Grenadines Yacht Charters

SAILING AREA

The bases are located on the southern tip of St. Vincent at the Lagoon Hotel and Marina. A delightful, protected anchorage, it is perfectly positioned for your sail south as well as for land trips around the island itself. Just a ten minute transfer from the airport, the nineteen air-conditioned rooms at the hotel have direct Internet and e-mail access. There is also a swimming pool for a refreshing dip on shore before or after your charter and an excellent mini-market for provisioning.

Example Itinerary
Day 1 Blue Lagoon
Day 2 Admiralty Bay, Bequia Day
3 Charleston Bay, Canouan Day
4 Tobago Cays Day
5 Clifton Harbour, Union Island Day
6 Petit St. Vincent Day
7 Britannia Bay, Mustique Day
8 Blue Lagoon

Bequia
An eight-mile sail from St. Vincent, Bequia is an old favourite in the yachting community and has something for everyone. Head for Admiralty Bay where you can spend time ashore exploring the shops, bars and many good restaurants along the waterfront, or hike inland to other areas of interest.

Canouan
Sail downwind to the hilly island of Canouan and pick up a mooring off Tamarind Bay at the northern end of the island. Protected by an extensive reef, many consider the beaches on the eastern side of the island to be the best in The Grenadines.

Carriaccou
The largest island of The Grenadines, Carriacou is a perfect stop off on a passage to Grenada, just eight miles from Union Island. It has the widest choice in the lower Grenadines for those wishing to eat out, and the inhabitants are amongst the friendliest in the Caribbean.

Grenada
The southern most point of the Windward Islands, Grenada is covered with verdant green mountains, waterfalls, golden beaches and the fragrant spice trees which lend the island its epithet - the ‘Spice Island’ of the Caribbean.

Mustique
Neighbouring Mustique is one of the most exclusive islands in the world, frequented by royalty and rock stars alike and surrounded by coral, sandy beaches and coves. Mingle with the island dwellers at the atmospheric Basil’s Bar, the hot spot of the island at Britannia Bay, Mustique’s main harbor. Exclusive, and private Villas are available for rental.

Petit St. Vincent and Petit Martinique
Just a short sail southeast from Union brings you to this secluded island hideaway. The beaches are lovely, providing many charming walks on Petit St. Vincent, and the snorkelling opportunities on the surrounding reef are also excellent. Petit Martinique is small and enchanting and still virtually untouched by tourism.

Tobago Cays
A national marine park not to be missed, the Tobago Cays are at the top of many a cruising itinerary. Snorkelling and diving inside Horseshoe Reef, which protects this scattering of islands, is spectacular.

Union
Clifton, on the dramatically mountainous Union Island, is a bustling port and the yachting centre of the southern Grenadines. Visit the collection of sharks in the pool at the Anchorage hotel, or occupy yourself with the many local supermarkets and boutiques.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF ST. VINCENT

St Vincent has had an explosive past thanks both to its Carib history and the 3,000ft (950m) Soufriere volcano that dominates the island – but it looks forward to a peaceful future basking quietly in the sun.

This fertile and mountainous island was one of the last in the Caribbean to be colonised by Europeans. When they did move in, the Carib Indian inhabitants put up a fierce struggle to maintain their independence.

You can see evidence of the island’s earliest inhabitants in rock carvings at Layou. You can walk on a nature trail through the lush Buccament Valley to enjoy the sights and sounds of the rainforest. The Trinity Falls, three falls dropping 100ft (30m) to a natural whirlpool, and the 60ft (18m) sheer Falls of Baleine are a must. And you can also take a restorative dip in the Owia Salt Pond.

Volcanic eruptions have deposited ash that acts as a superb fertiliser, making the island a riot of tropical vegetation. There are marvellous botanical gardens near the capital of Kingstown; high on a promontory above the town is Fort Charlotte, the island’s main defence, from which there are wonderful views.

Kingstown is also the jumping off point for The Grenadines, a string of 30 tiny islands spreading south along a 45-mile (72 km) arc. Some are well-developed but never crowded, others are little more than a lonely, unspoiled beach and a collection of houses. Together they all offer some of the best sailing in the world.

You can glide from island to island in an hour or so in trade winds of 10-25 knots, swimming ashore to a beach bar, watching giant sea turtles and bumping into visitors from all over the world for a drink at sunset.

GENERAL INFO

Beautiful St Vincent has remained untouched by mass-tourism. On this 18 by 11-mile island (500 sq km), the hotels, restaurants and bars retain the charm of a family setting.

Capital: Kingstown, St Vincent
Population: 112,000
Currency: Eastern Caribbean $; US$1=EC$2.68; US$ widely accepted
Official language: English
Political status: independent nation, member of the Commonwealth
Entry requirements: Passports Required for US and Canadian Citizens.
Area: St. Vincent, 133 square miles (345 sq km). The Grenadines have an area of 17 square miles (44 sq km).
Religion: mainly Anglican with some Catholic churches.
Business: Banking hours are 8am to 1pm, Monday to Thursday, and also 3-5pm on Fridays. A bureau de change is open at the airport every day, except Sunday, until 5pm. The main banks are Barclays Bank, Bank of Nova Scotia, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Caribbean Banking Corp, St Vincent Co-operative Bank, National Commercial Bank of St Vincent and The Grenadines. Shops are open on weekdays, 8am-noon and 1pm-4pm, and on Saturday, 8am-noon. Payment cards accepted in tourist centres.
Electricity: 220 volts, 50 cycles
Telecommunications: the international dialling code for St Vincent is +1 784 followed by seven digits. On the islands, use the seven digits only. Time: GMT-4