Cruisers Guide and Charts for DR, PR, and VI

[BrianSmith]

In several weeks, we'll be leaving Turks and Caicos and heading for the Virgin Islands, with stops planned in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. However, we know practically nothing about boating / cruising in those two countries (nor in the VI's, for that matter), and are looking for some suggestions on cruising guides and chart books for all of those areas.

We have the time to spend upwards of a couple weeks in each of the DR and PR, but if there's not much to do / see from a boat, or from anchor or marina, we're likely to stop just long enough to sleep, have a quick look around, and move on. That's OK, unless there are things to see and do that we shouldn't miss seeing and doing!

Thanks for any input.

 

[DavidM]

Van Sant's Gentleman's Guide to Cruising South..... covers that area and is the go to guide for cruising south from the T&Cs along the DR to PR. Written for sailboats but trawlers don't like beating into head winds/seas either.


Go to https://www.amazon.com/Gentlemans-G...1&keywords=gentlemens+guide+to+passages+south



David

 

[Larry M]

Van Sant's Gentleman's Guide to Cruising South..... covers that area and is the go to guide for cruising south from the T&Cs along the DR to PR. Written for sailboats but trawlers don't like beating into head winds/seas either.


Go to https://www.amazon.com/Gentlemans-G...1&keywords=gentlemens+guide+to+passages+south



David

We’ve been through the Caribbean twice and the book was spot on. That, Cmap, Noonsite and talking to the locals, we had no problems.

The DRs great. It was the best of the Caribbean IMHO. They are genuinely the nicest people. We did day bus trips from Luperon and Santa Barbara/Samana. People were polite and were quick with a welcome or help you figure out where you wanted to go when we got lost. We did a day trip to Puerto Plata and we wouldn’t go back but that’s us, touristy. Make sure you get some larimar. If you shop around you’ll find some great pieces and settings.

We didn’t stay in any marinas and had no theft issues or bad experiences.

http://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/s36/spanish-virgins-dominican-republic-9979.html

 

[BrianSmith]

Van Sant's Gentleman's Guide to Cruising South..... covers that area and is the go to guide for cruising south from the T&Cs along the DR to PR. Written for sailboats but trawlers don't like beating into head winds/seas either.

Go to https://www.amazon.com/Gentlemans-G...1&keywords=gentlemens+guide+to+passages+south

David

I have that book, and never thought to look at it for this purpose. My one and only reading of it left the impression that it was mostly for sailors looking to not have to beat into the wind - but not an actual cruiser's guide to any of the islands. I will get it out and re-read it now!

 

[BrianSmith]

We’ve been through the Caribbean twice and the book was spot on. That, Cmap, Noonsite and talking to the locals, we had no problems.

The DRs great. It was the best of the Caribbean IMHO. They are genuinely the nicest people. We did day bus trips from Luperon and Santa Barbara/Samana. People were polite and were quick with a welcome or help you figure out where you wanted to go when we got lost. We did a day trip to Puerto Plata and we wouldn’t go back but that’s us, touristy. Make sure you get some larimar. If you shop around you’ll find some great pieces and settings.

We didn’t stay in any marinas and had no theft issues or bad experiences.

http://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/s36/spanish-virgins-dominican-republic-9979.html

Great info - thanks!