Your Guide to Sailing in the Caribbean
February 17, 2017The Caribbean is made up of more than 700 islands. The area has near-perfect weather, boasting sunny skies, light winds and warm climate (except during the occasional hurricane).
Some of the most popular islands for Caribbean yacht vacations include:
- Aruba
- Anguilla
- Antigua
- Barbados
- Bonaire
- Cuba
- Curacao
- Dominican Republic
- Grand Cayman
- Grand Bahama
- Jamaica
- Nassau
- Nevos
- Puerto Rico
- Saba
- Barts
- Croix
- John
- Lucias
- Martin
- Thomas
- Tobago
- Trinidad
- Virgin Gorda
If you’re a newbie to yachting and sailing the list above might seem overwhelming? Where should I start? What’s the most popular destination? How do I know if these places are safe?
We’ve got you covered. As a newbie to the sailing and maritime vacation industry we suggest you start in one of the locations below. These islands are well-visited, beautiful and safe. You simply can’t go wrong cruising in these destinations.
The British Virgin Islands
The British Virgin Islands are ideal for sailing. The mountainous islands make for a great backdrop as you enjoy a cold cocktail on the deck of your yacht charter. A well-visited vacation destination, the British Virgin Islands have activities to keep every type of boater entertained, including fine dining options, sightseeing, vibrant culture watching, fishing, swimming and mountain climbing. You’re definitely not losing by making the British Virgin Islands your first Caribbean yachting destination.
The Bahamas
The Bahamas are one of the most popular cruising destinations in the world, but don’t be turned off by the idea of floods of tourists. The island has many areas of seclusion that are accessible only by private boaters. To get away from the crowd, we suggest cruising to Rock Sound, Mayaguana or Marsh Harbour, although, the busy areas of the port aren’t necessarily something to run from.
In Nassau, for example, you’ll find unique shopping options, fresh seafood and a good dose of local culture. The Bahamas are beautiful and your time spent exploring them is well worth it.
St. Thomas
Living in the shadows of the British Virgin Islands, St. Thomas offers many of the same amenities and appeals of its neighboring islands. St. Thomas is assessable by the mainland, which means for beginning boaters you could travel by air to the island and then hop on your yacht. While it shortens your boating vacation, it makes it a tad easier – perfect for your first adventure.
Bonaire
It’s likely that Bonaire isn’t a destination you’ve heard of. While less visited of the destinations above, Bonaire is an easy trip offering a ton of unique experiences. The island is owned by The Netherlands and located just off the coast of Venezuela. For visitors, Bonaire offers unique wildlife sightings that include donkeys and flamingos. Can you say Instagram-worthy?
Bonaire is an easy adventure for those looking for something carefree but still exotic.
Sail the Caribbean with Neptune Group Yachting
Neptune Group Yachting specializes in Caribbean yacht vacations. To kick-start your yacht adventure, check out our yacht directory. At NGY, it’s our mission to connect you with a yacht that will help make the best vacation memories for you and your family – it’s just what we do.