Caribbean 2026: to the Leeward Islands and beyond...

A new year, and a new start. We are back in the Caribbean, Merryn is back afloat, and we are off sailing. This season should take us beyond the Windward islands that we explored last year, and up to the Leeward Islands, including Dominica, Guadeloupe, Antigua, St Kitts and Nevis, St Barts and St Martin. Then our biggest challenge: a passage north to Bermuda which will be the launching point to sail Eastwards to the Azores and then to Gibraltar, completing our Atlantic circuit.

Merryn's position

We have equipped Merryn with a satellite tracking system. It should send a signal every hour (when we are underway, and assuming I have remembered to switch it on!) and the position is then transcribed to the map below.

Our route around the Caribbean

This map records our travels around the islands. Click on any of the pins to read more and see some pictures

The blog posts: click on the pictures to read more

220426 Gustavia harbour

24th April 2026

Finally! We escape the clothes of Antigua after three weeks stuck in the Jolly Harbour boatyard getting the engine fixed. Heading North West we have a brief stop in Nevis before making landfall in St Barth. 
230726 Godric Ros and Cate in Nelsons dockyard

8th April 2026: Antigua

We are joined by our friends Ros and Godric as we explore Antigua, from the Historic Nelson’s dockyard, to hill side walks, and snorkeling with turtles. Our plans start to unravel as we get serious engine trouble
090326 Death in Paradise sign

11th March 2026: Guadeloupe

We are back on mainland Guadeloupe, making our way up and along the West coast. Time for some snorkeling in the Jacques Cousteau Marine reserve air Pigeon island, and a visit to Deshaies: also known as Honoré – the scary site of multiple murders, as any watcher of “Death in Paradise will know!
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6th March 2026: Îles des Saintes

A windy passage and unsettled weather formed the backdrop to our stay on this otherwise idyllic little island just Southwest of Guadeloupe.  We go snorkelling and Jono tries his new underwater camera
200226 Saint Louis beach at sunset

24th February 2026: Marie Galante

A complete change of pace as we relax for a few days on the idyllic island of Marie Galante, just south of Guadeloupe. Time to explore the island, enjoy French cuisine and watch the sunsets.
160226 Carnival 10

21st February 2026: Dominica, Part 2

Ringing the changes in Dominica: after the nature trails of our first few days, our ears are ringing to the noises of the Carnival! Finally we took a tour up a river to get back to some tranquility.
130226 Cate by mural

15th February 2026: Dominica, Part 1

At last we move on, and visit a new country. Dominica – the Nature Island – is beautiful, prompting us to take tours and treks into the lush mountainous interior. A trip to the Boiling Lake is the highlight.
220126 Jono on air guitar 3

24th January 2026: Moving north at a leisurely pace!

More stuff to fix, so our progress north is slower than planned. The compensation is more time spent at some of our favourite destinations in the Windward islands. Made all the better as we stumble across a lobster festival in Carriacou, and a music festival in Bequia – where Jono gets to demonstrate his air-guitar skills!
070126 Merryn launch

8th January 2026: We finally launch!

Our launch has been beset by delays, and we have been working furiously to get Merryn ready. But now we are afloat, and relaxing in Prickly bay before we start our adventures