December is here, which means rallies, holidays, and the high season! Here’s the latest!
Read the correspondence we received about the boat Equinox, pictured on our December cover.
Download and read the November issue PDF now!
All New Full Issue Archive available here
First thing, if you are not already a subscriber, join our twice-monthly newsletter and never miss an update on Caribbean sailing, traveling and lifestyle: https://caribbeancompass.com/register
The U.S. Virgin Islands – Island Spotlight
The islands of St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix, along with numerous islets, offer some of the most stunning beauty and pristine sailing conditions imaginable.
The Barnard Family Legacy: Pioneers of Caribbean Yachting and Aviation
The Barnard family blazed a path in Caribbean tourism, aiming to highlight the beauty of the islands and enhance the visitor experience.
Your Guide to the Caribbean’s Best New Year’s Eve Celebrations
Check out our updated guide to parties throughout the Caribbean for 2024
Click here to open ISSUU reader in full page mode here
Weather websites and nets, newly updated for winter 2024 – 2025
Latest weather nets and websites
by Bill Woodroffe
Caribbean Yacht Security — Everyone’s Concern, Everyone’s Responsibility
Night Sky for December
What to see in November. Look up!
by Jim Ulik
News Round-Up
A crew member went overboard during the ARC Rally from the yacht Ocean Breeze Monday Dec 2nd – World Cruising
Swedish Leopard 45 Karolina Viking, sailing in the ARC Rally issued a MAYDAY with a leak in her starboard engine compartment – World Cruising
The World’s Best Rum—According To Top Rum Experts – Forbes
Saba’s Plan for a Coral Comeback – Caribbean Compass
Imray Announces End to Chart Publishing – Noonsite
Largest superyachts heading to the Antigua Charter Yacht Show 2024 – Super Yacht Times
Useful Links for Caribbean Bound Cruisers – Noonsite
Luperon’s Diesel-Leaking Fishing Fleet Was Protected by Drug Cartel – Loose Cannon
New hope for Caribbean corals: Meet the heat-resistant recruits – Nature Today
Bahamas New Processing Fee for Extensions of Stay – Noonsite
27 of the Coolest Boutique Hotels in the Caribbean – The Times
Buckets of Water, Waves of Change: A Father-Son Bond Forged Offshore For years, a dad imagined his son joining him offshore. It finally happened—but then nothing went according to plan. – Cruising World
The High Latitude Challenge 2026 – 2027 – Cornell Sailing
Understanding Coral Bleaching and the Plan for Restoration – The Voice
Sint Maarten Yacht Club Hosts Successful Optimist Championship with Top Honors Awarded – SMYC
First- never miss an update; join the Caribbean Compass’s twice-monthly newsletter and get each new issue by email: https://caribbeancompass.com/register
Events Calendar for December
1-15 Bachata Festival and Dance, Dominican Republic
4-9 Antigua Charter Yacht Show.
5-8 Course de L’Alliance, St. Maarten, St. Barts & Anguilla. www.smyc.com
5-12 Optimist World Championship. St. Thomas, USVI. stthomasyachtclub.org
6-8 Afro Fest Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
6-8 Run Barbados Marathon8 Clean Coast Bonaire
8 Jamaica Reggae Marathon, Negril.
12 ARC+ prize giving in Port Louis Marina, Grenada
12 Parade of Lanterns, Castries, St. Lucia
12-16 Winter Pride Fest, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Gaytravel4U.com
13 Public holiday in St. Lucia (National Day – Festival of Lights and Renewal)
13-2 Jan Sugar Mas Festival, St. Kitts and Nevis. Skncarnival.com
14-1 Jan Montserrat Carnival
15 FULL MOON (Full Cold Moon)
15 Kingdom Day. Legal holiday, Bonaire
16-24 Nine Mornings Festival, St. Vincent. discoversvg.com
19-24 Parrandas de Remedios, Remedios, Cuba.
21 Winter Solstice
21 ARC prize giving in IGY Rodney Bay Marina, Saint Lucia
25 Public holiday in many places (Christmas Day)
26 Public holiday in many places (Boxing Day)
26 Maskanoo, Turks and Caicos. turksandcaicostourism.com
26-4 Jan Crucian Christmas Carnival, St. Croix, USVI
31 Nelson’s Pursuit Race, Antigua. antiguayachtclub.com.
31 New Year’s Eve/Old Year’s Night: Parties in many places.
Reminder- never miss an update; join the Caribbean Compass’s twice-monthly newsletter and get each new issue by email: https://caribbeancompass.com/register
POPULAR LAST MONTH
What is the Ideal Sailboat for the Caribbean?
David Lyman, veteran Caribbean sailor and Compass contributor, answers this question.
November Island Spotlight: The British Virgin Islands
With their steady northeast trade winds and numerous sheltered coves and harbors, the BVI attracts sailors from around the globe.
On a Wing and a Foil: Flying the Trades atop Caribbean Waters
A sport that combines elements of windsurfing, kitesurfing, and hydro foiling, wingfoiling is one of the fastest-growing water sports in the Caribbean.
Featured: Cruisers’ Expectations: Sailing to the “Don’t Go” Spots. By Ed Lowrie
Island Spotlight: St. Kitts and Nevis – St. Kitts and Nevis are two distinct islands under a single country. By Lexi Fisher & Chris Doyle
Caribbean Ocean Currents – A confluence of several currents from the Atlantic, flows in a general east-southeast to west-northwest. By Amanda Delaney
