Windward Islands Yacht Charter Guide

A COMBINATION OF STEADY WINDS, DRAMATIC LANDSCAPES AND NATURAL HARBORS

Stretching out at the tail end of the eastern Caribbean, the Grenadines are made up of lush rainforests, towering mountains and sheltered bays fringed with white sandy beaches. Supremely unspoiled, the Windward Islands offer the finest combination of warm, steady trade winds, stunning waters and very short cruising distances between. The 32 Grenadines and the larger islands of St. Lucia to the north and Grenada in the south combine to create the perfect ports for a Windward Island cruising itinerary.

CHARTER EXPERIENCE

Sprinkled between the volcanic peaks of St. Lucia and Grenada are a trail of palm-studded sandbars, coral reefs and islets known as the Grenadines. The unspoiled cruising grounds offer an abundance of natural beauty, ample dive sites and some of the best fishing grounds in the world. Combined with a few days ashore on the Caribbean idyll of St. Lucia, a week-long charter aboard a luxury yacht cruising the islands allows you to experience a part of the Caribbean that has remained relatively unchanged over the centuries.

St. Lucia is one of the most naturally beautiful islands in the Caribbean and is the perfect place to spend a few nights acclimatizing to the Caribbean pace of life before stepping aboard your luxury yacht to cruise through the Grenadines chain of islands. St. Vincent and the Grenadines consist of 32 islands and cays strung out over 60 miles of strikingly blue sea, each one a short hop from the next. A short hop from St. Vincent, the first island in the Grenadines archipelago, the island of Bequia is one of the most developed of the archipelago. The glamorous and sophisticated island of Mustique offers a private retreat, while the lesser-known Petit St. Vincent also is a resort island welcoming superyacht guests ashore to enjoy barefoot luxury. One by one the aforementioned islands slowly prepare you for the main attraction in the Grenadines, the Tobago Cays. Comprising five uninhabited desert island idylls, they offer a wildlife reserve and marine park with a stunning kaleidoscopic underwater world. In fact, the varied coastlines and offshore islets throughout the archipelago offer ample opportunities for swimming, snorkeling and diving with all manner of sea life. It’s simply a question of flitting from idyll to idyll – all you need is your own luxury yacht.

Location Highlights

Hike up Gros Piton, St. Lucia
Snorkel and scuba dive off Anse Chastanet, St. Lucia
Zipline from hill heights to sea level on St. Lucia
Take afternoon tea at the Cotton House, Mustique
Be pampered at the Ila Spa, Cotton Beach, Mustique
Hike Mount Pleasant, Bequia
Head inland to the spectacular waterfalls of Baleine, St. Vincent
Stroll through the cobblestone streets to the picturesque waterfront of St. George’s, Grenada
Dive the remote reefs off Carriaçou

Expert Advice

For anyone looking for a taste of the real, unspoiled Caribbean then Carriacou and the Tobago Cays are the places to head. Combine a few days exploring these stunning waters and their underwater offerings, with a few days on the exclusive island of Mustique before discovering the heady fragrance of the lush “Spice Island” of Grenada. Wherever you cruise through the Windward archipelago, you can be sure of a unique and flavorsome charter itinerary.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

DAY 1

ST. LUCIA TO ST. VINCENT

Spend a few nights ashore at the stunning Sugar Beach resort before embarking your luxury yacht at the Marigot Bay Resort & Marina. Cruise to St. Vincent in the Grenadines for your first night at anchor. The 150 square mile territory consists of the main island of St. Vincent and the 32 smaller islands of the Grenadines. The island, which has to date seen unlimited tourism development, remains lush, mountainous and agricultural.

DAY 2

ST. VINCENT TO BEQUIA (15 NAUTICAL MILES)

From the peaceful anchorage of Cumberland Bay, St. Vincent, cruise south to the lush green island of Bequia. Enjoy an evening ashore at the bustling capital of Port Elizabeth, which is set at the back of pretty, yacht-filled Admiralty Bay. Further inland, explore the old forts and Bequia’s summit, Mount Pleasant.

DAY 3

BEQUIA TO MUSTIQUE (8 NAUTICAL MILES)

Probably one of the best-known islands in the Caribbean, Mustique offers pure barefoot luxury. The island’s popularity with royalty and the international jet set has endowed it with a prestigious reputation. Anchor off the island and step back in time with afternoon tea at The Cotton House followed by an evening of Caribbean revelry at Basil’s Bar.

DAY 4

MUSTIQUE TO TOBAGO CAYS (15 NAUTICAL MILES)

Accessible only by boat, the uninhabited Tobago Cays are surrounded by the famous kaleidoscopic Horseshoe Reef and provide a beautiful anchorage. Anchor in the wildlife reserve and marine park between Petit Rameau and Petite Bateau and swim and snorkel through the stunning underwater world.

DAY 5

TOBAGO CAYS TO PETIT ST. VINCENT (8 NAUTICAL MILES)

Cruise over to Petit St. Vincent – your own desert island offering total privacy and seclusion along two miles of white sand beaches. A resort island, the owners welcome superyacht guests to step ashore to enjoy its many amenities. Divers should check out the Jean-Michel Cousteau scuba center, and, for those who have had their fill of the water, there is also a Balinese day spa ashore.

DAY 6

PETIT ST. VINCENT TO CARRIACOU (12 NAUTICAL MILES)

Spend your last full day discovering the varied coastline of Carriacou. Known as the Island of Reefs, its varied coastline has many offshore islets that are perfect for swimming, diving and snorkeling. Step ashore to explore the French and English ruins of Belair National Park or visit the oyster beds around Tyrrel Bay.

DAY 7

CARRIACOU TO GRENADA (40 NAUTICAL MILES)

Grenada lies to the south of the Grenadines archipelago and is an ideal place to finish your yacht charter. Affectionately named the “Spice Island,” as you draw near the fresh ocean breeze mingles with the aroma of spices carried on the trade winds. Thanks to its abundant production of spices at a time when they were a valuable commodity, Grenada has always been one of the more sophisticated Caribbean islands. Spend a few days ashore exploring the island’s verdant interior and stunning beaches.