Cruising the Caribbean

Bahamas: Some geographers might not include the Bahamas in this area. For the sake of convince I do. There are many jewels here and many just plain ol' stones. But, not everyone will agree which is which. We've spent many years cruising and enjoying the N Bahamas. After decades of cruising, we still consider the Bahamas one of the worlds best cruising ground.

Eastern Carribean: For many cruisers, this is the Holy Grail of destinations, the AVI's and BVI's being cruisers central. While in our 30's and beginning to dabble in this lifestyle we made the decision to skip places deemed dangerous and places where the governments are not fond of Americans. Hati was one, Venezuela another.

We also skipped the island group known as the Turks and Cacos, for a different reason. In the cruising community it is oft referred to as the "Thorny Path". Rightly so. It is not an easy passages. One friend, before the time of GPS loved to tell the story of them doing a day passage. By night fall they could see the island but prudence kept them from attempting a night approach. They hove to and waited for daylight. The lights of the island disappeared and when they started out the next morning, his fix put them at a negative 7 miles for the 24 hours run. Yes they floated with the current all the way back and then some.

Southern Caribbean via Trinidad and Panama We completed boat projects and played tourist in both Trinidad and Grenada. From Grenada where we shot off West, to the ABC's, Columbia and Panama, skipping Venezuela. Years ago we had decided to avoid countries that the US wasn't getting along with.

Panama: Spans two cruising areas, The Pacific and the Caribbean.

We spent the majority of time on the Caribbean side. For us, it was more to our liking. Calm anchorages, good fishing, great people. The Pacific side was rougher. The waters not as clear, and the city people, well, they were from a metropolis. Not that easy to get to know them as many were living their lives in the fast lane.