Although most vacationers assume that the weather conditions in the Caribbean are made up more of sun than wind, the most enjoyable conditions are generally a little bit of both. Vacationers who have chosen a destination that experiences pleasant trade winds are in for a treat. Many people don't realize just how comfortable the weather can feel, even when temperatures get quite warm.

The strong winds that made it easy for early sailors to locate the Caribbean remain advantageous today, providing some much-needed relief from the intense heat of the tropical sun. Use the chart below to get a feel for the type of wind you can expect in various Caribbean locations. The islands are ranked according to the force of a typical breeze, but information is also provided about the prevailing wind direction and stronger gusts.

Islands found near the top of the chart, such as Aruba, feature strong breezes that might be a nice counter to the heat of Caribbean weather, but keep an eye out for islands that experience high-speed gusts as this may be a sign that the island receives severe tropical weather. Islands like Cayman Islands that receive powerful gusts may be more liable to experience storms of this nature. By comparing both elements, travelers should have all the tools needed to anticipate the wind patterns of the location of their choice long before leaving for the Caribbean.