A Caribbean sailboat at night: Symphony in the moonlight
For anyone who has experienced it, there is no better way to relax than on a Caribbean sailboat! Grumpy old sailors, vacation brochures, and charter flight booking agents rave about the brilliant sun, gentle trade winds, crystal clear turquoise blue waters, and incredible beaches.
However, because night sailing is generally not allowed, few descriptions exist of what it is like to be on a Caribbean sailing charter once the sun goes down and the stars come out. During the day you are bombarded with the visual spectacle that makes the Caribbean so special, but at night the other senses take over, creating a symphony of sensations in the moonlight. Until you experience the wonderful thrill of being on board at an anchorage for the night, you simply won’t fully appreciate the beauty, tranquility and peace of a Caribbean charter boat.
When you put the words “sailing” and “moon” together, full moon parties are usually what come to mind. Many islands celebrate this phenomenon with parties under the brilliant white light of the full Caribbean moon.
Two of the most popular holidays exist in the British Virgin Islands. In Tortola, Bomba’s Full Moon Party is legendary throughout the Caribbean. Locals and vacationers drink, mingle, drink, dance and drink. Although it’s little more than a shack, Bomba’s serves up some very potent rum punch and mushroom tea. A more family-friendly full moon party is held at Trellis Bay. Live local music, Mocko Jumbies, jugglers and fire spinners, flaming fireballs lighting up the beach, and a huge Caribbean BBQ buffet make for family fun being on a sailboat.
While these parties are entertaining, there is a certain relief of the soul that comes on a Caribbean charter ship at an overnight anchorage. Even without daylight, Mother Nature is beautiful. Contrary to what you may think, it is never totally dark. As the sun sets, you’ll experience a full range of rich hues that are unique to the Caribbean. Gradually the colors fade to purple and then velvety black, and the moon bathes everything in a soft, bluish glow.
If there is a full moon, you will see a bright white path on the water, and you can actually see it from miles away. Away from the artificial lights of cities, air pollution, and fog, there’s no better (or more romantic) place for stargazing than the Caribbean.
Whether you look from the deck of your sailboat or through the open hatch while lying in your cabin, you will be amazed to see so many stars. In fact, due to their abundance, it can be difficult to choose common constellations. However, a particular treat is seeing the Southern Cross. This constellation is not visible in North America, but clearly hangs low in the Caribbean night sky.
In addition, it is common to see shooting stars, especially in summer.
Another visual delight are the phosphorescent microorganism fragments that flash alongside your ship and then disappear, and the other sailboats at anchorage also provide a visual feast. The anchor lights atop the masts twinkle like a nearby celestial body. The fire from the charcoal grills dances in the gentle trade winds, and the warm and inviting golden-orange glow of the cabin lights, shining through the portholes, flicker on and off like fireflies, as the sailors linger. they retire for the night.
A Caribbean charter also offers a moonlight symphony to the ears. If you share the anchorage, you may hear snatches of conversation or laughter carried over the water, or hear the occasional hum of a boat engine taking cruisers home after a night ashore. Strains of Jimmy Buffet, Enya, or reggae music eventually fade into silence. The rhythmic sound of a halyard against a mast, the screeching of a loose boom, or the soft thumping of your boat as it sways with the waves are all common nighttime sounds that soon turn to white noise.
Mother Nature also plays her role in this symphony. In the cockpit, you can hear the crunch of tiny shrimp as they swim against the hull. The bleating of goats or the song of tropical night birds on land is an island lullaby. And, if you’re really lucky, you’ll be graced by the sound of water escaping a dolphin’s blowhole as it surfaces near your sailboat. These soothing sounds, along with the gentle rocking of your sailboat, will ensure the best night’s sleep you’ve ever experienced!
Finally, a sailing charter in the Caribbean at night will tickle your sense of smell. The faint smell of kerosene is usually followed by the enticing aroma of food grilling somewhere offshore or on one of your fellow cruisers’ sailboats. Sitting on deck or in the cockpit, you’ll inhale fresh, salt-tinged air that can have just a fruity hint of aftersun. In addition, the afternoon trade winds carry the heady scent of tropical flora and spicy island spices. Being on a Caribbean sailboat is a pleasant and relaxing way to spend a vacation, but there is a special magic that happens at night. The sights, sounds and smells of the Caribbean will envelop you in a moonlit symphony.