Southern Comforts

The two southernmost islands in the Caribbean provide a terrific experience for those willing to make the passage.

There have been many famous pairs: Lennon and McCartney, Abbott and Costello, Britney and Kevin. When it comes to islands, Trinidad and Tobago may be the most famous duo. Forming the southern end of the windward islands, their position south of 12-degrees north puts them outside the active hurricane belt. It’s the place to get to if you find yourself still cruising the Caribbean come June–your insurance agent will love you.

Trindad and Tobago is one country made up of two distinct islands. In mainland U.S. perspective, Tobago is Los Angeles and Trinidad is New York. Tobago is where “Trinnies” go to relax, a holiday isle. For cruisers it offers quiet anchorages 20 miles north of Trinidad’s more urban landscape. Although Trinidad conjures visions of Carnival, collectively the islands offer an array of natural and man-made attractions. There are 41 charted dive sites encircling Tobago, an island that in 2003 was named the best eco-destination in the world by the World Travel Awards. On Trinidad, there are miles of hiking trails, waterfalls and serene anchorages such as Scotland Bay, just west of the port of entry in Chaguramus Bay.

For the sailboat crew wanting to get back in touch with their competitive spirit after months of relaxed cruising, there’s Angostura Tobago Sail Week (sailweek.com). Plan to arrive in May and enter the boat in the Racing, Cruiser/Racer, Cruiser, or Charter class, or just join in with the spectator fleet and enjoy the festivities after each day of competition as well as the renown mid-race lay day. The 2007 race was the 25th annual regatta and attracted 31 boats from around the Caribbean. It is friendly, competitive racing in the trades in vessels available to the average sailor. ...

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