Guide to the Caribbean

Often divided into five main areas, the Caribbean encompasses the Leeward Islands, the Windward Islands, the Greater Antilles, the Leeward Antilles, and, culturally if not geographically, the Bahamas and Turks. The Bahamas actually sit in the Atlantic Ocean rather than the Caribbean Sea itself, just north of Cuba, but their charter scene is so closely tied to the wider region that they're almost always grouped in with it.

The Leeward and Windward Islands are typically the most popular charter grounds, taking in St Martin, St Barts, Martinique, Saint Lucia, and Barbados, alongside the British Virgin Islands. This stretch of the Caribbean is particularly well suited to sailing yacht charters, with secluded anchorages within easy reach of one another for island-hopping itineraries.

On a Caribbean yacht charter, the variety is part of the appeal: vibrant nightlife on one island, quiet rainforest trails on the next, with diving and snorkeling opportunities throughout. Reefs and wrecks lie close to shore in many areas, making for accessible exploration even for less experienced snorkelers.

A luxury yacht charter in the Caribbean means the freedom to move between islands at your own pace, swapping one landscape and culture for the next without ever needing to repeat a day.