Which Ports Require a Tender?

[Shaken_Bake]

On SDII out of Marigot on Feb. 18.  I got the impression that the small size of the ship meant it can always dock in a port, but I've read other posts referring to a tender.  Can you please tell me which of these ports uses a tender?  Thanks.

• Terre de Haut, Guadeloupe
• Les Trois-Ilets, Martinique
• Falmouth Bay, Antigua
• S Friars Bay, St. Kitts
• Gustavia, St. Barts
• Chrishi Beach Club, Nevis

[cabosal1]

We've been to all these Caribbean islands on SD and you should probably  count on being tendered to  most of them (definitely St. Barts, Nevis, St. Kitts, Ils de Sts).  Some may even be Zodiacs    

[ctbjr1309]

3 hours ago, cabosal1 said:

We've been to all these Caribbean islands on SD and you should probably  count on being tendered to  most of them (definitely St. Barts, Nevis, St. Kitts, Ils de Sts).  Some may even be Zodiacs    

Agree with this although we've been to all those ports on SD and I don't recall that Zodiacs were required for any of them.

Edited January 20, 2023 by ctbjr1309

[TrapperZimmy]

I can't think of a time in the Caribbean when we were docked, except for embarkation/debarkation.  Its not that the small size allows it to dock, it is that it can go to places that do not have docks large enough for the yacht.  In addition to the size of the dock, there has to be a depth of at least 28 feet to accommodate the yacht's 14 foot draft.  Because of the reliance upon tendering, all ports of call are contingent upon sea conditions.  Looking at our itinerary for next year, Gustavia, Chrishi Beach Club, and Falmouth Bar are all at anchor.

[ctbjr1309]

For what it's worth, we docked at Grenada which was not embarkation or disembarkation port a couple weeks ago.  So, it's rare but not unheard of.

[garysarah]

Most of the Caribbean "ports" have a dock only big enough for the tender.  They aren't even really ports. For instance in St Kitts, you are in a totally different location that the cruise port for the big ships.  I wouldn't even worry about it.  The tender is constantly coming and going and the ship is closer to land than with a large ship. Most times less than 10 minute transit

[garysarah]

I was just looking at our upcoming cruise paperwork and the copy they send you with your booking has on it whether it is docked or tender.

[mcpepe]

I honestly wouldn't worry about tender vs not. It's not like the big ships where it can take hours to disembark 5000 of your dearest friends. It never takes more than 10-15 minutes to get ashore.