Perusing Fayaway’s logbook, I realize that we visited nine countries and stepped four bare feet upon forty (40) distinct islands between late November and May (‘22-‘23 season). At only one sandy spit did we not actually anchor – because it was so crowded we motored across the busy thoroughfare with Korykory.) Wow, we have so many stories of our adventures at every one of these wonderful places. The people, the landscape, the strange creatures, and getting there too!

That’s fewer than 6 islands per month, or a bit more than one spectacular new place every five days. Does that seem like a lot? Believe it or not, we never felt rushed or driven to meet a quota or arrive at any specific date. We stayed as long as it felt right. Granted, you may point out three instances we picked up visiting family or friends by an airport, according to, gasp, a schedule.

Following the trade winds, or on a brisk N/S reach (e.g. between Guadeloupe and Antigua), and most others downwind, we would set out across deep ocean trenches, and often find our next destination in less than a day. Of course a few longish overnight passages are necessary, such as south between Bermuda and Antigua (980 nm) and jaunting west between Puerto Real and Great Inagua (410 nm).

Six islands we had explored previously, but couldn’t wait to reconnect with tranquil familiarity (eg. Antigua), or wild adventure (eg. Saba).

So much freedom, without any real schedule, we could go as we pleased. We desired to visit a couple places, but didn’t – Saint Croix and Montserrat. Weather, our first consideration, didn’t comply during the appropriate time. Oh well, these islands aren’t going anywhere! Contrarily, we had extra time to anchor at several different coves (on the same islands) to explore their diversity. A few islands we departed from, only to return again a few days later. At at couple islands we anchored but didn’t bother to go ashore, and therefore didn’t make the following list.

Fayaway’s 2022-2023 Caribbean Tour Summary:

• Bermuda – St George
• Antigua – Falmouth Harbour, Green Island
• Guadeloupe – Deshaise
• Sint Maarten – Simpson Bay
• Saint Eustacious (aka Statia) – Oranjestad
• Saba – Fort Bay and Ladder Bay
• Saint John, USVI – Coral Harbor and Great Lameshur Bay
• Saint Thomas – Christmas Cove, Charlotte Amalie Harbor and Brewers Bay
• Culebrita – Bahia de Tortuga
• Culebra – Dewey, Ensenada Honda
• Vieques – Ensenada Honda, Esperanza
• Puerto Rico – Puerto Patillas, Salinas, Gilligan’s Island, Puerto Real
• Bahamas:
  • Great Inagua – Matthewtown, Man-o-war Bay
  • Ragged Islands: Little Ragged, Hog Cay, Raccoon Cay, Flamingo Cay
  • Long Island – Thompson Bay
  • Exumas:
    • Stocking Island – Monument Beach
    • Great Exuma (Georgetown – dinghied over)
    • Cave Cay, Black Point, Staniel Cay, Sampson Cay, Compass Cay, Cambridge Cay, Highborne Cay,
  • Abaco: Marsh Harbor

We shall bag a couple more cooler islands this year, as we head back to Maine, making enjoyable short passages during what’s left of our few remaining summer days. And then it’s recharge time for a while as Fayaway goes into winter hibernation for more refitting. But no worries, Kelly and I have plenty more adventures planned for between now and next spring. Stay tuned!