Sailing the Caribbean by Catamaran

The Caribbean, an ideal region for catamaran sailing

A sailing area perfectly suited to multihull cruising

The Caribbean stretches across several thousand nautical miles, from the Bahamas and the Greater Antilles to the Lesser Antilles island chain. Between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, it forms a vast cruising ground made up of hundreds of islands and islets.

In the Lesser Antilles, islands generally have a “windward” coast exposed to the Atlantic and the trade winds, and a “leeward” coast facing the Caribbean Sea, which is more sheltered. For sailors, this geography makes it possible to vary passages and anchorages depending on weather conditions and the itinerary chosen by the crew.

Each year, the Caribbean attracts thousands of sailors who come to discover it under sail, and especially aboard multihulls. Plans vary depending on personal ambitions: the region can be explored through a catamaran charter, or as part of a long-distance sailing journey aboard one’s own yacht.

Guadeloupe, Martinique, the British Virgin Islands, Saint Martin, the Bahamas… The Caribbean often offers highly favorable conditions for catamaran sailing. Within a given destination, distances from one island to another are reasonable, making it easy to alternate between time under sail and time at anchor.

In this cruising region, the catamaran offers several major advantages:

• It allows crews to reach shallow anchorages, such as the turquoise lagoons of the Tobago Cays in the Grenadines, Anegada in the British Virgin Islands or the Exumas in the Bahamas.
• The coachroof, cockpit, trampoline and sometimes the flybridge become the yacht’s main living spaces, allowing the crew to fully enjoy the outdoors, Caribbean sunshine and their surroundings.
• Whether as a couple, with family or with friends, the stability of a catamaran makes life on board especially comfortable, including on trips lasting several weeks.

 

Favorable weather for much of the year

The high season for a Caribbean cruise runs each year from November to May. During the dry season, the weather is generally very pleasant: Caribbean tropical temperatures range from 26 to 30°C in the air, and from 27 to 29°C in the water. The trade winds blow steadily from east to west, creating enjoyable conditions for sailing.

The Caribbean hurricane season generally runs from June to November. During this period, some crews continue south through the island chain, especially toward Grenada, Trinidad or the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao). Others choose to continue westward, or leave their boat in a secure marina and temporarily return to Europe.

Which itineraries should you choose for a catamaran cruise in the Caribbean?

A wide variety of cruising options

One of the Caribbean’s greatest appeals lies in the diversity of cruises it offers. Visiting the Grenadines from Martinique or Saint Lucia is probably the best-known itinerary for a Caribbean catamaran cruise. But the archipelago is far from being the only destination worth exploring by sea.

Other options include, for example:

• Guadeloupe and its nearby islands (Les Saintes, Marie-Galante, Petite-Terre) – ideal for planning a 10- to 15-day cruise with short passages and diverse nature-focused stopovers
• Saint Martin, Anguilla and/or Saint Barthélemy – to enjoy white sandy beaches and lively moments in marinas and ashore, in some of the Caribbean’s busier ports
• The Bahamas – for snorkeling sessions and, for example, observing turtles and fish in protected areas
• The British Virgin Islands (BVI) – to discover unique anchorages and a strong sailing culture

Cruising the Grenadines for a first major voyage

Saint Vincent, Bequia, Mayreau, Union Island, the Tobago Cays… The Grenadines are one of the top destinations associated with sailing in the Caribbean.

Between Martinique or Saint Lucia and the southern Grenadines, the relatively short distances and many possible stopovers make for easy and highly enjoyable sailing for a catamaran crew.

Among the Caribbean’s most famous anchorages, the Tobago Cays are a protected marine reserve renowned for their translucent waters and shallow seabeds. The area is particularly well suited to catamarans, as well as to water sports enjoyed directly from the boat: snorkeling, kitesurfing, wing foiling…

 

Example of a catamaran itinerary in the Grenadines (247 nautical miles)

• Martinique (Le Marin) → Saint Lucia – 30 nautical miles
  Saint Lucia → Saint Vincent – 40 nautical miles
  Saint Vincent → Bequia – 16 nautical miles
  Bequia → Mustique – 14 nautical miles
  Mustique → Mayreau – 20 nautical miles
  Mayreau → Tobago Cays – 5 nautical miles
  Tobago Cays → Morpion – 7 nautical miles
  Morpion → Petit Saint Vincent – 1 nautical mile
  Petit Saint Vincent → Bequia – 30 nautical miles
  Bequia → Saint Vincent – 18 nautical miles
  Saint Vincent → Saint Lucia – 36 nautical miles
  Saint Lucia → Martinique (Le Marin) – 30 nautical miles

 

Guadeloupe for an accessible cruise

The island of Guadeloupe is another departure point for a Caribbean cruise: thanks to direct flights from Paris and several major French cities, it is very easy to reach a catamaran charter base in Pointe-à-Pitre.

From there, you can quickly sail to Les Saintes, Marie-Galante and/or Petite-Terre, even on a shorter stay.

With short distances between the bays and islands to explore, sailing in the French West Indies is particularly well suited to crews discovering the Caribbean for the first time.

Among the must-see stopovers are Deshaies Bay, Gosier Islet, Îlet à Cabrit and Anse du Bourg.

Example of a catamaran itinerary departing from Pointe-à-Pitre (156 nautical miles)

• Pointe-à-Pitre (Bas-du-Fort Marina) → Îlet du Gosier – 3 nautical miles
  Îlet du Gosier → Marie-Galante – 19 nautical miles
  Marie-Galante → Dominica – 28 nautical miles
  Dominica → Les Saintes – 30 nautical miles
  Les Saintes → Deshaies – 30 nautical miles
  Deshaies → Malendure – 9 nautical miles
  Malendure → Pointe-à-Pitre (Bas-du-Fort Marina) – 37 nautical miles

 

Other Caribbean islands are also accessible by direct flight from mainland France: for example, it takes only 8 to 9 hours to reach Martinique or Saint Martin from Paris.

This proximity makes it easy to organize a catamaran charter for the holidays, but also to quickly rejoin your own boat for several weeks or months of sailing each year. For those living aboard a catamaran in the Caribbean, it also remains relatively simple to return to France occasionally or welcome family and friends on board.

 

The Caribbean as part of an Atlantic circuit

For many yacht owners, the Caribbean is a major stage of an Atlantic circuit by catamaran: after an ocean crossing from Europe via the Canary Islands, crews generally spend several months in the Lesser Antilles before making the return passage from the Caribbean to Europe via the Azores.

Others choose to continue on toward Panama and the Pacific Ocean as part of a round-the-world sailing adventure.

Sailing distances between Caribbean islands

 

Caribbean cruising area	Examples of crossings
Bahamas	Nassau → Eleuthera: 62 nautical miles Nassau → Shroud Cay: 65 nautical miles Nassau → George Town (Exumas): 138 nautical miles
British Virgin Islands	Tortola (Road Town) → Virgin Gorda: 12 nautical miles Tortola → Peter Island: 10 nautical miles Tortola → Cooper Island: 7 nautical miles
Saint-Martin	Saint Martin (Anse Marcel) → Anguilla: 15 nautical miles
Guadeloupe	Pointe-à-Pitre → Marie-Galante: 21 nautical miles Pointe-à-Pitre → Les Saintes: 22 nautical miles Pointe-à-Pitre → Deshaies: 46 nautical miles
Martinique	Le Marin → Saint Lucia: 25 nautical miles
Grenadines	Saint Lucia → Saint Vincent: 52 nautical miles Bequia → Tobago Cays: 26 nautical miles

Life on board a catamaran in the Caribbean

A daily rhythm shaped by island discovery

In the Caribbean, the short length of passages generally leaves plenty of time to enjoy the yacht and its surroundings. Swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling, beaches, hiking and onshore discoveries… in most cases, from breakfast until sunset, it is the activities around sailing and stopovers that truly shape a catamaran cruise.

The importance of self-sufficiency on board

In the Caribbean, it is common to spend several nights in a row at anchor, the catamaran surrounded by turquoise water. This way of travelling encourages crews to pay particular attention to the resources available on board, especially water and energy. Some catamaran models depend heavily on marina infrastructure and need to return to port regularly. Many Lagoon catamarans can be equipped with watermakers and solar panels to provide autonomy in both fresh water and electricity.

On several models in the range, the UVOJI water purification system also reduces the need to carry plastic bottles by making it possible to drink water directly on board.

Prepare your Caribbean sailing plans with Lagoon

Whether you are considering your first catamaran charter or planning a major Caribbean cruise, preparing your multihull depends above all on the sailing program you have in mind:

• Length of stay on board
• Number of guests on board
• Areas you want to explore
• Type of sailing you are looking for
• Desired level of autonomy

Lagoon catamaran charter companies and dealers can support you in shaping your project and help you choose the model best suited to your needs.

FAQ – Sailing the Caribbean by catamaran

Why is a catamaran particularly well suited to the Caribbean?

A catamaran’s shallow draft gives access to many anchorages, making it possible to discover exceptional Caribbean destinations. Both under sail and at anchor, the boat’s stability is also highly appreciated.

 

What is the best time to sail the Caribbean by catamaran?

The most favorable period generally runs from November to May: air temperatures range between 26 and 30°C, the trade winds blow steadily, and weather conditions are usually stable for sailing.

 

What are the most beautiful catamaran itineraries in the Caribbean?

In the Caribbean, the Grenadines (Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Bequia, Mayreau, Union Island, the Tobago Cays) are among the most renowned itineraries. The British Virgin Islands, as well as Guadeloupe and its nearby islands in the French West Indies, are also very popular.

 

Can you sail the Caribbean during hurricane season?

The Caribbean hurricane season broadly runs from June to November. Sailing is still possible, but it is recommended to favor areas with lower risk—especially the southern part of the Lesser Antilles, such as Grenada, Trinidad or the ABC islands. Regularly checking weather forecasts remains essential.

 

Is the Caribbean suitable for a long-term sailing project?

Yes. The Caribbean is almost always one of the cruising grounds chosen by crews on long-distance voyages around the world or on an Atlantic circuit. Thanks to the great diversity of destinations to explore, it is easy to spend several months there. Direct air access from France is also a real advantage, especially for welcoming family and friends on board.