I Sail in the Caribbean

Introduction

Sailing in the Caribbean means navigating through one of the most diverse maritime regions of the tropical Atlantic. Between the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Caribbean Sea to the west, the Caribbean includes numerous islands and archipelagos, from the Greater Antilles to the Lesser Antilles, with very different sailing environments depending on the area.

For a sailor, Caribbean navigation can take several forms: island-to-island passages, coastal sailing, exploring an archipelago, approaching a harbour, anchoring in a sheltered bay or preparing a transatlantic passage from Europe. Charting must therefore be adapted to the distance covered and the level of detail required.

The main sailing areas include the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the French West Indies, the Leeward Islands, the Windward Islands, the Grenadines, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago. To the west, the Caribbean Sea also borders the coasts of Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Venezuela.

Caribbean nautical charts must allow sailors to identify reefs, shoals, sandbanks, passes, channels, lights, buoys, depths, anchorages and harbour approaches accurately. Major chart collections for the region include Admiralty, SHOM, Imray, Navicarte and NV Charts, together with charting produced by national hydrographic services.

The Greater Antilles

The Greater Antilles mainly include Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica and Puerto Rico. They form a vast maritime area between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

Cuba has an extensive coastline with numerous ports and anchorages. Sailing may involve Havana, Varadero, Cienfuegos, Santiago de Cuba or the archipelagos located to the north and south of the island.

Jamaica, south of Cuba, includes Kingston and Montego Bay. Navigation around the island takes place in the open waters of the Caribbean Sea and requires charting suitable for coastal approaches and harbour navigation.

Hispaniola is shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata and other ports on the northern and southern coasts are important navigation points.

Puerto Rico, an American territory, lies between the Greater and Lesser Antilles. San Juan is a major port, while the southern coast and neighbouring islands offer numerous sailing opportunities.

The Virgin Islands and the Leeward Islands

The United States Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands form one of the Caribbean's most popular sailing areas.

Saint Thomas, Saint John, Tortola, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke are connected by numerous channels and passages. Sailing between the islands alternates between relatively short crossings and coastal navigation in highly indented areas.

Approaches to Charlotte Amalie, Road Town, Spanish Town and the many anchorages of the archipelago require sufficiently detailed charting.

Further south are Anguilla, Saint Martin, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Montserrat. These islands form a natural succession of stops for yachts sailing south through the Lesser Antilles.

Imray charts for the Caribbean include specific coverage of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Saint Martin, Saint Barthélemy and Antigua. They are organised into passage, coastal and approach charts.

Guadeloupe, Dominica and Martinique

The French West Indies occupy a central position in the Lesser Antilles.

Guadeloupe comprises several very different sailing areas. Grande-Terre and Basse-Terre are separated by the Rivière Salée, while Les Saintes, Marie-Galante and La Désirade complete the archipelago.

Pointe-à-Pitre is the main port and nautical centre of Guadeloupe. Les Saintes, particularly Terre-de-Haut, are also major stops for cruising yachts.

South of Guadeloupe, Dominica has a particularly mountainous and heavily vegetated coastline. Roseau is the island's main port. Coastal navigation needs to take account of exposure to the trade winds and the configuration of the coastline.

Further south, Martinique is another major Caribbean sailing destination. Fort-de-France, Le Marin, Saint-Pierre, Sainte-Anne and Le François are among the main nautical areas.

Le Marin is particularly well known as a yachting centre and as a starting or arrival point for many voyages through the Lesser Antilles.

Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

South of Martinique, Saint Lucia is an important sailing destination. Castries and Rodney Bay are the main reference points for cruising yachts.

The passage between Martinique and Saint Lucia is a genuine inter-island crossing. Conditions can vary depending on the trade winds, sea state and currents.

Further south, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines form an exceptionally interesting sailing archipelago.

Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, Union Island and the Tobago Cays are among the best-known destinations. Distances between the islands are relatively short, but navigation between reefs, islets and passes requires sufficiently accurate charting.

The Tobago Cays are a particularly good example of why detailed charts are necessary to identify reefs, passes, depths and anchorage areas.

Grenada, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago

Grenada is one of the main islands at the southern end of the Lesser Antilles. St George's and the areas around Prickly Bay and Grand Anse are well-known reference points for sailors.

Barbados is more isolated to the east and is directly exposed to the Atlantic Ocean. Bridgetown is its principal port. Its geographical position differs from that of the volcanic islands further west.

Trinidad and Tobago marks the southern end of the Caribbean island chain. Port of Spain and Chaguaramas are important centres for yachts and long-distance cruising.

This region is also a gateway towards Venezuela, the islands off the Venezuelan coast and the southern Caribbean Sea.

The Caribbean Sea and the Central American coast

The Caribbean is not limited to the islands. The Caribbean Sea borders a large part of Central and South America.

To the west, sailors may encounter the coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama.

Belize has an important barrier reef and numerous cayes. Navigation requires particular attention to reefs and depths.

Panama is a strategic area for vessels transiting the Panama Canal between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

To the south of the Caribbean Sea are the coasts of Colombia and Venezuela, together with the Los Roques, Las Aves, Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao archipelagos.

Which nautical chart publishers cover the Caribbean?

Several hydrographic authorities and chart publishers cover Caribbean waters.

• Admiralty: extensive coverage of the Caribbean Sea, the West Indies, harbour approaches and inter-island routes.

• SHOM: charts covering French overseas territories in the Caribbean and associated sailing areas.

• Imray: particularly extensive recreational charting for the Lesser Antilles.

• Navicarte: charts intended in particular for recreational sailing in several Caribbean areas.

• NV Charts: charts and atlases covering selected Caribbean regions.

• NGA: coverage of numerous international areas, including American and Caribbean waters.

• National hydrographic services: various authorities produce official data and charts for their territorial waters.

Imray states that its charts are produced from official hydrographic service data and supplemented with information intended for small craft, with particular attention to coastal areas and harbours.

Which scale should be chosen for a Caribbean nautical chart?

The appropriate scale depends directly on the intended navigation.

• General or passage chart: for a crossing between several islands or offshore navigation.

• Coastal chart: for following the coastline of an island or archipelago.

• Approach chart: for preparing arrival near a harbour or bay.

• Harbour chart: for channels, ports, marinas and confined waters.

• Detailed chart: for archipelagos, reefs, passes and complex anchorages.

A passage chart between Martinique and Grenada, for example, does not provide the same level of detail as a chart of the Tobago Cays or an approach chart for Fort-de-France.

Sailing conditions in the Caribbean

Caribbean navigation is strongly influenced by the trade winds. These prevailing easterly to north-easterly winds play a major role in planning passages between the islands.

The hurricane season must also be incorporated into voyage planning. Tropical weather conditions can change rapidly, and tropical systems can affect large parts of the Caribbean island chain.

Charting should be combined with weather information, current data, Notices to Mariners and harbour information.

Coral reefs are also a major navigational consideration in the Caribbean. In some areas, water colour can be deceptive and should never replace proper interpretation of soundings and nautical charts.

Main ports and sailing areas in the Caribbean

The principal areas can be grouped as follows:

• Greater Antilles: Havana, Kingston, Santo Domingo, San Juan.

• Virgin Islands: Charlotte Amalie, Road Town, Spanish Town.

• Northern Lesser Antilles: Anguilla, Saint Martin, Saint Barthélemy, Antigua.

• Guadeloupe: Pointe-à-Pitre, Les Saintes, Marie-Galante.

• Dominica: Roseau.

• Martinique: Fort-de-France, Le Marin, Saint-Pierre, Sainte-Anne.

• Saint Lucia: Castries, Rodney Bay.

• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: Kingstown, Bequia, Mustique, Union Island, Tobago Cays.

• Grenada: St George's.

• Barbados: Bridgetown.

• Trinidad and Tobago: Port of Spain, Chaguaramas.

• Western Caribbean: Belize, Cartagena, Panama.

• Southern Caribbean: Los Roques, Las Aves, Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao.

Conclusion

Sailing in the Caribbean requires charting adapted to an exceptionally diverse maritime region. The Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Greater Antilles, Lesser Antilles, coral reefs, cayes and archipelagos present very different navigation conditions.

A passage between islands requires a chart providing a sufficiently broad view of the area. When approaching an island, harbour or anchorage, a larger-scale chart becomes essential for accurately identifying reefs, shoals, channels, soundings, lights and navigation aids.

Admiralty, SHOM, Imray, Navicarte, NV Charts and NGA cover different parts of the Caribbean and provide complementary charting solutions. The choice should take into account the sailing area, type of vessel, intended voyage and required level of detail.

Preparing a Caribbean voyage therefore requires combining nautical charts with weather information, trade winds, currents, Notices to Mariners, harbour data and the local characteristics of each island. This approach makes it possible to move progressively from a general overview of the Caribbean island chain to detailed information on harbours, passes, reefs and anchorages.

FAQ – I Sail in the Caribbean

What is the best nautical chart for sailing in the Caribbean?

There is no single chart suitable for the entire Caribbean. A passage chart is appropriate for crossings between islands, while a coastal or approach chart is necessary for navigation close to the coast, through passes and around harbours.

Which sea borders the Caribbean islands?

The Caribbean islands are bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Caribbean Sea to the west. Sailing conditions differ considerably between Atlantic-facing waters and coastlines located within the Caribbean Sea.

What are the main islands of the Caribbean?

The main islands include Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Saint Martin, Antigua, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, the Grenadines, Grenada, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.

Which chart should be used for sailing between Martinique and Guadeloupe?

A chart covering a sufficiently broad area of the Lesser Antilles can be used to plan the passage. More detailed charting is then required for approaches to Martinique and Guadeloupe.

Which chart should be used for the Tobago Cays?

The Tobago Cays require detailed charting showing reefs, passes, depths and anchorage areas. A general chart of the Grenadines does not necessarily provide the same level of detail.

Which publishers produce nautical charts for the Caribbean?

Major chart collections include Admiralty, SHOM, Imray, Navicarte, NV Charts and NGA, together with charts produced by various national hydrographic services.

Which charts should be used for Martinique?

Martinique has chart coverage suitable for planning navigation around Fort-de-France, Le Marin, Saint-Pierre, Sainte-Anne, Le François and the island's various bays and coastal areas.

Which charts should be used for Guadeloupe?

Navigation around Guadeloupe requires charting covering Grande-Terre, Basse-Terre, Les Saintes, Marie-Galante and La Désirade, with particular attention to approaches to Pointe-à-Pitre and passages between the islands.

Are Caribbean reefs difficult to identify?

Some reefs and shallow areas can be difficult to assess visually depending on light conditions, sea state and water colour. Nautical charts and soundings therefore remain essential, particularly near passes and anchorages.

When should you sail in the Caribbean?

The sailing season should take account of the trade winds and the hurricane season. The period from approximately December to April is traditionally associated with the dry season and conditions favourable to many types of sailing, but weather conditions should always be checked before a passage.

What are the main ports of the French West Indies?

Major nautical centres include Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe, Terre-de-Haut in Les Saintes, and Fort-de-France, Le Marin and Saint-Pierre in Martinique.

Do you need a different chart for each Caribbean island?

Not necessarily. A passage chart can cover several islands and allow the general route to be planned. However, larger-scale charts are required for approaches, harbours, passes and certain anchorages.

Do Imray charts cover the Caribbean?

Yes. Imray has extensive Caribbean coverage, including passage, coastal and approach charts for the Lesser Antilles, the Virgin Islands and several areas of the Caribbean Sea.

Do Admiralty charts cover the Caribbean?

Yes. Admiralty provides extensive coverage of the Caribbean Sea and West Indies, including general, coastal and harbour charts and plans.

What is the difference between a passage chart and an approach chart in the Caribbean?

A passage chart covers a sufficiently large area to plan a voyage between several islands. An approach chart provides greater detail close to an island, bay, harbour or channel and is intended for more precise coastal navigation.