Dear friends,

We’ve just arrived in Antigua and dropped anchor in the beautiful bay of Jolly Harbour. During our journey through the Caribbean, we’ve discovered something interesting about how travel between islands works, and we thought you’d find it fascinating too!

In the Caribbean, islands fall under different jurisdictions—some are French overseas territories, others are independent nations within the Commonwealth, and some are entirely autonomous. Each time you sail from one island to another, you have to clear customs and immigration to officially register your arrival. When leaving, you must complete an “exit” procedure; if you fail to do so, you’re considered an illegal immigrant, facing either hefty fines or even imprisonment.

French islands simplify this process by allowing you to handle everything online, submitting scanned copies of the required documents. However, in non-French islands, you must visit specific offices in person before doing anything else. To make things even more interesting, these islands also require a stay tax and, often, a marine park fee. These fees are not always budget-friendly—sometimes, they are surprisingly expensive!

Now that we’re settled, we can finally enjoy Jolly Harbour, a stunning anchorage with crystal-clear waters and one of the most beautiful beaches in Antigua. Jolly Beach is a dream—soft white sand, turquoise sea, and swaying palm trees make it the perfect spot to unwind after the bureaucratic hurdles of island-hopping.

Sending you all a warm Caribbean breeze! 🌴⛵✨