Caribbean Compass – August 2026

Recycling Carnival – Carnival is one of the Caribbean’s most important cultural traditions. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people participate in parades and celebrations wearing elaborate costumes made from feathers, beads, wire, and fabric. While these costumes are central to the Carnival experience, many are worn for only a single day before being put into storage or thrown away. This creates a significant but often overlooked waste challenge. Or … an opportunity?

Island Spotlight: Barbuda – With endless pink-sand beaches, turquoise shoals, abundant wildlife and the Western Hemisphere’s largest frigatebird colony, Barbuda remains one of the Caribbean’s most extraordinary islands. Discover its natural beauty, fiercely independent culture and the development pressures threatening its traditional communal lands.

Bonaire’s Coastal Waters Under Threat: A major new study has uncovered troubling nutrient pollution and chemical contaminants in Bonaire’s coastal waters—with serious implications for its reefs, marine life and communities. See what scientists found.

Caribbean Marine Weather Resources – Shortwave Weather Nets & Websites updated for Summer/Fall 2026

Understanding Caribbean Rainfall: Why can one side of an island be lush while the other stays dry—and what warning signs reveal an approaching tropical wave? Meteorologist Amanda Delaney explains the forces shaping the Caribbean’s wet season. 

Feeding the Crew: When the nearest market is hundreds of miles away, creativity becomes the galley’s most valuable ingredient. One sailor shares the chefs, cookbooks and hard-earned lessons that transformed his cooking at sea. Step into the galley with Compass contributor David Lyman.