Yacht charter in the Caribbeans
Catamarans and monohulls
Turquoise waters like a poster, steady trade winds, short distances, bays that feel like a scene from a movie—and sunsets that break cynicism. Sheltered anchorages alongside colorful villages, a reef to snorkel at every turn, rum and tropical fruits on board, and a charter infrastructure well-oiled from dozens of bases. Outside of hurricane season (June–November), the weather is usually ideal for “comfort plus” sailing. There are super-easy routes for beginners (BVI/USVI), and there are “real Caribbean” for advanced sailors (the Grenadines/Grenada). All of this—in one flight and a week at the helm.
Sailing areas in the Caribbeans
British Virgin Islands (BVI)
The bays of Tortola and Virgin Gorda form a protected “inner sea” with steady trade winds. Anchoring below The Baths alone is worth the entire voyage. A quick hop to Jost Van Dyke for sunset—with a Painkiller cocktail in hand—completes the dream. Navigation is pure line-of-sight, with almost no surprises.
The BVI are the perfect sailing classroom for a first Caribbean adventure—a bareboat paradise, though crowded and pricey in peak season.
Arrival: EIS (Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport) on Beef Island.
Main Departure Bases
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Road Town
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Wickhams Cay II (Sunsail/The Moorings)
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A turquoise bay in the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. (By Mattes)
U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI)
St. Thomas / St. John
The beaches of St. John feel like an open-air aquarium—crystal-clear water, coral gardens, and calm overnight anchorages. St. Thomas offers a touch of city life with lively marinas, great dining, and easy logistics: you can board your yacht almost straight off the plane.
Sea conditions are gentle—“skipper-friendly” Caribbean sailing at its best.
Punchline: The Caribbean, with a smooth American-vanilla twist.
Arrival: STT (Cyril E. King International Airport, St. Thomas).
Main Departure Bases
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Compass Point Marina
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St. Thomas (Dream Yacht/VIYC)
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Yacht Haven Grande (Moorings)
The Abacos, Bahamas
The white of the sand, the turquoise of the sea—the Bahamian palette in all its glory. Short island-hops with countless snorkeling stops along the way. Quaint towns like Hope Town, with its iconic candy-striped lighthouse, beg for a photo stop.
The vibe is pure laid-back island life, where time drifts as slowly as the tide. A vast playground for skippers who love shallow-water navigation and easy sailing in crystal clarity.
Arrival: MHH (Marsh Harbour International Airport).
Main Departure Bases
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Marsh Harbour (בסיסי The Moorings ו-Sunsail)
Bahamas – The Exumas
Turquoise infinity pools, porpoises and Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park. “Private” reefs in the middle of nowhere. A pioneer feel without giving up a convenient base in Nassau. A paradise for snorkelers and kayakers.
Landing: NAS (Nassau)
Main Departure Bases
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Nassau – Palm Cay Marina (The Moorings/Dream Yacht)
Martinique
A lively marina from which you can set off for the “real Caribbean.” French beaches, boulangerie, and local rum. The bays of southern Martinique are perfect for a relaxing Sunday. If you want—jump south to the Grenadines. French comfort with a Caribbean soul.
Landing : FDF – Aimé Césaire
Main Departure Bases
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Le Marin (Dream Yacht)
Guadeloupe
A tropical “little Paris”: French bush in the morning, snorkeling in the afternoon, ram at night. Butterfly-shaped routes around the island. Easy connections to St. Martin/St. Barthélemy on domestic flights. A perfect playground for a quick week.
Landing: PTP – Guadeloupe Pôle Caraïbes
Main Departure Bases
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Pointe-à-Pitre – Bas du Fort (Dream Yacht)
Saint Martin / Saint Barth / Anguilla
French cuisine in St. Maarten, quiet luxury in St. Barth, white beaches in Anguilla. “Cross-culture” cruises in one day. Dramatic views and excellent infrastructure. Caribbean extra-chic.
Landing: SXM (Princess Juliana)
Main Departure Bases
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Marigot – Marina Fort Louis (Sunsail).
Skipper's License
Most charter companies in the Caribbean require an ICC (International Certificate of Competence) or an RYA license, along with a VHF operator’s certificate.
In some cases, the Israeli skipper’s license will also be accepted when accompanied by a VHF (GMDSS) certificate—so it’s best to confirm this in advance.
It’s also worth noting that some companies may agree to rent you a yacht without a formal license, provided you can prove sufficient sailing experience.