The best of the Caribbean.

In 1995 I pointed the bow of my boat south and sailed to the Caribbean. I decided to stay there as long as I could. I only fly back for a few days each year to see my family.

Most of the islands of this emerald sea are real paradises. Most North Americans know only of the Greater Antilles: Cuba, the DR and the PR. The Virgin Islands also get many American tourists. The southern Caribbean is in my opinion the best of the best.

The climate is near ideal year round. Just about every morning you wake to sunshine. A full day of cloudiness is extremely rare. The temperature is stable year round with minimum of 75F on winter nights and a maximum of 86F during summer days. Summer and winter are meaningless terms in the southern Caribbean.

The more southern islands have the better climate and seldom get visited by hurricanes. Grenada had 4 hurricanes pass over or near during the 20^th century. August to early October is the period when this could happen.

The Caribbean Sea is emerald green and warm. White sand beaches abound. The islands are mostly volcanic and tall with lush vegetation. The Trade Winds can be relied upon to blow a constant cooling breeze, ideal for sailing.

The Caribbean Sea and the islands it bathes are what this is all about. Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos etc. although they can have subtropical or tropical climates they are not part of the Caribbean.

Not all islands are equal. Some have high crime rates while others are quiet and peaceful. See Where to Sail for an island by island commentary and recommendation.