With white sands and blue seas, the Caribbean has long been a dream holiday destination for people across the world. The wide range of activities available makes it the perfect place to spend some time, whether for your annual family holiday or a quick trip with friends. Given its popularity, you may be nervous about the crowds with the current situation. That’s why we recommend renting a boat with Nautal! This allows you to avoid the crowds while still experiencing the beauty of the Caribbean. What if you can’t sail or don’t have a boating licence? Not a problem! You can rent the boat with a skipper, leaving you free to fully enjoy your Caribbean sailing adventure.
Why go sailing in the Caribbean?
There are many ways to pass your holiday in these beautiful islands, so why choose a Caribbean sailing charter rather than a hotel? Aside from the obvious current desire to avoid crowded beaches and hotel swimming pools, boating holidays can be beneficial for your mental health, helping you to relax and lower stress levels. It can also be a once in a lifetime opportunity to see a range of marine animals up close and is generally a very safe way to spend your holidays. Just be careful to avoid hurricane season, which peaks from mid-August to late October.
Which marine species can you hope to see while sailing in the Caribbean?
The Caribbean islands are so rich in marine life that the possibilities are endless. There are over 1000 species of fish in the surrounding oceans, including many species of shark, rays, and moray eels. The shark species include, but aren’t limited to, tiger sharks, bull sharks, and Caribbean reef sharks. For the fishing fanatics among you, Atlantic Goliath Groupers and Blue Marlins also lurk close to the reefs. These ocean giants are a prized catch for any angler. If you prefer marine mammals, the Caribbean is also home to seals, manatees, and dolphins. In addition, many species of whales, such as sperm and humpback whales, reside there.
Furthermore, a great effort has been made in recent years to work on sea turtle conservation in the Caribbean. As a result, the numbers are on the increase, giving you a good chance of spotting one while sailing the Caribbean Sea. Species to look out for include leatherbacks, loggerheads, and even the critically endangered Hawksbill turtles.
Where are the best snorkelling spots in the Caribbean?
This is a tough question to answer because each island has a range of locations perfect for both experienced snorkellers and beginners. Trunk Bay in the US Virgin Islands has an underwater snorkelling trail. This trail identifies marine life for those brave enough to give it a go, and the island of Martinique has several spots perfect for swimming with turtles and stingrays. Among these are places such as Anse Noire and Anse d’Arlet.
If you want to see something truly unique, check out the many underwater statues in the seas surrounding the Caribbean islands. You can find a few noteworthy examples in the Jacques Cousteau Underwater Reserve in Guadeloupe, Saint Pierre in Martinique, and the BREEF Coral Reef Sculpture Garden in the Bahamas.
The one in Guadeloupe is of Jacques Cousteau. He is a French ocean explorer, co-inventor of the Aqua-Lung, and educator of millions about the ocean and its fauna. The statue in Martinique, meanwhile, is Maman d’lo. It weighs over 20 tons and depicts the Creole version of a mermaid that capsizes passing ships. Arguably the most impressive, though, is the Ocean Atlas statue off the western coast of New Providence island in the Bahamas. It’s the largest underwater statue in the world, at around 5 metres tall and weighing 60 tonnes. In fact, it’s so big, they assembled it underwater!
We hope you enjoy your Caribbean sailing adventure and that the above information was helpful. If you have questions, let us know! In the meantime, for more information on sailing in the Caribbean, check out this Guide for Sailing the Caribbean.
