{"id":11593,"date":"2021-01-23T11:44:28","date_gmt":"2021-01-23T16:44:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/?p=11593"},"modified":"2021-01-23T11:44:28","modified_gmt":"2021-01-23T16:44:28","slug":"the-lesser-antilles-our-favorite-cruising-grounds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/?p=11593","title":{"rendered":"The Lesser Antilles, our favorite cruising grounds."},"content":{"rendered":"

Over the last 40 years Brenda and I have cruised much of the US East Coast from eastern Maine to Key West, the Bahamas, Cuba and for the last few years the eastern Caribbean.<\/p>\n

While many sailors are familiar with the Virgin Islands, from years of charter vacations, many are not familiar with how much the islands to the south have to offer.<\/p>\n

Several years ago, when we first headed to Antigua we did not know what to expect.\u00a0 Based on our travels, we have become convinced that the SE Caribbean, Antigua to Grenada offers the best mix of cultures, beautiful landscape and consistent easterly winds for a winter of cruising.<\/p>\n

Recently, I hosted a presentation highlighting what a season of cruising the islands from Antigua and south to Grenada might look like and some of the must-see places and events that await.\u00a0 This presentation was the first of 40 being organized by the Salty Dawg sailing Association,<\/a> focused on many aspects of preparing for blue water voyaging.<\/p>\n

In spite of the widespread Covid-19 pandemic, SDSA was able to hold their annual fall rally to the Caribbean with 50 boats safely making their way south for the winter season.\u00a0 \u00a0Most of these boats headed to Antigua and upon arrival participated in more than a week of events.<\/p>\n

This photo, taken by SDSA member Ralf of SV Flora, shows many of the boats that completed their run to Antigua.\u00a0 Thank you Ralf. \"\"Over the years, I have put on many events and given talks about the areas that we have cruised and have often been asked if these events were recorded.\u00a0 Until now, with the widespread use of Zoom, this was not practical.\u00a0 Now it is and I am able to share our experiences more broadly.<\/p>\n

This presentation highlights of what a “normal” winter of cruising the eastern Caribbean is like and it is my sincere hope that the winter of 2021-2022 will once again offer the opportunity to visit the many islands of the southern Lesser Antilles.<\/p>\n

A special thanks to Ralf as well as Bill and Maureen of SV Kalunamoo and Lynn and Mark of SV Roxy for the photos that they supplied for this presentation.\u00a0