Sailing from the Turks & Caicos to the Dominician Republic
Community
Apr 18, 2025
A family of 4 making moves south.
The following article is adapted from a trip Brandy L tracked and posted in SeaPeople.
Getting started and getting close
We dropped the hook in West Turks & caicos, rocked and rolled through the night, then ripped off the bandaid and started our eastward push across the Banks. Engines on. Eyes peeled.
Windy’s two models didn’t agree on anything, and we found ourselves in a windless pocket—hello, motor fest. Not the worst pace, but far from fast. Cloud cover and small chop made it tough to see that dreamy turquoise water.
From windless to sporty
Once we got over the banks, we caught a few puffs of wind—but nothing consistent. Then SeaBella radioed in: their starboard engine was acting up. They were near Puerto Plata and weighing options—pull into Ocean World (35nm) or push 90nm to Samaná. We’re so glad they chose Ocean World, because the wind didn’t fill in for hours. When it finally did…whoa. Not extreme, but enough to turn the ocean into a slapping machine. Every time our boat lifted and slammed, it felt like a grenade going off. Hull slap is what they call it.
The kids? Total champs. A few too many movies, but no seasickness, no tears. I can’t say the same for me—just kidding (mostly). I was white-knuckling and praying for calmer seas. Adam held it down like a rockstar, adjusting sails and riding it out. Honestly, he is the glue that kept my ish together!
Around the cape and into Samana Bay
Things finally settled as we rounded the Cape and caught some sweet following seas. The ocean relaxed. So did I. At 2am, a rain system hugged the land and gave us a much-needed freshwater rinse. Everything was dark, quiet, and we could smell land before we ever saw it.
We entered the bay, Adam snagged a 40-min nap while I played radar guard, then we navigated the channel together—finally dropping anchor around 3:50 AM.
The bliss of arrival & whats next
Waking up, the boat was a little rolly—but the view? Pure magic. Lush green hills, beautiful palms, and the peaceful Bahia Marina in Samaná that we will check into soon.
Customs and immigration are right at the dock, and I cannot wait for a long shower, a big coffee (no underway caffeine for me), and a well-earned celebration meal.
We’ll hang here for a week or two—and fingers crossed our buddies on s/v SeaBella can rejoin us so we can keep pushing toward Puerto Rico and the BVIs.
A note from SeaPeople
Most people make the short hop from the Turks and Caicos to Luperon in the D.R., but Brandy and her family opted for the bolder leap all the way to Samaná—much farther east. 👏 ⛵️
Their experience with "slapping" is classic for those navigating the infamous thorny path from the Bahamas to the Caribbean. As you push farther south before turning east, you start to face the trade winds closer and closer on the nose. It’s one of the unfortunate trade-offs of exploring the Bahamas to their fullest—some pounding (aka slapping) is usually the price you pay.
The SeaPeople team had the pleasure of getting to know Brandy and her family at the Annapolis Boat Show in the fall of 2024, where they tirelessly volunteered for multiple days. They’re truly fabulous people who are sure to leave a positive impact on every person and place they encounter on their big adventure. If you see them nearby, be sure to send them a message in SeaPeople!
Thanks for being such great citizens of the sea—it's a better world with you in it, Brandy!
