Future Caribbean Voyages

"Good Things Come to Those Who Wait"

We are in an unusual position where we currently have no ships in the Caribbean this winter 2012-2013, but will have at least two next winter.  We do stongly recommend that you look at Cape Verde on three mast schooner Oosterschelde as a very impressive alternative to the Caribbean.  Cape Verde comprises of 10 islands on same tropical latitude as St Lucia and with strong trade winds and considerably less humidity than the Caribbean. The sailing is fast and turtles and flying fish abound. Each island is very different and the ships crew arrange jeep safaris with a local guide.

Cape Verde as an Alternative to Caribbean this winter - Sailing Schedule - descriptions, dates & prices

A Privateer in the Caribbean.

A very exciting boat building project is about to come to fruition on 4th August 2012. The first three masted lugger built for 200 years will be launched. 1776 Privateer replica Grayhound will be offering voyages in an exploration style - around the Atlantic, including a Christmas Trans Atlantic Crossing from Cape Verde to Barbados in December 2013. She will be sailing through the Caribbean with 7-14 day voyages from Grenada, St Lucia, Martinique, and Antigua.

Photo is La Cancalaise - a French three mast lugger which has very similar dimensions to Grayhound. If you are thinking about sailing Grayhound in the Caribbean you can book now, or come to the launch or one of her open days.

You can also help race Grayhound at St Martin Classics Regatta and Antigua Classics in 2014

Grayhound Caribbean Sailing Schedule 2013-2014 - descriptions, dates & prices

Square Rigger Sails up the Caribbean Island Chain

As part of her Around the World Voyage, British Barque Lord Nelson will be sailing a leg from Recife in Brazil to Halifax in Canada (18th June - 1st August 2014).  With over 4500 miles to cover in 45 days this is a serious ocean challenge, but she will be sailing the full length of the Caribbean as well as up the East Coast of America past Maine to Nova Scotia. Her sister ship Tenacious has spent several winters exploring the Caribbean from Gaudaloupe to the Turks and Caicos and Bahamas, so the ships company know some of the best places to go on route.  This voyage is open to able bodied and disabled crew.

Lord Nelson Around The World Schedule - description, dates and prices

Trade Winds & Tropical Sun

The Caribbean West Indies is perhaps the most perfect sailing ground in the world in terms of wind, sunshine and variety of places to visit. The Caribbean sits squarely in the North East trade wind belt and this time of year is peak season and well outside the hurricane season. Ships like Tenacious revell in strong winds and boisterous turquoise seas and the white square sails look magnificent against the deep blue skies.  There is few things to beat a tropical sunset below the yard arm at anchor away from the tourist hustle and bustle ashore, or landing on a remote beach anchorage under a forest covered volcanic peak. The ship engineer's deck barbeque and punch are legendary too.

Lush rainforests, mountains and waterfalls

If you have been dazzled by the natural scenery in the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' movies then both Guadaloupe and Dominica are much closer to that lush volcanic island paradise than more well known Caribbean tourism locations.  The second movie 'Dead Mans Chest' and 3rd Capt Jack Sparrow adventure At 'World's End' were filmed in the rainforests of Dominica, close to Guadaloupe.

Coral Reefs & Marine Wildlife

Some of the best dive sites in the world are in the Caribbean, but you don't have to be a diver to enjoy them. In Scotts Bay, Dominica you can swim off the beach with a snorkel and face mask and swim from shallow coral and 12ft of water to a sheer underwater wall of coral and cliff - descending 4000ft. Alive with fish and coral and upwelling plankton, this sunken volcanic crater is also deep enough for Sperm Whales to swim close inshore. Further North the Bahamas Banks contain approximately 5 percent of the worlds coral reefs and the crystal clear visibility over white sand bottom means you may see sharks, dolphins and turtles from the ships deck without getting wet.

Caribbean Island Life

The cliche is that the Caribbean is very laid back.  The relality is that every island community and culture is different. Compare the French sophistication and fashion concious young people of Guadaloupe and Martinique, where people watching is an art form, to the Caribs of Dominica pushing their solid dugout canoes out into the ocean with hand woven fish traps.

The section below is from past voyages to the Caribbean.

A Very Special Ships Company

Tenacious is a ship specially designed to take disabled crew sailing where they can participate as equals. If you are lucky enough not to have any disabilities - just think how the rewards of exploring the Caribbean in an adventurous context on a an eye catching ship feels to those who would normally have a very restricted choice of holiday abroad.  The local islanders have seen plenty of rich tourists sipping rum punches and trying to look laid back and cool.  It is far easier to talk and relate to local people when you are a bunch of sailors ashore struggling with a friend in a wheel chair or having a laugh with an ex soldier with a leg missing !.....especially when they hear you have arrived as crew on a square rigger.

>> Read more about voyages from Guadaloupe & Martinique

>>Read more about voyages around Antigua

>>Read more about Turks & Caicos & North to Bahamas on Tenacious

PDF Download or print our 10 page Caribbean mini brochure on 'Eye of the Wind' & 'Tenacious'