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H © Stephen J. Pavlidis 2010 |
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Appendix V:
Tides and Currents in the Bahamas and Caribbean
Click on any particular island or group below or scroll down the page for more information...
| Tide/Current Primer | The Rule of Twelfths | ||
| The Windward Passage | |||
| The Anegada Passage | The Leeward Islands | ||
| The Windward Islands | Trinidad and Tobago | Northwest Caribbean | |
| The Cayman Islands | Jamaica |
We all know that the tides are affected by the Moon, but what about the currents you encounter in the Bahamas and the Caribbean. These currents originate 93 million miles from Earth where the Sun generates the heat that warms the lower latitudes of our planet causing the air to expand creating tradewinds that drag the ocean waters with them (thanks in part to the rotation of the Earth and the influence of the Moon). In the Caribbean Sea and the southern part of the North Atlantic Ocean, these currents originate off the western coast of Africa, just north of the Cape Verde Islands, and flow westward at about .7 knot as the North Equatorial Current.
South of the equator the South Equatorial Current begins its westward flow with the trades just like its cousin to the north. Somewhere off the coast of Brazil the current splits in two with the northern half running northward along the eastern coast of South America (as the North Brazil and Guiana Currents-the Guiana Current enters the Caribbean along the northern shore of South America and is influenced by the flow of the Amazon River and the Río Orinoco) where it joins with the North Equatorial Current. This combined current pushes into the Caribbean basin where the flow divides, the larger Antilles Current heads north through the islands while the second current enters the Caribbean basin through the Grenada, St. Vincent, and St. Lucia Passages and moves northwest in a poorly defined and highly variable stream called the Caribbean Current. In fact, the Caribbean Current begins as several westward flowing streams that are separated by eastward flowing countercurrents (in the extreme southwestern Caribbean a counterclockwise current called the Columbia-Panama Gyre is evident from Nicaragua through Panama and eastward to Columbia).
Eventually these westward flowing streams merge as the Caribbean Current and continue west past Jamaica and Cuba and then northward through the Yucatán Channel (where it is called the Yucatán Current) and into the Gulf of Mexico (where it is called the Loop Current). Flowing north the Yucatán Current begins experiencing a certain resistance from the waters already in the Gulf of Mexico and rarely is felt in the western Gulf. Along the main path of the clockwise rotation of the Loop Current in the Gulf of Mexico several eddies break off as the current turns towards the only exit, through the Straits of Florida between Florida and Cuba where it is technically called the Florida Current, though it’s better known as the Gulf Stream,and is joined by the Antilles Current that flows west along Cuba’s northern coast. At some point in the Straits of Florida the powerful Gulf Stream is born. Once past the Bahamas the Gulf Stream joins up again with a part of the Antilles Current that flowed northwest along the eastern edge of the Bahamas and begins its easterly trek across the North Atlantic Ocean to re-circulate and do it all over again.
When attempting to predict the state of tide at any time other than at slack tide, you can use the Rule of Twelfths for a generally reliable accuracy. To do this take the amount of tidal fluctuation and divide it into twelfths. For example, if high tide in Nassau, Bahamas, is expected to be 3.0’ and the low water datum is 0.0’, the tidal fluctuation is 3’, and each twelfth is 0.25’ or 3”. To predict the state of tide at different times you can use the Rule of Twelfths in the following table. The table is merely to demonstrate a point and uses an imaginary charted high tide of 3’. Always consult your chart tables or listen for tide information broadcasts and calculate accordingly.
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TIME OF LOW WATER |
TIDE DATUM-0 FEET |
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1 hour after low, add 1/12 |
¼ foot above datum-3” |
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2 hours after low, add 3/12 |
¾ feet above datum-9” |
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3 hours after low, add 6/12 |
1½ feet above datum-18” |
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4 hours after low, add 9/12 |
2¼ feet above datum-27” |
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5 hours after low, add 11/12 |
2¾ feet above datum-33” |
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6 hours after low, add 12/12 |
High Water-3’* |
*Caution: assumes a 3’ tidal fluctuation as an example.
Chart tables give the times and heights of high and low water but not the time of the turning of the tide or slack water. Usually there is little difference between the times of high and low water and the beginning of ebb or flood currents, but in narrow channels, landlocked harbors, or on tidal creeks and rivers, the time of slack water may vary by several hours.
The islands of the Bahamas are affected by the west setting North Equatorial Current on both their eastern and western extremities. After entering the Caribbean the North Equatorial Current splits into two branches, the northern branch flowing northeast of the Bahamas off Abaco, Eleuthera, Cat Island, and Long Island as the Antilles Current with an average velocity of approximately ½ knot. To a lesser extent the Antilles Current also flows through the Old Bahama Channel along the northern coast of Cuba and through the islands of the Bahamas themselves. The more southern branch of the North Equatorial Current makes its way around the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico and enters the Straits of Florida as the Gulf Stream with an average velocity of approximately 2.5 knots in a northward direction (for more information see the chapter Crossing the Gulf Stream). Once north of the Bahamas the stronger Gulf Stream merges with the weaker Antilles Current and bears off north and northeastward across the North Atlantic Ocean. The Sailing Directions for the Caribbean Sea (DMA# SDPUB147) advises that the eastern entrance to the Northwest Providence Channel has a northwest setting current of approximately 2-3 knots which may reverse to a southeast set after strong northwest to north winds. Within the Northeast and Northwest Providence Channels themselves the current is nominal although after strong northerly winds the set may be easterly with a velocity of approximately 1 knot.
Where the shallow banks drop off to deeper ocean waters in such areas as the Abacos, the Berry Islands, the Biminis, the Exumas, and the Jumentos, tidal currents flow in and out the passes and cuts sometimes reaching 2-4 knots in strength and even more in a few of the more narrow passes. Some cuts may be impassable in adverse wind conditions or in heavy swells that may exist with or without any wind. Even in moderate conditions, onshore winds against an outgoing tide can create very rough conditions.
As a rule of thumb you can estimate the tidal rise and fall in the Bahamas to be about 2.5’-3’ at most times. Where the banks drop off to the deeper waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the Straits of Florida, the Tongue of the Ocean, or Exuma Sound for instance, the tides and flow in and out the passes and cuts with ferocity in places, sometimes reaching 2-4 knots in strength and even more in a few of the more narrow passes. All tides in the Bahamas are based on the tides in Nassau, which have a mean rise of 2.6’. Tides immediately after the first and last quarter of the moon, rise approximately ½’ less, while tides after new and full moons rise approximately ½’ more. During Spring tides, when the moon is nearest the Earth, the range is increased by another ½’. Cruising through the Bahamas during Spring full moon tides will give you some of the lowest lows and highest highs. It is quite easy to run aground at this time on some of the banks routes. Boats with drafts of 5’ have reportedly run aground in what is normally a 6’ depth at low water during this time.
In the Bahamas, you will find that it is not unusual for the currents to continue their direction of flow long after charted predictions say they should change. Strong winds can play havoc on the navigator attempting to predict slack water. The current may often appear in places as a swift flowing river and care must be taken whenever crossing a stretch of strong current to avoid being swept out to sea or onto a bank or rocks. Some of the currents may flow from 2.5 to over 4 knots in places and in anchorages with a tidal flow two anchors is a must. Some of the cuts and passes into deeper water such as those in the Exumas and Abacos may be impassable in adverse wind conditions or in heavy swells that may exist with or without any wind (usually called a rage). The Wide Opening in the Exumas and Whale Cay Passage in the Abacos are particularly susceptible to these conditions. Even in moderate conditions, onshore winds against an outgoing tide can create very rough conditions. Some of the passes, cuts, and anchorages shown may be a real test of your ability. If in doubt, stay out. As with cruising anywhere, if you exercise caution you will have a safe and enjoyable cruise in the Bahamas
Tides in the Exumas flow in and out the cuts and passes from the banks to Exuma Sound and range from 20 minutes later than Nassau at Highborne Cay, to 30 minutes later in Exuma Park. As a rule of thumb you can estimate the tidal rise and fall to be about 2½’-3½’ at most times. Tides in the northern and central Exumas range from 0-.3’ less than in Nassau while tides in George Town are the same time as Nassau although they are .5’-.6’ less than the same tide in Nassau. Tides on the western side of Great Exuma Island lag George Town tides by approximately 1½-2½ hours. Tides in Nassau have a mean rise of 2.6’. Neap tides, those after the first and last quarter of the moon, rise approximately ½’ less, while tides after new and full moons rise approximately ½’ more. During Spring tides, when the moon is nearest the Earth, the range is increased by another ½’. Cruising through the Exumas during Spring full moon tides will give you some of the lowest lows and highest highs. It is quite easy to run aground at this time on some of the Banks routes. Boats with drafts of 5’ have reportedly run aground in what is normally a 6’ depth at low water during this time.
The islands of the Turks and Caicos are affected by the west setting North Equatorial Current on both their northern and southern extremities. As a rule of thumb, you can estimate the tidal rise and fall in the Turks and Caicos archipelago to be about 2’-4’ at most times with a mean rise of 2.6’.
Tides in the Turks and Caicos use Hawk’s Nest Anchorage at Grand Turk as their datum location. Low tides at this location are usually 14 minutes before Nassau tides and high tides at Grand Turk are 19 minutes before Nassau tides. Both high and low tides run generally .5’ less than Nassau tides. Tides at Provo and Leeward Going Through are approximately one hour later than tides at Grand Turk. Tides on the Caicos Banks are generally northwest on the flood and southwest on the ebb with an average strength of approximately 1 knot.
Printed tide tables can be purchased for $5 in Providenciales at the DECR, just above the Public Treasury, downtown across from Island Pride Supermarket. The DECR also has an office on Grand Turk.
Tides are sometimes unpredictable around Providenciales. Strong northeast winds will sometimes keep the tides on the southern side of Provo low for days at a time while strong southern winds will give the southern shore higher tides than normal. The tides at Leeward Going Through are erratic at best. While the tides in Provo are generally thought to be about ½ hour after Nassau, this is not the case in Leeward. I have seen tides there occur three hours after Nassau tides and the floods generally tend to flow for a shorter period than the ebbs. I have seen the flood tide only last three hours during strong southeast winds.
In the passage between Great Sand Cay and Luperón in the Dominican Republic, you can expect to find a
west/northwest setting current of about ½ - ¾ knots, and sometimes a bit stronger in periods of easterly winds.
The Windward Passage can be a very rough body of water, after all, it’s not called Windward for nothing. Although it’s only shown on Pilot Charts and only briefly touched upon in the Sailing Directions for the Caribbean Sea, the Windward Passage usually has a southwest setting current of about ¾ knot. At times however you can find a northeast setting current flowing through the Windward Passage at speeds that I have seen at times to be over two knots although generally it is between .75 and 2 knots. When you add this to a moderate northeast breeze, the Windward Passage can be reminiscent of the Gulf Stream when you have wind against current, and if you are heading south or southwest into the Windward Passage it will take you quite a while to get out of the flow, usually about ten hours or so depending on your speed as you head through the passage. Don’t even think about heading west to get out of the current, you might find that you’re heading into an easterly flowing current that works its way along the southern shore of Cuba, while the currents close in to Haiti are reported to be in the range of ¾ knot setting in a northerly direction near Pearl Point. Use caution north of Cape Mole, Haiti, where this northward flowing current meets the current that sets west along Haiti’s northern shore.
Cruisers headed to the Windward Passage need to be aware of the IMO Traffic Separation Scheme that lies east of Cuba’s Punta Maisi and makes good use of the northward flowing current found there (this current has been reported to reverse with northerly winds). The traffic separation scheme allows for a two mile wide corridor for northbound vessels and a two mile wide corridor for southbound vessels. These corridors lie within Cuba’s 12-mile territorial limit so bear that in mind if you plan to go that route. If you’re not comfortable with that, keep 12 miles east of Punta Maisi and you’ll be out of the traffic separation scheme as well as Cuban territorial waters.
In a word...westerly. The flow along the northern and southern shores of Hispaniola are westerly around .75-1.25 knots depending on the trades or lack of them. The currents off the western shore of Hispaniola are covered in the previous section on The Windward Passage, while the currents off the eastern shore of Hispaniola are covered in the next section, The Mona Passage.
The tidal currents generally set north and south throughout the Canal de Mona, the Mona Passage, and can best be described as UNPREDICTABLE! Yes, I know what you’re thinking...north and south? There are varying non-tidal flows that depend a great deal upon the strength and direction of the wind, combined with the tidal current. An average non-tidal current of about .2 knot setting approximately NNW is generally experienced during all seasons in the Canal de la Mona, sometimes more, sometimes quite a bit more. Observations made at Punta Guanajibo, Puerto Rico, gave a velocity of about 1-knot for the northerly and southerly currents in the Mona Passage. In summer, when the trade wind has slackened and blows more from the east and east/southeast, a strong counter-current sets east off the southern coast of Hispaniola. This counter-current occasionally induces a northerly set in the Canal de la Mona. North of Isla de Mona, a west/southwest setting current has been reported as strong as 3.5 knots.
The tidal currents also set with considerable velocity, especially near the shore of the DR south of Cabo Engano, where they have been reported to set with a velocity of 3.5 knots during the month of May, with ebb currents setting northeast for 3 hours and flood currents setting southwest for 9 hours. The duration of these currents has also been reported to be the reverse, and at other times to be of the usual duration of approximately 6 hours.
Tides in Puerto Rico are minimal, only about 1’-1½’. The actual fluctuations in the water level depend largely upon the wind strength and direction, and other meteorological conditions. The tide is primarily semidiurnal along the northern and western coasts of Puerto Rico, and more or less diurnal along the island’s Caribbean coasts. The tides are based on readings at San Juan and the differences between the timing of the tides varies on a day to day and tide to tide basis. As a general rule of thumb you can use the following numbers. At Mayaguez, high tide is ½ hour before San Juan while low tide is 20 minutes before San Juan. At Fajardo, high is 10 minutes before and low is 30’ after San Juan. Ponce high tide is ½ hour before San Juan and low is 3 hours before San Juan. At Guanica, high is 1 hour before San Juan and low is 3 hours after San Juan. At Roosevelt Roads the high tide is approximately 2 minutes before San Juan and the low tide is approximately 20 minutes after San Juan low. Culebra high tide is roughly 2¼ hours before San Juan high, while the low is only 25 minutes before San Juan low. Puerto Ferro, Vieques, high tide is approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes before San Juan high, while the low is only 10 minutes before San Juan low. Punta Mulas, Vieques tides are approximately 15 minutes before San Juan tides. Tides in the Canal de la Mona (the Mona Passage) are 2-3 hours after tides in the Canal de Guanajibo. I know this is not highly accurate, but it’s designed to give you a bit of an insight.
If you’re approaching Puerto Rico from the west, say from the Dominican Republic or The Bahamas, you are going to have the current on the nose. If you are approaching from the Virgins or St. Martin, consider yourself fortunate, the current will be with you!
The 100-fathom curve lies about 1 mile off the western coast of Puerto Rico, except on the southeastern side, where it is about 1-2 miles off, and on the southwestern side, where it is only about 0.3 mile off. With a strong wind from any direction, the sea draws around the island and generally into all the anchorages so that it almost always seems like you are headed to windward.
The currents along the northern and southern shores of Puerto Rico are greatly influenced by the wind speed and direction; the prevailing easterly winds help out the westerly drift of the Equatorial Current. In the winter months northerly seas break at the entrance to San Juan Harbor and an undertow and surge may be felt as far in as the San Antonio Channel.
Along the northern shore of Puerto Rico you’ll find a westerly setting current of between .2-1 knot depending on wind strength and direction and can be felt even close inshore. In the Mona you’ll usually find a current of about a knot, sometimes more, sometimes less. Along the southern coast of Puerto Rico you’ll also find a west setting current of ½ knot and more. The current is lighter inshore of Isla Caja de Muertos and Cayo Berberia.
In the Spanish Virgin Islands, the Sonda de Vieques, there are strong tidal currents over the shoals in the western areas and around Isla Cabeza de Perro. In Pasaje de San Juan and Pasaje de Cucaracha just north of Cabo San Juan, estimated velocities of about 2 knots have been reported. In the wider passages between Cayo Icacos and Cayo de Luis Pena, it is estimated that the current velocity is less than 1 knot. From Isla de Culebra the current sets toward Punta Este, Isla de Vieques, around which tidal currents are strong. On an average, figure on a west/northwest current of about ½ knot in the Sonda de Vieques.
Just off Culebra, in the Canal de Luis Pena, the current is deflected north of Bahia Tarja and thence sets toward the southern end of Cayo de Luis Pena. The current is weak off the entrance to Bahia de Sardinas. The northwesterly current sets directly through the channel here at about 2 knots.
Most of the Virgin Islands lie on the southern side of the Virgin Bank, a large ocean shelf with abrupt drops in depth near its edges. The bank extends in an east/northeast direction for approximately 86 miles from the eastern end of Puerto Rico. For the first 50 miles the bank extends east and averages about 25 miles in width, and then turning east/northeast as it widens to approximately 32 miles. The Virgin Bank ends just beyond the southeast point of Anegada. On the southern edge of the Virgin Bank lies a narrow ledge of coral, about 200 yards wide and 60’-120’ deep, that extends almost unbroken from Horse Shoe Reef at Anegada in the British Virgin Islands, to Isla de Vieques in the Spanish Virgin Islands.
Tides in the British and United States Virgin Islands range only about 1’ being diurnal (one high and one low each day) along the Caribbean shores (generally the southern sides of the islands) and semidiurnal (two highs and two lows each day) along the Atlantic shorelines (generally the northern shores of the islands). The currents in the islands vary sometimes from island to island and passage to passage and can be anywhere from .2 knots to 4 knots. Generally you can allow for the tidal flow to set southeast and northwest while an overall current of about ¼-½ knot sets in a west to northwest direction.
The tides and currents in the Spanish Virgin Islands are covered in the previous section on Puerto Rico..
The Anegada Passage is the traditional entrance to the waters of the Caribbean from the Atlantic Ocean. Marked by the Sombrero Light 50 miles east of Anegada, this hundred-mile wide traffic route has a well-deserved fearsome reputation amongst the cruising community. Heading northwest, from St. Martin to the Virgins, the passage rarely presents a problem unless you attempt to traverse it during the winter months when northerly swells are sweeping southward. However, from the Virgins to St. Martin or Anguilla, the story is quite a bit different and many factors come into play that can make this leg of your Leeward Islands cruise an ordeal or a pleasant journey.
If you’re heading to St. Martin from the Virgins, you’ll likely have the wind on the nose, as well as part of the Equatorial Current whose usual speed is about ½-1 knot in the Anegada Passage. As you approach Anguilla and St. Martin the current will grow a bit stronger as it funnels around and between the islands; off St. Martin I’ve seen the current as much as 1½-2 knots. An east or southeast wind of any strength will give you some tough head seas and increase the current strength, and even if the wind has been down, the Anegada Passage almost always has a bit of “slop” to it. Never attempt to cross the Anegada Passage when a strong northerly swell is running. Often times with a northerly swell the winds will most likely still be out of the east or even southeast, which can create confused, rough, and often dangerous seas.
In general, all you need to know here is that the currents flow east to west around and in between the Leeward Islands and will affect you primarily when you are sailing inter-island. In Guadeloupe you'll encounter stronger currents off the southwestern tip of the island.
In general, all you need to know here is that the currents flow east to west around and in between the Windward Islands and will affect you primarily when you are sailing inter-island.
Vessels heading to Trinidad or Tobago from points north, particularly from Grenada or Carriacou, will encounter strong and fluky currents in the stretch of water between Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago. The Equatorial Current (Guyana Current) flows northwestward between Trinidad/Tobago and Grenada and to say it is unpredictable would be an understatement. Heading for a waypoint at Boca del Monos from Grenada, you will find that the current is pushing you westward at over 2 knots at times, while just a few minutes later the current will appear to be non-existent. The strength of this current is lessened somewhat on an ebbing tide which flows southeast. This same current makes sailing from Grenada to Tobago difficult at best. A better suggestion would be to head for Tobago from Petite St. Vincent, or even Barbados. Entering the harbor at Scarborough on Tobago, you might encounter an eastward flowing current, an eddy that has spun off the westward setting Equatorial Current.
The current flows northwestward between Tobago and Trinidad and then westward closer in along the northern coast of Trinidad and sometimes attains a velocity of 2-3 knots. At places along the northern coast you can sometimes pick up a bit of an easterly flow when the tide ebbs and flows southeast between Tobago and Trinidad.
Approaching the northwestern tip of Trinidad at the Bocas del Dragon, you will want to exercise caution when entering Boca del Monos, the normal passage for yachts heading into Chaguaramas Bay (try to time your arrival for daylight hours here). When the prevailing winds and seas are up, and the tidal flow is heading north through the Bocas, you can have some heavy sea action well into the Bocas as the current sometimes flows northward through here at up to 4 knots on the flood. On the other hand, no matter the tide, the current rarely if ever has a noticeable southerly flow through the Bocas. The current that flows through the Bocas, and for a distance along the northern coast as far as Macqueripe, is known locally as L’Remous. Don’t take the currents at the Bocas lightly. I’ve heard tales of sailboats without engines taking three days trying to tack their way through the Bocas. On more than one occasion I’ve left Boca de Monos heading to Grenada or Tobago and seen a stream of churning white water snaking northwards for ten miles. Only about a quarter of a mile wide, the windward side of the rip was quite calm, while a hundred yards to leeward, right in the middle of the choppy water the story was quite the opposite. Exercise caution if you’re approaching the Bocas and experience this.
The current along the western shore of Trinidad, as well as the tides, are impacted by the weather conditions in Venezuela. Heavy rains and flooding in the Orinoco delta region releases tremendous amounts of water and energy into the Gulf of Paria. This force has nowhere to go except towards Trinidad and can make itself apparent in the form of higher tides, stronger swirling currents, and lot of flotsam and jetsam approaching from the Gulf. The entire western coast of Trinidad, from the Bocas to Icacos, is washed by a southerly-southeasterly eddy of this northward flowing current
Chaguaramas has its own particular problems with currents as well. Sometimes, anchored boats will spin and turn and bounce off each other, so use caution when anchored in Chaguaramas Bay. In TTYC, you’ll often rock slightly when the tide changes and the wind dies, but this won’t last long.
Entering Port of Spain, the current flows at a velocity of about ½ knot southeast on the flood and 1½ knots on the ebb. This is due to an eddy action of the main flow of current, which runs generally northeast through the Bocas.
The current along the southern shore of Trinidad is extremely strong, usually 3-5 knots, and I’ve been told by local mariners that they’ve seen it flow as strong as 7 knots.
The tidal range in Trinidad and Tobago is approximately 3’. Tide tables can be found in the Trinidad and Tobago Boaters Directory available free at most marinas, chandleries, at the Boca offices, and at YSATT.
In short, if you plan to leave the Florida Keys to cross the Yucatán Channel and work your way south along the eastern coasts of Quintana Roo, Belize, and into the Gulf of Honduras and the Río Dulce, the current will be on the nose, at times up to 4 knots in the middle of the Yucatán Channel, and often 1-2 knots and more along the eastern coast of Quintana Roo, and a bit less in the lee of the Belizean Reef. If you are heading to the Northwest Caribbean from the Windward Passage or Jamaica the current will be on your quarter or beam, and if you’re approaching from the Eastern Caribbean you’ll have the current with you.
The currents in the Yucatán Channel will affect all who venture south from Florida or the Gulf of Mexico into the waters of the Northwestern Caribbean.
The Yucatán Channel lies between the mainland of Mexico and the Island of Cuba to the east. It is deep along it’s eastern edge and shallows as it approaches the Mexican coastline. There is a tremendous flow of water passing through the Yucatán Channel into the Gulf of Mexico and the set of the current can surpass 4 knots at its axis. The eastern edge of this current lies about 20 miles off Cabo San Antonio, Cuba, and about 35 miles west of Cabo San Antonio the current strength is about 1 knot. About 50 miles east of Cabo San Antonio the strength is double, about 2 knots, while approximately 60-70 miles east of Cabo San Antonio the current increases to about 3 knots. Around 75-80 miles east of Cabo San Antonio you’ll usually find the axis where the velocity can exceed 4 knots. Oddly enough, 15 miles further west, about 25 miles from the Yucatán coast the current strength drops to about 1 knot. The current in the Yucatán Channel is stronger in summer and the width of its reach wider, while in the winter the velocity decreases as does the current’s width. Bear in mind that this is not cast in concrete, cruisers have reported both lesser and greater strengths at varying times of the year.
A plot of the main path of the Yucatán Current is prepared by the U.S. Navy and is available from their web site: www.nlmoc.navy.mil/home1.html. This plot is quite enlightening but it fails to show the numerous eddies and counter currents generated by the current. Such an eddy runs westward close in along both the Florida Keys while another runs along the northwestern shore of Cuba and can be as strong as ½-1 knot. This counter current has been reported as far as 30 miles west of Cabo San Antonio, Cuba. Along the southern shore of Cuba, between Cabo San Antonio and Cabo Cruz (north of Jamaica), you’ll find a westerly setting current of about 1 knot depending on wind strength and direction, and a counter current closer in that sets in a southeasterly direction. At any time you are likely to see a reverse of the primary current flows in the Northwestern Caribbean, especially north of Jamaica, between Jamaica and the Cuban coastline. You’ll also find eddies, counter currents, at almost any point in the Northwestern Caribbean between Jamaica and the Yucatán Channel that will set you in any of several directions depending on which side of them you are. A great way to get a handle on these eddies is to subscribe to Chris Parker’s Caribbean Weather Center and check in daily on the SSB. Chris can tell you where the eddies lie and where you need to go to get on their best side and have them work for you.
If you plan on sailing from the Florida Keys to the Northwest Caribbean there are two primary routes to choose from and which one you choose will depend on the strength of the Yucatán Current and the Gulf Stream. The first route (the choice for those seeking to have the currents work for you) brings you southward across the Gulf Stream and then westward along the northwestern shore of Cuba, about 12-15 miles off, where you can pick up the westerly setting counter current of ½-1 knot. Soon after you pass the western tip of Cuba you’ll lose that boost as the current dissipates around Cabo San Antonio.
The second route depends on the strength of the Yucatán Current. If the Gulf Stream is in its normal position favoring the Cuban side of the Straits of Florida you can plot a westerly or southwesterly course staying north of the current as you head toward Isla Mujeres. This route becomes difficult when the Yucatán Current is running strong as it passes through the Yucatán Channel making your southwesterly course towards Isla Mujeres hard to maintain even with favorable winds. It’s not unusual for sailors to sail a bit west of the northern tip of the Yucatán Peninsula to get out of the Yucatán Current and then turn back to the southeast for Isla Mujeres even though they had favorable winds when the current pushed them northward at 4 knots.
The tides in the Cayman Islands are primarily diurnal with one high and one low each day, though on some days the tides will be semi-diurnal with two highs and lows per day, and are generally in the range of 1’. The currents in and around the Cayman Islands generally set to the west, though a northward flowing current can be found south of Grand Cayman at times, and a southward and/or eastward flowing current can be found between Cuba and the Cayman Islands at times.
Tides in Jamaica are primarily diurnal, one high and one low each day, and are small, generally about 1 foot or less. There is a westward setting current off both the northern and southern coasts of Jamaica of about .7-1.0 knot with a reported current of up to 2-3 knots two miles off Morant Point. At times, the westward setting current has been reported to reverse its direction, especially during periods of westerly winds.
© Stephen J. Pavlidis 2010