Bareboat sailing in the Caribbean

Location of the Caribbean

The phrase, Caribbean region, stands for the North and Central American groups of islands. In a broader sense, some Central and South American countries also belong here, such as Columbia or Venezuela. There are more than 700 islands in the region. We can divide the Caribbean Islands into three main parts. The Bahamas, the Greater Antilles, and the Lesser Antilles.

Do you need a license to sail a boat in the Caribbean?

In the Caribbean, a license is not specifically required. You simply need to fill out a sailing resume and only charter a yacht that your experience permits. Before you confirm your sailing trip to the Caribbean, please send us your sailing experience or a copy of your skipper licence and we will check it for you. If you do not have a skipper license or experience it is also possible to rent a bareboat sailing yacht with a skipper

Bareboat sailing in the Caribbean – the main ports

A roundtrip or a local sailing trip in the Caribbean can be a very exciting and memorable program for the whole family. It is important to find out about the mooring places. The Caribbean region includes many ports, small and large. The most popular and high-quality ports are in the larger cities, of which we will now present 1-2 per area. You can find a more detailed list of ports and sailing information by clicking on the yacht charter links at the end of each area and in our Caribbean sailing destinations articles presenting each area.

The most popular ports for sailboats in the Bahamas

Nassau Yacht Haven

The centre of the Bahamas sailing and Nassau sailing is the Nassau Yacht Haven is the largest and oldest yacht marina on the island. The marina has 135 wide and spacious moorings. Every dock has access to electricity and drinking water. Guests can also use the laundry and the showers. There is a famous restaurant here, too. Thanks to the favourable location, we can find several types of shops within walking distance including a boat supply store, groceries, bottle shops and a bank. yacht charter Nassau

Spanish Wells

Spanish Wells is located on St. Georges Cay, west of the northern corner of Eleuthera. The Eleuthera sailing‘s central port is constituted by a long channel bordered by two small islands. It is protected well and is only open for the winds coming from the eastern direction. There is a great port and a hurricane hole in the west where boats are tied to mangrove trees. There are six anchoring buoys on the eastern side. We can find Spanish Wells Yacht Haven & Marina here which is a full-service yacht marina with 40 berths; besides the basic services, they also have a bicycle rental. The downtown is within walking distance. We can anchor at Royal Island Harbour in the west, which provides ideal anchorages for vessels with a larger draft. The only disadvantage is that they have no amenities or services. sailboat charter Bahamas

The bareboat sailing yacht charter in the BVI – the main ports

Nanny Cay

Nanny Cay is located on the southern coast of Tortola. It is located a little over 3 kilometres from Burt Point. At this port, we have the opportunity to pull our boat from the water, among other services. Nanny Cay Marina offers 320 berths; 120 on the outer parts and 200 on the inside. They provide access to fuel and electricity in both areas. We need to pass through a narrow route for entry.

Road Harbour

Road Town is the capital of Tortola, and Tortola sailing and the centre of the British Virgin Islands sailing. We can enter the port through the Sir Francis Drake Channel. Road Harbour has several yacht marinas providing full service and accommodation. We can find Road Reef Marina, Fort Burt and Wickham’s Cay I and II here; Road Reef Marina and Fort Burt are on the western side, while Wickham’s Cay is on the north. There are over 120 berths and downtown Road Town can be found nearby. Many sailors start their trip here when visiting the British Virgin Islands. Tortola yacht rentals

Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbor és St. Thomas Bay

The Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbor is in St. Thomas Bay and is the largest port of Virgin Gorda sailing. It is easy to approach it, we only have to sail the marked channel. The harbour is beautiful, offering great services and marine gas. There are 100 berths, and it is possible to stay for only a few hours, a day, or long-term as well. It is close to the centre of Spanish Town. It is a very peaceful town where you can find many shops, restaurants, and bars. One of the most famous attractions of the town, The Baths, is about 3 km from here. This is a collection of granite rocks on the beach that have become large rock formations. The rocks from tidal basins, channels, and spectacular caves open to the surrounding waters. sailboat charter BVI

The most popular port for sailboats in the USVI

Charlotte Amalie Harbor, St. Thomas

The harbour is one of the most popular cruise ship destinations in the Caribbean and the centre of US Virgin Islands sailing. Is a major and bustling port offering a wide range of services to accommodate various maritime activities, including tourism, commerce, and transportation: Cruise Ship Terminal, Ferry Services, Cargo and Container Handling, Marina and Yacht Services, Water Sports and Recreational Activities, Customs and Immigration Services. The harbor area is known for its duty-free shopping, with numerous stores offering jewellery, electronics, clothing, and more. There are also plenty of restaurants, bars, and cafes for visitors to enjoy. USVI sailboat charter

The bareboat sailing yacht charter in Guadeloupe – the main port

Port of Pointe-à-Pitre/Jarry

This is Guadeloupe’s largest and Guadeloupe sailing‘s most important port, handling most of the island’s cargo traffic. It is a multi-purpose port located in Baie-Mahault, close to the island’s main airport. sailing charter Guadeloupe

The most popular port for sailboats in Martinique

Port de Fort-de-France

Martinique’s largest port and centre of Martinique sailing serves as a major hub for commercial shipping, ferries, and cruise ships. Facilities for yachts, as well as easy access to the bustling city, which features markets, restaurants, and cultural sites such as the Schoelcher Library and Fort Saint-Louis. sailing yacht charter Martinique

The bareboat sailing yacht charter in Belize – the main port

Belize City Marina

Located on the mainland coast, it is the former capital and largest city of Belize. It has a wide range of services and is well-located for connecting to mainland destinations. sailing in Belize, yacht charter Belize

The most popular ports for sailboats in Puerto Rico

San Juan Cruise Port

With two terminals, San Cruise Port is one of the largest and busiest ports in the Caribbean. The two terminals can accommodate up to 9 cruise ships at the same time. Due to its geographical location, the port is safe even during hurricane season. The port offers several services like towing, drinking water access and electricity, telecommunication services and shops. The city’s tourist attractions are easily accessible by public transport.

Marina Puerto Chico ( Fajardo )

The marina of Fajardo is located on the east coast of Puerto Rico. It is a natural, quiet coast, and the depth of the water is 5-6 m. Despite its small size, it has a great infrastructure: water, electricity and refuelling are available. You can easily visit Culebra, Vieques and the British Virgin Islands from here. sailing Puerto Rico, sailboat rental Puerto Rico

The bareboat sailing yacht charter in Mexico – the main ports

La Paz

La Paz is the most city in southern Mexico on the Baja California Península. It has several ports. One of the best-equipped ports is Marina Cortez, located in the heart of the bay. It offers a number of exclusive services for even the largest sea yachts.

Mazatlán

The city’s port, called El Cid, is way more than a simple landing opportunity. There is a bustling market and several miles of nearby beaches with golden sand. The local dive shop is excellent, you can get all the necessary equipment here. In the port area, you will find plenty of high-quality accommodation opportunities. sailing Mexico , sailboat rental Mexico

The most popular port for sailboats in Cuba

Port of Cienfuegos

The main port in the southern part of the island and the centre of Cuba sailing is La Perla del Sur or the Pearl of the South. The port of Cienfuegos is considered a large port in Cuba. It can accommodate boats up to 150 m. The depth of the seabed is 12 m. While Christopher Columbus visited in 1494, it was formally founded in 1819. yacht charter Cuba

Bareboat sailing yacht charter in Antigua – the main port

Jolly Harbour Marina

Although Jolly Harbour Marina is not the largest marina on the island, it is well-equipped and offers quality services for sailors, and it’s the centre of Antigua sailing. Whether it is boat maintenance, storage, bicycle rental or even a hairdresser, sailors are not in short supply. The marina has 155 berths of drinking water and electricity.Antigua sailboat charter
Find Caribbean sailing routes.

Main attractions in the Caribbean

The picturesque scenery welcomes visitors with several colourful and unique programs. Besides beautiful beaches, you can take pleasure in viewing the exotic flora of the jungle or the underwater wildlife. Sea turtles are amazing residents of the Caribbean Sea. They are one of the endangered species, thus, numerous rescue and breeding programs started in the past few years to protect the animals. Many visitors come to Puerto Rico to see the turtles, while they’re laying their eggs in the sand. They also come to see the exciting moment, when the little turtles leave their nests and go into the water. Besides water and seaside sights, the Caribbean region also has a rich cultural heritage. There are more than 40 museums in Cuba, that display art, music, the revolution, chocolate, or cigars.

Caribbean sailing routes & Caribbean sailing destinations Sailing destinations & Sailing routes

Why is the Caribbean good for sailing? Caribbean sailing trips

Sailing in the Caribbean is a dream of many sailors. The beautiful sea, the trade [...]

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The Caribbean region has the traits of all year hot and humid tropical climate. The weather is somewhat cool and dry from the middle of January to the middle of April. From the middle of June to the middle of November it’s usually hot, wet, and rainy. Subtropical monsoon climate dominates in the region. The average yearly temperature is 28 °C.

For more precise information about the Caribbean area,  please narrow down your search. It is necessary in this case, because of geographic diversity and the large scope of the area. First, select a destination on the How much does a bareboat sailing in the Caribbean cost? tab and choose the Weather tab of the selected area and read the related description.

Bahamas bareboat sailing yacht charter itinerary

Day 1. Nassau Yacht Haven – Palm Cay, 12.00 km (7.46 nm) Day 2. Palm Cay – Highbourne Cay, 57.05 km (35.45 nm) Day 3. Highbourne Cay – Allan’s Cay, 6, 00 km (3.73 nm) Day 4. Allan’s Cay – Warderick Wells Cay, 47.20 km (29.33 nm) Day 5Warderick Wells Cay – Shroud Cay, 21.15 km (13.14 nm) Day 6Shroud Cay – Norman’s Cay, 6.80 km (4.23 nm) Day 7. Norman’s Cay – Hurricane Hole, Paradise Island – Nassau, 72.35 km (44.96 nm)

Eleuthera sailing adventures, Bahamas sailing routes

Bareboat sailing yacht charter itinerary in Antigua

Day 1. English Harbour – Nonsuch Bay 18, 24 km (11, 33 nm), Day 2. Nonsuch Bay – Low Bay (Barbuda) 55, 26 km (34, 34 nm), Day 3. Low Bay – Coco Point (Barbuda)18, 41 km (11, 44 nm), Day 4. Coco Point – Dickenson Bay 52, 91 km (32, 88 nm), Day 5. Dickenson Bay – St.John’s 6, 34 km (3, 94 nm), Day 6. St.John’s – Jolly Harbour 13, 56 km (8, 42 nm), Day 7. Jolly Harbour – Carlisle Bay – English Harbour 20, 13 km (12, 51 nm).

Antigua sailing holidays

BVI bareboat sailing yacht charter itinerary

Day 1. Road Town – Parham Town 9, 38 km (5, 83 nm), Day 2. Parham Town – Spanish Town (Virgine Gorda Island) 14, 02 km (8, 71 nm), Day 3. Spanish Town – Anegada 31, 11 km (19, 33 nm), Day 4. Anegada – Scrub Island 32, 34 km (20, 10 nm), Day 5. Scrub Island – Jost Van Dyke 25, 61 km (15, 91 nm), Day 6. Jost Van Dyke – Cruz Bay 13, 75 km (8, 54 nm), Day 7. Cruz Bay – Nanny Cay – Road Town 25, 25 km (15, 69 nm).

Other BVI sailing itinerary, BVI sailing holiday

Bareboat sailing yacht charter itinerary in Belize

Day 1. Placencia harbour – Hideaway Caye 23,25 km (14,45 nm), Day 2. Hideaway Caye – Cocoa Plum Cay 22,61 km (14,05 nm), Day 3. Cocoa Plum Cay – Tobacco Caye 6,71 km (4,17 nm), Day 4. Tobacco Caye – South Water Caye 9,28 km (5,77 nm), Day 5. South Water Caye – Lagoon Caye 24,74 km (15,38 nm), Day 6. Lagoon Caye – Lark Caye 14,70 km (9,14 nm), Day 7. Lark Caye – Placencia harbour 13,26 km (8,24 nm)

Other Belize sailing itinerary

Martinique bareboat sailing yacht charter itinerary

Day 1. Le Marin – Grande Anse d’Arlet 30,10 km (18,70 nm), Day 2. Grande Anse d’Arlet – Saint-Pierre 29,22 km (18,15 nm), Day 3. Saint-Pierre – Plage de l’Anse l’Etang 53,37 km (33,16 nm), Day 4. Plage de l’Anse l’Etang – Honeymoon Beach, Saint Lucia 117,65 km (73,10 nm), Day 5. Honeymoon Beach, Saint Lucia – Petit Piton, Saint Lucia 31,24 km (19,41 nm), Day 6. Petit Piton, Saint Lucia – Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia 31,80 km (19,76 nm), Day 7. Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia – Anse Figuier – Le Marin 46,77 km (29,06 nm)

Bareboat sailing yacht charter itinerary in the US Virgin Islands

Day 1. Saint Thomas – Red Hook 8,06 km (5,01 nm), Day 2. Red Hook – Hull bay 14,49 km (9,00 nm), Day 3. Hull bay – Culebra 39,51 km (24,55 nm), Day 4. Culebra – San Juan 94,54 km (58,74 nm), Day 5. San Juan – Loiza 27,47 km (17,07 nm), Day 6. Loiza – Fajardo 30,80 km (19,14 nm), Day 7. Fajardo – Brewers Bay – Saint Thomas 81,00 km (50,33 nm)

sailing trips in US Virgin Islands

Guadeloupe bareboat sailing yacht charter itinerary

Day 1. Pointe-à-Pitre – Ilet a Gosier 6,61 km (4,11 nm), Day 2. Ilet a Gosier – Marie-Galante 33,04 km (20,53 nm), Day 3. Marie-Galante – Portsmouth, Dominica 46,54 km (28,92 nm), Day 4. Portsmouth, Dominica – Les Saintes 36,96 km (22,96 nm), Day 5. Les Saintes – Plage de Petite Anse 32,00 km (19,89 nm), Day 6. Plage de Petite Anse – Cousteau Marine Park 8,17 km (5,07 nm), Day 7. Cousteau Marine Park – Sainte-Rose – Pointe-à-Pitre 53,86 km (33,47 nm)

Other Guadeloupe sailing itinerary

Bareboat sailing yacht charter itinerary in Mexico

Day 1. La Paz – Pichilinque 10.44 km (6.48 nm), Day 2. Pichilinque – Espíritu Santo Island, Partida Island 28.74 km (17.86 nm), Day 3. Partida Island – Isla San Francisco 37.53 km (23.32 nm), Day 4. Isla San Francisco – Isla San Jose 15.96 km (9.92 nm), Day 5. Isla San Jose – San Evaristo 7.15 km (4.45 nm), Day 6. San Evaristo – San Juan de la Costa 59.06 km (36.70 nm), Day 7. San Juan de la Costa – Puerto Balandra – La Paz 51.62 km (32.07 nm)

Cuba bareboat sailing yacht charter itineraries

Day 1. Baracoa – Moa 62, 00 km (38, 53 nm), Day 2. Moa – Tanamo 47, 17 km (29, 31 nm), Day 3. Tanamo – Nicaro 29, 92 km (18, 59 nm), Day 4. Nicaro – Antilla 43, 58 km (27, 08 nm), Day 5. Antilla – Banes 49, 26 km (30, 61 nm), Day 6. Banes – Punta Gorda 96, 39 km (59, 89 nm), Day 7. Punta Gorda – Cayo Güín – Baracoa 54, 26 km (33, 71 nm).

Other Cuba sailing tours, or Caribbean sailing routes