From December to April the Caribbean is the destination of the great yachts. The climate is dry, the trade winds are steady and the sea is warm. Many boats that sail the Mediterranean in summer cross the Atlantic in autumn precisely for this season.
Why in winter
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November. From December the risk ends, the dry season arrives and the easterly trade winds make sailing regular. It is when the islands are at their best.
The islands to choose
- St. Barth and St. Martin. The Caribbean’s most glamorous side, with Gustavia, the beaches of Colombier and Shell Beach, and Anguilla a few miles away.
- British Virgin Islands. Many islands close together and sheltered bays, ideal for sailing: The Baths on Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, Norman Island.
- Antigua. A beach for every day of the year, they say, and a long sailing tradition.
- Bahamas, Exumas. White sandbanks and very shallow water, to explore by tender.
- Grenadines. More remote, with the Tobago Cays and their marine park.
Christmas and New Year
These are the most requested weeks of the year, especially in St. Barth, where Gustavia harbour on New Year’s Eve is a spectacle. Many yachts require a minimum number of nights over the holidays and are booked months in advance. If you are thinking of the Caribbean for the holidays, write to us as soon as possible.
Which boat to choose
In the Caribbean you mostly find motor and sailing superyachts and large catamarans, with a full crew. Distances between islands are sometimes long: a large boat makes crossings more comfortable. Our proposals are on the yacht charter in the Caribbean page.
How to get there
Flights via Paris, London, Amsterdam or the United States to St. Martin, Antigua, Tortola or Nassau, then a transfer or short flight to the boat. For those who want to avoid stopovers, we organise a private jet.
In brief
Season: December–April. Most requested months: the holidays and February. Book: well in advance for Christmas and New Year.
Months compared
- December: start of the dry season, with the holidays the most requested period.
- January and February: steady trade winds, warm sea, the most settled months.
- March and April: long days and lighter winds, excellent for families and for Easter.
- May: end of the season, with the first boats heading back to the Mediterranean.
A typical week in the Virgin Islands
Departure from Tortola, the morning at Norman Island and the Caves, then Jost Van Dyke with its beaches and beach bars. Midweek, Virgin Gorda, with the granite boulders of The Baths and the bays of the North Sound. A short loop between nearby islands, perfect even for a first Caribbean charter.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a passport?
Yes, almost all Caribbean islands require a passport, and some destinations require specific travel documents or authorisations. Always check the requirements for your nationality before departure.
What is the time difference?
The Eastern Caribbean islands are usually 5 hours behind Italy in winter.
Can I combine the boat with a hotel?
Yes. Many choose a few nights ashore before or after the charter. We organise that too.
Want to spend the winter in the Caribbean? Discover the destination or message us on WhatsApp.
