All through 2020, it has been difficult to make travel plans. The pandemic has made flying risky and then at both ends of a flight you have to deal with airports, the TSA and public facilities. But it seems like the Caribbean and Bahamas will be open for sailing vacations this winter, albeit with covid-19 related requirements for testing and normal precautions. The Bahamas is open now as are the U.S. Virgins and the Spanish Virgin Islands. The BVI will open on December 1 and islands like St. Martin, Antigua, St. Vincent and Grenada will be open for travel and charters.
The charter companies have been hit very hard by the pandemic as have the local island economies that are reliant on tourism. But, reports from the charter companies outline how they are managing to operate while deep cleaning their boats between charters and practicing sensible social distancing and other measures. It is reasonable to think that once you are on your bareboat you can be self-contained and safe from the virus. It makes sense, too, to have your charter company provision the boat for you so you can avoid crowded super markets. On shore, the situation will be different. Beach bars and restaurants will offer outdoor dining and drinking and patrons will be made aware of the need for social distancing. Most people will be alert to these needs but, of course, some won’t be. So the risk of infection in crowds ashore certainly exists. But, if this is your winter to charter in the Bahamas, Caribbean or elsewhere, the charter companies are ready to make your sailing vacation as safe and fun as possible. And, if you are suffering from cabin fever like many of us after seven months of a pandemic, maybe a sailing vacation in the tropical sun is just what you need.
