SEASONALITY OF CRUISING SEASONS
THERE ARE GENERAL SEASONS FOR THESE ROUTES – they are book ended by the Hurricane / Cyclone SEASON
Caribbean Cruising Seasonality Overview
โต Prime Cruising Season
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Mid-November to Early June
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Why: This is the dry season with steady easterly trade winds, relatively calm seas, and minimal risk of hurricanes.
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Best for: Island-hopping, rallies, and longer stays in anchorages. Most cruisers arrive post-hurricane season and depart before June.
CALIFORNIA TO PANAMA CRUISING SEASONALITY
๐งญ GENERAL TIMING OVERVIEW
Month | Typical Strategy/Movement |
---|---|
OctoberโNovember | Ideal departure from California (San Diego, Ensenada, etc.) for southbound boats |
DecemberโMarch | Prime cruising time down Pacific Mexico + into Central America |
AprilโMay | Continue via Costa Rica to Pacific Panama |
FLORIDA TO TRINIDAD & TOBAGO ๐บ๐ธโก๏ธ๐น๐น (via Eastern Caribbean)
Best Season to Depart:
๐ข November โ April (Trade wind season, pre-hurricane haul-outs in June)
ROUTE
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Florida โ Bahamas (optional) โ Puerto Rico โ Virgin Islands โ Windwards โ Grenada โ Trinidad
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Longer distance, often close-hauled or beam reach, especially heading east from the DR
CONDITIONS
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Winter (NovโMar): Prime conditions with steady trades
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AprilโJune: Less wind, hotter
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JulyโNov: Hurricane season โ but Trinidad is below the hurricane belt and considered a safe zone
FEATURES
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Must โslog eastโ from Bahamas to Puerto Rico (the thorny path)
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More marina options, vibrant cruiser culture
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Grenada and Trinidad offer haul-out and hurricane storage
ย MEXICO TO THE MARQUESAS
Seasonal Departure Window:
๐ข Mid-March to early May (ideal trades, ITCZ more stable)
Typical Route:
Puerto Vallarta / La Cruz / Barra de Navidad โ
San Benedicto (Revillagigedo Islands โ optional) โ
~2,800โ3,100 NM open-ocean passage to Hiva Oa or Nuku Hiva
Key Factors:
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One long bluewater push: ~18โ25 days nonstop for most yachts
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Fewer weather โgates,โ but more preparation needed for fuel, food, and mental pacing
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Well-traveled path for Pacific Puddle Jump, Ocean Posse, and other rallies
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Reliable SE trade winds south of ~8โ10ยฐN
Pros:
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No complicated clearances or transit zones
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Cleaner wind patterns once south of the ITCZ
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Good prep infrastructure in La Cruz and PV
Cons:
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No real bail-out options once you leave
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ITCZ can be squally and unpredictable in El Niรฑo years
PANAMA โ GALรPAGOS โ MARQUESAS
Seasonal Departure Window:
๐ข Late February to May (after ITCZ stabilizes)
Typical Route:
Panama โ
Galรกpagos (1,000 NM) โ
Marquesas (3,000โ3,100 NM)
Key Factors:
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Leg 1: Panama to Galรกpagos = variable winds, possible calms, may require diesel motor-sailing
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Galรกpagos stop requires permits (advance agent arrangements, environmental rules, time-limited stays)
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Leg 2: From Galรกpagos, strong equatorial countercurrent can be a push westward, then good trades begin ~4โ5ยฐS
Pros:
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Breaks the journey into manageable legs
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Cultural and natural highlight: Galรกpagos is extraordinary
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Ideal for boats with kids or crew needing a break
Cons:
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Bureaucratic and expensive Galรกpagos stop (~$1,000โ$2,000+ with agents and fees)
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Galรกpagos anchorages are surge-prone and crowded
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ITCZ and doldrums still require smart routing
Core Mediterranean Cruising Season
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High Season (June โ September)
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Weather: Hot, dry, with light winds in many areas.
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Best for: Warm-water swimming, coastal town exploration, and social events.
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Challenges: High marina prices, crowded anchorages and ports, limited transient slips.
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Key Locations: Balearics, Cรดte dโAzur, Sardinia, Amalfi Coast, Cyclades.
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Shoulder Seasons (May & October)
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Weather: Milder temperatures, fewer tourists, better availability.
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Best for: Passage-making, exploring cultural sites, calmer marinas.
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Popular Routes: Greece > Turkey > Malta or Italy > Spain.
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Off Season (November โ April)
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Weather: Variable with storms and stronger winds (e.g. Mistral, Bora, Sirocco).
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Use Case: Long-term marina stays, haul-outs, maintenance, cultural travel.
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Note: Many islands and marinas reduce services or close entirely.
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ย Wind Patterns to Watch
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Meltemi (Aegean, summer): Strong N/NE winds, JulyโAugust.
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Mistral (France): NW winds, can reach gale force any time but especially spring/fall.
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Sirocco (Central/South Med): Warm, dusty SE windsโcan limit visibility.
โฏ WEATHER ATLANTIC
1 FLORIDA EAST COAST
2 GEORGIA & SOUTH CAROLINA
3 NORTH CAROLINA & THE CAPES
4 VIRGINIA MARYLAND CHESAPEAKE
5ย NE
WEATHER
ย ย BERMUDA – AZORES
๐จ MARITIME CLIMATOLOGY
Maritime Climatology
or climate science is the scientific study of climate, scientifically defined as weather conditions averaged over a period of time.
Pilot Charts
depict averages in prevailing winds and currents, air and sea temperatures, wave heights, visibility, barometric pressure, and weather conditions at different times of the year and is divided into 12 months
The information used to compile these averages was obtained from oceanographic and meteorologic observations over many decades during the late 18th and 19th centuries.
The charts are intended to aid the mariner in selecting the fastest and safest ocean and coastal routes with regards to the expected weather and ocean conditions.
Climatology EASTERN PACIFIC
Climatology Western Caribbean
Climatology MID ATLANTIC
Understanding Pilot Charts and How they Can Help in Planning YOUR ROUTE ALONG THE PANAMA POSSE
At the point when the Atlantic and Pacific Hurrican Season Bengins begins we look at Cliamtology>
We consider June the start of the Pacific and Atlantic Hurricane season – however the majority of what they call “significant storms” or NAMED STORMS tend to start in August and this proceeds through END OF OCTOBER
Over time and outside the Hurricane season we find out about the breezes and flows in these regions though experiences and local maritime knowledge – but a prudent mariner makes examinations and derives routes from the combined history of hundreds of years of observations compiled into Pilot Charts.
Pilot Charts are worried about cruising conditions, there is a diagram for every month of the ear for each section. For the North Atlantic, there is a different graph for the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, which we zoomed in on here
Every one of these locales have a graph for every month. You can in this way utilize the graph to find out about the breezes and flows in every month.
Pilot Charts Show Winds, Currents and Major Hurricane Tracks of Past Storms
On each Month’s Pilot Chart are Windroses of winning breezes โ indicating both bearing and intensity and probability of winds. Likewise appeared on each outline are the flows and tempests for the 12 months recorded.
Where Pilot Charts Came From
The tropical storm data is fascinating, yet the measure of information gathered on winning breezes, flows, air temperatures and intensity probability is amazing.Before modern day satellite weather observations which is now at the cutting edge age, this information was gathered from ships afloat, by sections into the boat’s log and onto diagrams. It was first accumulated, physically, into an organized framework by Lieut. M. F. Maury, U.S. Naval forces who examined a large number of boats’ logs and diagrams in the mid 1800s to make the data accessible to ships underway.
Where TO DOWNLOAD Pilot Charts
FOLLOW THIS LINK
SEA STATE DUE TO SURFACE WINDS
(as a general rule of thumb within 2-3 hours of wind)
Wind to Waves
kts | feet
10 | 2′
12 | 3′
15 | 4′
20 | 6′
25 | 8′
30 | 10-12′
In open ocean most seas propagate 600 nm in 24 hours so if a system changes wind directions 150 nm from you wait 6 hours for the effect
PANAMA TO FLORIDA
CARIBBEAN POSSE NORTH BOUND ROUTE1500 nm
THE CARIBBEAN ROUTE
PANAMA CANAL – FLORIDA
There are over 400+ anchoragesย and 18+marinas along the Western Caribbean Basinย Coast. And this season we will collect and verify the Caribbean route’s anchorages. Our mission is to verify all these points.
This route is designed to for vessels heading from Panama or Colombia towards the US with interim stops in Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Roatan Honduras, a possible seasonal layover in the hurricane hole of Rio Dulce in Guatemala. Continuing on Northbound via the second largest reef in world off the coat of Belize, hugging the Yucatan Peninsula, Isla Mujeres Mexico and Cancun. With an optional stop over in Cuba ending up in the Florida Keys.
The Caribbean route from Panama northbound has some distinct weather challenges -and on the Western Route Security challenges – but several vessels in the past have successfully navigated these waters and made safe passages. Vessel soften split up the season by summering over in Rio Dulce as long as their draft is 6 foot or less.
The Panama Posse Route for Cruising Central America
PANAMA CANAL – COLOMBIAN BORDER – 180nm
50+ anchorages 4 marinas and the precocious San Blas Islands archipelagoย comprising approximately 365 islands and cays, of which 49 are inhabited. Thisย autonomous region government bu the Kuna Indians – it’s a leisurely 180 nm to the border
ADDITIONAL POI’s ARE SHOWN FOR LOGGED IN USERS ONLY
COLOMBIA NORTH COAST- 280nm
- gunkhole against prevailing winds stay close to shore
ADDITIONAL POI’s ARE SHOWN FOR LOGGED IN USERS ONLY
OFFSHORE PASSAGE FROM COLOMBIA TO JAMAICA - 430 nm
JAMAICA
ADDITIONAL POI’s ARE SHOWN FOR LOGGED IN USERS ONLY
PASSAGE FROM JAMAICA TO CAYMAN ISLANDS
ADDITIONAL POI’s ARE SHOWN FOR LOGGED IN USERS ONLY
CAYMAN ISLANDS
ADDITIONAL POI’s ARE SHOWN FOR LOGGED IN USERS ONLY
CAYMAN ISLANDS TO SWAN ISLAND 187 NM AND ROATAN
ADDITIONAL POI’s ARE SHOWN FOR LOGGED IN USERS ONLY
HONDURAS - Roatan
ADDITIONAL POI’s ARE SHOWN FOR LOGGED IN USERS ONLY
GUATEMALA - RIO DULCE
HURRICANE HOLE for vessels with < 6 foot draft
MEXICO - CARIBBEAN
KEY WEST
CARIBBEAN PILOT CHARTS
Pilot Charts depict averages in prevailing winds and currents, air and sea temperatures, wave heights, visibility, barometric pressure, and weather conditions at different times of the year. The information used to compile these averages was obtained from oceanographic and meteorologic observations over many decades during the late 18th and 19th centuries.
The charts are intended to aid the navigator in selecting the fastest and safest routes with regards to the expected weather and ocean conditions. The charts are not intended to be used for navigation.
WEATHER PACIFIC
PACIFIC WEATHERย | CARIBBEAN WEATHER | ATLANTIC WEATHER |ย CLIMATOLOGYย | LIGHTNINGย DENSITY | CLOUDS
Click here for the ENHANCED DIGITAL Marine Graphical Composite Forecast Map for Eastern North Pacific >>
National Hurricane Center https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
SYNOPTIC WEATHER MAP PACIFIC 
PREDICT WIND – predictwind.com
CALIFORNIA – TURTLE BAY
TURTLE BAY – CABO
UPPER SEA OF CORTEZ
LOWER SEA OF CORTEZ
CABO – BANDERAS BAY
2) Cabo Corrientes
As you head towards Barra de Navidad – rounding this Cape has the usual negative effects on sailing – watch for gust currents a.m.o
Swell along the coast
3) Tehuantepec
We’ll discuss these strategies over then next few month – our goal is to cross when conditions are favorable or alternatively hug the beach well reefed – when in doubt we’ll chat up the local port captain in Huatulco or Chiapas MX. Hug the beach and you’ll be fine – this very localized wind
But watch out for wind gusts more than the steady forecast models
4) El Salvador Bar Crossing
Many have had issues with swells over 3 feet so watch the bar like a hawk – new dredging may improve the entry
5) PAPAGAYOS
Last year’s fleet has plenty of experience with these sustained gusts of wind up to 55 knots ! The most successful strategy was day sailing – near shore – in 20 – 30 nm hops with one foot on the beach (less than 1/2 nm off shore). These Papagayo winds are designed to test you – your vessel and your crew. But once you make it to Costa Rica your wind blasted faces will have some good stories to tell.ย If you look at the forecast models look at the wind gusts and use those as your guide as these gusts occur 50% of the time.
5) PUNTA MALA – PANAMA
Another key stop on your way into the bay of Panama – Wait for favorable conditions to round the point and watch for square waves due to the tidal range – best rounded around slack low tide – wait at Playa Venao before you round up. Your only out is to ease off and head for the Las Perlas or tough it up to Isla Iguanas.
6) LIGHTING, SQUALLS AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY
We recommend you to carry insurance for your vessel as each season – vessels get struck by lightning along the central American coast. There are no blind spots – from Chiapas, MX – to Panama is an area affected by lighting.
Costa Rica’s lighting season starts in late April – deploy any and all lightning and grounding strategies you deem relevant including wrapping and grounding the base of your mast with unused anchor chain when anchoring and praying to Neptune. It ends in late October early November. Participants in the Panama Posse develop their own strategies based on prior reports of vessel which have succumbed to lightning strikes in the past.
Even partial and side strikes in marinas or moorings can cause damage to sensitive electronics and systems.
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- For some statistics follow this link ยป
- To View live Lightning maps of the area follow this link ยป
- To view a historic play back of lighting strikes follow this link ยป
Density of lighting strikes in_central America
7) PANAMA CANAL TRAFFIC
As you get closer to the heavy traffic canal zone – here is a live snapshot of AIS signals