Seasonal· Barbados· Windward Islands
Atlantic Crossing Landfall Season (Dec-Jan)
13° 5.4′ N · 59° 36.8′ W · approximate
Barbados is the nearest Caribbean landfall on the trade-wind route from the Canaries and Cape Verdes. From December to January, Carlisle Bay fills with yachts dropping the hook at the end of the ocean crossing.
Practical
Position is the Carlisle Bay anchorage (Noonsite waypoint). The ARC finished in Barbados for its first two years before moving to St Lucia in the late 1980s for better marina facilities; Cornell's Atlantic Odyssey and Barbados 50 rallies brought fleets back in 2015-2016 (Visit Barbados, Yachting World). On arrival: call Signal Station Bridgetown on VHF 12 (or Port St Charles on VHF 77/16 if you come round the north end), fly the Q flag, and ask permission to anchor in Carlisle Bay and clear in by dinghy if you arrive at night. Beware unlit moorings off the beach. Pre-register on SailClear. Expect winter north swells to make the west coast rolly at times. Barbados lies about 90-100 nm upwind of St Lucia and St Vincent, so most crews spend a week or two and then run downwind into the Windwards.
Best for
Planning an Atlantic landfall
Season
December to January (main arrivals); November to February overall
Nearby
- Carlisle Bay AnchorageRight here
- Browne's Beach (Carlisle Bay)0.2 NM away
- Carlisle Bay Marine Park Wrecks0.2 NM away
- The Boatyard (Carlisle Bay)0.2 NM away
- Copacabana and Harbour Lights (Carlisle Bay Beach Bars)0.3 NM away
- Bridgetown Careenage (Constitution River)0.4 NM away
- Bridgetown Chandleries and Repair Yards0.4 NM away
- Bridgetown Supermarkets (Jordans and Massy Stores)0.4 NM away