Dave
Van Reenen captain of the yacht
Madiba has this to say about Sailing the Grenadines:
“Regarded by many as "The Real Caribbean",
the islands of St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines
are truly spectacular. With lush and abundant vegetation,
soaring volcanic peaks, breathtaking vistas and outstanding
snorkelling, the Windwards are special.
On St Lucia there are the Pitons, a pair of massive
pinnacles under which we anchor. Next, Chateaubelair
on St Vincent, at the foot of Soufriere volcano, a palm
fringed cove with huge volcanic rocks and near where
"Pirates of the Caribbean" was filmed. You
may even like to visit the set! Then Bequia, one of
our favourite islands, laid-back and beautiful. A few
miles away is exclusive Mustique, home of the rich and
famous. Maybe we'll rub shoulders with "locals"
Mick Jagger, Brad Pitt, David Bowie or Raquel Welsh
at world famous Basil's Bar. Then the "Crown Jewels
of the Caribbean", Tobago Cays, a snorkelling paradise.
A huge, uninhabited series of coral reefs inside which
we anchor. And much, much more. In the Windwards there's
something for everyone - solitude or sophistication,
or an eclectic mix. All this with Glywnnis and Dave
aboard the magic Madiba!”.
So many islands, so many beaches, fresh fruit and vegetables,
enjoy freshly caught fish, lobster cooked on a deserted
beach. Great sailing.
Choices of Yachts range from the monohulls, catamarans
to the mega yachts.
Day 1
Depart St. Vincent for Mustique the playground of the
elite. Enjoy a drink at Basil's beach bar built on stilts
over the water, after an island tour.
Day 2
Sail off for Salt Whistle Bay (enjoy the two beaches at
Salt Whistle Bay Club) on Mayreau.
Day
3
Petit St. Vincent is your next overnight with a stop at
Mopion & Pinese.
Day 4
The Tobago Cays a group of uninhabited islands.
Day 5
Enjoy and explore the cays, the wind here is so refreshing.
Day 6
Sail for Canouan and a possible game of Golf or enjoy
the beach and people of this island.
Day 7
Onto to Admiralty Bay on Bequia where the waterfront shops,
restaurants and model sailboats are outstanding. Take
an island tour visiting Spring on Bequia, Friendship Bay.
(ask for Curtis's Taxi)
Day 8
It is a short sail home to the Marina on St. Vincent.
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. Credit cards are accepted in tourist centers.
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
