Destination comparison
Grenada & the Grenadines vs New England
Two distinct sailing grounds — here's how they compare on conditions, cost, season, and who they suit.
Quick Comparison
| Dimension | Grenada & the Grenadines | New England |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Caribbean | US East Coast & Florida |
| Peak season | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr | Jul, Aug, Sep |
| Shoulder | Nov, May | Jun, Oct |
| Sailing difficulty | moderate | easy to moderate |
| Recommended level | intermediate | intermediate |
| Avg wind (winter / summer) | 20 / 15 kn | 20 / 11 kn |
| Hurricane risk | Aug, Sep, Oct | Aug, Sep, Oct |
| Currency | XCD (pegged to USD) | USD |
| Mid-tier price (7 days) | $10,500 | $13,500 |
| Luxury tier price | $40,000 | $60,000 |
| 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
A short but beloved season: fleets launch after Memorial Day and haul out by mid-October. July-September delivers 75-85°F days, classic sea breezes and picture-perfect harbours from Narragansett Bay to Penobscot Bay. Fog and strong tides on the Maine coast reward careful planning.
- • 2 base marinas
- • 3 must-visit anchorages
- • 11 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.
New England averages 20 knots in winter and 11 knots in summer. Hurricane risk: Aug, Sep, Oct.
In terms of sailing difficulty, Grenada & the Grenadines is generally rated moderate and New England is easy to moderate. The difference matters: Grenada & the Grenadines asks more of the skipper — confidence at the helm and some experience with coastal navigation helps.
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: $5,200
- Mid season: $13,500
- High season: $30,000
- Luxury / crewed peak: $60,000+
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
- Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket — Iconic New England harbours - Edgartown and Nantucket Town on the mooring field
- Newport & Narragansett Bay — Gilded-Age mansions, America's Cup history and the best cruising chandlery in the NE
- Penobscot Bay, Maine — Granite islands, lobster harbours and Camden Hills - the cruising classic
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 New England.
Choose Grenada & the Grenadines. Warmer water year-round (often 75–85°F), palm-fringed anchorages.
Grenada & the Grenadines has 1 cultural anchorages vs New England's 0. Pick by what kind of stop you want between swims.
Captain's Take
"New England's season is short and worth planning around. July-September is the sweet spot, but each month has its own character: July is warmest, August brings the whale-watching off Stellwagen Bank, September has the best breeze and the emptiest harbours after Labor Day. Fog is the real hazard on the Maine coast - if you see it building, tuck into a harbour early; it rarely clears before noon."
Timing and Budget: Grenada & the Grenadines vs New England
Frequently Asked Questions
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Choose Between Grenada & the Grenadines & New England
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