Whether you’re taking your vacation in Punta Cana or Puerto Plata this year the fresh and soothing trade winds will smooth your worries away, gently blowing palm fronds and lulling you to sleep with their calming whispers.  But where do the trade winds come from to give us their relaxing breezes? The winds come from Africa.  Picking up from the Gulf Stream along a counter current (the Gulf Stream carries through to the North Atlantic) the trade winds will follow the counter current along the African coastline to the Caribbean, and after warming up on their long slow journey bring to the Caribbean both pleasant and warm waters plus a balmy delightful breeze.

You can almost set your watch against the trade winds as come dusk time, usually around 6.30pm the trade winds will drop off and after a twenty minute or so wait will be replaced by a soft breeze coming from the mountainous interior.
The name trade winds comes from the Middle English which means “path” or “track” hence the old phrase of “as the trade winds blow” meaning that they are reliable and “on track” winds. Sailors for years have relied upon the trade winds as a tool and make sailing across the Atlantic “a breeze” so to speak!

According to some Salty Sea Dogs of the DR, all you have to do is point your vessel in a westward direction for about twenty days and you will end up in the Caribbean!     Others may now prefer the tried and tested powers of a Sat Nav system on board but life is all about options, or so they say!

If you fancy sailing and being blessed with the calming lull of the trade winds then hop on board Freestyle Catamarans for the day, based on the north coast of the Dominican Republic.  Here experienced captains will take you along the picturesque north coast line onboard a 60 foot Gold Coast catamaran.  Wait for the afternoon though  as the trade winds will certainly pick up and making the most of the prevailing trade winds the sails are hoisted and you’ll experience a thrilling ride, almost a surf back into Playa Dorada. With the sails up full and the heady sounds of a Caribbean rhythm you’ll almost believe you are one of The Pirates of The Caribbean. 

Not on the north coast of the Dominican Republic this year and taking a well earned rest on the east in Punta Cana, then fear not, for although you might not be sailing per say, take a fantastic boat ride with Marinarium.  A Calypso trip along the Caribbean’s finest coastline and relax as the trade winds blow across their wonderful boat, taking you into paradise lost!

The trade winds of the Dominican Republic are a constant tropical clement reminder of why this island is so perfect for so many reasons.