CARIBBEAN APPEAL

THE CARIBBEAN OFFERS FASCINATING SAILING GROUNDS FAR BEYOND WHERE MOST SAILORS VENTURE. JANNEKE KUYSTERS ON WHERE TO GO FOR A TRUE TROPICAL ADVENTURE

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Seen one Caribbean island, seen them all? Not at all: the region offers amazing diversity, from incredible habitats to vibrant cultures. For many cruisers the Caribbean is an extended stopover destination - a delightful cruising ground for one season, often en route from Europe to the Pacific, or as the highlight of the Atlantic Circuit. But if you look closer, there are many opportunities to stay longer.

The hurricane season from June to December effectively cuts the Caribbean cruising year in two, between blissful sailing in winter and spring, and the need to store your yacht in a safe place for six months. This is when many cruisers either fly home or travel inland to memorable places within reach, for instance Central or South America.

The six safe cruising months can be used to explore the Caribbean in depth. If you do it clockwise you make the most of the prevailing wind and current.

While the Caribbean is renowned for short passages between islands, the whole sailing area is surprisingly large: to complete the full 'circle, you'd need four seasons. The geography of the region means you can make as many shortcuts as you like, or you could use each year to explore the four cardinal directions of the compass: east, south, west, north.

EASTERN ARRIVAL

There is nothing better than making landfall at a Caribbean island after crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Typically, yachts arrive in December or January and have five months available to explore the nearest island chains.