Where to go Sailing During Hurricane Season

Looking for a yacht charter to take during the summer vacation months, June - August?

It’s possible to go to the usual popular yacht charter destinations such as the British Virgin Islands or the Bahamas. Some crews enjoy this period of time since you won’t have to fight with crowds. Do your homework though. In the BVIs, many of the popular bars and restaurants shut down for peak hurricane season mid-August to mid-October.

If you're like me and love a secluded anchorage...not a problem.

But what if you want to mitigate the risk of a trip disruption from a tropical system?

If you want to go sailing during hurricane season I recommend the destinations of Grenada, the Mediterranean, French Polynesia, or Hawaii.

While located in the Caribbean, the Isle of Spice, Grenada, is located just outside the primary hurricane belt. Yes, sometimes storms do hit the island, such as Hurricane Ivan in 2005, but they are far less common than other charter destinations in the windward and leeward islands.

Storms that venture to this part of the windward Islands are usually well forecasted. They develop from tropical waves off the African coast that march westward across the Atlantic. Most pass relatively harmlessly every few days without developing, like clockwork.

Keep in mind you might have a day or two of gusty winds and higher than normal rain chances as a tropical wave passes.

The odds are in your favor, but make sure you monitor developments in the tropics. I talked a bit about the resources I use in one my recent newsletters.

Stay on the west/southern coast of Grenada in it’s many bays and beaches, or venture further north to the enchanting island of Carriacou.

If the weather is favorable, you could even expand your trip with a visit to the Grenadines.

If you want to learn more about Grenada and the windward islands, I highly recommend the Sailors Guide to the Windward Islands by Chris Doyle. It is excellent and has everything you need to know to plan a Grenada yacht charter.

Take your pick: Italy, Greece, or Croatia. These are the popular destinations that have well-established yacht charter fleets.

While the Mediterranean doesn’t experience hurricanes, the local winds that blow should not be overlooked.

There is a common adage in the Med: there is either too much wind, or too little. Could that affect your plans in the Summer?

Perhaps, but the good news is most of these local winds such as the Mistral or the Bora are quieter during the summer months. I found this guide to be quite helpful in understanding them.

But, take the Sirocco, for example. It’s a hot, dry wind that can reach hurricane strength and blows from the south off the Sahara. It does occur sometimes in the summer.

Two other things to consider for a summer charter in the Med? It’s can be hot, particularly in August and September. If the winds are light, you’ll want to make sure you have an AC, if possible.

Second, the crowds. It’s peak season for visitors. Yes, you can spread out on the water, but for popular destinations ashore you should expect more than a handful of other visitors.

Ahh, the exotic islands of Raiatea, Tahaa, Bora Bora, Maupiti, and Huahine. These make up the Society Islands’ cruising grounds of a Tahiti bareboat charter.

Why does French Polynesia make a good option for summer sailing? They do experience cyclones, but since they are in the southern hemisphere, they occur during a different part of the year. Most frequently in January - March.

June - August is considered the dry season with lower temperatures - similar to what you might experience with a January to March BVI trip.

Another consideration? Prices may be higher as you are competing for airfares with all those honeymooners!

I dove into the possibilities of a Hawaii yachtcharter in this post. Don’t count on a Hawaii bareboat charter. You’ll need to settle for a captained charter...for good reason.

The summer months are the best time to go sailing in Hawaii. You’ll avoid the potential for the northerly swells that create the famous surf breaks during the fall and winter months.

Weather conditions are more settled and rainfall, more predictable. Yes, hurricanes or tropical storms are possible, but they are often not much of a major threat.

I also like the convenient travel options from the USA, but again, it will be busy over the summer.