Cruising the Caribbean can be a fun and rewarding experience filled with sunny days and rum soaked night. But all good things must come to an end and as the weather changes cruisers need to decide what to do. Will they sail north, cross to a new cruising ground, chance the weather or find somewhere in the Caribbean to haul out? For many, the hurricane season is a chance to store the boat on land and get some much needed DIY projects out of the way.
The best place to haul out varies depending on your needs but for many likelihood of experiencing a hurricane is a significant factor.
In this article we'll look at what time of year the Caribbean and Atlantic hurricane season is, which areas of the Caribbean are frequently impacted and where is considered relatively safe from hurricanes.
WHEN IS THE CARIBBEAN & ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON?
Officially, the Caribbean hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. While hurricanes can occur outside of these dates, this period is considered the peak time for hurricanes to form. As a result June 1 to November 30 is often cited by yacht insurance companies who limit coverage between certain latitudes at that time of year.
When planning your cruising it's a good idea to know when the different hurricane seasons are, as the hurricane season in one destination can be the best time to sail in another.
CARIBBEAN HURRICANE MAP
On the NOAA website you can analyse historic hurricane data, filtering it by location, date and severity. It's a useful tool in determining where is likely to be a safe place to leave your boat.
These maps shows all category 1-5 hurricanes that have blown through the Caribbean since 1970.
Category 1-5 hurricanes 1970-2024. Source NOAA. Accurate as of 23 February 2024.
Looking at maps like this can provide an insight into which locations may be safer to store your boat during the Atlantic hurricane season.
WHERE IS SAFE TO HAUL OUT DURING THE HURRICANE SEASON?
While it's true that weather can be unpredictable and unexpected natural events can take place, historic trends show that there are some places in the Caribbean that have a far higher chance of being safe from hurricanes. Most of these are at the southern end of the Caribbean Sea or in strategic locations on the Central and South American mainland's.
Based on the historic hurricane data, here are 8 "hurricane safe" countries you could haul out at during the Caribbean and Atlantic hurricane season.
1. GRENADA
Category 1-5 hurricanes 1970-2024. Source NOAA. Accurate as of 23 February 2024.
The southernmost country of the Windward Islands, Grenada's main islands are Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. It's far enough south that some yacht insurance companies consider it to be outside the hurricane band and it's generally seen as being a safe location to haul out during the hurricane season.
Here's some of the haul out facilities available on the island of Grenada.
These are some of the shipyards in Carriacou.
Some cruisers also choose to stay in the water and anchor or moor around the islands, with the intention to sail further south if weather forecasts suggest the islands could be in the path of a serious storm.
2. TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Category 1-5 hurricanes 1970-2024. Source NOAA. Accurate as of 23 February 2024.
Down the bottom of the West Indies island chain is the dual island nation of Trinidad & Tobago. It's considered one of the safest places in the Caribbean to haul out as it's extremely rare for the islands to be in the direct path of a hurricane.
The yachting hub for the nation is in Chaguaramas, a forested area in Trinidad's northwest. There are three places you can haul out for the hurricane season.
We spent a hurricane season hauled out at Power Boats and got to know the island very well. You can read our complete guide to hauling out in Trinidad here.
3. PANAMA
Category 1-5 hurricanes 1970-2024. Source NOAA. Accurate as of 23 February 2024.
Looking towards mainland Central America, Panama is below the hurricane band and is outside the exclusion zones many yacht insurance companies put in place. Thanks to the YouTube channel Parley Revival, many people are now aware of Linton Bay Marina, but there are a few other options available along the coastline.
Here are some of the potential haul out locations in Panama to consider.
Most of the yacht haul out facilities are located in the region surrounding the Panama Canal and some are little isolated.
4. ARUBA
Category 1-5 hurricanes 1970-2024. Source NOAA. Accurate as of 23 February 2024.
Part of the ABC Islands, Aruba is approximately 29km north of Venezuela. It's at the southern end of the hurricane belt and as a result is less likely to be hit by a serious hurricane when compared to islands at the northern end of the Caribbean. If you're considering a haul out in Aruba the only facility currently available is Varadero Aruba Marina & Boatyard. It's located on the western side of the island next to the international airport.
5. CURACAO
Category 1-5 hurricanes 1970-2024. Source NOAA. Accurate as of 23 February 2024.
Between Aruba and Bonaire is Curacao. Like the others, it's known for it's white sandy beaches and vibrant coral reefs, and is also at the bottom of the hurricane band. Curacao Marine Zone is the only place with haul out facilities for yachts. It's tucked away in the Schottegat Bay which is accessible via the Sint Annabaai channel.
6. BONAIRE
Category 1-5 hurricanes 1970-2024. Source NOAA. Accurate as of 23 February 2024.
At the eastern end of the ABC Islands lies Bonaire. Most people go to Bonaire to experience the protected reefs, beaches and reserves of the Bonaire National Marine Park, but it's possible to haul out too. Boat Yard Bonaire is on the western side of the island near Klein Bonaire and can handle boats up to 50ft long.
7. COLOMBIA
Category 1-5 hurricanes 1970-2024. Source NOAA. Accurate as of 23 February 2024.
Colombia may not be a country that immediately springs to mind as a haul out location, but the northern coastline is relatively safe from hurricanes. Cartagena is one of the largest cities in the country and also serves as a Caribbean hub for the marine industry.
These are some of the haul out facilities located in Cartagena.
With a history dating back the the 1500's, Cartagena has a lot more to it than just being a yacht repair destination. It's considered one of the safer cities in Colombia but as always, when you're travelling it's smart to take precautions.
8. GUATEMALA
Category 1-5 hurricanes 1970-2024. Source NOAA. Accurate as of 23 February 2024.
Only a small section of the Guatemalan coastline is on the Caribbean side, but within that small section is the Rio Dulce River. Considered a hurricane hole, Rio Dulce River is 43km long and runs from Amatique Bay to Lake Izabal.
Along the river there are 3 haul out options.
All three are located near to where the Rio Dulce River flows into Lake Izabal. It was somewhere we considered for our haul out before ultimately settling on Trinidad.
HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR HURRICANE HAUL OUT
Choosing which haul out facility to spend the hurricane season at can be a big decision, especially if you have some important works to get done. Here are some things to look for when researching the different options.
Facilities within each yard
Rules for DIY work
Skill sets of local tradesman
Local representatives for marine systems e.g. Yanmar, Volvo, Victron
Local availability of marine parts
Cost of international shipping
Duty applied to imported Yacht in Transit goods
Visa length and extensions
Cost of living
Distance from shops and services
Cruiser social scene
Crime and safety; The Caribbean Safety & Security Net is an excellent resource for this
If you have anything to add or another haul out facility to recommend make sure you pop it in the comments below for future readers to see!
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