Donkeys replace reindeer, beach sand substitutes for bitterly cold snow and calypso tunes join with traditional carols. Celebrating the festive winter holidays in the Caribbean are just as fun, maybe even more so, than in the chilly climates up north. Here are a sampling of nautical ways to enjoy the holidays.

LIGHTED BOAT PARADES

Deck your bows and join in or watch from the waterfront. Start in the Western Caribbean, on Belize’s Ambergris Caye, the San Pedro Holiday Boat Parade take place on December 7, from 6 to 10 p.m. There’s over $10,000 in cash prizes, in categories like Small Boat Best of Show, Best Charity Boat and People’s Choice. Yet best of all, according to organizer Kristina Romero, proceeds benefit Hope Haven’s Children’s Shelter. 

Head east for a duo of events on December 14. Puerto Rico’s Club Nautico de San Juan hosts its Lighted Boat Parade starting at 5:30 p.m. “Approximately 50 powerboats, including a few sail and rowboats participate,” says Virginia de los Reyes, Club spokesperson, who adds the best place to watch is in Old San Juan’s Bahia Urbana. An hour later, at 6:30 p.m., the St. Croix Christmas Boat Parade, which benefits several children’s charities, gets underway on this southernmost U.S. Virgin Island. Some 30 lite-up decorated boats drive through the Christiansted Harbor. “As the last boaters disappear behind Protestant Cay, the grand finale starts with a spectacular fireworks show,” says organizer Trish Rhodes. On shore, there’s holiday music, vendors and even a visit by Santa who arrives in a dinghy. 

On December 20, the St. Thomas Lighted Boat Parade starts off the Charlotte Amalie Waterfront at 6 p.m. with the theme “Deck the Hulls”, according to organizer Erik Ackerson. Cash prizes are awarded for best use of lights, most original and best holiday theme after the parade at Tickles Dockside Pub, in the Crown Bay Marina. 

Back on December 24 after a two-year hurricane hiatus, is the North Sound Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, in Virgin Gorda, BVI. Private, charter, local and visiting boats are welcome, and the parade will start at 5 p.m. off the Leverick Bay Resort & Marina. “The Bitter End Yacht Club is delighted this long standing North Sound tradition is continuing even while we are closed,” says John Glynn, the BEYC’s vice president of sales and marketing. 

SANTA SIGHTINGS in the Caribbean

Santa, costumed in signature red with a bushy white beard, heads to the Trellis Bay Market Bar & Grill, on Beef Island, BVI, mid-December for its annual ‘Santa At The Bay’ event. “It’s a way to celebrate Christmas with free gifts for children of all ages,” says Shamora “Molly” Penn. 

In the BVI on December 20 and in Dominica on December 21, the Sailing Santa, Mark Duckett and his Mrs. Claus wife Tracey, will be hosting to gift giving event for local children as part of their Sailing Santa – Kids of the Caribbean Campaign, which the cruisers started after the 2017 hurricanes. Gift donations, says Tracy, should be for kids ages 0 to 14 and cost US $10 or less. (www.sailingsanta.com) 

On Christmas Day, Santa visits from 12:30-1 pm at the Marigot Bay Resort and Marina in St. Lucia. 

CAROLING in the Caribbean

Traditional carols along with string band music and local parang are just one element of Grenada’s new family-friendly Festival of Lights, which sees the St. George’s waterfront turned into a Christmas wonderland. On December 6, there will be a dinghy concert and light show. “The Carenage is the perfect backdrop for a dinghy concert, which will see boats pulling up with lights as well as local businesses using lights to enjoy the island Christmas vibes,” says Nikoyan. A Christmas night market, on December 7, features local produce, entertainment, art, craft and local delights such as Black Cake and Christmas drinks such as sorrel and ginger beer. 

On December 22, local and visiting cruisers can join in with those arriving to St. Lucia’s IGY’s Rodney Bay Marina (RBM) as part of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers for Carols on the Boardwalk on December 22. Before this, pick up those last minute gifts. From December 10 to 21, local artisans in the colorful chattel huts on RBM grounds sell their wares, from rum-infused chocolates to grass flip-flops.

CHRISTMAS PARTIES

The St. Maarten Yacht Club welcomes members and visitors alike to its annual seasonal party. “During the day, we will have a Santa for the kids and in the evening, we will have our Ugly Sweater-themed Christmas Party,” says Leonde Vermeulen, club event manager. 

As part of the ARC, yet open to the public, the St. Lucia Yacht Club hosts its Beach Party on December 14, starting at 6 p.m. 

In Antigua, the Dockyard Christmas Champagne Party takes place on December 25, from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. The charity event hosted by the Hourglass Foundation and National Parks features bubbly along with other spirits like rum punch.  The party dress code is ideally Santa or elf outfits.

FESTIVE REGATTAS

Those looking for a way to burn calories before big holiday meals can go racing. Jamaica’s Montego Bay Yacht Club holds its 30th annual Pirates of Jamin International J/22 regatta on December 5 to 8. 

On December 8, the Trinidad & Tobago Yachting Association hosts its annual Christmas Hamper Race beginning at 11 a.m. “This same day we are also having a Skippers’ Christmas lime starting at 2 p.m.,” says Arianne La Chapelle, the TTYA’s general manager and sailing school administrator. Tickets are US $25 and include food. 

The Budget Marine High Tide Series, hosted by the Antigua Yacht Club December 19 to 26, is a 5-race event which culminates in a post-race Party & Prize-giving on Boxing Day (December 26).

RING IN THE NEW YEAR

Termed ‘Old Year’s Night’ in the Caribbean, there no lack of activities north and south to usher out the old and ring in the New Year. At Foxy’s Tamarind Bar in Jost Van Dyke, BVI, the theme is ‘Arabian Nights’. “Guests can expect a Magic Carpet photo booth, themed décor, belly dancers and other performers, live music and Foxy’s famous BBQ buffet,” says bar co-owner, Tessa Callwood. 

Nearby, Trellis Bay’s New Year’s Eve Party starts at 5 p.m. with a BBQ dinner. The free-to-the-public event also features DJ’s and entertainment, Aragorn’s Fireball Display at the beach, and a champagne toast and fireworks display at midnight. 

There are also fireworks on December 30 off Fort de France, Martinique; and on December 31 in St. George’s, Grenada, along with a lighted fishing boat parade and highly-anticipated dropping of the Nutmeg Ball; at Basil’s Bar, in Mustique, where there’s a festive dinner and live bands too; and in Bequia, over Admiralty Bay. “No matter where you are anchored, you will have a clear view of the fireworks at Midnight,” says Vernamay Ollivierre, at the Bequia Tourism Association. 

Beyond this, there will be stilt walkers, fire eaters and limbo dancers on December 31 at the Hurricane Hole Restaurant, in Marigot, St. Lucia, and a special menu at the Blue Lagoon Hotel & Marina, in St. Vincent. “There’s also a yearly New Year’s Eve party many attend on property at the Flowt Beach Bar,” invites Rhea Cordice, front desk supervisor. 

Finally, on January 1, the Seven Seas Cruising Association’s annual GAM, hosted by Jesse James of the Members Only Maxi Taxi Service, starts at Noon, at the Wheelhouse Pub, at Tropical Marine, in Chaguaramas, Trinidad.