Holidays & Special Events
Holidays and festivals occur with more frequency in many islands than in the continental USA. For example while most businesses in the US observe 8 public holidays during the year, the British Virgin Islands lists 14 such holidays and the US Virgin Islands lists 22!
Don't plan to start your bareboat charter on one of these holidays because your bareboat base will probably be short-staffed and some employees may call in "sick". Should your yacht require last minute repairs they may not be possible until the following day. Food markets may also be closed when you arrive.
While you'll want to avoid starting on a holiday, you may want to include that holiday in your sailing week. Carnival is a great time for celebration and parties. Each Island schedules Carnival at a different time period, so you may be able to work such an event into your plans. Jazz enthusiasts might be particularly interested in the annual Jazz Festival in St Lucia, which draws musicians and fans from far and wide. Sailing enthusiasts and non-sailors as well might enjoy observing on of the many yacht racing events such as Antigua Race Week or the Out-Island Regatta for native sailing yachts in the Bahamas.
Click here for Holidays and Festivals
