Caribbean sailing adventure

Description:

This is a hands-on, multi activity, all inclusive, sailing adventure aboard your own private 45 to 50 foot yacht.  Limited to six adventurists, you will act as crew and actively participate in the daily operation of the boat.  You will get to take the helm, trim the sails, and anchor.

Great sailing, snorkeling, hiking, beach combing, lobster BBQ’s, live music, wonderful dining, and meeting friendly people are some of the activities you will experience during your Caribbean Sailing Adventure.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the jewel of the Caribbean, was voted Best Sailing and Yachting Islands in 2009 by Caribbean World Travel Magazine.  They are located about 80 miles west of Barbados and 25 miles south of Saint Lucia, on the lower end of the Windward Islands.

Saint Vincent, the main Island, has spectacular scenery, including; Mt. Soufriere, a 4000 foot active volcano, towering waterfalls, and lush rain forests.  Saint Vincent is also home of the oldest Botanical Gardens in the Western hemisphere.

The Grenadines are a collection of smaller Islands with beautiful bays, beaches and the world’s third largest coral reef. The Grenadines are perhaps best recognized as the chosen location for the popular film, Pirates of the Caribbean.

Located between the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, the steady tropical trade winds make Saint Vincent and the Grenadines the most exciting cruising grounds in the world.

Itinerary:

ARRIVAL DAY

You arrive in Saint Vincent the day before your charter begins where you will be greeted at the airport.  Your taxi will be waiting to take you a short 20 minute drive to Blue Lagoon marina.  After stowing your gear on board, you will be treated to dinner and a welcome aboard drink.

The next morning after breakfast, you will have a boat safety briefing to get familiar with the systems on board.  A short chart briefing will get you familiar with the places you will visit and address any questions you may have.  Now you are ready to set sail!

DAY ONE – MUSTIQUE

From Blue Lagoon, we set a course for a three hour reach to the beautiful island Mustique.  Well known for stately villas and the world’s top beaches, Mustique is a place to settle into island time.  After lunch onboard, we’ll tour the island and find a beach to swim or just relax.  Later, we’ll have sundowners on board and watch the sunset before dinner at world famous Basils Bar where there is always a jump-up (party) going on.

DAY TWO – TOBAGO CAYS

After breakfast, we continue down island on a four hour sail to the Tobago Cays Marine Park.  This is a spectacular anchorage consisting of four uninhabited cays and Horseshoe Reef with some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean.  We arrive late afternoon in time for a quick swim and snorkeling.  For dinner, we’ll enjoy lobster or fish delivered to the boat.

DAY THREE – UNION ISLAND

Today we’ll spend the morning enjoying home made banana bread.  Then take a short dinghy ride to explore Horseshoe reef. After lunch we’ll take a short one hour sail to Union island.  Clifton Harbor is a bustling little harbor of boutiques, restaurants, open air market, and internet availability.  Happy Island (a man made inland built on discarded Conk shells) is the place for a refreshing drink and to relax and watch the waves roll over the reef.  We’ll have dinner ashore at the lovely Bougainvillea restaurant.  Later, we’ll stop by Lambi’s where there is usually a steel band and dancing going on.

DAY FOUR – MAYREAU

After breakfast, we take a short one hour sail from Union Island to the island of Mayreau.  Accessible only by sea, Mayreau is a special place.  Spectacular Saltwhistle Bay’s sweeping crescent shaped beach is a popular yachting destination, perfect for swimming or snorkeling.

A hike up the village reveals breathtaking views of the Tobago Cays, and dinner at a local restaurant or on the beach is always a great experience.

DAY FIVE – BEQUIA

Today we start to work our way back up island to Bequia.

Bequia is about a five hour sail from Mayreau.  It’s a place with many local sailors and a rich nautical history.  Port Elizabeth is home to hand-built boats, gourmet restaurants, and thriving retail shops.

You can swim and relax on the beach and take in the sunset at Jack’s bar.  Later, we’ll have dinner at Coco’s Place, one of my favorite local restaurants.

DAY SIX – SAINT VINCENT

After breakfast, we’ll stop at the Rasta open air market, run by locals, for some fresh fruit and vegetables.  We can take a tour to the turtle sanctuary; visit the model boat building shop, or if you have a sweet tooth, a stop at the Gingerbread House bakery for pastry and coffee that will satisfy your strongest cravings.

We are now ready to continue our sail up the rugged and lush leeward coast of Saint Vincent to Cumberland Bay.  We drop anchor and tie up to a palm tree close to shore.  The evening is spent at a local restaurant with music to dance to.

DAY SEVEN – BLUE LAGOON

After breakfast, we meet up with our local guide, and drive inland by van to the trail head of Darkview Falls.  This rugged and beautiful trail crosses a true bamboo bridge and then winds through lush bamboo forest that takes us to the base of Darkview Falls.  Here you can wade in the fresh water mountain pool and experience a true waterfall shower.

After lunch, we sail back to the marina at Blue Lagoon.  We arrive late afternoon, ready to freshen up and relax before dinner.

DEPARTURE DAY

After our farewells until next time, your taxi will be there to take you to the airport for your flight home.