Top 10 Islands to Visit on a Caribbean Bareboat Charter
With Over 7,000 Islands to Explore, a Caribbean Bareboat Charter is Perfect for Discovering Beautiful Destinations
Top 10 Islands to Visit on a Caribbean Bareboat Charter
The Caribbean Sea is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations with over 7,000 islands, islets, reefs, and cays, within the 28 nations it includes. A Caribbean bareboat charter, no matter which country you visit the azure waters, white sandy beaches, and tropical climate make it the perfect Caribbean bareboat charter destination. With islands in the Caribbean to small islands off mainland Belize, Colombia, Nicaragua, Mexico, and the Guyanas, the Caribbean Sea stretches far and wide.
The countries included in the 28 nations vary between a tropical savanna climate, tropical rainforest climate, and tropical monsoon climate varying with latitude and island placement. The Caribbean tends to have two distinct seasons – the dry season which takes place between December and April, and the wet season which goes from May to November. The northern islands are also located within an area that is occasionally hit by hurricanes. Hurricane season lasts between June and November but the most prominent months are August and September. On a Caribbean bareboat charter, you can expect a year-round average temperature of between 25-33c (77-90f).
Best Islands to Visit on a Caribbean Bareboat Charter
On a Caribbean bareboat charter, all 28 nations are different, it is one of the most biodiverse ecosystems and areas in the world. The Caribbean has 8% of the world’s coral reefs as well as being culturally diverse, with a large number of different languages spoken, a variety of coastline landscapes, and diverse traditional cultures located throughout.
When sailing on a Caribbean bareboat charter there is a country for everyone from beginner sailing areas to advanced long stretches of open ocean for professional sailors. The water temperature varies from 26c or 76f (wet seasons) and 30c or 87f (dry summer season), which make it an ideal sea for swimming, snorkeling, and discovering the underwater world, with a variety of marine life as well as the land which surrounds it, which is great for a Caribbean bareboat charter.
Top 10 Islands to Visit on a Caribbean Bareboat Charter
1. British Virgin Islands
The British Virgin Islands. A British Virgin Islands yacht charter is a great Caribbean bareboat charter destination for everyone to enjoy. The British Virgin Islands has beautiful white sandy beaches to enjoy, blue waters to swim in, and picturesque islands to explore. In the British Virgin Islands, there is something relaxing for everyone, from water sports to restaurants serving fresh cocktails and delicious dishes. Located in the Caribbean’s the Leeward Islands, this former haunt of pirates, including the infamous Blackbeard.
Sailing in the British Virgin Islands. Steady trade winds and line-of-sight navigation between the islands make the British Virgin Islands is a great Caribbean bareboat charter for everyone. The winter months (between November and January) provide a great sailing break with warm weather and a north-east wind at approximately 15 to 20 knots. During the Christmas period winds can reach between 25 and 30 knots, calming back down in February in an east direction.
Bareboat License. For a Caribbean bareboat charter, no formal sailing licenses are required but a sailing or power resume is required to ensure the skipper has the relevant experience to charter the bareboat yourself.
2. Antigua
Antigua. Located in the middle of the Leeward Islands, Antigua is a Caribbean bareboat charter destination with natural beauty, a vibrant live music culture, and water which boasts thousands of shades of blue. This quiet paradise has over 54 miles of coastline to enjoy, with over 365 beaches, all with white sand and natural beauty on a Caribbean bareboat charter.
Sailing in Antigua. There is a reason why Antigua hosts some of the most distinguished regattas in the world, such as the Antigua Classic Regatta and Antigua Sailing Week. This Caribbean bareboat charter destination attracts sailors from all over the world, to enjoy the year-round idyllic steady trade winds (northeast between 15 and 20 knots), line-of-sight navigation, and average daily temperatures of between 28c and 31c (82f – 88f).
Bareboat License. For a Caribbean bareboat charter, in Antigua, no formal sailing licenses are required but a sailing or power resume is required to ensure the skipper has the relevant experience to charter the bareboat yourself.
3. St Martin
St Martin. St Martin is an island of sunshine and serenity, mountains and beaches, surrounded by turquoise waters and hidden coves. Here you must take advantage of the yachts and sailboats to truly absorb all that this amazing island has to offer.
Country of Two Halves. The northern French half evokes a more distinctly European feel with its cafes and French-speaking populace. Here you can enjoy a more secluded atmosphere: you can walk along miles of remote white sandy beaches as far as the eye can see, enjoying some well-deserved privacy among picturesque rocky outcrops. The Dutch half, on the other hand, caters to anyone looking for that festive Caribbean vibe and is where casinos, night clubs, and skyscrapers mingle with spectacular scenery.
Bareboat License. For a Caribbean bareboat charter, in St Martin, no formal sailing licenses are required but a sailing or power resume is required to ensure the skipper has the relevant experience to charter the bareboat yourself. In St Martin, the skipper has to demonstrate they have the ability and necessary experience to the base staff before they will allow the boat to be taken.
4. St Thomas
Caribbean Bareboat Charter. St Thomas is a beautiful island located within the US Virgin Islands. St Thomas has steady trade winds, sheltered passages, short passages, and beautiful bays. The island is a very cosmopolitan island compared to other islands, with duty-free shopping, great places for diving, and with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. St Thomas is located close to other islands such as St John which is an island 60% covered with national parks. Another island is St Croix, which is a divers paradise with the Buck Island National Reef Monument with an underwater trail.
Sailing in St Thomas. St Thomas has average wind speeds between 15 to 20 knots from a north-easterly direction between November and January. As the year passes between February and June the wind changes to a south-easterly direction averaging 10 to 15 knots. September and October are when the winds are at their most settled.
5. Grenada
Grenada. Grenada is the perfect Caribbean bareboat charter for everyone, especially nature-lovers and luxury travellers. Grenada has a unique cultural heritage with influences from Europe and further afield. With busy market squares, historic forts, spice plantations, rum distilleries, coral reefs, waterfalls, and hiking trails. The island was originally home to a volcano which gives the landscape a rocky coastline, with rich vegetation. The island is home to animals such as armadillos, mona monkeys, and mockingbirds, which are great to see on a Caribbean bareboat charter.
Sailing in Grenada. In addition to the wonderful island landscapes, there are lots of things to see and do. With a constant weather temperature between 75 – 85f (24-30c), great anchorages, traditional marinas, and yacht clubs. The winds in Grenada are almost constantly blowing southeast – northeast at between 10-25 knots, with visibility of over 10 miles, making it the ideal sailing location for a Caribbean bareboat charter.
Bareboat License. For a Caribbean bareboat charter, in Grenada, no formal sailing licenses are required but a sailing or power resume is required to ensure the skipper has the relevant experience to charter the bareboat yourself. In Grenada, the skipper has to demonstrate they have the ability and necessary experience to the base staff before they will allow the boat to be taken.
6. St Lucia
St Lucia. With Spanish, French, and British influences, St. Lucia has a beautiful blend of cultures. This means that on St. Lucia you’ll find cricket tournaments, banana plantations, traditional Caribbean harbours, a volcano, Caribbean style curry dishes, as well as Calypso, Socal, Reggae, Compas, Zouk, and Salsa music. With a deep and interesting history, there’s no shortage of beautiful island traditions which you can partake in on a Caribbean bareboat charter.
St Lucia Sailing. St Lucia is an idyllic place for a Caribbean bareboat charter, with an average temperature of 18 -29c (65 – 85f) between December and May and 23 – 35c (75 – 95f) between June and November. The winds vary with direction from the northeast, east, and southeast at the constant speed between 10 – 25 knots.
Bareboat License. For a Caribbean bareboat charter, in St Lucia, no formal sailing licenses are required but a sailing or power resume is required to ensure the skipper has the relevant experience to charter the bareboat yourself.
7. Bahamas
A Caribbean Bareboat Charter Bahamas. You will discover 200 km of paradise. Gentle light winds and easy light sailing conditions with the options of visiting some of the finest scuba-diving spots in the world, with an easy line-of-sight navigation. Famous for its white sandy beaches, beautiful weather, and blue waters, the Bahamas is the ideal tropical island for a Caribbean bareboat charter for everyone, with gentle trade winds of around 15 knots, which are usually blowing from the east all year round.
Discover The Bahamas. The Bahamas is a collection of over 700 islands, islets, and cays located in the Atlantic Ocean, just north of Cuba and southeast of Florida in the United States. Many of the islands are uninhabited or privately owned, but many are home to resorts and welcome yachts with marinas, restaurants, and beautiful beaches to anchor. The Bahamas is filled with wonderful places to visit and places to anchor or swim.
Bareboat License. For a Caribbean bareboat charter, in the Bahamas, no formal sailing licenses are required but a sailing or power resume is required to ensure the skipper has the relevant experience to charter the bareboat yourself.
8. Martinique
The Caribbean and French Fusion. Martinique is a mountainous island with a luscious rainforest, an extinct volcano, Mount Pelee, and floral ecosystems which give the island the name ‘Isle of flowers’. The island is filled with culture, liveliness, colourful festivals, music, dancing, and Creole cuisine. French flair and a laid back Caribbean atmosphere are what make Martinique a great Caribbean bareboat charter destination. Black sandy beaches, hiking trails, shopping, snorkelling spots, and rum distilleries, make Martinique a great Caribbean bareboat charter destination.
Sailing in and Around Martinique. Sailing in Martinique is a great way to experience the island as well as neighbouring islands on a Caribbean bareboat charter. The trade winds usually blow from a northeasterly direction at between 15 – 20 knots. By February the winds move to an easterly direction and then southeast by June at 10 – 15 knots. Waves are rarely larger than 3-5 feet and beautiful anchorages can be found throughout the island.
9. Belize
Caribbean Bareboat Charter. Belize is located in the Caribbean and is a small country in Central America, south of Mexico and next to Guatemala. Belize is home to the second-largest coral reef in the world named Mesoamerican Reef, which runs 350NM from Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico) all the way down the coast of Belize. This is the perfect location for a Caribbean bareboat charter, snorkelling with over 50 species of corals, 500 species of tropical fish, whale sharks, and seabirds.
Sailing in Belize. Belize is a great place to sail year-round on a Caribbean bareboat charter. Year-round easterly trade winds blow between 15 and 22 knots, guaranteeing calm waters with short passages and line-of navigation.
Bareboat Licenses. On a Caribbean bareboat charter in Belize, a formal sailing license is required as well as a Belize temporary certificate of competence which can be applied for prior to the charter with the Belize Port Authority.
10. Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe. The two islands are called Base-Terre and Grande-Terre, these two islands along with over 12 others island make up the area of Guadeloupe. Basse-Terre is a volcanic island with mountains and beautiful beaches, Grande-Terre is flat with rolling hills and picturesque coastlines. On a Caribbean bareboat charter in Guadeloupe, you can discover white sandy beaches, turquoise clear oceans, coral reefs to discover, quaint villages to explore, restaurants serving delicious cuisine, hiking, windmills, and much more to explore on a Caribbean bareboat charter.
Sailing in Guadeloupe. The dry season runs from December to May with an average temperature of 30c (86f), and winds from a northeasterly direction ranging from 15 to 25 knots. Guadeloupe is filled with world-class marinas, secluded bay anchorages, and beautiful places to drop anchor and relax on a Caribbean bareboat charter.
Bareboat License. For a Caribbean bareboat charter, in Guadeloupe, no formal sailing licenses are required but a sailing or power resume is required to ensure the skipper has the relevant experience to charter the bareboat yourself.
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