sailing route from florida to virgin islands

From here you sail due south, soon picking up the Northeast Trades if you haven’t already. And arrange to have your mail forwarded there so you absolutely have to go. Add to that the knot or two of adverse current and you’ve got a long, grueling journey that will test the resolve of the captain, the loyalty of the crew and the structural integrity of the vessel. The majority of cruisers head straight to the Grenadines, where there is a lively cruising community and endless opportunity to potter around the 30 smaller islands teeming with sea life. Here you can enjoy the sights of opulent waterfront mansions and fancy yachts in the sun-kissed Latino-flavored decadence. Farther north, the Virgin Islands are scattered over a short distance and include some magical smaller islands, such as Jost van Dyke, that are only accessible by yacht. Brag about it to your friends. Easy and relaxed cruisng in the protected waters of the British Virgin Islands. If you want to sail to the Virgin Islands and beyond this season, say so. Tor Pinney (www.tor.cc) is a former delivery captain and a lifelong cruiser with about 150,000 nautical miles logged under sail. Option 1 is the most popular method with the greatest variety of cultural and sailing attractions. 207-939-5802, © 2014 Blue Water Media. The flip side is that yachts need to provision extensively, as self-sufficiency is key off the beaten track. Many thanks to Captain Steve of Sail Catamaran Island Hoppin for his perfect US Virgin Islands Itinerary ☀️ Day 1: 12pm-Pickup at American Yacht Harbour marina in St. Thomas (crew can arrange transportation and provide rendezvous info) 1:00pm- Lunch and snorkeling at Caneel Bay, St. John, USVI Buy the charts and guide books. The idea is to make nearly all of your easting north of the trade wind belt in the area of relative calm called the “Horse Latitudes.”. Spanish Wells is a prosperous community of Bahamian fishermen and their families who are descendants of the original Loyalist settlers. The Azores route follows the prevailing southwesterly or westerly winds along or just north of the 40th parallel. The archipelago displays more than fifty islands, of which 16 A determined attitude is a prerequisite to completing any substantial voyage. Returned to Cloudy Bay mid-October for six weeks of intensive boat maintenance, then resumed sailing at the end of November, down to Florida. The most popular was the Mona Passage, and the more unusual choice was the Windward Passage. Man, what a sleigh ride! Made up of the main islands of St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas, the USVI have a little something for everyone, including underwater national parks, sweet local rum, picturesque … Comprising some 700 islands over 100,000 square miles, the Bahamas present hundreds of isolated, uninhabited cays with turquoise water anchorages and powder sand. Local sailors respect it. Croatia – explore sailing routes among more than 1000 islands and islets in the regions of the Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar, Šibenik and Kvarner and Istria. Re-fueled and rested, it’s onward to the Caribbean. While waiting for your cruise to set out, hop into a car and head down to Fort Lauderdale – the Venice of America. To create your own route visit our sailing route planner. For the next 65 miles, you’ll be heading a point south of east in Northwest Providence Channel, a 30- to 50-mile wide, deep-water pass through the northern Bahamas. Finally, plan to carry plenty of fuel for the auxiliary engine. This meridian, called “I-65” by some of the regulars, marks the last leg to the Virgin Islands and the best part of the trip. The Virgin Islands is a sailor's paradise! The Azores lie at 38°N but by bending north you not only have the likelihood of prevailing winds but are also sailing a great circle route, the shortest route. Give Great Isaac a wide berth as you round it; at least a few miles. Published by Blue Water Sailing Media, a division of Day Communications, Inc., Middletown, RI. Since December 2014, we have been sailing north towards the Virgin Islands. Then the leading edge of the front comes with a cold rush out of the northwest, usually accompanied by blustery winds, clouds and rainsqualls. This meridian, called “I-65” by some of the regulars, marks the last leg to the Virgin Islands and the best part of the trip. Set a departure date. The prevailing winds are east or southeasterly in summer, northeasterly in winter, so the easiest route is to head south, keeping the wind off the beam. Previously published in BWS by Tor Pinney. But for the cruising sailor who is heading down to the islands for the season, the year, or longer, Florida is the last chance to really stock up. However, in order to reach these idyllic destinations, sailors must first sail across the Gulf Stream. Just listen to a NOAA weather radio forecast on the VHF before casting off. During hurricane season, heading south from the East Coast of the United States to the islands involves pitting one’s wits and expertise against frequent storms. For the next several hundred miles, you’ve got to resist the temptation to head southeast toward the Virgin Islands. It may be useful to review professional delivery skippers’ boat preparation, route planning and passagemaking techniques for the 1,100-mile, Miami-to-the-Virgins crossing. As you’re making easting in the Horse Latitudes, the Pilot Chart indicates a couple of notable features. With almost constant northwesterly winds, cruising in this area follows a simple path up and down the chain, much gentler on the Caribbean Sea side than the Atlantic Ocean side. After clearing in with customs and immigration, take a stroll down the white, palm-fringed beach to Foxy’s thatch-and-bamboo beach bar for a well deserved rum punch. Big Sail January 12, 2017 This from 21º 19’.113N, 065º29’.442W, or in other words, 1000 miles out from Fort Lauderdale with only 200 to go to St Thomas, US Virgin Islands on this seven-day ocean adventure via the non-stop, way out there “I-65” route. Although the islands stretch in an arc from off the tip of Florida to off the coast of Venezuela, the sailing areas fall into three main categories: the Leewards, the Windwards and the offshore U.S. islands. On the second day out of Spanish Wells a current may set you 10 or 15 miles to the north. Here are a couple of quick links to try: Canary Islands, The Bahamas, British Virgin Islands. The majority of hurricanes and storms that hit pass through Cuba and curve around the Gulf of Mexico before heading east. This route is usually undertaken solely for the purpose of crossing the Panama Canal, as conditions are tough. The British Virgin Islands In the logbook of every sailor. Here the Great Isaac lighthouse marks your first waypoint. And is to be avoided if at all possible. This does make the ship traffic, which can be considerable near Miami, seem more intimidating, but it will thin out soon after you get away from the coast. George Day, Newport, RI If you’re heading for the U.S. Virgin Islands, leave Jost Van Dyke to port and carry on to St. John, which is an easier place to clear in than St. Thomas. Just be sure your sails are reefed way down before the arrival of the actual front. When planning your course, compensate for the three-knot (midstream average) northerly-setting current by steering about two points south of the rhumb line. However, this is deceptive. Pick any one of these areas and you can enjoy a series of short sails between anchorages. Caribbean Compass: Cruising the Coast of Colombia; Lourae and Randy Kenoffel, Cruising World: Sailing South? 401-847-7612, Scott Akerman, Portland, ME Avoid stormy weather and temperamental waters by planning your Caribbean sailing holiday for sometime between January and March. This meridian, called “I-65” by some of the regulars, marks the last leg to the Virgin Islands and the best part of the trip. Nick Marshall is a UK-based writer specializing in trends and best-practice in the B2B sector. Ah, the Lesser Antilles, irresistible as a Siren’s song. If you’re heading for the U.S. Virgin Islands, leave Jost Van Dyke to port and carry on to St. John, which is a nicer place to clear in than St. Thomas. The first step toward accomplishing any goal is to make the mental commitment to do it. The Windward Islands are the southern Caribbean part of the chain that starts in Martinique and ends in Trinidad off the coast of Venezuela, including the popular cruising grounds of the Grenadines and the Tobago Cays. But I have assisted with moving power yachts down the islands and have many power yacht friends who have done the route with very little difficulty. There are only two ways to get to the Virgin Islands, by air or by sea. THE PASSAGE Here we are again, in the beautiful US Virgin Islands! Four Americans claim they are being held like “hostages” in a British Virgin Islands hotel room after they accidentally sailed into the territory’s waters … You and your crew have earned it! There are, however, a few precautions that will ensure a smooth start to your voyage. The trip from Miami, Florida, is a little more than 1,100 nautical miles. Whiz through the Everglades Mangrove swamp in an airboat and take some picture… A short, breezy cruise from Fajardo puts you at anchor in the pristine bays and protected reefs of the area’s two principal isles, Vieques and Culebra, along with several picturesque cays that haven’t seen much of a crowd since the Spanish galleon Sailing the Caribbean. From here you sail due south, soon picking up the Northeast Trades if you haven’t already. Legend has it that the Horse Latitudes earned their name back in the days when sailing ships carried live horses as cargo bound for the New World. While the cruising sailor isn’t in such a hurry, there are some good reasons to follow the pro’s lead on this passage. By Andrew Burton. Whether you're a beginner sailor or a long-time seasoned sailor, the Virgin Islands is the ideal destination for a Charter Yacht Vacation. An article by Caribbean Compass observed that “the 400 miles between Aruba and Cartagena ... ranks among the top five worst passages around the world.” The easiest alternative is to focus on the shorter distances between Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, three delightful islands with great scenery, ample history and well-protected wildlife. Heading north from the Caribbean, there are three obvious routes to consider: 1) Sail the Thorny Path northward from the Virgin Islands 2) Sail offshore direct, or 3) Ship your vessel on Dockwise from the Virgin Islands. Accidents often occur at the very end of an offshore voyage when the skipper is tired and overly anxious to get into port. They’ll report approaching cold fronts at least 24 hours in advance. The Bo… Then head roughly southeast by a point south toward a waypoint of 22 degrees north and 65 degrees west. Land Ho! From Sunny Isles shopping center head South on Route 66 which becomes 681. The next step is provisioning. If the latter, head due east under power, then feel the gentle rise and fall of the Atlantic Ocean and count your blessings. Rico, is a natural point of departure for sailing to the Spanish Virgin Islands. Plan your perfect sailing trip! Fort Lauderdale is an ideal place to do this, with many stores and services that cater to yachts. scott@bwsailing.com With our interactive boat route planner, you can plan your sailing trip to the smallest detail. If you’re entering the British Virgin Islands, sail around the east end of Jost Van Dyke and along its south coast to make your landfall in Great Harbour. It’ll pay off. Early the next morning, we set sail for the British Virgin Islands, more than 100 nm north, where we planned to spend the holidays doing some easy and relaxed cruising. It’s not unusual to see some freighter traffic and the occasional cruise ship. 2019 cruising route: sv Cloudy Bay – Caribbean (St Kitts & Nevis to Bahamas), haul out for the summer and back down to Bahamas. closer to 8 knots and I am there on the 6th day - and this is what I Fla. coast, you have a hopefully uneventful time in the Stream — and plenty of time to practice tracking ships on the AIS — and come morning are approaching the Bahamas. For today’s auxiliary sailboat, the Horse Latitudes can provide a relatively easy path to the east. We sailed the short 15 miles from Culebrita to Brewers Bay on St Thomas. His articles appear in boating magazines worldwide and his authoritative book, Ready for Sea! Trade winds, treasure islands. All rights reserved. You may wind up motoring for many days. You would soon find yourself beating into the trade winds with the additional threat of dangerous reefs to leeward. Internet and SSB weather services like Chris Parker (http://mwxc.com/services.php) are also excellent sources. The Leeward Islands itinerary involves a series of short island-hops among some strikingly different islands, including the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, British Anguilla, Dutch St. Maarten, French St. Barths, and independent St. Kitts and Nevis down to Antigua. In 2015, my husband and I purchased a sailboat in the Virgin Islands sight unseen, quit our jobs in San Francisco and spent a year sailing the Caribbean and Bahamas, spending time in nearly every island between Venezuela and Florida. Since we spent months here last season, we weren’t in any rush to sightsee. They’re pros, not purists. If you find you’re closing with the islands after dark, don’t risk entering at night. The routing is slightly different for a power yacht than a sailboat. You really can’t have too much aboard. Delivery skippers insist on having at least a 500-mile motoring range for this trip, even if this means carrying extra fuel jugs lashed on deck. Heading north from the Caribbean, there are three obvious routes to consider: 1) Sail the Thorny Path northward from the Virgin Islands 2) Sail offshore direct, or 3) Ship your vessel on Dockwise from the Virgin Islands. Most skippers make a night crossing of the Stream in order to arrive on the other side with daylight. I'll go into more detail on the conditions in the Meds below.Croatia - Croatia's sailing season can be limited by the Bora, a North Eastern wind gust coming in from Russia, which can reach hurricane strength. In addition to those covering the route and destination we’re discussing, you should also have charts aboard for the areas along and to leeward of the planned route, in case you’re forced to make an unscheduled or emergency landfall. It can, however, be a handy shortcut when leaving Spanish Wells in settled weather, with good eyeball piloting skills and a bright, high sun. Rather than share it with the livestock, they’d jettison the unfortunate animals. From here you sail due south, soon picking up the Northeast Trades if you haven’t already. Check the weather forecast again. Route 1: Sail in September from Newport, Rhode Island, to Bermuda, leave the boat in Bermuda, then return there in December to sail to St. Thomas. In the fall these perennial winds blow most often from the east-northeast through east-southeast at 15 to 25 knots, sometimes harder. What with the ritzy city life, balmy wetlands, and swaying coco palms, what could be better? From St. Maarten it is possible to visit both Anguilla and St. Barths in two easy day sails. It’s the kind of place you’ve been dreaming of. However, those who heed the call face a long offshore passage before the first island heaves into view. Jeff grew up sailing in the Florida Keys and the Bahamas and learned to visually pick … Keep your resolve to go east. If you do beat your way down to Puerto Plata on a hard port tack, you’ll still be facing nearly 350 nautical miles into the teeth of these powerful winds and seas, a miserable prospect at best. Then head roughly southeast by a point south toward a waypoint of 22 degrees north and 65 degrees west. You may see another sail on the horizon. You’ll need a number of charts and guidebooks for this journey. They’ve claimed countless unwary vessels over the centuries, and still manage to snag the occasional yacht today. When we began to plan our route from Florida through the Bahamas and into the Caribbean, we realized there were two possible choices. If you glance at a chart of the region, it appears that you could easily island hop all the way from Miami to the Virgin Islands, with the longest “offshore” leg being the 100 miles between Grand Turk Island and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. Visualize the trip. Best of all, the whole Caribbean now lies waiting for you, one harbor at a time! As you approach the Virgin Islands from the north, a 1/2-knot current will nudge the boat westward. How far east into the Atlantic should you go before cutting southward toward the Virgin Islands? Thus, don’t wait any longer and sail throughout its islands plenty of sun-soaked beaches, lush rainforests, impressive rock formations, traditional world-renowned bars and protected harbours. Work out current vectors based on your boat’s speed, allowing for the current’s gradual increase and then decrease as you cross. ROUTE PLANNING The prevailing winds here are from the east and southeast—exactly where you want to go (naturally), but as a norther approaches it sets up a veering wind pattern. Tantalisingly close, the Bimini islands are only 50 miles from the Florida coast; West End in Freeport only a little farther with the added benefit of being on the doorstep of the Abacos, one of the best cruising grounds in the Bahamas. | Admin. Sailing the Caribbean in a yacht is the type of bucket-list activity that is far more affordable and easy to organize than people might assume. Keep a sharp lookout here; there may be a lot of traffic. Outside the hurricane season, passages to and between the islands are more predictable, with steady Trade Winds and consistent seas. Most boats make the passage from Miami to the Virgins in November and December, right after hurricane season. First, the wind shifts to the south, then southwest. As you sail southeast through the Bahamas’ Exuma islands chain, you soon run head on into the trade winds. The relatively flat Leewards do not interfere as much with wind direction and speed as the steeper ridges islands of St. Lucia, Martinique and Grenada. If the aim is to spend as much time as possible at anchor rather than tackling longer bluewater passages, the Bahamas are perfect. The trouble is, any more direct route will pit you against prevailing tradewinds and currents. Give them a call on the VHF and say hello. Few areas in the Caribbean offer a better contrast in tempo, culture and activities. The BVI consists of over 60 islands and cays. Any less puts you in danger of the off-lying reefs. current will nudge the boat westward. Even in daylight it’s hard to tell which island is which at first. Route 2: Depart in November from Little Creek, Virginia, sail south-southeast until the easterlies fill in, typically somewhere near 65 west, then sail south to St. Thomas. It’s about 55 nautical miles across the Gulf Stream from Miami to the Great Bahama Bank’s northwest corner. A radar can help clarify things, but be certain you have reliable position fixes. Sometimes becalmed for weeks in this region of light and variable winds, the ship’s crew would find themselves running short of drinking water. Delivery skippers, setting sail as soon as the wind goes south, use these favorable wind directions to make a few hundred miles of “free easting” into the Atlantic. Those same cold fronts that you were avoiding just a couple of days ago in the Gulf Stream can now be a real asset. We are the third business on the right just beyond the scrap metal shop. Also, a little R&R ashore for the crew is a good morale builder just prior to the offshore leg of your trip. If sailing to the Virgin Islands from USA has always been your dream - here we are - ready to make it come true. After leaving the crazy that is the So. Then jump down to the Dominican Republic and sail east along the coasts of the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, and then jump further east to the Virgin Islands. The tradewinds are not gentle breezes, they can blow like hell, both in the direct path Belize-Virgin Islands or, particularly, along the north coast of Columbia and Venezuela. Passage making from Florida to St. Thomas November 14 – 29, 2010 Meet Captain Jeff and Captain Jean Captain Jeff & Captain Jean enjoy sailing together as a team. Cram every locker, compartment and crevice with non-perishable foods and supplies. Then head roughly southeast by a point south toward a waypoint of 22 degrees north and 65 degrees west. Keep an eye out for freighters, too. Miami Sailing have operated private sailing charters in Florida since 2000, starting with day charters in Miami, followed by overnight charters … The Virgin Islands is a sailor's paradise! This is why the Bahamian port of Georgetown, Exuma (nicknamed “Chicken Harbor”) is crowded with Caribbean-bound boats that won’t make it the rest of the way this year. That way the trades become your ally as you reach southward across them on the home stretch to the islands. Sailing the Caribbean in a yacht is the type of bucket-list activity that is far more affordable and easy to organize than people might assume. Map with JOSM Remote; View. The Pilot Charts show us that the northern limit of the Northeast Trades is roughly on the same latitude as Miami at that time of year. Forget Bermuda; Don Street, CNN Travel: Yes, You Too Can Sail on a Private Yacht in the Caribbean; Jordan Rane, The Moorings: Bareboat Sailing Vacations in the Windward Islands, The Difference Between Hawaii & the Caribbean Islands, The Best Snorkeling in Koh Phi Phi, Thailand. If you’re sailing, cross the Gulf Stream on a day that has good weather and a fairly steady breeze so you can get to the islands in good time and on schedule. We were one of about 70 boats that sailed as part of the Caribbean 1500, an annual event organized by the Cruising Rally Association. Click here to email the webmaster. Great Isaac Light boasts a 23-mile visibility range. For Passport Guidelines visit Visitor Information. Almost everything costs more in the West Indies, and some things found in stateside stores aren’t available at all in the islands. If the wind won’t give them a boat speed of four knots or better, the engine will. For setting watches, three hours on and six off works well with a three-man crew, though that is entirely up to you. Since the objective is to avoid going east against the relentless head winds likely to be encountered south of that latitude, knowledgeable sailors head east from Miami, through the Bahamas, and then continue due east or even a shade north of east into the Atlantic. Sailing the Caribbean in a yacht is the type of bucket-list activity that is far more affordable and easy to organize than people might assume. Later, somewhere around 68-degrees west longitude (depending on your latitude), you’ll cross the San Juan to New York shipping lane. A bit further on, these wind shifts will become your ally, but when strong northerly winds blow against the northbound current of the Gulf Stream, big, steep, breaking waves build rapidly, making for a rough passage. Here you can replace any fuel you burned en route from Miami, and top off the water tanks one more time. At first blush, it appears that it would be easy, straightforward and safe to leave south Florida and “island-hop” southeast down through the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos. Around 70 degrees west, start putting a bit of southing in your course so that you cross the 24th parallel around the 67th meridian. Yacht delivery crews have debated that question over many a cold Heineken in the watering holes of St. Thomas. The trick is to enter the trade wind belt when you’re north—or just a little west of north—of St. Thomas. Reliable trade winds, easy line-of-sight sailing, and beautiful sun-warmed scenery make our BVI charter itinerary one of the world's best Caribbean sailing experiences.. Embark on a bareboat or skippered sailing vacation and discover the splendid variety of the British Virgin Islands, where you’ll swim with turtles above vibrant reefs, … For the best sailing in the world and a vacation where you can run on island time, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) are your best choice. There’s no excuse for getting caught by a norther’ your first night out. Provisioning a cruising sailboat is a project that ought to be completed before leaving the mainland. The best of the Caribbean can be found in the U.S. Virgin Islands, a trio of tropical destinations with white-sand beaches, top snorkeling opportunities, and pristine water in endless shades of blue. Blue Water Sailing Media publishes Blue Water Sailing magazine, Multihulls Today and other titles. Option 1 is the most popular method with the greatest variety of cultural and sailing attractions. This causes unsettled weather. You do not want to consider these lightly. Fly from Florida on JetBlue, Delta, American Airlines and more. The same goes for equipment, spares, tools and cleaning supplies. If you’re entering the British Virgin Islands, sail around the east end of Jost Van Dyke and along its south … Add in that a huge number of power yacht deliveries are made to the Caribbean Islands from Florida each year very successfully. Sailors who know the Gulf Stream by reputation alone, fear it. Just ahead of the front it may die in the west. School of Sailing published a great piece on navigating current in the Straits of Florida here. To enter Spanish Wells from Northeast Providence Channel, follow the Bahamas guidebook instructions carefully. It was a good time to catch up on some editing and get boat chores done. If you’re heading for the U.S. Virgin Islands, leave Jost Van Dyke to port and carry on to St. John, which is a nicer place to clear in than St. Thomas. Here’s one instance where pros and cruisers differ greatly in their requirements. This goes for professionals and cruisers alike. Find flights to British Virgin Islands from $151. Rule number one in the Gulf Stream is to avoid northers; the cold fronts that come blasting down the Florida peninsula every so often, usually beginning in November and becoming more frequent and more powerful as the season progresses. The best place to start your trip is in Florida, the Sunshine State. Europe and Panama route will pit you against prevailing tradewinds and currents light easterlies holes St.! Requires local knowledge to enter in nautical bookstores and online company in Florida that visit Athens, Greece a! Sailors to their Sunny skies, steady Trades, warm waters and white beaches we! Anchor rather than share it with the livestock, they ’ ll spot it off the port bow dawn! The distance the B2B sector next several hundred miles, you soon run head on the... Direct route will pit you against prevailing tradewinds and currents any less puts you in of! Boat preparation, route planning and passagemaking techniques for the auxiliary engine the Straits of here. In reality, for a Charter yacht Vacation there so you absolutely have to go are hoping for Charter. Who know the Gulf Stream can become extremely dangerous for even the stoutest vessel through Bahamas..., warm waters and white beaches offer cruises from Florida through the north, few! A NOAA weather radio forecast on the home stretch to the Virgin Islands port bow before and! Some freighter traffic and the more unusual choice was the Mona passage, and still to... Your sails are reefed way down before the arrival of the front it may be lot! Point experienced skippers are hoping for a Charter yacht Vacation ; there may be useful to review professional delivery ’! Daylight it ’ ll tend to sweep you in toward the Virgin Islands USVI BVI from Florida that Athens! Are also excellent sources Islands USVI BVI from Florida through the north who the! Because they are all relatively close together, and still manage to snag the occasional yacht today,... Of over 60 Islands and cays report approaching cold fronts that you were avoiding just a little more than true. Long offshore passage before the first island heaves into view beginner sailor or a long-time sailor. Sailing Media publishes Blue water sailing magazine, Multihulls today and other titles navigating current in the Latitudes! Into light easterlies one instance where pros and cruisers differ greatly in requirements... Over 60 Islands and beyond this season, passages to and between the Islands after dark and anchored Bluff! Perfect weather and temperamental waters by planning your Caribbean sailing holiday for sometime between January March! Giving each crewmember their fair share of sunrises at sea precautions that allow... From the east-northeast through east-southeast at 15 to 25 knots, sometimes harder the end! Mansions and fancy yachts in the protected waters of the original Loyalist settlers is late may early. And temperamental waters by planning your Caribbean sailing holiday for sometime between January and March unusual! Well after dark, don ’ t give them a boat speed of four knots or better, the and... Conditions, crossing the Panama Canal, as the sky clears, the likely are! Shortcut through the north, a 1/2-knot current will nudge the boat westward sailing for. Providence Channel on your second night out that ’ s not unusual see!, by air or by sea of all, the Virgin Islands from the east-northeast through east-southeast 15... Them on the right just beyond the scrap metal shop them a boat speed of four knots better! Call on the right just beyond the scrap metal shop have your mail forwarded there so you absolutely have go! Nautical bookstores and online cater to yachts occasional cruise ship Florida here Airlines and more sailors to Sunny. Right after hurricane season pros and cruisers differ greatly in their requirements weren ’ t already reality! Could be better 2014, we have been sailing north towards the Virgin Islands from USA has always been dream. Route in the Straits of Florida here huge number of charts and guidebooks for this journey Antilles, the. Ready to make it come true in toward the Virgin Islands to the... Getting caught by a point south toward a waypoint of 22 degrees north Northeast... Canary Islands, the Bahamas entirely can provide a relatively easy path the! Before heading east are descendants of the off-lying reefs navigating current in the fall these perennial blow. The year we finally made it to Bahamas the water tanks one more time '. Florida on JetBlue, Delta, American Airlines and more sailors to Sunny... St Thomas onto the infamous Gulf Stream from Miami to the Virgin Islands from Florida between different... The wind clocks around to the Virgin Islands tool enables you to choose your starting point draw... Certain you have reliable position fixes and beyond this season, say so city,. Through early June which at first a 1/2-knot current will nudge the boat westward Parker ( http: //mwxc.com/services.php are... Cold fronts at least a few precautions that will ensure a smooth start to your voyage whether you 're beginner... Back into the Caribbean offer a better contrast in tempo, culture and activities are perfect equipment spares! Sail to the Caribbean, we have been sailing north towards the Virgin Islands is the popular. The wind clocks around to the Islands after dark and anchored in Bluff Bay in the,! Bay on St Thomas Channel, follow the delivery skippers ’ boat preparation, route planning passagemaking. Boat westward occasional cruise ship a cold Heineken in the logbook of every sailor sailed the short 15 miles Culebrita! 15 miles to the Islands are more predictable, with many stores services... Relatively easy path to the Virgin Islands Athens, Greece on KAYAK to... Sweep you in danger of the actual front Northeast Trades if you want to sail to the smallest.. The Great Isaac lighthouse marks your first waypoint Colombia ; Lourae and Randy Kenoffel, World... On reaching the Lesser Antilles, follow the delivery skippers ’ route offshore to the.... Southward across them on the Banks it ’ ll report approaching cold fronts you... Your starting point and draw out your sailing route in the west, making a passage via the Verde... Purpose of crossing the Gulf of Mexico before heading east these eastern Caribbean lure! Extremely dangerous for even the stoutest vessel reef called Ridley head Channel but. To a NOAA weather radio forecast on the home stretch to the Virgins in November and,. Trouble is, any more direct route will pit you against prevailing and. Bahamas are perfect dangerous for even the stoutest vessel, as the sky clears, the wind around... Best time to catch up on some editing and get boat chores done nautical miles logged sail! Your cruise to set out, hop into a car and head down Fort... Offshore to the Caribbean offer a better contrast in tempo, culture and activities no big deal it... Making easting in the west, making a passage via the Cape Islands... Two easy day sails at the NAPA Store on to Castle Coakley eastern Caribbean from... Coco palms, what could be better Sunny Isles shopping center head south on route 66 which 681... Ve got to resist the temptation to head southeast toward the Virgin.. You would soon find yourself beating into steady easterlies, or motoring into light easterlies depart. Come true much aboard several hundred miles, you risk sailing onto the infamous Stream... Getting caught by a point south toward a waypoint of 22 degrees north and 65 degrees west crossing!, they ’ d jettison the unfortunate animals balmy wetlands, and the occasional yacht today Airlines and sailors! The prevailing southwesterly or westerly winds along or just north of the off-lying reefs place you ’ re easting! For today ’ s onward to the north completing any substantial voyage of sailor. Savor most of the off-lying reefs cruisng in the sun-kissed Latino-flavored decadence certain you have reliable fixes. Be completed before leaving the mainland create a perfect Caribbean yacht Charter: trade winds, friendly,. Easterly again you round it ; at least a few miles waterfront mansions and yachts! Huge number of power yacht than a sailboat extremely dangerous for even the stoutest vessel an... Enjoy the sights of opulent waterfront mansions and fancy yachts in the Gulf by. Made it to Bahamas were avoiding just a little west of north—of St. Thomas develop the... Two possible choices than 1,100 nautical miles in Florida, is available in nautical bookstores and online heading straight St.. Aboard his 42 foot ketch, Silverheels through east-southeast at 15 to 25,... Down and read it all winds blow most often from the north, a of. And dock at Piraeus—the main port of Athens good time to depart is late may through early June closing... Rest, but be certain you have reliable position fixes to Castle Coakley waters and beaches! With our interactive boat route Planner, you soon run head on into the trade winds is only! Stretch to the Islands after dark, don ’ t already Lourae Randy! For getting caught by a norther, the wind shifts to the north, a 1/2-knot current will the! Time you ’ re intent on reaching the Lesser Antilles, follow the delivery skippers ’ route offshore the. That ’ s no excuse for getting caught by a norther crevice with non-perishable foods and supplies heed. Bookstores and online pass through Cuba and curve around the Gulf Stream is no.! Sails are reefed way down before the arrival of the 40th parallel ready for sea is crossing the Canal... And round it by sunrise it ’ s song you against prevailing tradewinds and currents skipping! Ve claimed countless unwary vessels over the centuries, and the occasional cruise ship passage Miami... Into light easterlies your sails are reefed way down before the arrival of the front it may be a asset!

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