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Day 1: Arrive at flotilla base, Lagoon Marina
Sample the tasty local beer and watch the sunset from the 'Green Flash' Bar. The St. Vincent yacht charter base is located at Blue Lagoon, on the southern shore of St. Vincent. Blue Lagoon is a stylish spot, home to the Lagoon Hotel and Marina, and a good place from which to explore some of the sights of the island's interior. First though, get your vacation off to a good start and settle down with a cocktail or local beer at the Green Flash Bar while you watch the sun go down. St. Vincent is a volcanic, rain-forested island with spectacular scenery.
Take a taxi to the Montreal Gardens and walk through pathways lined with fragrant tropical flowers or impress your friends with a vigorous 4-hour hike up the 4000ft Soufriere volcano. The spectacular 60ft Falls of Baleine are reached by boat and the opportunity to swim in the luxurious natural pool here should not be missed. Kingstown, the island's bustling capital, is only a short distance away and well worth a visit for its 18th century architecture and a look at Fort Charlotte, built by the English in 1806 to protect against invasion by the French.
Kingstown's Botanical Gardens are the oldest in the Western Hemisphere and home to an extraordinary collection of plants from all over the world. For a bit of relaxation and sunshine, you'll also want to visit some of the island's beautiful beaches, like Villa just along the coast from Blue Lagoon. Alternatively, dinghy across to the exclusive Young Island Resort and have a drink or lunch in its elegant surroundings. Be sure to visit Wallilabou Bay too, the location of "The Pirates of the Caribbean" films.
Mooring: Marina
Things to Do: Falls of Baleine, Hike Soufriere Volcano
Facilities: Hotel - Restaurant/Bar - Water
Day 2: Admiralty Bay, Bequia
Enjoy an exciting sail in the open waters between the islands. Bequia, just 8 miles south of St. Vincent, is a beautiful island steeped in maritime history and famous for its ancient traditions of boat-building and whaling. Port Elizabeth, located at Admiralty Bay on the west side of the island, is the only settlement of any size and the well-protected bay is an ideal base from which to discover the island.
There's plenty to explore, from artisan shops and the workshops of model boat-makers to a huge variety of bars and restaurants. Dinner at the Frangipani Hotel is a must for romantics. The food is traditional Caribbean and the ambience as seductive as its name suggests. Other recommended restaurants include the Auberge des Grenadines, which has a reputation for great lobster and seafood, and the Devil's Table at the Tradewinds Yacht Club, which has a range of menus at all price levels.
Onshore activities include hiking along the beaches and the hill trails of Mount Pleasant, and there are tennis courts for those who don't want to let their game slip. Those interested in the history of the region will want to visit the Bequia Maritime Museum and the small whaling museum located at the home of Athneal Ollivierre, a famous whaler from the island who hunted with a harpoon. The Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary will appeal to nature-lovers and divers should check out the Devil's Table dive site at the entrance to the bay.
Mooring: Anchorage
Things to Do: Hike Mount Pleasant, Visit Bequia Maritime Museum
Facilities: Bars and restaurants - Water - Provisions - Fuel
Day 3: Britannia Bay, Mustique
Dress to impress this evening as you head to Basil's Bar where you may find a few celebrities at this famous haunt of the rich and famous. Mustique is a destination that many have heard of, yet only a privileged few visit... and now on your charter, you can experience Mustique too! It's easy to understand why Mustique has long been a favorite with the rich and famous, 90 of whom own the luxurious mansions perched along the lush green hills, which form the central spine of the island and the oceanfront villas along the coast.
Surrounded by coral reefs, the white-sand beaches and idyllic coves of this tiny island (only 1 square mile in size!) make a natural paradise that remains completely unspoilt. Take the opportunity to explore the interior of the island by hiking, or take a taxi if you're still recooperating from the night before. Motorbikes and mountain bikes are available for rent and there are some wonderful opportunities for trekking. The open-air Bamboo Church flies in a minister from a nearby island for Sunday services and is worth a visit. A Britannia Bay Mustique Yacht Charter offers wonderful swimming and snorkeling. Of course, you couldn't be in Mustique without paying a visit to the famous, or infamous, Basil's Bar. Get dressed up and drop in for a drink or dinner, you never know which royals and rock stars you might bump into.
Mooring: Anchorage
Things to Do: Hire a motor or mountain bike and explore the island, Horseback riding, Swimming and snorkeling
Facilities: Bar and restaurant
Day 4: Tobago Cays
Are made up of a cluster of tiny desert islands with sandy, palm fringed beaches. For a small charge local 'boat boys' will bring you anything you need straight to your yacht from fresh lobster to drinks and ice! The stunning Tobago Cays Marine Park, comprising the little island of Mayreau and the five deserted islets of Tobago, is one of the best diving and snorkeling spots in the Grenadines.
Horseshoe Reef almost encircles the four main islands and the crystal clear waters ensure fantastic visibility of up to 120 feet (36 meters). The sea turtle-watching area on Baradel is a real highlight of any visit to the Tobago Cays. The Island is the perfect place to kick back, marvel at the beauties of nature, ponder the meaning of life and indulge in some serious relaxation.
Dazzling powder-sand and palm-fringed beaches lead down to shallow waters that are just the place for beginners to learn to snorkel. There are no restaurants or bars here to spoil the tranquillity, but local boat vendors will appear as if by magic just when you might be running out of bread or ice, or decide that you'd like some lobster for dinner. They'll also be happy to organize a beach barbecue for you, if that's more to your taste. At night there is really nothing more enjoyable than sitting back to relax on deck with a cocktail, and admire the shooting stars that proliferate in the midnight blue skies
Mooring: Secluded anchorages
Things to Do: Relax, Snorkel
Facilities: Local boat vendors
Day 5: Saltwhistle Bay, Mayreau
This sweeping sandy bay is one of the most romantic, secluded places you'll ever find. The protected moon-shaped anchorage of Saltwhistle Bay, on the eastern coast of Mayreau, a quiet island with a population of only three hundred, is a sweeping sandy bay that is one of the most romantic, secluded places you will ever visit and is considered one of the highlights of a Saltwhistle Bay Mayreau yacht charter.
It's the Caribbean at its most perfect with crystal clear water and sparkling white sand. Arrive early to ensure your pick of anchorages - the local boat boys are helpful and will give you a hand as needed. From the dinghy dock you can walk up and over to the island's south side and Saline Bay, where Righteous Bob's is the place to go for fantastic seafood, music and dancing. Righteous Bob's is legendary in this part of the world, but Bob has something of a reputation for stiff drinks, so watch out for his heavy hand with the measures! The views from Old Wall Village at the top of the island over Tobago Cays are stunning. Be sure to check out the beautiful Mayreau Catholic Church. Saltwhistle Bay itself is home to the Saltwhistle Bay Beach Club and a handful of bars and restaurants.
Mooring: Anchorage
Things to Do: Take a walk, Live Music and Dancing at Righteous Bob's
Facilities: Bars and restaurants - Small shops
Day 6: Clifton Harbour, Union Island
After visiting the bustling town of Clifton, head to the stylish Anchorage Yacht Club for lunch overlooking the harbour. Clifton Harbour is the bustling main port of Union Island and the major yachting hub of the southern Grenadines. Originally settled by the Caribs and Arawaks, Union Island fell into the possession of English and French slave traders and plantation owners and became famous for the export of Sea Island Cotton. Union Island's volcanic silhouette means that it's also known as the "Tahiti of the West Indies".
After the peace and quiet of the Tobago Cays, Clifton Harbour offers the opportunity to have dinner at one of the town's numerous waterfront restaurants and check out the some of the lively bars popular with the sailing community. The Anchorage Yacht Club is a stylish venue for lunch overlooking the harbor while the adjoining Anchorage Hotel has a fine collection of sharks in a specially designed pool. The shopping is good, with plenty of small, stylish boutiques. In the middle of Clifton Harbour sits Janti's Happy Island, a man-made island fashioned entirely out of conch-shells with a bar and restaurant that's popular with visitors. It's a great place to kick back for a few hours and shoot the breeze with other sailors. Be sure to try the lobster, and to wash it down with a glass of local rum.
Mooring: Anchorage
Things to do: Have fun!, Snorkeling
Facilities: Bars and restaurants - Provisions
Day 7 & 8: 2 free sailing days
Choose from a host of beautiful anchorages in the surrounding islands, all within a short sail: Tobago Cays, Petit St. Vincent, Chatham Bay or Sandy Island.
Day 9: Petit St Vincent
This is an exclusive and charming private island with excellent snorkelling. From here take a dinghy across to Mopian Island. Petit St. Vincent (also known as PSV) is a short sail south-east of Union Island. It is a picture-perfect, unspoilt island straight out of the pages of Robinson Crusoe and an ideal place to chill out if you overdid the socializing in Clifton Harbour. The island has no phones, televisions, casinos or anything else that might detract from the enjoyment of this special and secluded island paradise. It is privately owned and has been operated as a very low-key resort since the sixties.
A Petit St. Vincent boat charter allows you to take advantage of all the best things on the island from the pristine sandy beaches to the great snorkeling spots where you can investigate the fascinating array of exotic fish and other sea-life. Take a dinghy over to the sandbank of Mopions for your own desert island fantasy. It's the perfect place for a picnic, just make sure to get there first to nab the island's one tiny palm umbrella. Just minutes away is the tiny island of Petite Martinique, another small and enchanting island that you can walk around in less than an hour. Petite Martinique is known for its native ceremonies and traditions like the famous Big Drum Dance. If you are lucky enough to find yourself on Petite Martinique when the Big Drum Dance is taking place, you can expect a festive occasion with lots of singing and plentiful food and drink. And maybe a sore head the next morning.
Mooring: Anchorage
Things to Do: Relax on the beach, Snorkeling
Day 10: Chatham Bay, Union
Anchor here with the rest of your flotilla and spend some time snorkelling along the cliff wall, where puffer fish, turtles and brightly coloured fish can be seen in abundance. Chatham Bay Union Island is one of the great snorkeling spots in the Grenadines, along the cliff wall you will find an incredible variety of puffer fish, turtles and brightly coloured tropical fish. Chatham Bay has a fantastic beach too, and is an ideal spot to drop anchor and simply relax and admire the beauty of the surroundings and the pristine, clear waters. The island is only three miles long and one mile wide and is home to approximately 3,000 inhabitants. Known as the "Tahiti of the West Indies" because of its volcanic silhouette, the highest mountain on Union Island is Mount Taboi, rising 999 feet (305 meters) above sea level. Most of the activity in and around Chatham Bay is there to facilitate the yachting industry which has developed here and so ashore you will find shops, boutiques, restaurants and bars that will cater to your every need.
Mooring: Anchorage
Things to Do: Snorkeling - See Puffer fish!, Chilling out
Facilities: Water - Fuel - Provisions - Restaurants and bars.
Day 11: Tobago Cays
The huge Horseshoe Reef that protects these five deserted islets, provides some of the best snorkelling and diving in the world. Petit Bateau provides a shaded beach to the north and an easterly beach that is the best choice for beginning snorkellers as it has calm shallow water. You can't miss the turtles that swim in abundance here. The stunning Tobago Cays Marine Park, comprising the little island of Mayreau and the five deserted islets of Tobago, is one of the best diving and snorkeling spots in the Grenadines.
Horseshoe Reef almost encircles the four main islands and the crystal clear waters ensure fantastic visibility of up to 120 feet (36 meters). The sea turtle-watching area on Baradel is a real highlight of any visit to the Tobago Cays. The Island is the perfect place to kick back, marvel at the beauties of nature, ponder the meaning of life and indulge in some serious relaxation.
Dazzling powder-sand and palm-fringed beaches lead down to shallow waters that are just the place for beginners to learn to snorkel. There are no restaurants or bars here to spoil the tranquillity, but local boat vendors will appear as if by magic just when you might be running out of bread or ice, or decide that you'd like some lobster for dinner. They'll also be happy to organize a beach barbecue for you, if that's more to your taste. At night there is really nothing more enjoyable than sitting back to relax on deck with a cocktail, and admire the shooting stars that proliferate in the midnight blue skies
Mooring: Secluded anchorages
Things to Do: Relax, Snorkel
Facilities:Local boat vendors.
Day 12: Canouan
Head to Raffles resort and golf course, this has become a top destination for the jet-set in recent years. The quiet, hilly island of Canouan is said to have some of the most beautiful beaches in the Grenadines and is located in the midst of one of the best tropical cruising grounds in the world. The island is tiny, measuring only 3 ½ miles by 1 ¼ miles (6 km by 2 km) and is owned by St. Vincent. It was one of the last islands to be settled by Europeans because of its mountainous and heavily forested geography.
Canouan was first colonized by the French and later the English. The Atlantic side of the island is protected by an extensive barrier reef. Charlestown Bay (also known as Grand Bay) is a good place to pick up a mooring off the Tamarind Bay Resort at the northern end of the island. The resort has a fine dining restaurant as well as a more casual option with live music.
It also has a Jim Fazio-designed golf course. The other resort on the island, Raffles, is a favorite with the international jet set and has a golf course that has been voted the best in the Caribbean on several occasions as well as a casino.
Mooring: Anchorage
Things to Do: Golf, Casino
Facilities: Water - Provisions
Day 13: Admiralty Bay, Bequia
Small hotels, bars, restaurants and shops spread along the south eastern shore, strung together by a tiny path along the beach. Bequia, just 8 miles south of St. Vincent, is a beautiful island steeped in maritime history and famous for its ancient traditions of boat-building and whaling. Port Elizabeth, located at Admiralty Bay on the west side of the island, is the only settlement of any size and the well-protected bay is an ideal base from which to discover the island.
There's plenty to explore, from artisan shops and the workshops of model boat-makers to a huge variety of bars and restaurants. Dinner at the Frangipani Hotel is a must for romantics. The food is traditional Caribbean and the ambience as seductive as its name suggests. Other recommended restaurants include the Auberge des Grenadines, which has a reputation for great lobster and seafood, and the Devil's Table at the Tradewinds Yacht Club, which has a range of menus at all price levels.
Onshore activities include hiking along the beaches and the hill trails of Mount Pleasant, and there are tennis courts for those who don't want to let their game slip. Those interested in the history of the region will want to visit the Bequia Maritime Museum and the small whaling museum located at the home of Athneal Ollivierre, a famous whaler from the island who hunted with a harpoon. The Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary will appeal to nature-lovers and divers should check out the Devil's Table dive site at the entrance to the bay.
Mooring: Anchorage
Things to Do: Hike Mount Pleasant, Visit Bequia Maritime Museum
Facilities: Bars and restaurants - Water - Provisions - Fuel
Day 14: Return to flotilla base, Lagoon Marina
The St. Vincent yacht charter base is located at Blue Lagoon, on the southern shore of St. Vincent. Blue Lagoon is a stylish spot, home to the Lagoon Hotel and Marina, and a good place from which to explore some of the sights of the island's interior. First though, get your vacation off to a good start and settle down with a cocktail or local beer at the Green Flash Bar while you watch the sun go down. St. Vincent is a volcanic, rain-forested island with spectacular scenery.
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