February 2025 is here, and we have tons of great features, and events to share. Check out our newly updated 2025 annual events calendar.
Download and read the February issue PDF now!
See our full Issue Archive and new newsletter archive.
First thing, if you are not already a subscriber, join the weekly Compass newsletter, it’s the best way to never miss an update on all things Caribbean sailing, traveling, and lifestyle: https://caribbeancompass.com/register
Island Spotlight for February: St. Barts – Often revered as playground for the super rich, and mega yachts, St. Barts is also an excellent destination for sailing cruisers. You’ll find a safe harbor, great beaches, challenging hikes, world-class dining, and a celebrated culture.
We are deeply saddened to report that Compass contributor Jim Hutchinson, “Hutch,” has died.
A lifelong sailor, longtime friend, author and Compass contributor. Jim passed away January 24, 2025. Caribbean Compass extends heartfelt sympathies to Hutch’s family and friends. Look for a tribute to Hutch in our March 2025
The Caribbean’s Own Sailors – Sailing Off Shore – For some people, sailing 2,700 nautical miles across the Atlantic Ocean from the Canary Islands to St. Lucia might be called a lifetime achievement, for these guys, it’s called going home.
Partaking in the 2nd Annual PAYS Dominica Yachting Festival in March 2024
What Cruisers Need to Know about the 2025 Dominica PAYS Yachting Festival
The Enemy of Good Health in Puerto Rico and USVI?
The Fifth National Climate Assessment, warned that extreme weather events caused by climate change will likely bring a decrease in quality of life to citizens in Puerto Rico and the USVI.
Night Sky – Updated for February
The February night sky is full of planets, meteors, and asteroids!
Sounds+ – New for February
You can hit February running with excitement from the first day to the last (which, this being February, is only 28 days farther down the road).
Attention Caribbean sailors, racers, charter enthusiasts, and marine professionals! We want your stories and in-depth know-how! Email editor@caribbeancompass.com
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
News Round-Up
Sixth Annual Bocas Del Toro Regatta – Caribbean Compass
Salty Dawgs: Destination Azores Rally – Plans are well underway for the first-ever Salty Dawg Sailing Association Rally to the Azores in spring 2025. – Caribbean Compass
Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Announces 11th Annual AUA Rohrman Trail & Swim Fest – Caribbean Compass
MarAlliance’s Human-Centered Approach to Marine Conservation – Caribbean Compass
New Marine Protected Area for Puerto Rico – Caribbean Compass
Caribbean Multihull Challenge Party Time – Caribbean Compass
This Is the Best ‘Cultural Destination’ in the Caribbean — and It Has Architectural Gems, Vintage Cars, and a Robust Music Scene – Travel + Leisure
The World’s Best Rum—According To Top Rum Experts – Forbes
Useful Links for Caribbean Bound Cruisers – Noonsite
27 of the Coolest Boutique Hotels in the Caribbean – The Times
First- never miss an update; join the Caribbean Compass’s weekly newsletter and get every update in your inbox!: https://caribbeancompass.com/register
Events Calendar for January
27-3 Feb Havana Jazz Festival, Havana, Cuba. jazzcuba.com
30-6 Feb Viking Explorers rally arrives Grenada
31-2 Feb Caribbean Multihull Challenge.
Events Calendar for February
2 World Wetlands Day
7 Public holiday in Grenada (Independence Day)
7-9 Jolly Harbour Valentine’s Regatta, Antigua.
9-16 Holetown Festival, Barbados.
12 FULL MOON (Full Snow Moon)
14 Valentine’s Day Jump-Up, St. Croix
14-21 British Virgin Islands Food and Wine Festival.
15-17 Kaaboo Festival, Cayman Islands.
17 Public holiday in Puerto Rico & USVI (Presidents’ Day)
18-21 RORC Nelson’s Cup Series, Antigua. caribbean600.rorc.org
21 Antigua 360 RTI Race, Antigua Yacht Club
21-4 Mar Carnival Ponce, Puerto Rico
24-28 RORC Caribbean 600 race, Antigua. https://caribbean600.rorc.org
24-3 Mar Oyster World Rally stop in Grenada.
22 Public holiday in St. Lucia (Independence Day)
23 Public holiday in Guyana (Mashramani Carnival)
23-5 Mar Curaçao carnival
25 Public holiday in Suriname (Liberation Day)
26-5 Mar Trinidad Carnival week.
27 Public holiday in Dominican Republic (Independence Day)
Entire month Carnaval Dominicano, Dominical Republic
Reminder- never miss an update; join the Caribbean Compass’s twice-monthly newsletter and get each new issue by email: https://caribbeancompass.com/register
Recent Articles
Island Spotlight: Saba – Saba rises from the sea like a fairy tale picture of a forbidden land. A mere five square miles, it reaches a lofty 3,084 feet.
Dominican Republic: The “Thornless Path” route to High-Season Fun – Heading south or north in winter/spring? Why not choose the “thornless” route to the Dominican Republic.
Joan Conover’s Clean Wake – Long before taking the helm of the SSCA, Conover was practicing one of their founding principles — leave a clean wake. On board, on land, and on the air… more
ULTRA Beryl Buckets of Love – The initiative was born as part of the ULTRA Community Projects and the SSCA Clean Wake program, to help the victims devastated by Beryl in the Eastern Caribbean.
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.
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.
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
