Dreaming about the white sands and palm trees of the Caribbean?
If you are after an holiday away from the crowd and anonymous vibe of the resorts you are going to love this article: have you ever thought about renting a boat to explore the beauty of the Caribbean?
Renting a boat is easier, funnier and .. cheaper than you think!
Here some great tips on how to do it to get the perfect holiday on board!
CREWED OR NOT?
The first thing that you may consider when thinking about renting a boat is if you need it to be crewed or not.
“Crewed” usually means that you will have on board at least the skipper, and in some cases a stewardess and a chef, but if you don’t know how to maneuver a boat you can also decide to have only the skipper to navigate you towards the islands.
The cheapest option of course would be for you to be the skipper, and to do that you will need to have a certain familiarity with navigation, and of course the nautical license.
To get familiar with the Caribbean water there are a fair amount of publications you can easily buy on the islands and that can help navigate in the areas of interest – I will also share some valuable tips here in the future posts.
HOW MANY DAYS?
Usually rent goes from Saturday to Saturday, so I would say a week it’s the minimum.
Taking a few days before and after the cruise to explore the arrival and destination islands could also be a great idea so that you can take approximately two weeks off.
I would first recommend to plan the itinerary of the islands you want to explore, as they are many, and all very different and special, and then rent the boat from the chosen period and port.
WHERE AND HOW TO RENT
Renting a boat at the Caribbean is easier and cheaper than you would think.
On Sailogy‘s website for example you can find the perfect boat choosing from an handful of options for every taste, itinerary and wallet!
PREPARE YOUR DOCUMENTS
First of all decide where you will start and end your cruise, and the States you are going to sail throughout during your navigation – yes, most of the Caribbean islands make a State on their own!
Once you have this figured out be sure you have all the necessary requirements to entry that State based on your nationality (i.e. passport, visas ecc).
Usually most of the Caribbean States don’t have visa restrictions for EU and USA citizens, but be sure you do your research!
In case you are going to sail throughout different States (it will be most likely) remember that you have to clear in and out at custom and immigration. The authorities are very helpful and you shouldn’t have any problem in doing that, although if you rent a skippered boat the skipper usually takes care of this kind of paperwork while you soak in the crystal clear water just outside the pretty harbor!
WHAT TO PACK
Well this depends on what kind of traveler you are, but for an holiday on board I would suggest that you travel quite light.
You won’t generally need very elegant clothes, very few pairs of shoes (if none at all ..) and in most cases not even the hairdryer.
But be sure you pack the bikini, a nice hat, sunscreen and a great book 
A mosquito-repellent could be handy for when you go ashore at nights, but you won’t generally need it on board, where mosquitos won’t bother you
In most cases you will find all snorkeling equipment on board, but be sure you research it before departure!
SO, WHEN ARE YOU LEAVING?
Excited about getting on a boat and start exploring the Caribbean?
Great!
The best season to sail the Caribbean is from November to March, exactly when in Europe and USA the weather sucks, while at the Caribbean the Trade Winds make of it the perfect spot on Earth!
A hint?
Ever thought of celebrating New Year on board? If you like the idea hurry! New Year’s cruises sell like hot cakes!
Soon on the blog a lot of itineraries and hints about the Caribbean islands!
Stay tuned!
