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North America

The Thorny Path (Florida to the Caribbean)

Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Hispaniola and Puerto Rico: the upwind island-hopping route from Florida to the Eastern Caribbean, mapped by Bruce Van Sant.

26 episodes on the chart

Length
about 1,200 miles, mostly upwind (source estimate)
Route
Florida, Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, then Leeward/Windward Islands
Season
November to May (outside hurricane season)
Typical duration
several weeks to a few months
Wind
Easterly trades, 15-25 knots
Reference guide
The Gentleman's Guide to Passages South, B. Van Sant (10th ed. 2012)

The Thorny Path is the nickname for the near-shore route from Florida through the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico to the Virgin Islands, then down the Leeward and Windward Islands. It is the classic way to go from the US east coast to the Eastern Caribbean, and Bruce Van Sant's book The Gentleman's Guide to Passages South (10th edition, 2012) made it famous.

The idea is to head east-southeast against the 15-25 knot trade winds, using short hops, night departures and the calmer water under land. Van Sant relies on land-cooled winds and lee effects, and cruisers usually time passages for light winds between fronts. The route is usually done from November to May, outside hurricane season, and takes several weeks to months.

It stays close to harbors, but it is not easy. The route is about 1,200 miles, mostly upwind, with shoals in the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos, and strong, unpredictable currents in the Mona Passage.

Highlights

  • Exuma Cays and Georgetown, Bahamas
  • Turks and Caicos
  • Luperon, Dominican Republic
  • Samana Bay
  • Culebra and the Virgin Islands

Watch out for

  • Upwind sailing in the trade winds with foul current
  • Shoals and coral heads on the Bahama Banks and Turks and Caicos
  • Mona Passage currents
  • Hurricane season and limited weather windows

Episodes on this route 26

Crews on this route

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A summary for learning and dreaming, not for navigation. Rules, fees, seasons and security advice change: check current official sources before you go.

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