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Caribbean Offshore Intensive

St Martin to Grenada

Apr 25th to May 2nd 2026 / Duration 7 Days

500 Nautical Miles

PN082026

$4,850

Bunks Available: 2

Passage summary

This passage focuses on extended offshore sailing, covering a direct non-stop leg from Sint Maarten to St. Lucia, followed by two days of coastal exploration and skill-building in St. Lucia before completing the route to Grenada. The itinerary is designed for sailors interested in gaining real offshore experience—night watches, weather routing, and continuous navigation—while still allowing for rest and local exploration during the layover in St. Lucia. The final leg to Grenada completes the passage with a mix of offshore and coastal navigation.

Caribbean Offshore Intensive

Route Overview

 

Departure: Sint Maarten

 

Primary Route:

 

    • Sint Maarten – Offshore nonstop to St. Lucia – Grenada

 

Estimated Distance:

 

    • 450–500 nautical miles, depending on route taken

Key Points: Long offshore passage, continuous watch rotation, skill-building layover in St. Lucia, final approach to Grenada

 

Passage Breakdown

 

Sint Maarten to St. Lucia

 

  • Crew briefing, safety checks, and departure from Sint Maarten

  • Extended offshore passage, typically 2-3 days at sea, following a direct as possible course to St. Lucia

  • Night navigation, log keeping, and continuous watch rotation (3 hours on, 6 hours off)

  • Emphasis on offshore seamanship, navigation, and weather assessment

 

 

St. Lucia Layover

 

  • Two days of local exploration in Soufriere, coastal sailing, and shore-based activities in St. Lucia.

  • Opportunity to experience St. Lucia’s scenery and culture

  • Crew rest, trip debrief, and continued practical skill-building

 

 

St. Lucia to Grenada

 

  • Offshore and coastal passage south to Grenada

  • Arrival and trip wrap-up at marina near St. George’s

 

 

Training Focus

  • Offshore passage planning, weather routing, and contingency strategies

  • Night watch protocols, fatigue management, and emergency drills

  • Practical navigation: GPS, radar, AIS, and chartplotter for open ocean legs

  • Log keeping, position reporting, and sail handling under offshore conditions

  • Shore procedures, provisioning, and harbor entry during St. Lucia layover

 

 

Expected Conditions

 

Winds: E–ESE, 15–25 knots typical for late April, steady trade wind pattern
Seas: 4–8 feet in open water, moderate chop on coastal approaches
Weather: Mostly sunny with passing trade wind showers, high humidity, good visibility
Hazards: Long-duration offshore exposure, squalls at night, strong currents in channels, commercial traffic near islands

 

 

Why This Passage is Relevant

 

 

  • Extended nonstop offshore leg for real-world passage-making experience

  • Practice with night navigation, continuous watches, and weather analysis

  • Balanced with rest and practical coastal sailing during St. Lucia layover

  • Ideal for sailors focused on skill-building and bluewater readiness

 

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