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When is the Best Time to Charter in the Caribbean?
Weather in the Caribbean is near-perfect almost all year. Temperatures vary from the high 80's to low 90's in the summer and from the low to mid 80's during the winter. Reliable trade winds blow from the northeast at 15 to 25 mph during the winter and shift to the southeast at 10 to 15 mph during the summer. However late summer and early autumn can bring unsettled weather. Mid-August to mid-October is the time that you are most likely to see a tropical storm occur, though they happen infrequently and always provide several days of advance warning. So despite the possibility of such weather, many people choose this time of the year to enjoy the quiet and solitude of the "off season". The two most important things you want to consider when deciding the time of year to charter will be (1)weather conditions and (2)seasonal pricing. 
Crewed yacht prices used to be discounted during the summer and fall. However in recent years, the increased popularlarity of these periods, and the competition between yachts to offer the best possible value, have all but eliminated such discounts. Some yachts offer up to a 10% price discount during the summer season (May 1 to December 15) but most maintain the same price structure year-round. As crewed yachts don't offer a large large discount for chartering during the peak hurricane period (starting in mid-August and ending in mid-October), we suggest that your best option during this time might be a charter in the Grenadines, as this southern end of the Caribbean island chain often experiences less bad weather than the islands to the north. School holidays may dictate that you charter during the summer months. Should this be the case we strongly recommend planning your charter for June or early July. Temperatures are a little cooler, the wind's a little stronger, and the chances of a tropical weather disturbance is quite low. As crewed yachts don't offer lower pricing for charters later in the summer (late August through early October being the time of peak hurricane activity) it makes sense to avoid these few weeks. However if that's the only time you have for your charter then consider sailing in the Windward Islands which are far to the south, where hurricanes are few and far between. Consider taking out trip cancellation insurance, especially during the summer or fall. You'll find insurance information under the link "Arrange Your Trip" |
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