The allure and magic of the Caribbean for sailors has always been the opportunity to wander, explore with no schedule, “wanderlust”…. where the destinations were perfect…… Horseshoe Bays, white sand beaches, and a beach taverna or two serving local dishes and fresh fish.
Island hopping was as simple as finding the wind to the next destination. Along the way, boats did need to “clear in” and “clear out” of countries as you crossed national borders between islands. Typically this meant taking boat papers, and passports of those aboard, into the island Customs/Immigration office. The biggest challenge was often finding an open office or the Customs/Immigration official. Once done, it was a matter of some paperwork (forms in triplicate with carbon paper) and $60. On a bad day this might be 30min.
Enter COVID-19 and the “Bubble”. Islands do have a unique opportunity to protect themselves… “don’t let the virus off a plane or a boat”, pretty simple. This choice carries a heavy price though when tourism is the ONLY source of income, so the “Bubble” was born.
Currently about half of islands in the Caribbean are simply closed to outsiders (don’t let the virus off the plane/boat). The remainder have a strict protocol that involves arriving with a negative test result, testing on arrival, and then lock down until that result is returned. After that, you can move about an approved Bubble. The Bubble can be a resort, residence, or a boat. Some islands then have “Bubble Taxis” that can take you to a “Bubble Restaurant”. You remain in the Bubble for the entirety of your visit, or 14/22 Days, whichever comes 1st. In nearly all cases you test again on the 4th day, and if you stay more than a week, you test again on exit. That allows you to go home, or on to your next Bubble…..exhausting being in paradise!
For the sailor/island hopper this changes everything. Most island countries/territories are either closed to “arrival at sea”, or only have one port of entry. When you can arrive at sea, you are then in your “Boat Bubble” and are prevented from going ashore to the beaches, restaurants and beach taverna’s that have always been a large attraction to the island hopper. Of course, the uninhabited islands remain open and there are several larger islands that remain open as well to all. No doubt COVID has made island hopping a significant logistics and planning exercise for the sailing captain and a less spontaneous Caribbean island travel experience for sure.
PS: The winds remain strong, the seas remain picture perfect …. The sailing incredible and Untethered remains undaunted by the new challenge!!