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The Grenadines.... this uniquely beautiful archipelago of islands in the Caribbean is the place to be to enjoy stress-free  sailing for short distances in gentle trade winds. In the Windward Islands, about 90 miles west of Barbados with arriving-same-day air service to next-door Union Island Airport, the Grenadines number some 32 islands and cays (pronounced 'keys', it means little islands) stretching south from St. Vincent to Grenada (Gren-ey-da).
Only 9 of these are populated and 6 have small Airports:
St Vincent, Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Union, and Carriacou.
The rest are bird sanctuaries and havens for those who like peace and quiet - mixed with the occasional 'jump-up'.
If you don't know what that is, you soon will! Fun.
All the islands are volcanic, with deep bays and inlets where clear aquamarine waters lap on fine white-sand beaches. The uninhabited islets and rocks include the famous, breathtaking, Tobago Cays, Mopion, Carriacou's Sandy Island, Mabouya and White Island. All have wonderful, soft, white coral sand beaches and clear water, ideal for snorkelling, diving and, of course, are great places to drop anchor after a day's sailing. A visit to these islands is like stepping into the past, where one's measure of time has little to do with clocks. The people of The Grenadines are sailors and fishermen You will be in good company here. GRENADINE 4 DAY SAMPLE VOYAGE ( 4 ISLAND COMBO)
Day 1:
leave Marigot bay for an early sail to St. Vincent, an exciting 36 mile crossing which is also the longest part of the voyage. We arrive in Walliabou where ¨pirates of the Caribbean¨ was filmed. Many of the original sets from the movie are still on the beach and town area. This is one of the lushest tropical settings in the Caribbean.
Day 2: enjoy a leisurely sail to Bequia, home of some of the best Caribbean sailors and fishermen. They also are famous for their sailing whaleboats. Clear customs and explore the island.
Day 3: arrive in Mustique, where the celebrities outnumber the locals such as Mick Jagger, David bowie, etc…
day 4: sail back to young island cut in St. Vincent and catch a nonstop 25 minute flight back to St. Lucia in the afternoon.
Grenadine 5 day voyage (7 island combo)
Day 1: leave Marigot bay for an early sail to St. Vincent, an exciting 36 mile crossing which is also the longest part of the voyage. We arrive in Walliabou where -pirates of the Caribbean- was filmed. Many of the original sets from the movie are still on the beach and town area. This is one of the lushest tropical settings in the Caribbean.
Day 2:
enjoy a leisurely sail to Bequia, home of some of the best caribbean sailors and fishermen. They also are famous for their sailing whaleboats. Clear customs and explore the island.
Day 3: sail to the Tobago cays, a marine park and one of the most breathtaking anchorages in the Caribbean with a variety secluded beaches.
Day 4:
sail to Mayreau and spend the day in salt whistle bay, in the afternoon sail to union island for the ¨jump up¨ live music and dancing.
Day 5: a short sail to palm island and in the afternoon sail back to young island cut for a 25 minute nonstop flight to St. Lucia.
Grenadines 8 day voyage (10 island combo)
Day 1:
leave Marigot bay for an early sail to St. Vincent, an exciting 36 mile crossing which is also the longest part of the voyage. We arrive in Walliabou where ¨pirates of the Caribbean¨ was filmed. Many of the original sets from the movie are still on the beach and town area. This is one of the lushest tropical settings in the Caribbean.
Day 2: enjoy a leisurely sail to Bequia, home of some of the best caribbean sailors and fishermen. They also are famous for their sailing whaleboats. Clear customs and explore the island.
Day 3:
arrive in Mustique, where the celebrities out number the locals such as Mick Jagger, David bowie, etc…
day 4: sail to the Tobago cays, a marine park and one of the most breathtaking anchorages in the Caribbean with a variety secluded beaches.
Day 5: a short sail in the morning takes you to petit St Vincent and petit Martinique to explore and snorkel. In the afternoon a delightful sail to palm island where you will find your very own private beach
day 6:
arrive in Carriacou, explore the island. Excellent hiking and stunning views.
Day 7: sail to Mayreau and spend the day in salt whistle bay, in the afternoon sail to union island for the ¨jump up¨ live music and dancing.
Day 8: sail back to young island cut in St. Vincent and catch a nonstop 25 minute flight back to St. Lucia in the afternoon.
MORE ISLAND INFO
Largest of the St. Vincent Grenadines chain is Becquia pron: bek-way, a Carib word meaning "Island of the Clouds"
Picturesque Admiralty Bay was famous for its 17th Century pirates and the British, French and Spanish Navies all fought over it. Here are white beaches and lazy days under a tropical sun and moon - Bequia is an island for the connoisseur. Very few islands, anywhere, offer such a tranquility and beauty for a sailor's landfall. Just 7 miles long, Bequia is a paradise complete with quiet lagoons, gorgeous reefs and long stretches of near-deserted beaches. Small and beautifully lush, with an intimate quiet side, Bequia has its own unique culture. The atmosphere is very West Indian (for which read 'laid-back') with inhabitants who enjoy a comfortable living and are usually friendly and polite. Sunsets, which are breathtaking, usually signal the local fishermen, yachtsmen and tourists to the friendly bars. Once or twice a week there might be a "jump-up" - where locals and tourists mingle for a time of dance and festivity. The food is exceptionally good and fresh - lobster, chicken and fish steaks, tropical fruits, fried plantains, coconut and guava pudding are fresh each day.
A short distance away is Mustique, only 3 miles long by 1 1/2 miles wide and about a 1 1/2 to 2-hour sail from St. Vincent (12 miles). Some twenty five years ago, the island was completely unspoiled, then it was bought and gradually developed. Since then, some of the world's most sophisticated beachcombers of society and fame, were lured to this island gem by safe, warm waters, varied terrain and astonishing views. Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Raquel Welch, the late Princess Margaret are just a few of the fortunate few who live(d) here – sometimes
Canouan (can-ou-on) is 3-4 hours
from St. Vincent (25 miles).
A crescent-shaped island surrounded by wide shallows and coral - A scuba diver's dream. The islanders are mainly fisherman and small farmers. However, with a wealth of excellent beaches and unspoiled scenery, Canouan is attracting significant hotel development. Enter the main harbor and enjoy the Tamerind Beach Hotel and then check-out the nearby swimming pool... yes, a real swimming pool, located at Carenage Bay - Beach & Golf Club... yes, a par-72 golf course.
Mayreau(my-roe) has about 262 inhabitants - again mainly fishermen and small farmers. The island's Saltwhistle Bay Resort is privately owned and offers excellent lunches and night anchors with the possibility for fine dining ashore. As with most places down here, the island is only accessible by boat and is 4-5 hours from St. Vincent (35 miles). Mayreau is closest to The Tobago Cays
From the beach at Saltwhistle Bay to the fabulous Tobago Cays, to Canouan's Charleston and Carenage Bays, you will begin to appreciate having found this paradise, even if for just the day - enjoying the refreshing warm water or the hot white sand under your barefeet - or a night, under stars that are so close you can reach and pick-them.
Union Island is about 4 1/2 hours from St. Vincent (40 miles) and less than an hour from Carriacou. The island is about 3 miles long and 1 mile wide. It has a dramatic profile of ridges and peaks - the highest is Mount Parnassus some 900 feet above sea level, yet the island is tiny - a little Tahiti... especially around The Anchorage Yacht Club. During the daytime, this island is an active hub of people making connections passing thru and returing before nightfall to Grenada, St. Vincent, Martinique, St. Maarten, and Barbados.
My choice is still secluded Chatham Bay on the island's southern tip far away from Clifton anchorages and the sound of the small, mosquito-sized airplanes buzzing noisily overhead. No land access (as yet, but a road is being cut through and eventually around the island this road will go) and without electricity makes this wide sandy bay a favourite for daytime retreats or nigh time watching of the stars without any glare from lights ashore.
From Union Island Palm Island is just 400 yards offshore - surrounded to the north, south and east by coral reefs - so access is limited to a launch from Union Island, or your own boat, of course. Of its four beaches, Casuarina, is reputed to be one of the finest in the Grenadines.
Petit St. Vincent is, again, about 5 miles offshore Union and just a 5-minute dinghy ride to Petite Martinique. During this ride you'll pass over the floating dotted line separating St. Vincent from Grenada. This line has long been ignored by island residents but it requires sailors to adhere to custom/immigration and clearance paperwork and fees. Only 113 acres, this island resort locally called PSV, is privately owned and offers private cottage-type accommodation and a wide range of sporting and marine activities. It is almost surrounded by white sand beaches and has an excellent yacht anchorage, attracting yachtsmen from all over the world.
Perhaps an hour sail south brings you to the largest island of The Grenadines,
Carriacou which has rugged mountainous terrain and many uninhabited beaches and inlets. The origin of the name tracks back to the ancients and is said to translate into "Island of Many Reefs." The island is sufficiently small (15 miles long and 5 miles wide) that you are never far from civilization with a friendly face.
A quick dinghy ride away from Petit St. Vincent is Petite Martinique.
To get there you cross the boundary between St. Vincent and Grenada but the difference between these two nearby islands make them seem ages apart. Same air, same water, same sun and same breezes. |
