Experience the Caribbean
On the
The Caribbean Sea is one of the largest saltwater seas in the
between river and coastal kayaking or even
world, covering over 1 million square miles! With average water
combine kayaking and camping. In Jamaica a
more daring alternative is white-water kayaking
temperatures varying from 23°C to 27°C all year round, it’s an
in rubber kayaks that shoot down fast-moving
un-crowded watersports paradise! rapids.
The Caribbean has a strong maritime tradition
F
or anyone hooked on fishing, the Caribbean Bimini in the Bahamas is reputedly the big dating from when Christopher Columbus
is the perfect catch. game fishing capital of the world, made famous discovered the islands and the first Spanish
Some of the biggest game fish ever by legendary hell-raiser and author Ernest galleons swept through them. The British Navy
caught have been reeled out of these waters, Hemingway, while several other islands in the also made its base in Antigua under the command
setting countless world records and adding to the archipelago are among the world’s top spots for of a certain young Horatio Nelson.
Caribbean Sea’s legendary reputation. bonefishing. Day sails can be arranged from most places
Anglers can take their pick from deep-sea while charters can easily be fixed with crew
fishing, reef fishing, bottom fishing or fly fishing or without (bareboat) from rental companies
across the islands with catches likely to include scattered throughout the Caribbean.
white or blue marlin, giant and blue fish tuna, In true Caribbean style, there is plenty of chance
wahoo, swordfish and even shark. Closer to to party at the many regattas on several islands
shore, anglers can hook barracuda, kingfish, including St Maarten, Martinique, Anguilla,
mackerel, grouper and snappers. Puerto Rico, St Lucia and St Thomas.
It is easy to arrange half-day and full-day fishing But it’s Antigua that holds the crown
trips either privately or through a group charter
COM
PETITION
- not only for its virtually perfect sailing
ENTR
on boats with state-of-the-art equipment, bait and
Y:
Jamaica
conditions - but for staging its famous
a captain who will guide you to the most fertile
Siobhan
-
Randles, Sailing Week every April which is renowned
Hay
es,
Middlesex
fishing grounds. Antigua’s tiny sister for its wild parties as well as its races.
For those with a competitive streak there island Barbuda offers bonefishing, The Grenadine islands, which stretch
are many local tournaments, and visitors are while every May both islands hold a sport from St Vincent in the north to Grenada in the
always welcome whether they are amateurs or fishing tournament. Grenada is noted for its south is one of the most popular routes for more
professionals. Two tournaments in the Turks and prime game fish waters and its Spice Island experienced sailors, while gentle conditions and
Caicos islands attracting increasing interest from Billfish Tournament held every January while St good facilities mark the British Virgin Islands
angling professionals are the Bill Fish Tournament Lucia boasts the “legendary white marlin” off out as a top spot for beginners to learn to sail or
in Providenciales and the Heineken Game its shores. Trinidad and Tobago are starting to brush up their skills.
Fishing Tournament in Grand Turk. And Bermuda make an impression in fishing circles. For sailors simply wanting to pose, the chic
encourages anglers to take part in its Catch Paddling up inland waterways or around the French Caribbean islands of St Barths and
and Release programme to maintain its coast on kayaks is becoming an increasingly Martinique are the places to be seen on swish
abundant supply. popular way to explore areas that would mega-yachts.
The island of otherwise be inaccessible and give visitors As an alternative, there are several wind-
a better flavour of the destination. surfing hotspots, particularly off the coast of
Paddle-pushers in St Lucia Barbados and the Dominican Republic which hold
can choose international competitions.
But one of the biggest new crazes is kite-
surfing and Antigua, Barbados and the
Dominican Republic are the best places to see
locals and tourists trying this out and flying
through the waves.
For serious sailing and serious fun, not to
be missed is the St Maarten Heineken Sailing
Regatta, one of the world’s biggest sailing events,
now in its 28th year. It takes place each year
in March and attracts hundreds of participants
from all over Europe. Whilst French St Martin in
the North, provides excellent island-hopping; if
crews can bear to leave this ‘dining capital’ of the
Caribbean boasting over 350 restaurants.
6 WWW.CARIBBEAN.CO.UK
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