In both the keys and the Bahamas very good sailors run aground all the time. If you run aground on the falling tide. In most cases you are there where you stopped until the tide comes back up. If you are going to get on a plane and can make the reservations far enough in advance? There is nothing you will find easier than a direct flight to STT and a charter starting on St. Thomas. If the trip is short you may pay for some days some of the crew cannot use and it may be best to not go past St. John or Jost Van Dyke.

Even when we can drive to pick a boat up in Maine or The Chesapeake. The Virgin Islands are simply easier and more practical. The key is the entire industry and ecosystem set up to support visiting boat renters. The weather windows in the Bahamas are not 12 months and some think the season is only a very few months. Make sure you and your crew understand the weather you can experience during your charter period in the Bahamas.

St. Lucia and Grenada are two places great to experiment with real cruising. St. Vincent will join the list when the airport opens. Guadeloupe is fantastic for those that welcome French.