Weather

Hurricane Melissa: Long-Term Outlook for Caribbean Cruising Grounds


The passage of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa across the Caribbean in late October 2025 has brought an unprecedented level of devastation to Jamaica and substantial impact to areas of Cuba and the Bahamas. For the cruising community, the scale of this storm signals not just a temporary inconvenience, but a fundamental, long-term shift in the preparation required for sailing these waters.

As we look toward the 2026 and 2027 cruising seasons, mariners must understand that Jamaica and the impacted areas of the Bahamas and Turks & Caicos will require months, if not years, of recovery. The changes relevant to boaters extend far beyond replacing broken dock lines.

Jamaica: A Shift in Coastal Infrastructure

Jamaica took the direct hit, experiencing one of the strongest hurricane landfalls on record. For cruisers, the long-term impact will be felt in two critical areas:

  • Navigational Hazards and Soundings: Catastrophic surge and rainfall (up to 30 inches in some areas) completely remade the coastal landscape. Anchorages that were once reliable may now have altered bottom composition and depth contours due to massive silt and sand migration. More immediately, expect extensive and ongoing submerged debris, including everything from household goods and large trees to destroyed fiberglass components and structural wreckage.
  • Long-Term Protocol: Do not rely on old chart data or cruising guides for known soundings in formerly sheltered bays. Treat every approach with extreme caution, prioritizing slow movement and redundant visual piloting over GPS data alone.
  • Infrastructure Reliance: Major ports and marinas suffered total or near-total structural failure. Future cruising will be defined by reduced operational capacity for fuel, haul-out, and provisions. Boatyards, which were used to stage relief supplies, will be unavailable for transient repairs for a long time.
  • Long-Term Protocol: Until official notice confirms infrastructure is fully operational, plan voyages to Jamaica with maximum self-sufficiency, carrying extended fuel and provision reserves. Availability of moorings should be considered unreliable for the foreseeable future.

The Bahamas and Turks & Caicos: Debris and Aid Congestion

Hurricane Melissa continued its path, bringing significant impact to the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks & Caicos as a Major Hurricane. While the direct hit was not at Category 5 strength, the duration and sheer size of the storm guarantee long-term operational complications:

  • Marine Debris and Anchorage Quality: Expect a vast field of floating and submerged debris throughout the waters surrounding the hardest-hit islands, persisting through the winter. This will impact water-makers, running gear, and general visibility. Cruising the beautiful remote islands will mean contending with newly deposited wreckage in formerly pristine anchorages.
  • Logistics and Congestion: In the immediate future, ports and harbors that survived will be dominated by large aid and recovery vessels. Recreational cruising will necessarily take a backseat to these critical operations. Fuel docks and customs procedures will likely be slowed or temporarily suspended due to the priority given to relief logistics.
  • Long-Term Protocol: Exercise patience and understand that the focus is recovery. When visiting, keep anchorages clear, respect official zones, and be prepared to be flexible with port entry and clearance times.
  • Safety Mandate: Preparation for the Next Season
    The ultimate takeaway from Melissa is that rapid intensification and catastrophic landfall are escalating realities. For those planning to cruise the Eastern and Southern Caribbean in the next few years, preparation should include:
  • Insurance Review: Confirm your policy includes specialized haul-out/disaster clauses, and that your cruising region endorsements are current.
  • Safety Gear Overhaul: Ensure all satellite communication, EPIRBs, and ditch bags are up-to-date and easily accessible, prioritizing emergency self-rescue capability over immediate expectation of official assistance.
  • Community Support: Monitor reputable cruising organizations (like the Waterway Guide and local yacht associations) for verified updates on infrastructure and safe cruising channels. Consider supporting local recovery efforts.

The Caribbean will eventually recover, but the cruising grounds will demand a higher level of preparedness and seamanship from every skipper for the seasons ahead.