Destination comparison
Grenada & the Grenadines vs Indonesia
Two distinct sailing grounds — here's how they compare on conditions, cost, season, and who they suit.
Quick Comparison
| Dimension | Grenada & the Grenadines | Indonesia |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Caribbean | South East Asia |
| Peak season | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr | May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep |
| Shoulder | Nov, May | Apr, Oct |
| Sailing difficulty | moderate | moderate |
| Recommended level | intermediate | intermediate |
| Avg wind (winter / summer) | 20 / 15 kn | 10 / 18 kn |
| Hurricane risk | Aug, Sep, Oct | None |
| Currency | XCD (pegged to USD) | IDR (Indonesian Rupiah) |
| Mid-tier price (7 days) | $10,500 | $12,000 |
| Luxury tier price | $40,000 | $45,000 |
| Detail page | View → | View → |
At a Glance
Stronger trade winds than Northern Caribbean; typically 18-25kt in winter. Tobago Cays is the must-do sail. One-way Grenada to St Lucia possible.
- • 3 base marinas
- • 4 must-visit anchorages
- • 31 boats in our fleet database for this region
East Indonesia (Komodo, Flores, Raja Ampat) peaks June-September with calm seas and SE breeze. Bali and western islands are calmer April-October. Liveaboard / crewed charter is the norm; bareboat options are limited.
- • 2 base marinas
- • 4 must-visit anchorages
- • 12 boats in our fleet database for this region
Sailing Conditions
Grenada & the Grenadines averages 20 knots in winter and 15 knots in summer. Hurricane risk runs Aug, Sep, Oct — outside these months the sailing is generally dependable.
Indonesia averages 10 knots in winter and 18 knots in summer. No hurricane season.
In terms of sailing difficulty, Grenada & the Grenadines is generally rated moderate and Indonesia is moderate. They're at the same level — your decision will hinge on route and vibe, not on whether you can handle the conditions.
Cost Comparison
For a 7-day charter of a typical 45-ft catamaran (4 cabins, sleeps 8):
- Low season: $4,000
- Mid season: $10,500
- High season: $20,000
- Luxury / crewed peak: $40,000+
- Low season: $4,500
- Mid season: $12,000
- High season: $24,000
- Luxury / crewed peak: $45,000+
Bareboat base rates. Crewed typically adds ~$1,500/day (captain + hostess). Prices exclude fuel, provisioning, mooring fees, gratuity.
Anchorages & Must-Do
- Tobago Cays — Five uninhabited islands; turtle snorkeling
- Petit St Vincent — Quiet luxury island
- Mayreau — Saltwhistle Bay
- Bequia - Friendship Bay — Local charm
- Komodo National Park — Dragons, manta rays, Pink Beach — bucket-list dive area
- Raja Ampat — 75% of all marine species; liveaboard-only diving
- Gili Islands (NW Lombok) — Calm water, snorkelling, no cars
- Flores (Maumere / Labuan Bajo) — Gateway to Komodo; volcano hikes
Which Should You Choose?
Both work for first-timers. The default choice for the industry is BVI; choose that unless you have specific reasons to prefer Grenada & the Grenadines or Indonesia.
Both sit in warm waters — temperature is broadly similar. The differentiator is which coast or chain: Grenada & the Grenadines vs Indonesia. Read the must-visit lists above.
Grenada & the Grenadines has 1 cultural anchorages vs Indonesia's 1. Pick by what kind of stop you want between swims.
Captain's Take
"Raja Ampat is worth every mile of repositioning, but do not make it your whole trip. The classic Komodo route out of Labuan Bajo - Pink Beach, Padar, the dragons - is the more achievable week for most groups, and the sailing between islands is superb in the June-September SE trades. If you have 10+ days, add a Flores volcano day. Indonesia rewards slow: the anchorages are the destination."
Timing and Budget: Grenada & the Grenadines vs Indonesia
Frequently Asked Questions
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