With its warm, crystal clear waters, the Caribbean is an ideal spot to dive. It is a superb playground for any level of diver thanks to the sheer abundance of marine life and the fact that many islands have protected the highly complex reef ecosystem by designating the coastal waters around their shores as marine parks. Pinnacles, slopes, wall dives, coral gardens, drift dives, wreck dives and under mountain dives all await the scuba diver.

Hundreds of well-equipped dive shops are available throughout the islands. Many people chose to dive while on Caribbean sailing charters. Rendezvous diving options are available on most sailing charters; and on some crewed sailing charters, not only is scuba equipment available, but you can become PADI certified with a resort course for an additional charge. Imagine doing you check-out dive in the turquoise blue waters of the warm Caribbean rather than in some cold, dark pool or low-visibility lake. 
 

• If you are not familiar with the dive site, it is highly recommended that you dive with one of the local dive companies.
  
• Never dive alone. Always dive with a buddy or as a group.
  
• Always have a dive flag clearly visible on the vessel you are diving from.
  
• Dive within your own limits and training.
  
• Do not dive in areas where there is a lot of boat and dinghy traffic, for example close to a dinghy dock.
  
• Stay close to the vessel if you are unsure of the dive site.
  
• Always have your BCD inflated when at the surface – beginning and end of the dive.
  
• Check currents with a drop line and sea conditions in general before entering the water. Do not dive if conditions are not favorable.
  
• Monitor air regularly and always make sure you are at the surface with at least 500psi/50bar left in tank.
  
• A responsible person should be on-board the vessel at all times. A maximum time limit should be discussed with them so they know when to expect you back and make sure you are either back at the boat or on the surface by that time. Agree what action should be taken if divers are not visible by this time.
  
• First aid kits and oxygen (if possible) should be on board or readily available.

The Caribbean is known worldwide for its calm blue waters with high visibility. No wonder it is one of the premier vacation destinations for those on sailing charters. Yet, if you do not tank up, you are missing an amazing and extraordinary natural wonder that you can only experience by getting in over your head. Whether you are enjoying a leisurely inner reef dive, an exhilarating drift dive along spectacular drop-offs, or thrilling night dives, you will discover a silent world teeming with life. There is no doubt that sailing charters to the islands offer you a bit of paradise onshore, but there is also a spectacular paradise awaiting you offshore and beneath the surface with a vast, unspoiled playground filled with exotic sea creatures and breathing vistas. If you truly want to be amazed by the mysterious world beneath your sailing charters, strap on your tank, adjust you buoyancy compensator, clear your mask and take it down under! There are canyons and caves, sheer mountain walls plunging to the ocean floor, coral formations of all shapes and colors, and wrecks of hundreds of ships – all teeming with an incredible diversity of sea plants and marine life from sponges to sharks – just waiting to be explored!

Hello, and welcome once again to Charter Chatter. If this is your first time to our newsletter, we are glad that you have joined us! This issue we are talking about the unsurpassed scuba diving that is found in the Caribbean. Whether you are a die-hard diver, an occasional diver, a novice diver, or you want to finish your certification or even try it for the first time, there is no better place to explore the wonderful underwater world than in the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean.

I have many yachts that offer diving right off the yacht for all level of divers. If the perfect yacht and crew for your group does not offer diving, then there are many dive shops throughout the Caribbean that offer rendezvous diving. Your crew will help you arrange rendezvous diving with a local dive shop that will come to your yacht, pick you up, take you to the various dive sites and return you to your yacht after the diving is finished. If some of your group does not dive, this is a great way to get in your diving while the rest of the group can explore or do whatever else they wish to do.

There are hundreds of dive sites throughout the Caribbean, but these are two of my favorites. A great dive spot off of St. Thomas in the U.S.V.I is called, The Cow and the Calf. This dive spot is great for all levels of divers. It is a 35’ dive that has 6 or 7 swim-throughs of rock tunnels. You will see lobster, nurse sharks and many different species of tropical fish. Another great site that is the favorite of divers in the British Virgin Islands is the world renowned Wreck of the Rhone. The R.S.M. Rhone is located off Salt Island. The Rhone went down in 1867 in a hurricane and sits on a reef in 20-80 feet of water. It is part of the National Parks Trust that is found throughout the BVIs. The wreck of the Rhone is most famous for the movie, “The Deep”, with Jacqueline Bisset. The hatch that played an important scene in the movie makes a dramatic entry into the ship! Once inside, divers can easily move around the well-lit interior. If you are not comfortable going inside the ship, there is plenty to see on the exterior. The Rhone is encrusted with coral and sponges, and there is a large 15 foot propeller that lies in 25’ of water. There are many other wonderful dive sites throughout the Virgin Islands, and your crew can help arrange the dives that are suited for you.

Two great fully crewed yachts that offer diving in the Virgin Islands are Braveheart and Two if by Sea. Braveheart is a 58’ catamaran that offers diving for all levels of divers that are already certified, as well as a resort course for those wishing to learn. She has 4 equal-size queen cabins and one single berth to accommodate up to 9 guests. Her very experienced crew is Captain Jerry and Chef Dawn. Captain Jerry has resided in the Caribbean for 13 years and is a wonderful source of local knowledge. He is a NAUI Scuba Instructor and a PADI Dive Master, as well as a U.S. Sailing Instructor. Chef Dawn is not only an accomplished Chef who has published a recipe book, but she is also a trained RGN nurse. Together, they are a wonderful team that will make your sailing adventure unforgettable. Diving is included on Braveheart for certified divers. A resort course and diving

Two if by Sea is a 45’ catamaran that can accommodate up to 6 guests in 3 equal-sized queen cabins, all with ensuite bathrooms and showers. At the helm is Captain Stu and in the galley is Chef Fran. The combination of Stu and Fran is incredible! They take such pleasure in sharing the beauty of the Caribbean with their guests, and diving is an important part of the Two if by Sea experience. Both Captain Stu and Chef Fran are PADI dive instructors. Whether you are a beginner or advanced diver, by having two dive instructors on board, there is a world of possibilities for diving since there is something for everyone. Two if by Sea also has a compressor on board, therefore, they are not limited by where and when they can schedule your custom dives. Diving is available for a minimal fee that includes dive gear. Certification and resort courses are also available. There is also plenty to do on board for non-divers such as kayaking, wake boarding and unlimited snorkeling.

As of July 2009, Two if by Sea will be relocating to Panama- a relocation that Stu and Fran are very excited about. They cannot wait to have you on board to show you the many beautiful sights and tastes that Panama has to offer. Panama is fairly easy to get to and has some of the most beautiful and unspoiled reef systems in the world. They will be sailing in the protected water of Bocas del Toro. Panama forms the crossroads between two continents and two oceans, and has a wide diversity of flora and fauna. With rainforests, white sandy beaches, mangrove habitats and coral reefs, there are many things to see and do. What a great place to make unforgettable memories, especially if you have sailed the Virgin Islands before and are looking for somewhere different to go sailing. Click to learn more about Two if by Sea.

This is just a very small example of the diving that is offered throughout the Caribbean. I have many more fully crewed yachts and many more locations that I can offer you for your group. Whether your group is only 2 guests or more, I will put my many years of experience and expertise to work for you to help you design the perfect sailing vacation with the perfect crew. I look forwarding to working with you!

Till next time, Smooth Sailing and Fair Winds!
Gail Hartman, Crewed Yacht Charter Specialist

Had enough winter yet? Frosty mornings, frigid nights, icy streets and numb toes…you are probably ready for an escape! If you have not already started to daydream about the irresistible lure of the Caribbean sun, surely you will over the next couple of remaining winter months!
 

astonishing. The complexity of the reef formations and structures is intriguing. The movement overall is appealing and irresistible. As you glide through the comfortable 78° to 83° water, the character of each fish, sea anemone, coral and fan comes to life before your eyes. Even an occasional sea turtle and school of squid make a graceful appearance. Sounds inviting, doesn’t it?

Aboard a bareboat, you have the freedom to choose your itinerary and include as much snorkeling and diving as desirable. Vibrant sea life is a constant theme in the Caribbean, including the Virgin Islands, St. Martin, Martinique, the Grenadines, the Bahamas, and of course, Belize. While all bareboat monohulls and catamarans are designed for easy access to the water, there are a few models that are especially diver-friendly.

The Leopard catamarans feature a swim platform across the entire stern, from the starboard transom to the port transom with a walk-through to the cockpit. This platform provides an ideal area for storing dive tanks (on racks) and has a sufficient amount of space to easily suit up in your dive gear. Additionally, it is a great platform for jumping in – with or without your gear. The Leopard catamarans are primarily in the Moorings fleet and range in size from 38’ to 47’, accommodating various size groups. One of the newer Leopard models is the Moorings 4300 with 4 spacious cabins, 2 additional single berths and 4 heads and showers. In addition to the diving appeal, she also features a hard-top bimini, roll-down shades, front-loading refrigerator and comfortable netting on the fore deck. Click for more information and to take a virtual tour.

For those of you that like to cover a lot of ground quickly, consider a bareboat power yacht. The Horizon power yachts also include a generous aft swim platform to meet all your diving, snorkeling or even tanning needs. The Horizon yachts are offered in the Virgin Traders fleet in two sizes: a 48’ for up to 6 people and a 56’ for up to 8 people. Click to learn more about these Virgin Traders Yachts.

Of course, there are many other yachts to consider. With our assistance and planning, bareboat charters can be customized to fit your group’s budget, yacht and activities preferences. We can also schedule diving-knowledgeable professional captains, if necessary. Please call us to discuss all the possibilities and plan your Caribbean escape!

FOXY’S OLD YEAR CELEBRATION- Jost Van Dyke, BVI: December 30-Jan.1
This new year’s celebration is famous throughout the islands for its delicious barbecue, wild dancing and live bands featuring local musicians, as well as some famous names from the world of reggae. Then anchorage at Great Harbour is packed. Celebrating begins each afternoon and continues late into the night.

TOUR DE LA MARTINIQUE REGATTA– Martinique: January 7-8
Islands make it easy to set a racecourse – just keep it to port or starboard and keep going!

St. BARTH’S MUSIC FESTIVAL – St. Barths: January 8-22
Since 1985, St. Barths has hosted a performing arts festival unlike any other in the world, offering more than a dozen nights of the finest live music and dance performances in an informal, island setting. Audiences are treated to intimate concerts by some of the world’s most prominent classical, opera, ballet and jazz stars.

16th ANNUAL JAZZ FESTIVAL – Barbados: January 12-18
The Barbados Jazz Festival, which celebrates the best in international and local jazz talent, has become a major annual Caribbean event. The venues for the festival also reflect the diverse nature of the festival. The modern Sir Garfield Sobers gymnasium suits a large crowd. The open air Farley Hill National Park is ideal for a day of picnicking and jazz. The lovely Sunbury Plantation House is over 300 years old and steeped in history.

CARRIACOU SAILING SERIES – Carriacou: January 14-18
The Southern Caribbean Sailing Circuit starts off with this regatta.

2nd ANNUAL FOOD AND RUM FESTIVAL – St. Lucia: January 15-18
The Food & Rum Festival is a gastronomic event which attracts some of the best chefs, rum connoisseurs, food critics and gourmands from not only the Caribbean, but internationally. The Festival aims to teach participants about the diversity of Caribbean food and the excellence of Caribbean rum. The Festival is used to promote regionally and internationally renowned chefs, Caribbean rums and Caribbean food which is fast becoming an international delicacy. The Festival will be a combination of dinners featuring menus from invited chefs, lectures on rum, chef demonstrations, rum tastings of over 40 rums from across the region and concerts held on Saturday and Sunday nights.

40th ANNUAL SPICE ISLAND BILLFISH TOURNAMENT – Grenada: January 20-23
The tournament consists of three fishing days separated by a lay day. The event normally boasts plenty of game fish action as it is positioned in the peak of the billfish season with sailfish, white marlin and blue marlin available. In line with modern conservation practices, the Spice Island Billfish Tournament is run as a modified release event where teams release the majority of the billfish they catch. A camera is provided to confirm the capture. Points are awarded for released billfish by species not by weight.

14th ANNUAL MUSTIQUE BLUES FESTIVAL – Mustique, January 21-Feb. 4
The spirit of Basil’s Bar has always been, “Why not have fun?” The answer to that question is, to have fun, be yourself and just do it! That is how the Blues Festival was born. An old friend of Basil’s, London blues singer Dana Gillespie, was visiting Basil and decided to sing. The crowd loved it and the festival was born! Each Sunday the festival is early with a Sunset Show…a perfect venue for families and children to come and enjoy the blues, a cocktail and a plate of fries. Each Wednesday, a buffet dinner is served. All money raised from the festival and sale of CD’s goes to the Basil Charles Educational Foundation.

BEQUIA MUSIC FEST 2009 – Bequia, January 22-25
Held on the tiny Grenadine island of Bequia, music lovers from the Caribbean and all over the world will gather to enjoy 4 days of musical entertainment with a wide range of musical styles. Fest goers will enjoy elegant outdoor dining and encores lasting well into the early morning hours!

27th ANNUAL CLICO MARATHON – Trinidad & Tobago: January 25
CLICO is Trinidad and Tobago’s oldest locally-owned insurance company. Men and women from the world over travel to Trinidad to compete in the country’s only internationally-certified marathon. The marathon begins at Chaguanas at 5:30 am and ends in Port-of-Spain. The course is flat and fast, and takes place during the coolest time of the year. This event attracts over 1,500 participants annually. There is also a 5K Fun Run.

HOLETOWN FESTIVAL – Barbados: Month of February
Between February 17-20, 1627, 80 English Settlers, with 10 African slaves, landed at what is known as Holetown. It is from this day that Barbados became a British Colony. The Holetown Festival commemorates this event. Entertainment includes a variety of music, such as Gospel, Classical, Tuk Band and Calypso, as well as Folk Dancing, presented in free open-air concerts. There is also an Arts and Crafts exhibition, a display called “Beating the Retreat”, by the Barbados Defense Force and a flood-lit Tattoo which is put on by the Police, and a parade of vintage motor vehicles. The is also a street fair, where vendors offer a wide cross section of Barbadian arts and crafts, as well as local foods and beverages.

NATIONAL PARKS TRUST FLOWER SHOW – Tortola, BVI: February 1-9
Located in JR O’Neal Botanical Gardens in Road Town, this show highlights the green thumbs of the BVI when botanical colors are most spectacular. Includes hibiscus, orchids, flower arrangements and of course, plenty of food and drink.

CURACAO INTERNATIONAL KITE SEASON – Curacao: February 4-March 3
The Curacao International Kite Season kicks off with workshops and small kite flying competitions in preparation for the first big contest!

35th ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE– Grenada: February 7
Grenada declared its independence from the British in 1974. Now, it is celebrated with national ceremonies and parades featuring the Royal Grenada Police Force, the Boy Scouts, Girl Guides and various schools. This is a public holiday- banks and shops are closed.

CARNIVAL REGATTA – Tobago: February 10-14
This is the inaugural regatta associated with the Tobago Carnival. Boats will range in size from Melges 24’s to Farr 65’s. As the big boats head out to sea, there will also be the regional Bum Boat challenge, as well as a 2-day clinic with international coaches. Daredevil wind and kite boarders will also put on a show. On lay days and nights, “fetes’” will take place where everyone can join the fun. Bonfires, BBQs, bars and dancing to soca music will be the order of the night.

ROUTE DU CARNIVAL – Martinique: February 14-24
Want a regatta that keeps moving? The Route du Carnival goes from Martinique to Trinidad, with stops in Bequia and the Tobago Cays.

RORC CARIBBEAN 600 – Antigua: February 23-27
This is a new multi-island non-stop distance regatta from Antigua around St. Martin and Guadeloupe and back to Antigua. For more information, go to www.rorc.org

HOLDERS SEASON – Barbados: February 23-March 15
Holders Season is the West Indies’ premier arts festival, taking place yearly in the magnificent gardens surrounding the 17th century Holders House in St. James. Guests sip champagne and soak up the broad sweep of theater, opera and musical concerts. Holders Season seeks out exciting new works and talent as well as showcasing internationally renowned artists. Previous performances included Pavarotti, the world premier of an opera by Stuart Copeland and a striking new production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, which incorporated music from the Caribbean.