GREAT LOOP

JANNEKE KUYSTERS DISCOVERS CRUISING BEYOND THE CARIBBEAN – FROM MEXICO TO THE BAHAMAS AND AMERICA'S GREAT LOOP

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Many cruisers focus on the eastern Caribbean, but there are some amazing cruising options further north and northeast: the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, the coastal waters of the US, and the paradise islands of the Bahamas. With the right yacht, you can even opt for America's Great Loop: an adventure in itself.

So many cruisers dive south to Panama on a tight time frame. But if you're on a more relaxed schedule, once the warm Caribbean winds have blown you across the Caribbean Sea to Central America, where next? Perhaps you've spent the hurricane season in the Rio Dulce in Guatemala and are looking for an adventurous way to go north. Mexico makes for an interesting destination, and is also the starting point of a memorable season which takes you to some lesser-known cruising areas (see map over page). You could do it all in one go, but there are also excellent opportunities to leave the boat for the winter, then come back for more blissful sailing.

YUCATAN PENINSULA

This loop starts on the Mexican coast, focussing on the Yucatan Peninsula. The tradewinds blow from the north to the southeast, depending on the passage of the fronts. Balmy conditions prevail, but you have to take the sea breezes into account, as the warm land mass makes the wind clock around to the south at the end of the day.

There is a good choice of ports and anchorages to explore; leaving your yacht in port gives you the opportunity to travel inland to one of the spectacular historic Maya sites and learn more about Mexican culture. And the delicious food, of course.