickly Bay, we reached an agreement with a couple who had a business based in the marina but I can't remember the name, possibly Island Dreams or Caribbean Dreams or somesuch. The boat was kept on a cheapish swinging mooring in St Julian's Bay next door, when we wanted to use her, we emailed the couple and they brought her into the marina to meet our flight, ditto in reverse when we flew home. Worked out reasonably cheap (gulp!) and we had the best of both worlds. Lovely place Grenada.