Category: Caribbean

Monthly Regional Reports for the Caribbean are posted the first week of each month so you’ll find the best of the Caribbean! The Caribbean islands offer an array of experiences for boaters. From unique cultures in St. Maarten to world-renowned diving in Belize, the region has it all. Southern Boating’s articles provide helpful insight into traveling the Caribbean by boat—including features on regions such as: Puerto Rico, Antigua, Belize, Grenada, St. Maarten, the British Virgin Islands, Aruba, St. Lucia and more. Monthly updates include news about events, fishing tournaments, and sailing regattas. Detailed cruising guides can be found in thoroughly researched articles by Southern Boating experts.

An Expert Cruiser’s Guide To The Turks And Caicos Islands

The Turks and Caicos may just be a small archipelago, but there is so much to do.

It’s easy to get to the Turks and Caicos. Just hug the west side of the Bahamas in a southeasterly direction and you’ll run right into them. You’ll have to keep an eye out, though, because the Bahamas islands don’t just line up like a highway lane, and there’s a lot of water to cross once you pass Acklins Island, not to mention any weather. Of course, you could always take to the air. There are many flights, including direct, not only from the Caribbean, but also from major cities along the U.S. Eastern Seaboard, Canada, and London, England. Whether you anchor in a bay or stay in a luxury resort, the Turks and Caicos have more to offer than one might believe.

The Setup

The Turks and Caicos are a British Overseas Territory made up of about 40 islands, eight of which are inhabited. Because the islands are located just south of the Bahamas chain, they are still in the tropical Atlantic and not part of the Caribbean. The islands, especially Providenciales, are the perfect spot for yachts to stopover, refuel, and reprovision.

“The provisioning on the island is comparable to a U.S. grocery store along with a couple of specialty wine stores,” says a rep at South Bank Marina and Boat Yard. Providenciales is halfway between Florida and Puerto Rico, and there are a number of marinas and harbors that offer services from haul-out repairs, fuel, and dock space to restaurants and lodging.

Like the Bahamas, though, the shallows of the southern Lucayan Archipelago that provide the awesome water colors can be tricky for navigation. The Caicos Bank is surrounded by an expansive and vibrant barrier reef, including many reefs on the bank close to the islands. The barrier reef is one of the largest in the Western Hemisphere. Needless to say, snorkeling and diving are
a main attraction.

Undoubtedly, the ocean depths quickly become shallow as you approach the bank, so be aware. The bank’s depth averages less than 20 feet. In comparison, the depths can reach around 12,000 feet between the Dominican Republic and the Caicos Bank, and the Turks Island Passage that separates the Caicos and Turks islands has depths of nearly 6,500 feet. Those transitions offer some great fishing opportunities.

Approaching the Turks and Caicos Islands

Providenciales, also known as Provo, is home to the majority of the Turks and Caicos population and, as such, has the largest concentration of marinas, resorts, shops, and restaurants. The barrier island is approachable from the north and the south, but as mentioned, navigation can be tricky.

“Navigation aids are not always reliable, and shifting sands and submerged rocks and reefs are just some of the hazards,” advises the Waterway Guide, suggesting that daylight travel with sunlight and good weather is best.

The Blue Haven Marina, an IGY marina, is approached through the Leeward Cut, a fairly direct route that travels past the nature reserve islands of Little Water Cay and Mangrove Cay. The marina can accommodate yachts up to 200 feet and is paired with the Blue Haven Resort and its amenities, such as a private beach, infinity pool, bars, and restaurants. You can anchor south of the marina with good holding in 7-12 feet mean low water (MLW).

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Turtle Cove Marina is approached by a more complex and tighter route through Sellars Cut. The two-mile-long route is fairly well marked, but it’s suggested that boats stay in the middle of the channel.

Both cuts are susceptible to high ocean swells and winds from the north or east, but when in doubt, both marinas offer complimentary pilot assistance to guide you in.

Access the southside marinas when coming from the west through the Sandbore Channel. It cuts through the reef about two nautical miles from the northwest point of West Caicos and runs about two-and-a-half nautical miles. It’s a relatively straight path with a depth about 10-15 feet, but as the Waterway Guide suggests, “Favor the north side, which is better defined due to the blue deep-water road and the white of the sand bore.”

Once inside, Sapodilla Bay is a well-protected anchorage, or you can keep going to reach the South Bank Marina and Shipyard and the South Side Marina.

If you get a chance, climb Sapodilla Hill for an elevated view of the islands and rock carvings. The route into the southside marinas is scattered with coral heads and rocks, so call the marinas for guidance when navigating to their location.

It’s important to have the most recent chart updates loaded or in hand. Having a guide book, such as the Waterway Guide, is beneficial because there is more information about the destination, the routes, marinas and anchorages, weather, requirements, things to do, and what’s ashore than what’s found on the chart alone. Plus, the Waterway Guide is available as an app on your mobile device. Flow and Digicel provide coverage in the islands.

There are minimal services on the islands of North Caicos, Middle Caicos, and South Caicos, as the depths are limiting and the population is sparse. There are not a lot of facilities for cruising boats in South Caicos, but groceries and fuel are available in Cockburn Harbour, and SeaView Marina can accommodate yachts up to 100 feet, but is primarily for smaller vessels. It’s also a good staging point to head over to Grand Turk.

The Turks are exposed to the Atlantic Ocean and is not considered a cruising ground. It is an entry/exit point, but if it’s a cruise ship day, you may be waiting a while to check in. Most of the cruise ship companies stop at the Grand Turk Cruise Center owned and operated by Carnival Cruise Line.

There are National Park anchorages off Cockburn Town, and if you do manage to go ashore, there are numerous attractions worth checking out.

Once You’re In

Safely docked or anchored, there is much to explore in the Turks and Caicos. Cockburn Town on Grand Turk is the government seat for the Turks and Caicos and was once the home of a U.S. Air Force center that aided in the recovery of space capsules after splashdown, including John Glenn’s Friendship 7 in 1962. The surrounding ocean is where all the capsules returned during the U.S. space program’s early days. Grand Turk is also the home of the Turks and Caicos National Museum and the Grand Turk lighthouse, which was completed in 1852 and stands 60 feet tall.

If your visit is via a cruise ship, the Grand Turk Cruise Port has plenty of shore excursion activities, including the Flowrider surf pool and a day trip to neighboring Margaritaville Grand Turk with its beach, pools, bars, restaurants, and shopping. There’s no public transportation, so if you want to tour around on your own, rent a car or hire a taxi, but the speed limit is only 20 mph.

The Turks and Caicos are primarily a beach destination, but they are renowned for reef diving, snorkeling, water sports, and watching humpback whales during their migration between December and April. Then there’s fishing on and off the bank for bonefish, bottom fish, and blue-water fish. How about exploring the Conch Bar Caves or paddling over the Ocean Hole off Middle Caicos? The Ocean Hole is 250 feet deep which creates a deep-blue color in the sandy turquoise shade of the shallow bank. North Caicos has Cottage Pond, another 250-foot deep blue hole that is more of a scenic pond than a swimming hole; however, it’s good for bird watching and is easily accessible. Another smaller sinkhole at 60 feet deep is found on Providenciales in Long Bay, but is in its natural state, so there are no facilities and requires caution when viewing.

There are 11 national parks, 10 wetlands, nine nature reserves, seven historical sites, and four sanctuaries throughout the Turks and Caicos. Charter excursions are limited to the parks on North and Middle Caicos primarily because of the shallow drafts and limited support staff. Big Blue Collective is an eco-tour operator with a fleet of kayaks, paddleboards, and small-group adventure boats that can arrange customized outings.

Some of the best beaches are on Providenciales, including Sapodilla, Grace Bay, Turtle Tail, and Leeward Beach to name a few. In fact, Providenciales has beaches on all sides with Grace Bay hosting most of the hotels, resorts, and villas. And that list is just as long. The Blue Haven Resort is a luxury all-inclusive resort on Leeward Beach. Beaches Turks and Caicos is on Grace Bay.

If you decide to stay awhile, make Providenciales your home. The South Bank Marina and Shipyard is part of Windward Development’s South Bank. Managed by Grace Bay Resorts, real estate is available in four unique neighborhoods.

There is so much to do in the Turks and Caicos, so before you go, check your charts and guidebooks if arriving by sea. Get your passports ready, and take a look at visittci.com for everything there is to see and do, including all the restaurants that have their own long lists.

-by Pamela Stephens

Discovering the Netherlands Antilles Islands: A Unique Hidden Gem

The Netherlands Antilles islands—Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao (called the ABCs)—are among the southernmost of the Caribbean islands. Their position at 12 degrees north latitude is pretty much guaranteed to spare these islands from hurricanes during the June 1^st to November 30^th storm season. No matter how long you stay, or what you see and do, these Southern Caribbean islands make a great off-the-beaten track cruising destination.

ARUBA

Cruise south to Aruba and consider storing your boat at the Varadero Aruba Marina and Boatyard, south of the capital of Oranjestad. It has more than 400 dry berths and 70 wet slips for boat storage. This yard is the only one in the ABCs that has 20-ton and 60-ton Roodberg trailers than can haul monohulls and multihulls up to 80 feet long with a 42-foot beam. Yard services include bottom paint, fiberglass, gel coat repair, and mechanical and welding work. If you’d rather use Aruba as a jump-off before cruising west to the Panama Canal, contemplate a shorter stay at Wind Creek Marina, located in Oranjestad east of the cruise ship dock. There are 40 berths with freshwater, electricity, phones, and security. Guests have full privileges at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, including access to the hotel’s swimming pools, gym, and private island with complimentary ferry service. Like Varadero, Wind Creek is near the bars, restaurants, supermarkets, and shops in the capital, and a quick drive from the Queen Beatrix International Airport. There are plenty of things to see and do in Aruba. Natural wonders include Conchi, the volcanic rock-surrounded pool in the Arikok Natural Park, and the nearby Fontein Cave, with its ancient Arawak Indian drawings. Eagle Beach is popular for snorkeling, swimming, and sunning. For creature comforts, there’s name-brand, duty-free shopping. The Royal Plaza Mall in downtown Oranjestad is notable for its ornate, pastel-painted Dutch-Caribbean architecture. Restaurants from beach bars to oceanfront bistros serve seafood to more sophisticated fare. aruba.com

Bonaire

Bonaire is the easternmost of the Netherlands Antilles islands. Its total land area covers around 111 square miles, with several fringing reefs, making it ideal for SCUBA diving. On land, there are national parks, botanical gardens, flamingo and donkey sanctuaries, and the offshore island of Klein Bonaire to explore, plus fine dining, live entertainment, and upscale shopping for indulgent fun. After clearing Customs & Immigration in the capital city of Kralendijk on arrival, head to one of two major marinas nearby. Harbour Village Marina, slightly south of the city, offers 60 slips for yachts up to 150 feet and one dock for superyachts 240-plus feet. A yacht club membership here gives access to swimming pools, a fitness center, bars, and restaurants. A short distance north is the Plaza Beach & Dive Resort Marina where there are 80 slips for power and sailboats albeit only five of these for transients. The maximum depth here is 15 feet. tourismbonaire.com

Curaçao

Curaçao is the largest island of the ABCs at 171 square miles. Willemstad is the capital, and it’s the Punda (town square) where Customs & Immigration offices are located. Marinas, such as Curaçao Marine in Willemstad’s Schottegat Harbour, also offer clearance. There are 40-plus wet slips here with electricity and power. There’s no better eye candy than the pastel-painted colonial architecture of this historic city. During your visit, enjoy shopping, dining, and impressive sights like the floating Queen Emma Bridge that connects the Punda to other neighborhoods. On the island’s southeast coast in Spanish Waters is the Seru Boca Marina, which has more than 130 slips for vessels up to 220 feet. The dockage fee includes freshwater at each slip and provisioning delivered to your yacht. Across the bay, the Curaçao Yacht Club is open to members only. However, diesel and gasoline are available for yachts. Budget Marine Curaçao is a soup-to-nuts chandlery, Imix Marine is the Boston Whaler and Mercury dealer, and Curaçao Marine has a full-service boatyard and can haul up to 60 tons. Water sports are a big pastime on Curaçao with snorkeling, SCUBA diving, and kiteboarding most popular. Jan Thiel Beach is a good bet for water sports rentals. If inland, check out the Hato Caves, hike Christoffel Mountain, and visit the Flamingo Sanctuary. curacao.com

If there’s one set of ABCs to be acquainted with, it’s the Netherlands Antilles Islands ABCs.

By Carol Bareuther

Carol Bareuther

Carol Bareuther is a marine writer based in the U.S. Virgin Islands. As a registered dietician she also writes food-related articles.

Saint Lucia Caribbean Island

Idyllic Island

With beautiful scenery and gorgeous weather, Saint Lucia is a must-stop destination as you cruise the Eastern Caribbean.

A Great Pink Sea Snail gave Saint Lucia Marigot Bay one of its claims to fame. The make-believe critter was a prop Rex Harrison’s character Dr. Dolittle captured in the 1967 film of the same name. Fast-forward 31 years, actor Eddie Murphy starred in the 1998 remake and 2001’s Dr. Dolittle 2. While Murphy didn’t shoot scenes here, he did cruise into the Marigot Bay Yacht Haven Marina (MBM) in 2011 aboard his 229-foot luxury yacht, Sherakhan, for an incognito vacation.

Combine this with another acclaim—novelist James Michener describing Marigot as “the most beautiful bay in the Caribbean” in his 1978-published book Chesapeake—and you have two tremendous reasons to visit. What’s even better is that Marigot is only one of several beautiful bays in St. Lucia ideal for a boating vacation, whether you cruise in on your own hull, charter a yacht, or take a half- or full-day sportfishing charter.

“St. Lucia is ideally located between Martinique, a touch of France, and the Grenadines, a touch of blue heaven, and is home to some of the Caribbean’s warmest people, picturesque backdrops, and best anchorages, including the Pitons. The island also boasts two world-class marina facilities, IGY’s Rodney Bay Marina (RBM) and MBM, with ease of accessibility through all major hubs from the UK, U.S., and Canada,” says Sean Devaux, general manager at IGY’s RBM, with 253 slips that accommodate yachts up to 285 feet in length with a 13-foot draft.

One of the Lesser Antilles’ Windward Islands, the 238-square-mile island of St. Lucia is the 19^thlargest in the Caribbean Sea. That means lots to see ashore and miles of coastline to explore. The French were the first to plant a European flag here in the late 1600s.

Today, the island is a member of the British Commonwealth but has its own elected prime minister. The official language is English, the currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC), and cellular communications provider, Digicel, supports U.S. frequencies on 2G, 3G, and 4G/LTE, meaning it’s easy to call home.

U.S. residents only need a passport to enter. The island’s major airport, with direct flights from U.S. cities like Charlotte, North Carolina; Miami, and Atlanta, is Hewanorra International Airport located at St. Lucia’s southern tip in Vieux Fort Quarter. There is a new airport water shuttle service called FunToSee Island, which travels from Hewanorra to RBM. The one-way trip is approximately 90 minutes and offers amazing views of St. Lucia’s Caribbean Sea coast.

Cruise In and Around

There are three popular ports of entry for yacht visitors to St. Lucia. Two of these are at RBM to the north of the island in Gros Islet and MBM in Marigot. Both have on-site Customs and Immigration personnel and the clearance process down to a science. A good example is when Rodney Bay clears nearly 150 visiting yachts that arrive within a 10-day window on the UK-based World Sailing’s Atlantic Rally for Cruisers each November.

November through March is the best time to visit when winds are up, temperatures are down, and the island’s restaurants, shops, water sports, attractions, and more are open and in full swing. For those who didn’t BYOB (bring your own boat), there are weeklong yacht charters available. Three companies—12 Knots, DSL Yachting, and The Moorings—have bases at RBM. Each charters fleets of monohulls and catamarans from 39-50 feet via bareboat or with captains and/or chefs. The Moorings also offers power catamarans.

“One unique offering available to guests chartering in Saint Lucia is the One-Way option, which allows guests to begin their charter in St. Lucia and drop off their yacht at our marina in St. George’s, Grenada,” says Ian Pedersen, senior marketing manager for The Moorings & Sunsail, based in Clearwater, Florida. “This allows guests much more time to experience the full breadth of the Windward Islands—from St. Lucia to St. Vincent, Bequia, Canouan, Mayreau, and on through the Tobago Cays and Grenada—in a one-week charter, as opposed to having the standard round-trip itinerary and returning the yacht to Rodney Bay.”

For a seven-day cruise around St. Lucia, two don’t-miss anchorages to visit are Pigeon Island and the bay by the Pitons. Pigeon Island, across from RBM in Gros Islet, is perfect for a first-or last-night stop. The island (connected to the mainland by a causeway) is a National Park, with hiking and historic sites such as the 18th-century Fort Rodney. Pigeon is also the site of the annual St. Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival.

The Pitons are iconic picture-postcard peaks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, eight miles south of Marigot Bay as the seabird flies. “The majestic Pitons are located in the beautiful scenic community of Soufriere,” says Troy Blanchard, marina manager at MBM, which was purchased in 2021 by JMA Ventures and Southern California-based LLJ Ventures, new owners who have since upgraded both the marina and adjacent resort. “They are the perfect backdrop to any Caribbean yacht charter. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can get up close and personal on a private hike through the rain forest or gaze upon them from above on a private helicopter tour.”

If yacht racing rather than cruising is more your speed, visit the St. Lucia Yacht Club in Rodney Bay. “The club is located on a lovely beach spot very close to the marina entrance to IGY’s Rodney Bay,” says Commodore Peter William Lang. “The original name of the beach was Reduit Beach when the club was started in 1964, and there was nothing else other than a concrete ramp built by the Americans in 1941 for securing their seaplanes.”

The club’s two-story clubhouse hosts an active learn-to-sail program with Optimists and Lasers, local regattas such as the Diamond Dash from Rodney Bay to Diamond Rock in neighboring Martinique and back and the two-day Round the Islands Race, and annual international events like the Mango Bowl Regatta held each November. It’s noteworthy that the St. Lucia Yacht Club has produced four Olympic sailors, two who competed in Lasers in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Visitors are welcome, members or non-members. There are no docking facilities, but the club has showers, changing rooms, a restaurant, and a full bar.

Go Sportfishing in Saint Lucia

The big game fishery off Saint Lucia is among the best in the Southern Caribbean, says Captain Chris Hackshaw, manager of Hackshaw Boat Charters Ltd., located at the Vigie Marina in Castries. “Blue marlin are the most common billfish caught, with the biggest ones seen between September and November,” he adds. “The beauty of fishing here is that we are surrounded by two major drop-offs, which follow the contour of St. Lucia. The first is the three-thousand-foot drop and the second is a six-thousand-foot drop. These produce some of the biggest billfish and tuna.”

The more popular ledges are Grand Sec, Lef Didier, and Fond Blanc. Working these spots, says Hackshaw, usually ends in a productive outing, with catches being anything from a large blue marlin to a boatload of mackerel. There are also several FADS (Fish Aggregating Devices) located along the northwest to the southeast coast, with the most successful off the west coast fishing villages. One of these is off Anse La Raye, located south of Marigot and north of Soufriere. It’s famous for its Friday Night Fish Fry, a good indication of the productiveness of the fishery offshore.

“We also have amazing dorado (mahi) and wahoo fishing, which peaks from February to May, usually around weed lines or drifting debris,” says Hackshaw. “The inshore fishing and reef fishing is also one not to miss, with many groupers, snappers, Jacks, etc., caught on the reefs and shallow banks near the shoreline.”

Hackshaw’s Boat Charters offers two main vessels, its 31-foot Bertram Bahia Mar, Blue Boy, and its 47-foot Buddy Davis, Limited Edition. Also, at Vigie Marina, Captain Mike’s fleet includes the 46-foot Bertram, Lucky Strike; 43-foot Bertram, Rocky Bluff; and two 38-foot Bertrams, Sea Hunter and Hack Attack. Both Hackshaw’s and Captain Mike’s offer half- and full-day sportfishing charters that are fully equipped with rods, reels, tackle, bait, and beverages like beer, soda, and water.

The St. Lucia Game Fishing Association has hosted its annual International Billfish Tournament out of IGY’s Rodney Bay Marina, although it have yet to resume post-pandemic. Traditionally, this event welcomes more than 100 anglers and boats from surrounding islands as well as the U.S. and UK. In the past, the Best Boat winner of this event earned entry into the Offshore World Championship, held in Quepos, Costa Rica, each April.

Cruising or sportfishing, or simply for a beachside swim, snorkel, or cocktail sip, St. Lucia is a destination to mark on your must-do marine travel map. StLucia.org

-by Carol Bareuther

The Cayman Islands

Bank on the Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands offer SCUBA diving, sportfishing, sailing, and more.

The banks off the Cayman Islands, located in the Western Caribbean and part of the Greater Antilles, are a big draw. There’s the Cayman Bank 12 miles to the west of Grand Cayman, plus Pickle Bank, Lawfords Banks, the 60 Mile Bank, the 110 Mile Bank, and more. Rather than financiers who gravitate to the monetary institutions for which the Cayman Islands are globally famous, these offshore banks beckon to sportfishermen.

Just ask Frank Thompson, president of the Cayman Islands Angling Club and the territory’s International Game Fishing Association representative. Thompson finds there’s nothing better than trolling for blue marlin aboard his 33-foot Blackfin, whether it’s near shore or around these fish-filled banks. Sportfishing is a family affair for Thompson. His 15-year-old daughter released her first blue marlin last year, and his 11-year-old son did the same in August. Beyond sportfishing, sailors, snorkelers, and SCUBA divers, as well as those who simply love fine dining and accommodations on the water, will find a place in the sun in the Cayman Islands.

Island Trio

At 76 square miles, Grand Cayman is the largest of the three islands that make up this British Overseas Territory. It’s definitely the island to base a vacation with plenty to see and do in the modern capital city of George Town, an alphabet of high-end hotels—Hilton, Kimpton, Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Westin, and Wyndham—and two major marinas, The Barcadere and Safehaven. By sea, Grand Cayman is an 830-nautical mile trip from Miami and entails swinging west around Cuba on the way south. Shorter is by air, with one-and-a-half-hour flights daily to the Owen Roberts International Airport in George Town. Jamaica is the closest island to the southeast, while Cozumel, Mexico, is the nearest land to the west.

The Cayman Islands aren’t a territory and are very different from the Virgins or Grenadines that are line of sight or even stepping stones navigation-wise. Little Cayman and Cayman Brac lie 60 and 90 nautical miles east, respectively, from Grand Cayman. True to the name, Little Cayman is the smallest at 10 miles long with about 160 residents, while Cayman Brac is 12 miles long with a robust population of about 2,000 “Brackers.”

What these two islands lack in amenities and facilities, such as marinas, compared to Grand Cayman, they more than make up for in natural attributes and beauty. Little Cayman is a diver’s wonderland with swim-throughs, drop-offs, and sea creatures galore at the Bloody Bay Marine Park. Cayman Brac is ideal for reef, wreck, and wall diving, plus hiking and spelunking ashore. The Cayman Brac Museum at Stake Bay showcases nautical exhibits on turtling and shipbuilding. Grand Cayman’s sister islands are accessible only by air or boat.

“We’re off the main Caribbean cruising areas,” says Jonathan Cuff, general manager at Harbour House Marina in George Town, which is more a marine facility with an 8,000-square-foot chandlery, yard with 70- and 150-ton marine lifts, and dealers for brands like Sea Ray, Release, and Boston Whaler, than a traditional dock-and-slip marina. “Most people with crews tend to go to the Eastern Caribbean for island hopping. We are very much an island alone. It’s even a slog almost directly upwind in the tradewinds to get from Grand Cayman to Little Cayman or Cayman Brac. What we do get are serious long-range cruisers who leave from Florida, for example, and stop here to get provisions or carry out repairs before heading south to Guatemala or the Bay of Islands in Honduras or even transiting the Panama Canal. That said, Grand Cayman is a wonderful place to visit with restaurants, resorts, and plenty of water sports to enjoy.”

Sea and Do

Ninety percent of boating activities in Grand Cayman take place in the North Sound, situated on the north side of the island. Roughly six-by-six nautical miles in size and relatively shallow, this sheltered sound offers great snorkeling near the reefs and some 60 distinct dive sites full of fish, corals, and sponges. There are several nautical attractions in North Sound and to the west, such as gorgeous Seven Mile Beach.

“Stingray City is the most popular and well-known attraction on Grand Cayman where
you can swim among the stingrays. Starfish Point is where you can wade among the starfish and is close to Rum Point, which is also a popular site to dock your boat and hang out among the palm trees and relax with a cocktail,” says Rob Grisdale, manager at the George Town Yacht Club, not an actual club, but a casual dining waterfront restaurant associated with The Barcadere Marina and open to the public. “SCUBA diving is very popular on Grand Cayman with many sites to discover such as the Kittiwake wreck. Deep sea fishing is another attraction, and if you don’t have your own boat, there are many private charters available for all these attractions.”

Sportfishing for All

The 83-slip Barcadere Marina accommodates yachts up to 150 feet in length with an 8-foot draft, and includes slip-side 120/208-volt power and water plus free Wi-Fi, washrooms, and security on property. There’s dockside fuel, and the adjacent Scotts Marine is a full-service marine center with a 110-ton marine Travelift. Scotts is an authorized dealer for Mercury Marine, Volvo Penta, Yamaha, and Yanmar as well as Tiara, Pursuit, Cobalt, Starcraft, and Bayliner powerboats.

The marina is host to two annual sportfishing tournaments run by the Cayman Islands Angling Club: the BK Big Fish Tournament in early April and the Cayman Islands International Fishing Tournament in late April and early May. The latter, which attracted nearly 40 boats this year, is a qualifier for the Offshore World Championships held annually in Quepos, Costa Rica. The daily weigh-in for each of these tournaments is in front of the George Town Yacht Club.

“You can catch blue marlin here year-round,” says Thompson. “However, the spring and early summer months are when they are most prevalent. October through March are better for wahoo and yellowfin tuna. The largest yellowfin, one hundred-plus pounders, show up around November, while the dolphin are heavier in the spring.”

Come Sail Away

Sailors will find half-day, full-day, and sunset cruises on both 20-foot-plus center consoles and powercats, and larger group-type sailing catamarans, with excursions most frequently in the North Sound area.

Sailboat racing got its start nearly a century ago when 20 schooners and up to 300 catboats competed for trophies and bragging rights. Today, the Cayman Islands Sailing Club follows the tradition of an active regatta calendar with monthly racing for open dinghies (Optis, Picos, and Hobies), one-design J/22s, and cruiser-class boats.

“Our largest and most anticipated event is the annual Round the Island Easter Regatta, which is open to all boats, members and non-members alike,” explains Denise Couch, the club’s administrator. “The Easter Regatta commences in the North Sound and finishes on the first day at Sunset House (around the island’s West End peninsula). Then, it carries on in the Back to the Sound Race. Visiting sailors are welcome to join in any of our racing. We have boats for rent which may be used in the racing. Visitors are also welcome to our clubhouse for drinks, a game of pool, and any of our social events.”

The Cayman Island Sailing Club is also the Member National Authority for sailing. The territory launched its Cayman Island Olympic Committee in 1973, and since 1976, has sent sailors to six Olympic Games.

Dock and Dine

On land, Grand Cayman boasts all the lux leisure pursuits of a tropical island destination. Spend a day at Camana Bay’s Town Centre, north of George Town off Seven Mile Beach, for duty-free shopping for designer brands like Gucci, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Prada. Pizza, pasta, seafood, and steaks are here, too, as well as a juice bar, bakery, and Starbucks.

Dock to the west side of North Sound at Morgan’s Harbour and dine at the Australian-Caribbean-themed Tukka West restaurant or Calypso Grill on Morgan’s Lane with its Crispy Mango Shrimp and Sticky Toffee Pudding. Or go for a Michelin-worthy experience at Blue by Eric Ripert, at the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. It’s a meal that may break the bank, but it’s worth it. After all, it’s the banks that make the Cayman Islands a mariner’s paradise.

-by Carol Bareuther

Discover Puerto Rico

Warm Up to Puerto Rico

The island is a U.S. territory and a gateway to the Caribbean.

It’s amazing how little most U.S. mainlanders really know about Puerto Rico. Sure, plenty have flown to the island or even taken cruise ships to San Juan, the capital of this United States territory, but I’m not convinced many could actually find it on a map, name an ethnic food they’ve tasted, or list a top five sampling of the island’s natural resource treasure troves.

“That may be true, but ask boaters who’ve visited here, and they’ll have answers,” laughs Carlos Ponce, assistant general manager at Safe Harbor Puerto Del Rey Marina. “Some will be simple but interesting physical facts, like Puerto Rico being one hundred miles long, sporting seven hundred miles of coastline, and hosting the only tropical rain forest in the United States. Others will be more revealing, such as comments on how welcomed they felt here, the amazing food they sampled, the sea life encountered, quiet coves discovered, or the welcoming attitude of our communities. It’s those latter thoughts that always interest me most.”

Bucket List Destination

Indeed, for serious boaters who love to travel, a little knowledge of this island seems like a great idea since it’s not only a destination, but the gateway to the Caribbean. Puerto Rico is a natural jumping-off point for boaters departing the U.S. mainland for the rich, blue waters surrounding such locations as the British Virgin Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, and even the Windward Islands of the Lesser Antillies like Antigua, St. Lucia, and Barbados. Here, you can spend a little down time, wait out a spate of windy weather, load up with provisions, and top off fuel tanks before heading off on an extended voyage. It’s also a logical hold over stop on your return trip.

Still, Puerto Rico deserves to be recognized as a bucket list destination for its lush landscape of mountains, beautiful waterfalls, extensive park system, abundant beach access, delicious cuisine, distinctive music, and welcoming communities.

“There’s just so much here to see and experience, and coming by boat or chartering a vessel once you arrive is the best way to take it all in,” says Ponce. “Even better, since Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, you’ll have no hassles with customs if arriving from another U.S. destination. Just be sure to have your driver’s license or photo identification handy, along with appropriate documentation, registration, and proof of insurance, if you come by private vessel. Boaters do have to check in with the Coast Guard upon arrival. After that, you are free to roam, sail, or motor about.”

San Juan

San Juan, of course, is the most well-known landing spot along the Puerto Rican coast. Home to the island’s largest airport and major travel hub, Luis Muñoz Marín International, you’ll find amazing nightlife and big city amenities ranging from world-class restaurants to megayacht marinas here. Isla Verde is the sweet spot with its dramatic high-rise hotel strip, beach bars, casinos, and busy seafront promenade.

From a beach perspective, three options provide fun for everyone. Surfers love Pine Grove, while Alambique is a great stretch on which to kick back and relax. For families, Balneario de Carolina has lifeguards and incorporates a waterpark for the kids.

Old San Juan, just to the northeast, is where history and architecture buffs will want to spend some time strolling the cobblestone streets. It’s home to the San Juan National Historic Site with colonial buildings dating back to the 16^th century including the massive San Felipe del Morro and San Cristobal fortresses, plus the tomb of Spanish explorer and Puerto Rico’s first governor, Ponce de León, said to have searched for the Fountain of Youth. While he may not have found it, you wouldn’t guess that by the colorful homes here or the nightlife on Isla Verde. While taking in the sights, be sure to check out the Paseo de la Princesa bayside promenade.

Go Inland

You can’t beat the big city if you like to party. On the other hand, those who want to experience this island at a grassroots level with a slower pace, more personal interaction, and unlimited chances to discover the island’s homegrown flavor should really set out to explore less-traveled paths both along the coast and heading into the island’s interior.

“Exploring our suburban and rural areas is a lot of fun, and you’ll be able to figure things out with a little help from the locals,” says Ponce. “Most Puerto Ricans speak Spanish and English. We tend to be more engaging outside of the urban areas, and we’re proud of our heritage and culture. We love our lifestyle and natural resources, and we are happy to share them with the world. Many of the boaters who visit our marina, in fact, tell us they enjoy most the warmth of our communities. I think that’s our greatest resource.”

If experiencing Puerto Rico at this level floats your boat, there’s no better way to tackle the task than by water. If setting your own course and coming from the U.S. mainland, check in with your base marina for local suggestions on where to visit. Most boaters, however, arrive by plane and then rent catamarans, sailboats, or powerboats. For this, you’ll have little trouble finding options.

Coastal Areas

Ponce recommends exploring the coastal areas around Lajas, Fajardo, Ponce, and Cabo Rojo to see Puerto Rico at its most relaxing and combining that with visits to some of the island’s interior parklands which feature hiking, nature viewing, waterfalls, and zip lines. Be certain, he says, to check out El Yunque tropical rain forest toward the island’s eastern end.

Local beaches also are tons of fun. Flamenco Beach in Culebra, for example, ranks consistently in the top 10 beaches worldwide. Crash Boat, Playa Sucia, and Balneario de Boquerón are terrific for sunning and swimming, too.

Then there’s Rincón on the west side of the island. It’s the surfing capital of Puerto Rico with waves that can exceed 20 feet. This is a small city that sees a big influx of surfers in season yet remains relatively low-key during the rest of the year. “It’s where I go to get away from all the hustle and bustle for a few days,” says Ponce.

I can see where he’s coming from. Just last year, my brother, Joe, invited my wife, Felicia, and me to share a weeklong rental with family in Puntas, Rincón. We were thrilled to be within walking distance of two quiet beaches, a small, laid-back stretch of road with several interesting shops, and a pleasant mix of restaurants/bars just minutes from our Airbnb rental home, Casa Dos Hermanas. Local amenities also included SCUBA and snorkeling operations, horseback riding, surfing, and fishing excursions.

Delicious Dishes

It was here that I fell in love with Puerto Rican food. Ola Sunset Cafe sits right on the water with plenty of outdoor dining available overlooking Isla de Desecheo. While enjoying meals of alcapurrias (ground beef-filled fried fritters made from a mixture of grated taro root and green bananas), along with shrimp, lobster, and mahi empanadas, plus ample quantities of wine and rum, we reveled in the sight of dolphin cruising just beyond the surf. Some days you can watch whales swimming here, too.

It was also at a restaurant in Rincón that I was offered the chance to sample mofongo, a Puerto Rican staple made of plantains mashed with salt, garlic, broth, crispy pork skin, and olive oil, then served with a variety of fillings and a topping of red shrimp sauce. Feigning fullness, I passed on that opportunity, but Ponce says I need to come back, give it a try, and then push further off the beaten track to uncover more uniquely Puerto Rican treats like corn or rice and beans ice cream.

It’s advice I’ll certainly consider next time around.

-by Tom Schlichter

Bitter End Yacht Club adds a new Beach Bar

New Beach Bar for the BEYC

Grab yourself a beer on tap, red or white wine by the glass, or a craft cocktail like the Bitter End 2.0 (gin, peach schnapps, ruby grapefruit juice, soda, and dark rum) while shooting the breeze about sailing at the Bitter End Yacht Club’s (BEYC) newest beach bar, Reef Sampler.

Reef Sampler, a 34-foot hull purchased in the 1960s from fiberglass lobster boat pioneer Webber’s Cove Boatyard in Maine, and fully outfitted at Essex Boat Works in Connecticut, lived a long life as the BEYC’s marine workhorse. In the mid-1970s, she hauled boatloads of construction materials as the nautical outpost expanded.

She wasn’t all work and no play. Reef Sampler ferried staff and guests alike to Anegada for diving in Horseshoe Reef, fishing at the North Drop, and picnicking at then-uninhabited Necker Island. In 2017, she was tied to the BEYC’s strongest mooring when Hurricane Irma struck. But, when the sun came out, she was gone—lost at sea.

A year later, Reef Sampler was found when the UK Hydrographic Office conducted its first BVI survey since 1926. The BVI’s Sunchaser Scuba team refloated her, and she waited for her next incarnation.

“After the hurricane, Mother Nature brought us an expansive beach adjacent to the marina which did not exist before. Reef Sampler now sits right on Marina Beach, a short walk to The Quarterdeck Marina and up a set of stairs to the Village Plaza,” says Kerri Quinn Jaffe, BEYC’s chief marketing officer. “Our cocktail program is a mainstay after a day on the water. Signature drinks served at the Reef Sampler are Dark ‘n’ Stormies and Painkillers (of course), and some of the newer favorites are the Mezcal Rosemary Negroni and the Bitter End 2.0.”

Reef Sampler’s eats include bar bites like conch fritters, North Sound Fish Dippers with sriracha mayonnaise, and crispy coconut chips with sea salt. beyc.com

-by Carol Bareuther

Lovango Resort + Beach Club Opens in the USVI

Stay overnight or come for the day. The USVI’s latest cay-side vacation spot, the Lovango Resort + Beach Club, recently opened for guests seeking a relaxing getaway at an easy-to-reach Caribbean destination. Located on a 118-acre private island 10 minutes by ferry north of Cruz Bay, St. John, lodging includes a three-bedroom villa with pool and resort amenities, luxury treehouses that sleep a family of four, and glamping tents complete with air conditioning, a private deck, and modern bathroom. All accommodations boast spectacular views of either the Atlantic Ocean or Caribbean Sea. Lovango’s restaurant and beach club are open to visitors arriving by ferry from St. Thomas or St. John or by private yacht.

Enjoy cabana-side food and drink service while lounging by the 70-foot infinity pool. Some 20 mooring balls and a launch that travels between moorings and the island’s main dock make it easy to get ashore to sup, sun, swim, or shop. Stop by Lovango’s Village with six boutiques selling everything from resortwear and accessories to beauty items and books. Don’t worry about the details—the resort’s concierge service will coordinate all transportation, dining reservations, activities, and excursions for guests.

Lovango Resort + Beach Club is open seasonally from mid-December until the end of July. The Snider family, who own the resort, also operate two properties in Massachusetts: the Winnetu Oceanside Resort on Martha’s Vineyard and the Nantucket Hotel & Resort on Nantucket. lovangovi.com

Chartering in the Windward Islands

This string of Southern Caribbean islands is perfect for those who’ve already cruised the USVI and BVI.

The seven-square-mile island of Bequia is a destination Rolf “Erik” Stromberg first heard of in the 1970s. Stromberg’s sailing buddies in Seattle, where he lived at the time, painted a picture in his mind of a tropical paradise where, over the winter holidays especially, sailors from all over the world dropped anchor in Admiralty Bay. They socialized on each other’s boats, had toes-in-the-sand parties ashore, and sailed to the neighboring Grenadine islands for raft-ups in out-of-the-way bays.

“I never made it to Bequia back then. But about a decade ago, I saw an article about the island in the travel section of The New York Times,” says Stromberg. “I clipped it out for my partner to read and told her I’d teach her to sail if she wanted to go. She did, and that’s how I first visited Bequia.

“Since then, we’ve chartered and sailed the Grenadines every year,” he says, adding his charter choice is a 40- to 45-foot monohull, equipped with an autopilot and an in-mast furling mainsail for easier boat handling. “We chartered most recently with Horizon Yacht Charters (Blue Lagoon, St. Vincent). They have a great option where for one hundred dollars, they picked up the boat in Bequia and sailed it back at the end of the charter so we could stay and spend an extra week ashore in a rental villa visiting all our Bequia friends.”

The Windwards

St. Vincent and the Grenadines are part of the Windward Islands, a stretch of the southern Caribbean that spans from Dominica to Grenada or about 190 nautical miles (nm). This includes Martinique and St. Lucia. The British are credited with coining the term Windwards. It was a pragmatic way to divide the chain because 17^th– and 18^th-century ship captains sailing on transatlantic currents and trade winds from Europe usually arrived somewhere in this middle crossroads. Thus, the islands located to the windward of this point became the Windwards, and those leeward, the Leewards.

“Sailing from Martinique to Grenada is popular, and we offer one-way sails for guests wanting to do this route,” says Dan Lockyer, the UK-based vice president of global tourism for Dream Yacht Charter, with Windward Caribbean bases in Martinique and Grenada. “This part of the Caribbean is beautiful, and we’d suggest allowing eight to ten days to sail down to Grenada.”

Similarly, a one-way charter starting 40 nm to the south in St. Lucia to Grenada is what Ian Pedersen, senior marketing manager at the Clearwater, Florida-headquartered The Moorings & Sunsail, calls the ultimate Caribbean experience. The Moorings offers bareboat and crewed charters on sailing monohulls and sailing and power multihulls from its bases on both islands.

“This is a bucket-list item for many sailors and boaters. It’s not for those who consider themselves beginner sailors or who have not chartered before,” says Pedersen. “This is an itinerary that requires knowledge, experience, and patience, but also one that rewards those who take the time to travel these waters with a quintessential Caribbean experience that can’t be found anywhere else. While the ease of travel and line of sight sailing are what attract so many travelers to places like the British Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, and St. Martin, the sheer distances involved, and the knowledge and navigation required in a Windward charter vacation are what make it so rewarding.

“As for conditions, they are called the Windwards for a reason, and in the winter months, sailors can expect a steady wind from the east between fifteen to twenty-five knots,” he adds. “Temperatures remain very comfortable even in winter, varying between seventy-five to eighty degrees Fahrenheit.”

Island by Island

While a long multi-island cruise is indeed spectacular, it is currently challenging due to the myriad COVID-19 protocols for each island, some of which include a quarantine period. These protocols are outlined on each island government or health ministry’s website. Therefore, those cruising or chartering in the Caribbean this season may want to anchorage-hop within one island nation, recommends Ann McHorney, chief executive officer and charter broker with Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based Select Yachts, which, with Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina in Grenada, has spearheaded the Grenada Charter Yacht Show.

“We presently avoid the international aspect. It’s just not practical now,” says McHorney.

Dominica

This 290-square-mile island, the second largest in the Windwards after Martinique, has never received many charters or cruiser traffic due to its lack of facilities. There are no marinas or charter bases. However, Hank Schmitt, owner of Offshore Passage Opportunities and founder of the North American Rally to the Caribbean, has worked for several years with the Portsmouth Association of Yacht Services (PAYS) to establish a mooring field.

“We hope to have twenty-seven of the thirty moorings we donated fully refurbished by Christmas. The new dinghy docks should also be in place by then,” says Schmitt, who will again host PAYS Yachtie Appreciation Week, March 20-27, 2022. “This is one island you want to explore inland. Nearby is the must-see Indian River Tour, and further inland, there are waterfalls, rain forests, the Boiling Lake, and the Emerald Pool, to name a few.”

Martinique

One of the French Caribbean islands, and politically, a part of France, the yachting hub here is in Le Marin, a town on the island’s south coast. The Marina du Marin boasts more than 800 slips, a full range of services from refueling to laundry, and amenities like shops and restaurants. Dream Yacht Charter has its base here.

“We have expanded our fleet at our base at Le Marin, and we also have two eco-friendly floating villas for rental, called Aqualodges,” says Lockyer. “They sleep four and come with water toys, a see-through floor to watch the fish, and plenty of space for lounging and sunbathing.

“Food is an important part of any yacht charter,” he adds. “Some of our favorite restaurants in Martinique include Le Petibonum in Le Carbet, where you can sample local seafood, Le Kano in Trois-Ilets offers modern Creole cuisine…and Le Zandoli, also in Trois-Ilets, offers a breathtaking panoramic view plus dinner by a swimming pool overlooking the bay of Fort-de-France.”

St. Lucia

Known for its two picturesque peaks, the Pitons, there are two major marinas here. One is the 42-slip Marigot Bay Marina on the island’s west coast where the 1960s version of Dr. Dolittle with Rex Harrison was filmed. The other is IGY’s 253-slip Rodney Bay Marina north of the capital of Castries in Gros Islet. The Moorings and DSL Yachting both have their bases in Rodney Bay.

“Benefits of chartering out of St. Lucia are comprehensive services and the accessibility of supermarkets, bars, and restaurants. There are also marine stores, hardware stores, and decent shopping nearby,” says Ulrich Meixner, managing director of DSL Yachting, which offers a fleet of 32 to 44 monohulls and multihulls for bareboat charter. Meixner is also the current president of the St. Lucia Sailing Association, which makes him in-the-know on all things sailing in St. Lucia.

“A must-do is to spend a night at-anchor between the Pitons. The views are breathtaking and romantic,” he says. “St. Lucia also has a lot to offer for land-based activities like zip-lining, mountain biking, hiking, and sightseeing.”

St. Vincent & The Grenadines

Located 100 nm east of Barbados, this 32-island nation starts at St. Vincent to the north and ends some 30 nm to the south in Union Island. Young Island, just 200 yards from St. Vincent’s southern mainland, is one of the smallest in the country and the site of the private Young Island Resort.

Enjoying a meal on Isolablue in the Grenadines

“With a handful of moorings, this is a wonderful place to start your charter vacation because you can climb up the two hundred and fifty steps of Fort Duvernette and get incredible views of St. Vincent’s south coast and the Bequia channel,” says Astrid Geslin, who with husband and captain, Laurent, provide crewed charters aboard the 49-foot Privilege catamaran, Isolablue. The Grenadines offer several walls, rocks, and reefs to dive. Laurent is a PADI instructor while Astrid is a PADI Divemaster.

Horizon Yacht Charters is based at the Blue Lagoon Resort & Marina, a 20-slip facility where arrivals receive a special St. Vincy Rum Punch. Horizon offers 38- to 51-foot monohulls and multihulls for bareboat charter.

BBQ Ashore in the Tobago Cays courtesy of Horizon Yacht Charters

“Each Grenadine has its own unique vibe, so it is like visiting a few different countries in a week,” says Lesley Dowden, Horizon’s St. Vincent-based reservations specialist. “Best places en route include the world-famous Tobago Cays. The anchorage is protected by an enormous horseshoe reef which also provides amazing snorkeling. You can swim with the turtles that feed around the five islands that make up the Cays or explore ashore with the nearly tame iguanas and tortoises. In the evening, you can arrange a wonderful lobster or fish beach barbecue with one of the local guides.”

Grenada

Some say you can smell the fragrance of locally grown cinnamon and nutmeg as you approach the island. Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis is the major marina with 227 slips and the site of bases for Dream Yacht Charter and The Moorings.

“Grenada is almost as remote as it gets in the Caribbean. This is generally the endpoint of most Windward Island vacations, and guests enjoy dropping their yachts off at our base and utilizing the nearby international airport to fly home,” says Pedersen. “The main highlight in Grenada is the capital of St. George’s itself and the local, world-famous spice market from which the island derives its nickname.”

The best part is that the Windward Islands are fun to cruise any time of year. “In the winter, you get the Christmas winds, and in the summer, there’s a good breeze, too,” says Stromberg. “Plus, in the summer, it’s much less crowded. It’s possible to have an entire anchorage to yourself.”

-by Carol Bareuther

Grand Caribbean Marinas acquires Villa Marina in Puerto Rico

Grand Caribbean Marinas establishes itself as a powerhouse in the Caribbean and the United States.

Grand Caribbean Marinas, part of the Bacalia Group, a business group that operates subsidiaries in different sectors within the United States and Latin America, completed the acquisition of Villa Marina in Puerto Rico, thus accumulating more than 2,200 spaces (between wet slips and dry storage) that positions itself among the five companies that own and operate marinas with the most slips of the United States and the largest in the Caribbean.

“Puerto Rico is critically important for the rest of the American marinas because the vast majority of the vessels that come from other states toward the Caribbean pass through Puerto Rico, due to the proximity and large number of places of interest, where the charter market has also had an explosive trend,” says Italian businessman Giuseppe Cicatelli, president and founder of the Bacalia Group. “It is very important to take advantage of this impulse and continue with the development, outlining a strategy of continuous growth, with a well-defined touristic offer that will feed the consolidation process over the next three to five years.”

Despite the tough year 2020 was for the world economy, Cicatelli highlights the great evolution of the nautical industry. “It was one of the best years for recreational boating, dare I even say, of the last fifty years,” he says. “This is mainly due to the type of activity involved, which does not agglomerate large crowds. They are always small groups, and it is done outdoors. Families have opted for this type of recreation, less exposed and far away from the crowds.”

Cicatelli adds that this operation is of great importance for the holding company because “we have been operating with the Group in Puerto Rico for several years and we have always believed that it would be natural to continue within our strategy with the expansion as a regional consolidator, especially in an industry such as the nautical one that we consider to be very promising.”

The strong commitment of Grand Caribbean Marinas, which plans to take the investment from $50 million to $100 million within the next five years, seeks to diversify the offer in Puerto Rico, implementing a series of experiences that enrich tourism and recreational development on the Caribbean island.

Marlon Mellado, CEO of Grand Caribbean Marinas, adds that “the group of marinas that are a part of Grand Caribbean Marinas probably occupy one of the most strategic locations, not only in Puerto Rico, but also at the Caribbean level. The natural protection and the proximity from our marinas to points of interest such as the Keys, Isla Culebra, and the British Virgin Islands is unmatchable. We are only forty minutes from San Juan (capital), with a powerful gastronomical offer and luxury hotels such as El Conquistador.”

Renaissance Villa Marina

Villa Marina, now rebranded as Renaissance Villa Marina and located about 40 minutes from San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, has the only covered dry stack on the island, which will be completely remodeled. It will have a private entrance and an exclusive VIP service to take the boat owner experience to the next level. Also, the marina has its own slips, which will operate the maintenance and repair of yachts of up to 100 feet for the entire Grand Caribbean Marinas complex. In addition, a complete modernization of its security systems will be carried out in all of the marina’s facilities to provide a greater peace of mind to its residents. “One of the main benefits of Renaissance Villa Marina is that it offers maximum protection during hurricane season, which is something that not many Caribbean marinas can affirm,” says Mellado.

In addition, Mellado emphasizes how Grand Caribbean Marinas has encouraged nautical tourism in Puerto Rico, since “we are not only promoting nautical activity and raising quality standards for our clients, but we are also strengthening the offer of activities for the general public, with high-quality tourism and gastronomical development.” gcmarinas.com

Calling all Salty Dawgs!

Are you a salty dawg?

Rallies are a popular way to cruise with company when transiting from the U.S. East Coast to the Caribbean in the fall. For eight years now, the Salty Dawg Sailing Association (SDSA) has offered a similar trip for those headed back north after wintering in the islands.

This year, the SDSA’s Spring Rally will launch on May 4^th and for the first time, from 99-slip Crown Bay Marina in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

“We have found that cruisers planning to return to the States in the spring have generally worked their way up the island chain by late April or early May, which makes the Virgin Islands a great departure point for us,” says Rick Palm, the SDSA’s director of rally management.

“Crown Bay offers several advantages that make this site selection a good one: onsite boat repair facilities are helpful to those completing last minute boat projects, provisioning is within walking distance and our captain’s briefing/weather routing meetings and social events can be held at the marina’s pub.”

The SDSA will also host a Happy Hour and Safe Arrival Party in the arrival destination of Hampton, Virginia. The dates will be posted on the SDSA’s website closer to the time, according to whether the weather favors a direct sail by the fleet to Hampton or stopover along the way in Bermuda. For those nearby in Hampton, visit the Salty Dawgs to learn more about the organization and its many cruising rallies, including its 2019 Fall Rally back to the Caribbean.

saltydawgsailing.org

By Carol Bareuther, Southern Boating May 2019

Marigot Bay Marina, St. Lucia

Marigot Bay Marina

While most marinas must prepare for hurricanes, tropical storms, and other weather hazards, Marigot Bay Marina in St. Lucia does not.

Bob Hathaway, marina manager for 6 years, says not even “Christmas winds” affect them at Marigot Bay. “The level of wind shelter is extraordinary regardless of wind direction.” It is a natural harbor that has never been dredged. In fact, Marigot Bay dredges itself. “The main entrance channel and berth approach have never been dredged,” Hathaway explains. “And it maintains its depth even clearing away silt after heavy rainfall.”

The reefs on either side of the marina’s entrance—as well as the sand spit that protects the inner lagoon—protect it from swells and surges. “While other southern Caribbean marinas may have to clear out large boats if there is a storm warning, we do not,” Hathaway says.

The Marina at Marigot Bay has deeper water than most other Caribbean marinas, with about 700 feet (218 meters) of the stern to dock. There are also some finger piers at the eastern end. The berthing allowances are as follows:

Max LOA: 250’
Max Draft: 15’
Max Beam: 44’

Marigot is said to be the original yachting base in Saint Lucia. The Canadian schooner, Captain Walter Boudreau, brought his 140-foot craft to Marigot in the late 1950s, which is when the industry started, according to Hathaway.

Hurricane Hole Restaurant at Marigot Bay Resort & Marina

Easter and Passover occur the third week of April and make a doubly good reason to
cruise south for a spring break holiday.

No Caribbean marina may be more delicious to dock at than the Marigot Bay Resort & Marina in St. Lucia. Every yacht 80-foot LOA or larger is greeted with a bouquet of flowers, local Piton beer, and freshly baked cookies compliments of the resort’s executive chef.

What’s more, the year-old Hurricane Hole restaurant offers farm-to-fork dining. Start your day with a US$15 Creole breakfast that features stewed codfish or smoked herring, St. Lucian bakes with banana jam, pickled local cucumber, and cocoa tea made with island-grown cocoa.

The 42-slip Marigot Bay Marina handles yachts up to 280-feet LOA and makes a great jumping off point to explore St. Vincent and the Grenadines to the south or the French island of Martinique to the north. The Marina Village oers several shops, including a full provisioning service by advance order, so it’s possible to leave with as good a taste as on arrival.

They are located only yards away from the Discover Hotel, which has their own dedicated entrance to the Hurricane Hole Bar, pools, spa, gym, and the Boudreau Restaurant, named after the Canadian schooner. (Marina guests have access to these facilities.) The Marina has its own dedicated Marina Village with a variety of shopping options, including a supermarket, bank and crew café. “Marigot Bay has all the facilities that any yacht can need. The setting, especially as viewed from the yacht, is completely unspoiled and is more reminiscent of a Pacific Island than the Caribbean,” says Hathaway.

Provisions:

• Complimentary WiFi and high-speed Internet connection
• High-speed fueling: diesel and gasoline
• Garbage disposal
• Liquor and food provisioning supermarket in The Marina Village
• Floral arrangements
• High-end boutiques for shopping in The Marina Village
• Bank and ATM
• Business Centre: FedEx, car rental, travel agency
• Chandlery Shop
• CCTV surveillance and 24-hour security
• Airport transfers (Vigie – 25 mins & Hewanorra Int’l – 1 hour)

Shore Power:

Berths are supplied with single and three phase electricity:
• 380V 3 Phase (50Hz) (100, 125 or 200 amps per outlet)
• 220V / 110V Single Phase electricity (50/60 Hz) (30, 50 or 100 amps per outlet)

Information:

Marigot Bay Marina Resort
P.O. Box MG7230
Marigot Bay
Castries, Saint Lucia, WI
(758) 451-4275
manager@marigotbaymarina.com
marigotbayresort.com

By Erin Brennan, Southern Boating April 2019

Antigua Sailing Week

Antigua Sailing Week Launches into Second Half-Century

Big is the word for the 52nd Antigua Sailing Week (ASW).

This granddaddy of Caribbean regattas set for April 28th to May 3rd will be notable for both the quantity and quality of entries.

For one, more than 100 yachts are expected to compete in everything from racing to cruising, spinnaker to non-spinnaker, monohull to multihull, and privately owned to chartered bareboat classes.

Second, this year’s event features some spectacularly large yachts. One of these is the Dovell 100 SHK Scallywag with Australian Volvo Ocean Race skipper, David Witt, at the helm. Scallywag will be flying the

Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club burgee. A second is another super maxi, Great Britain’s Sir Peter Harrison’s Farr 115 Sojana. Harrison, a regular entrant, has hoisted the overall winner’s Lord Nelson’s Trophy twice before, including in 2018, proving his Farr and its crew are as capable as they are attractive.

If you’re not racing, the best way to enjoy ASW is via a big view from Shirley Heights, an 18th-century military lookout that sits on a nearby hill at a nearly 500-foot elevation. The vantage point from here spans from English Harbor south and east to the Caribbean Sea. Armchair sailors can also follow the racing with real-tim scoring online at yachtscoring.com.

sailingweek.com

By Carol Bareuther, Southern Boating April 2019

More Caribbean Updates:

Marigot Bay Resort & Marina

Antigua Sailing Week of Year’s Past

2018

The Grandaddy of Caribbean Regattas kicks off its next half-century of competition and camaraderie. The 51st Antigua Sailing Week (ASW) sets sail April 24-May 4.

On the water, the Club Class returns after its successful debut last year. This class is open to sailors who want to compete in the regatta, but not take their racing too seriously. Correspondingly, there’s a reduced entry fee for this class and scoring is based on a progressive handicap system. More competitive racers can enter Racing, Cruising, Bareboat, and Multihull classes. More than 100 entries are expected with everything from a Volvo Ocean 70 and Melges 24 to a Gunboat 60.

There are also several sleek yachts available for race charter with or without skippers, including Dream Yacht Charter’s Antigua fleet: Sun Odyssey 379s and 519s, a Dufour 405 and a couple of Oceanis 41.1s.

On land, spectators get in on the Antigua Sailing Week fun, says ASW’s commercial director Alison Sly-Adams. “This includes watching the action from the Shirley Heights lookout, where on Sunday, April 29th, the restaurant serves its famous local-style breakfast. It’s also possible to head out on a catamaran to literally ‘Chase the Race’ and see the action up close for a couple of hours followed by a leisurely lunch and snorkel. Events like the nightly parties, lay day beach party and final awards ceremony are free and open to the public.”

By Carol Bareuther, Southern Boating April 2018

Even More Caribbean Updates:

What’s Open in the BVI’s?

New St. Lucia Restaurant

Caribbean Multihull Challenge

Check out the inaugural Caribbean Multihull Challenge

Multihull classes were virtually nonexistent in most major Caribbean regattas. Sure, some events like the St. Thomas International Regatta run a small beach cat fleet and in recent years, the BVI Spring Regatta and Antigua Sailing Week have hosted a half dozen Gunboats, but the only regatta through the years to consistently welcome nearly 30 large multis, enough to divide them into three to five classes, is the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta. It’s no wonder then that St. Maarten Yacht Club members, originators of the Heineken regatta, will kick off the Caribbean first this month.

The inaugural Caribbean Multihull Challenge is scheduled for February 8-10. “This is a 100-percent multihull event, catamarans, and trimarans, in five classes,” says Steve Burzon, a member of the race committee chaired by St. Maarten racing legend, Sir Robbie Ferron. “That means the race courses will be designed for multihulls with reaching or downwind starts, long legs as much as sixty miles and no windward/leewards. This all comes on the heels of the huge interest in multihulls today, for everything from cruising to racing.”

Over 30 entries are expected. Some include the Spronk 50 Twin Sister, the Dick Newick-designed trimaran Tryst; and the Bieker 53 Fujin. Burzon says there will also be a Pirate Racing Class for those owners and crew who just want to participate in an informal way. Parties, beach games, and even a small boat show will round out the fun.

smyc.com/caribbean-multihull-challenge

By Carol Bareuther, Southern Boating February 2019

Basil’s Bar is back

The iconic Basil’s Bar is back and better than ever

What do celebrities such as Mick Jagger, Denzel Washington, Prince William, and famous Kates like Middleton and Moss share in common? Cocktails at Basil’s Bar on the Grenadine island of Mustique. Basil’s is back, bigger and better, after a full renovation.

This iconic thatch-roofed, Balinese-décored, rum shack perched on bamboo stilts over the Caribbean Sea now has an extended bar and larger eating area capable of catering to groups of all sizes. What’s more, the kitchen has been rebuilt with state-of-the-art equipment. The food at Basil’s has never been better.

“There is something for everyone with everything from local to internationally inspired cuisine, with a wide range of bar snacks, burgers, stone-baked flatbreads, and pasta,” says former Gordon Ramsey protégé Chef Luke Ferguson.

Enjoy these dishes with signature drinks like a Mustique Mule or Hurricane David. The Wednesday night Jump-Up live music party and Sunday afternoon Sunset Jazz highlight the full upgrade of the bar’s entertainment and lighting system. This makes Basil’s versatile enough to enjoy a quiet lunch or dinner, sip rum from a fresh coconut at a seat over the sea’s array of fish and turtles, or party all night long.

Boaters Welcome

If you arrive by yacht, moor in the harbor and dinghy right up to Basil’s. Now owned by the Mustique Company, the bar’s namesake, Basil Charles, is still a presence on the island. This ensures that even with the new renovations, the old vibe that has drawn celebrities and everyday folks alike to the bar over the past 30 years is still there.

Basil’s Bar offers an eclectic range of live music, guest DJ nights, talks, exhibitions and themed parties all year round, with the Mustique Blues Festival as the highlight of the annual calendar.

basilsbar.com

By Carol Bareuther, Southern Boating December 2018

First ever foiling regatta in the Caribbean

Foiling fever kicked off at the 2013 America’s Cup and hasn’t quit

Sailors fell in love with the sight and speed of sailboats that seemingly flew over, rather than on, the water. Now, the best of both worlds—foiling craft combined with consistent trade winds—will come together at the first-ever Martinique Foiling Regatta. Scheduled for November 17-24, more than 40 yachts are registered in this seven-race series.

Participating foil types include the Kitefoil and Windfoil, one-man Onefly and the popular Moth. Larger craft will race, too, such as the 18-foot Flying Phantom catamaran, the 26-foot Easy to Fly and the American favorite, GC32s.

Racing takes place in the protected 28-square-mile harbor at Fort de France that offers many excellent places to watch the action. In addition, some race courses will take the fleet to the farther shores of Trois-Ilets, Anse Mitan or Anses d’Arlet. “This year, the ‘island of flowers’ will display to the world its perfect sailing conditions and ideal environment at the first edition of the Martinique Flying Regatta, a one-hundred-percent foil world-class event premiere.

Let’s get the foil going,” invites Muriel Wiltord, director for the Americas of the Martinique Promotion Bureau.

martinique-regatta.com