Your chartering options include sailing yachts and power yachts, although that's a bit of a misnomer, since the sailing yachts also are powered. The Gifford family on board Totem in Bonaire in 2017. We had a fantastic beach front villa, and the staff are efficient and very friendly. The sailing is very safe with good local instructors and safety boats always out on the water. I met yet another friend in St Martin (the Caribbean sailing community is a small one and it’s easy to meet people) who was sailing over to the BVIs to host a couple of visiting friends for a charter experience. This was our second visit with our 7 year old daughter and 18 year old son. "They had done multiple-week sails in the Mediterranean before, and they kept records and calculated how much it cost," said Dignum. Spend your days shopping on the beautiful streets of St. Thomas. Caribbean sailing boat charter guide. "I look back at the kids' childhood and the experience they have swimming with whales in Papua New Guinea," said Behan. These include human powered boats, such as … If you love to sail, or want to learn to sail or just love watching the beautiful water this is a great resort. After a certain number of days you just dont want the same options. In 2007, I upgraded to a 2005 Precision 23, Purr’n, named after my cat.I keep Purr’n on Lake Erie in Sandusky, Ohio, and sail around the nearby islands. Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. "Be aware that there may be hot spots when you're traveling," she said, "but it's beautiful, friendly, safe, and the food is amazing. The tuition is excellent. Sailing the Caribbean aboard new boats in top conditions is a must: we provide the best bareboat, crewed and skippered sailboat rental Caribbean sailing vacations from 30 feet to 200 feet and 6 guests cabins. For more action they need to head to Falmouth Harbour which is 30 mins and USD80 return taxi.For us this holiday was perfect. Meanwhile, Behan, 48, and Jaime Gifford, 51, who are in their 10th year of living aboard Totem, a Stevens 47, logged decades of sailing experience prior to setting off on their journey in 2008. He had budgeted for daily expenses of about $25. "I would dress in the marina's bathroom and go to work in my wingtips," Geoff said. Behan and Jaime cover their expenses on with some rental income from a house they own on Bainbridge Island, Washington, along with additional income from Behan's writing, Jaime's sail-making and rigging work, plus personal coaching for other prospective cruisers. Please see our partners for more details. Nonsuch is about 1/2hr to 1hr drive from most of the 'busy' parts of the island, hence if you want to get about regularly I recommend a hire car. Sailing in the Caribbean is a dream of many sailors. Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. Geoff Thomas worked in marinas through high school and college, and then spent much of his time as an adult sailing during his free time. Although coast guard service is lacking (at best) so always sail prepared. The main sailing season in the Caribbean runs from November to July. "Things get riskier in southeast Asia. more. Expect to work: Duties could include watch standing, cooking, manning the helm and pretty much anything that arises. The Virgin Islands are a great choice for beginner sailors, as the beautiful islands can be accessed within a short distance. If you're ready to commit to a boat, watch your expenses. Sail in the Caribbean! "The island people of the Pacific are so warm and welcoming, and I don't feel I'm in danger there," she said. Sailing in the Caribbean is an unforgettable adventure that you must try. But, it is simply not going to cut it out at sea for long. If you're living aboard, however, you'll need to notify your insurer and add coverage. Not cheap but worth every penny. For the sheer thrill of sailing, you can beat a monohull yacht—the Moorings 54.5 can carry up to 11 passengers—but for comfort and smooth sailing go for a catamaran. Find out how Grenada lives up to its nickname “The Spice Island of the Caribbean”. ", More from Personal FinanceHere's how to retire abroad without any tax surprisesThese are the states where retirees have the most incomeThe best time to book summer travel may be in April. We travelled with two other familes with children age 9, 11 and 15. Good quality, great for beginners, very safe, very affordable. Ask Jennifer_hatfield about Nonsuch Bay Resort Antigua, Ask Jenny191272 about Nonsuch Bay Resort Antigua. "We came back after two years with our bank accounts depleted, got our jobs back, and have had employer-based insurance since then.". In addition a regular procession of HUGE mega yachts enter the bay to spend the day (and even night) and they are fun to sail around. The Pardeys are icons of small sailboat cruising. A Division of NBCUniversal. As there were not many other guests at the resort when we were there we had the infinity pools and the beach almost to ourselves. I am looking forward to returning as soon as I can. They are planning on sailing in the Mediterranean and eventually making their way back to the U.S. on a transatlantic trip. Our older children tended to spend most of the time on the water. Try a sailing school or volunteer as part of a sailing crew first. If you imagine a typical small sailboat such as a wayfarer you are looking at a pretty solid boat. This was the perfect holiday, sailing fantastic food, friendly realxed, professional service and elegant accomodation. They had less than half that amount by the time they sailed out of the Puget Sound in 2008. They heel over at 30 to 35 degrees, making them less comfortable and wetter, but they offer sailing performance that far exceeds that of the catamarans. This is a very quiet resort with no nightlife, but superb food - ideal if that's what you want from a holiday. Hang out at the docks and marinas and go day sailing. They did have only one race while we were there and should do them daily. The wine list is fine and affordable. All Rights Reserved. You can expect most boats over 36 feet to have twin steering stations that allow for easy passage from the cockpit to a swim platform carved into the transom. Both are superbly managed. The resort still needs alot of things, it has only one restaurant which is expensive. They shld also offer a take out bar with fresh foods for quick pick up. Both the Thomases and Giffords used older boats for their trips: Saturnalia was built in 1973 and Totem in 1982. Here's how to retire abroad without any tax surprises, These are the states where retirees have the most income, The best time to book summer travel may be in April. "After taking the boat around the world, it requires quite a bit of maintenance," said Behan Gifford. Most handling will be done from the cockpit. The two did extensive research in order to determine how much they can expect to spend while living on the boat. If you love to sail, love the sun, want peace and quiet and terrific service this is the place for you.We fully recommend it and would go back with family and friends. Sailing the Caribbean Islands is relatively easy. ", Behan Gifford also makes a point of steering clear of areas in the Indian Ocean and South China Sea. "We're very conservative and risk averse.". Sailing in the Caribbean. The Thomases were living out of a marina in Norfolk, Virginia, aboard Saturnalia, a Cuthbertson & Cassian 35 sailboat. It does well in both light and heavy air, accelerates easily and due to its fin keel, maneuvers well in close quarters. This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. At the time, he was 33 and an executive at a shipping container company, and his then-31-year-old wife was a medical editor. Lastly, having a day care service one could contract, or small children's area would an asset to those who want to stay. We knew that we wanted to spend about a year sailing in the Caribbean. Currently, the family of five resides on Totem in Banderas Bay, Mexico. They do also need to offer alternate sports facilities for those who dont sail like Tennis or a gym. They enjoyed marine life enough that they decided to set a date, save aggressively and part ways with their jobs so that they could sail Saturnalia to Bermuda in 1993. As there were not many other guests at the resort when we were there we had the infinity pools and the beach almost to ourselves. Accommodation is mostly in large privately owned appartments which have been furnished to a very high standard. We love quiet and relaxed holidays but we also like to meet new people and chat about our love of travel or sailing. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Immerse yourself in the unspoiled paradise of Puerto Rico’s Spanish Virgin Islands. The restaurant is probably one of the best on Antigua although the menu didn't change during the week we were there. A daily maid service kept it clean and tidy. Starting at ground zero? It's also the best opportunity for exploration. We love everything about Nonsuch Bay which is still really a fledgling resort. https://www.lifeofsailing.com/post/cost-to-live-on-a-sailboat-in-the-caribbean You cannot and need not drive on the island as the roads are pretty rough and the resort is 40 minuates away from St Johns so take the shuttle and be prepared to be at the resort.The sail boats are new and they have a good fleet. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. superb sailing, fabulous food, very quiet location- great holiday if you want to sail! Here, sailors share their stories about living large while sailing small. Budget for more than you think: Boat upkeep, repairs to plumbing and sails are expected. 2 miles long and 1 mile wide, protected by an invisible reef, with constant wind. Try a sailing school or volunteer as part of a sailing crew first. Don't forget to insure your floating home. Young children are well catered for at the sailing club with daily activities. "We knew we wanted to take off, see the world a little bit, live on board and sail for a couple of years," he said. © 2021 CNBC LLC. There is very little on the island which adds to its beauty and charm but you are not going grocery shopping so the resort should do more in the way of offering preordered foods so your fridge/freezer is stocked when you arrive. 1 of 11 NEXT → By Caribbean Journal Staff . 16yr olds and up might crave a little more action unless they come with (or make) friends in which case the bar is probably adequate fun for a week's stay. On a Caribbean sailing vacation you'll experience your nautical dreams in a unique and thrilling way. Otherwise a very efficient taxi service will ferry you around on the odd night that you want to get out and about. Don't forget the financial side of boat care: Even if you only sail on the weekends, you need to insure your vessel. I started sailing in 2004 on a Precision 23 that I purchased at an auction. Total Cost. Tiny boats can sail the Caribbean and one of my dreams is to sail something small (not exactly tiny though) like a Corsair Marine [ 1] trimaran there. Depending on the arrangement, a boat owner might cover your onboard and travel costs. We also knew that we wanted to buy a boat already located there to avoid months smashing into wind and waves trying to get there from the east coast. The ports and islands in the Caribbean are ideal for those who love adventures, beautiful sights and hot. Put simply, the co s t of living in the Caribbean on a sailboat depends on your lifestyle, just like house living.. But the going was far from easy. Someone offering day sails would probably charge $20-$30 per person.” Gary also suggests taking sailboat vacations to learn more. Great Sailing experience and fabulous food! time, the boat, the ability and the dream of tossing his/her lines and sailing off into the sunset. With Half Moon Bay, absolutely one of the best beaches in the world, around the corner (you need a car) this is a perfect resort for an active family with kids of all ages. We want to hear from you. Sailing between islands on a beautiful schooner or cruising around Cuba on a luxury motor yacht has got relaxation written all over it, but sailing and cruising in the Caribbean offers more than just idyllic swimming and sunsets off the starboard prow. If you're really looking for an adventure, try volunteering as crew for someone else's yacht. It was nicely built and had a wrap around porch and 10 doors that opened up so you felt like your villa was part of the warm outdoors. By the end of July, most Caribbean cruisers are either back in the states, or waiting out the entire hurricane season in Trinidad or Tobago, or in the "ABC islands": Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao. I found the restaurant to be good value given the quality of food. "Most people out here have bits of trickle income in addition to their retirement plan; it's not the conventional 'I saved and live off of my savings,'" she said. The chef is first class, the food fresh and innovative and the service attentive and very professional. smaller islands in this area. The Lonely Island performing "I'm On A Boat.". The sailing school is a gem, the staff do all they can to make every age and skill level welcome. Count on about USD35 per head for 2 course dinner (less for lunch). A little spot of paradise! Otherwise buy provisions BEFORE you arrive and use the excellent kitchens in the apartments. The couple kicked off a two-year jaunt that eventually brought them up and down the East Coast and into the Caribbean. Marina expenses can vary wildly, depending on where you keep your boat: Expect to be charged based on the size of your boat, plus potential extra fees for electric service and other amenities. Welcome to Boats-Caribbean.com - A&C Yacht Brokers. Review of Nonsuch Bay Resort Antigua Reviewed February 21, 2011 Accommodation is mostly in large privately owned appartments which have been furnished to a very high standard. It was ridiculously comfortable for a family of 6. Not only were the staff universally friendly, they could not do enough for you if you asked for something. The Giffords had socked away money for 10 years with a goal of hitting $200,000 before setting off on a five-year sabbatical to sail around the world with their three kids. There are several categories of small craft that may be used for cruising, including motor vessels and sailing vessels, both of which may operate over large ranges, and may cross oceans or circumnavigate the globe during a voyage, and smaller vessels, which may be used for day trips, overnight trips and short coastal and inland voyages. "If you're coming into a marina every night, you can't do this unless you have a great deal of money," said Geoff Thomas. “This is called crewed chartering, where you can sail the boat under the watchful eye of the captain.” Our teenage boys were up kite surfing with only 4 hours of instruction! "You have to replace the wiring and the rig to know it's good and strong.". Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Or, rekindle your love for open water adventure in Antigua's first-rate sailing … Caribbean sailing cruise aboard monohull Caribbean boats from the main bases of Leeward, Virgin and Windward Islands. Most transatlantic rally sailors end their voyage at the excellent new Rodney Bay Marina before heading somewhere quieter for Christmas. The staff was more than accommodating and as time goes I'm sure will offer more services. Nonsuch feels like you are meeting people in a lovely home.The dining room is intimate with a beautiful view of the bay. 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