Caribbean Sailing Vacations

The best way to appreciate the immense beauty of the Caribbean islands is sailing. It can be said that the Caribbean islands were made expressly for the purpose of sailing vacations. The tiny Caribbean islands are within miles of each other. As you leave each island on your yacht, boat or catamaran, you can see the other island in the distance. The island grows from a speck on the horizon to a whole landmass as you approach it.

Caribbean islands have plenty of coves and small islands on which you can anchor during your sailing vacation. Hence, a sailing vacation in the Caribbean is not just about sailing; it is about discovering a whole new land. There are myriad possibilities on the islands - sailing, snorkeling, scuba-diving, sunbathing on its pristine beaches, reading with the sun overhead, etc. The list could go on.

Sailing also is the chief economy of the natives of the Caribbean islands. Local natives provide sailing packages such as boats and yachts. Catamarans and even the trimarans are available in good number. The natives also provide sailing instructions to those who wish to know. They also may work as skipper or crew on board.

The most popular destination in the Caribbean for a sailing vacation is the British Virgin Islands. These islands have good marine life as well as advanced facilities on their beaches. Tortola is the largest island in the British Virgin Islands and it also has a small airport. The British Virgin Islands are always crowded throughout the year and the population of sailors has increased here in the past decade.

The Grenadines are also extremely popular. These islands are inhabited by French-speaking people for whom boating is a way of life. In fact there is no other mode of transport among the Grenadines except boats. The Grenadines are also very crowded almost throughout the year.

People also throng other islands of the Caribbean like St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Cayman Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, etc. It is difficult to even find a mooring on most of these islands in the peak season. The best period to go to the Caribbean is before the onset of the winter, i.e. in November or in the season between March and May. The Caribbean Islands are relatively less crowded then.

Sailing vacations have become a big business along Caribbean beaches. Most resorts and hotels provide stay-sail facilities. There are many other attractions like folk dances, native food, etc. which becomes a part of the entire sailing package.