• Advertising

• Contact

• About Us

• Submissions

At last you are comfortably settling into retirement. Your lifelong dream of waking up on a tropical island becomes more tangible with each passing day. You can almost feel the tropical breezes on your face and taste the salt in the air as soft waves gently laps at the hull of your boat. The ice clinks in your glass as you softly rock on the waves and the sun sinks into the sea...

Perhaps there will be no better time to own a piece of the Caribbean dream than now. New developments are popping up in previously uncommercialized areas and an excess of inventory has placed real estate well within the reach of many seafaring retirees. The following islands provide optimal living conditions and cruising destinations to help you find your new home port:

St. Kitts is a promising island for nautical expats. The natural beauty and steady trade winds attract sailors and property buyers alike. St. Kitts allows foreigners to enjoy tax-free living through their attractive "economic citizenship program," as well as the opportunity for visa-free travel to over 70 countries. Port Zante Marina has recently been rebuilt with vast improvements and as the island transitions from sugar farming to tourism many projects are underway to make this an ideal spot to put down roots. An American presence is increasingly prominent as investors develop the extravagant Christophe Harbor. Expect the popularity of St. Kitts to soar in the next few years with the completion of these exclusive communities.

Martinique is a French-speaking island with a quiet, low-key lifestyle, home to Fort de France, the most cosmopolitan city in the French West Indies. A variety of sophisticated restaurants and boutiques will delight even the most discerning Francophile. A shade more affordable than other Caribbean destinations, Martinique is proud of the high quality boating experience that the geography naturally lends itself to. Quaint fishing villages and new marinas alternately dot the coastline. Fort-de-France or Port-de-Plaisance are both safe and wonderful places to journey forth. The popularity of Martinique as a sailing outlet is growing and a number of regattas and races have become annual attractions.

St Lucia Considering that it has been called "The Most Beautiful Island in the World," now would be a great time to capitalize on the recent dip in the St. Lucia housing market prices. The island government actively encourages and supports yachting. By doing so, St. Lucia has emerged as one of the top Caribbean sailing spots. Rodney Bay is a natural bay with a man made lagoon host to a variety of shops and actitives. On land, enjoy St. Lucia's pitons, volcano, steep lush terrain and hot pools. At sea explore the endless secluded anchorages and coves in some of the most beautiful year-round weather in the world.

St. Martin is for you if you are looking for the comforts of home and the beauty of the islands. The most cosmopolitan of the islands, it boasts a high standard of living and abundant natural beauty. From St. Martin there are a multitude of nearby destinations; St. Barths, St. Kitts and Montserrat can all be seen on a clear day from the shores. Despite the robust development and economic success there are still plenty of secluded beaches and inlets to cruise to, and plenty of annual regattas to fill an active sailor's calendar.

The British Virgin Islands are referred to as the "Sailing Capital of the Caribbean." Rightfully so, with over 50 islands and numerous cays and shores reachable only by sea. Island hopping here is a breeze since with no need for customs clearance. Mild winds and crystal waters make BVI ideal for snorkeling and sailing alike. The Baths in Virgin Gorda are a great spot to anchor off and go ashore, exploring the exotic grottos and giant rock formations. The Royal British Virgin Islands Yacht Club hosts numerous regattas and sailing festivals throughout the year in some of the best conditions on earth. Click to View Related Video

With the accessibility to so many diverse islands, BVI is truly a sailor's paradise. With so many opportunities and destinations to choose from, the Caribbean is a realistic retirement destination for the avid sailor. From the fishing villages of Martinique to the bustling harbors of St. Martin, the cliffs of St. Lucia, to the grottos of The Baths you cant go wrong in the Caribbean. Thankfully the relative proximity to all these gorgeous and diverse locations will assuage some pressure from having to pick just one.