New Winter Sailing Destinations in the Caribbean

Although the sailing season in the South EasternThe charming French islands of Martinique and
Mediterranean runs from mid-May to the end ofGuadeloupe have long been an attractive
October, there is still significant demand fromalternative to the traditional winter destinations for
European sailors for charters in waters warmfrost-bitten Brits, but one that they seem
during the long, cold Northern winter.determined to ignore. A quick connecting hop to
Traditionally the Caribbean has been the mainParis and a direct flight from there to either
beneficiary of this. The British have tended to goFrench island is an altogether more attractive
to the ex-colonies - the Virgin Islands, Antigua,option; when you get there the Gallic charm (and
and Grenada. This always has two problems.excellent food) is much in evidence; and there are
Travel costs are high and/or inflexible, and theplenty of yachts to charter from companies
area is equally popular with North Americans toevery bit as well equipped and more flexible than
the point that it gets very crowded. Getting theretheir neighbours in the English speaking Caribbean!
from the USA is seriously cheap and easy, andThe cruising opportunities are almost the same.
there is little or no time difference.