Culebra Customs

We are headed to PR for hurricane storage. Our first time visiting Culebra/PR since COVID. Check-in with Customs via ROAM was trivial with no COVID questions, with no interview. We are two US citizens with Global Entry / Trusted Traveler numbers. We had a wonderful meal at the Dinghy Dock. We have missed the SVIs!

Cheers, RickG

Rick,

What do you guys do for the off season?

We have hauled out at Puerto del Rey and spent the two COVID summers in Grenada. Plan A this year was Grenada, but work interfered. Plan B is in-water at The Yacht Club Marina in Palmas del Mar; the marina did well for Maria and has an enormous breakwater. It is not perfect, but we are insured and the marina is nice.

Next year I would like to head south closer to May, but we may schedule a haulout to get our bottom done. PR/VI marinas want a minimum 3-month contract for seasonal haulout. We may just take her down to Grenada and work with the boat yard and bottom guys we used last year.

The real solution for my problems is to retire!

Cheers, RickG

Ha! That is a great solution! I'm now retired but waiting for my husband to do the same!

Time to get that Leopard 40 down to Grenada next season!

Cheers, RickG

Going October/November...can't wait! My brother's Leopard 44, Let's Play Two, is being hauled this off season in Puerto del Rey. We were really wanting to take it down to Grenada but his work schedule and family commitments prevented that adventure.

Off topic, but looking for resources.

We’re planning a St Lucia to Grenada charter for spring 2023.
Any hints, suggestions, help, planning resources? I’ve already devoured Doyle's Winwards guide.

The Grenadines are great, including Carriacou. It is easiest to clear in/out at Hillsborough police station rather than at Tyrell Bay. Otherwise, Chris Doyle has great recommendations. It is a great sailing area from Beguia to Union Island.

Cheers, RickG

I don't believe you can clear in at Hillsborough, Carriacou. Tyrell Bay was the only place they permitted vessels to clear in.
At least that was the case in May 2022, this year.
Please correct me if I am wrong.

Maria_and_Steve, that is new this year. Your information is more recent, so it likely true. Best to check with the charter company for most recent news.

Sandy Isle is a great anchorage for Carriacou, if there are balls free.

Cheers, RickG

Doyle’s guide says Grenada customs now only at Tyrell, no longer in Hiilsborough.

How about the run from St Lucia to St V? ~36nm of blue water sailing creates a little apprehension for some of my crew. Three couples on a 46' Mooring cat. We figure at least 10-days starting in Rodney Bay, ending St George, Grenada. Late April or early May

When you get near the St. Vincent volcano at the north end, expect large seas, strong winds and adverse conditions.

It can be really rough due to the volcano's effect for about 2 solid hours.

Heading further offshore, rather than hugging the coast, doesn't help much either, unless you are over 100 miles west of the volcano.

Chris Doyle is an old family friend. He spends most of the winter down in the windwards on his boat Ti Kanot so you can trust that his knowledge is recent. You can follow him on Facebook at Chris Doyle and he updates information in his guides through his Facebook page Doyleguides. He always seems willing to answer questions. If you can, I would plan a 14 day, one way charter from St. Lucia to Grenada so you can really see and experience these beautiful islands as well as give yourself some time to explore Grenada. Of course, I am a little biased because I grew up there. The passage from St. Lucia to Bequia (we typically don't go to St. Vincent) is long, can be rough but at least if you are doing a one way you should have following seas. We like to stay in Bequia more than one day and we always have the lobster pizza at Mac's. The Tobago Cays are not to be missed along with Mayreau. In my opinion the lobster dinner on the beach in Salt Whistle Bay, Mayreau beats (in price and quality) the one on the Tobago Cays, but both are awesome. Petit St. Vincent was one of my favorite places as a child (they had a lot of yellow labs back in the day) and although they are a private resort they have a great beach bar and you can have dinner here as well. Words can't describe the water you anchor in or the view of the little island Mopion that is just off the shore of PSV. I'm happy to answer any questions you have if you want to message me.

We love sailing the area from Bequia to Carriacou. Friends had a lovely FP there - they are circumnavigating now and somewhere nearing Tahiti. Bequia is so charming (we’ve also stayed at the Bequia Plantation - excellent hotel). Caribbeangirl is right - that lobster pizza at Mac’s is fabulous as is the diving by Moonhole. Tobago Cays and Salt Whistle Bay are stunning. I could happily stay in this area for a long period of time just diving, snorkeling, wandering beaches and eating lobster. Heaven. I follow some of the Eastern Caribbean Cruisers forums on Facebook - seems to be quite a bit of crime and boat theft around St. Vincent.

Yes, those cautions have been around for some time. Probably why CaribGirl goes right past St V to Bequia. I had posted a question about skipping the first point of entry in the Caribbean forum, so I guess that’s ok to do. Question to be addressed in charter boat briefing.

Thanks CaribGirl for the offer, we’re still in the initial planning stages, not booked yet.

Yes, exactly why we typically skip St. Vincent. We have gone to St. Vincent on the way back up the chain and stayed in Blue Lagoon. There is a cute little bar/restaurant there that we enjoyed. Be mindful of the tides when entering the bay. If you radio the marina they will usually send someone out to help you through the cut and show you which mooring ball to use.

Yep, we switch from a cable lock to chain for our dinghy when we head south. Outboard lock too. I can echo Caribbeangirl's comments. Sorry, to busy with work to right details. The Doyle guides are gold and Chris sails the waters.

Cheers, RickG