Where Caribbean Sailing Vacations Go

While you are sailing through the Caribbean, many sailing vacations include stops at different ports of call. Let us examine which stops offer what highlights, so you can plan your next sailing vacation around them. The destinations are presented in no particular order.

Aruba

Arubans brag about their crystal clear water and their white, sandy beaches, as well they should. A great time to go is during their carnival celebration that runs between January 5 and February 5 every year. This brilliantly colorful celebration reminds many of Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Aruba enjoys a high rate of return visitors throughout the year. Noticeable immediately is its rich colonial history and ancient cultures.

Bermuda

Referred to by some as "The Sunny and Enchanted Isle," the accent is very British and the business is pleasure. It is the oldest and most populated British overseas territory. Located off the east coast of the United States, Bermuda is about 1,100 miles northeast of Miami. Bermuda territory is made up of 138 islands. Many are afraid to make this their Caribbean sailing vacation destination because of all the supposed disappearances inside the "Bermuda Triangle."

Jamaica

First made famous when Columbus visited the country in 1494, Jamaica is the largest English speaking island in the Caribbean. It has been completely self-governed since 1962 when it ceased to be a British colony. There are many sugarcane plants and banana trees growing on this island.

Reggae legend Bob Marley was born in Jamaica. His reggae music can be heard wherever you go on this island. Author Ian Fleming, who lived in Jamaica, used it for the setting in many of his James Bond novels. They included "Live and Let Die," "Doctor No," "For Your Eyes Only," "The Man With The Golden Gun," and "Octopussy."

Barbados

This island is considered tropical, but be careful taking one of your Caribbean sailing vacations here because the constant trade winds that blow off the Atlantic Ocean keep temperatures very mild. They do have one of the highest standards of living and literacy rates in the world. In Barbados you will find very friendly people and very clean cities.

Make sure that before you leave on one of your Caribbean sailing vacations that you pack items like waterproof jacket, pants, and hat; waterproof and fog proof digital camera, binoculars, and sunglasses. Keep as many of your personal items in waterproof containers as possible. Don't have your Caribbean sailing vacation spoiled by getting severe sunburn. Wear sun block as much as possible.