St Vincent and the Grenadines / Special Interests / Sailing & Regattas

St Vincent and the Grenadines have some of the finest sailing grounds in the Caribbean, even the world. You can cruise under the vast green heights of St Vincent before plunging into the Grenadines and the eight or so main islands that lie in a 60-mile string stretching south from St Vincent to Union Island. They vary a great deal in character. Some are quite developed, others have just a small local community, and some have nothing but a hotel. The Tobago Cays have no buildings at all, though their beaches and reefs are so attractive there can be more than 200 yachts at anchor here.

There is quite an infrastructure for the yachting industry, with beach bars and restaurants in most of the coves around the Grenadines.  The sailing is excellent, though it is a little more “exposed” than that of, say, the British Virgin Islands. The Grenadines chain lies across the prevailing wind from the Atlantic (in contrast Sir Francis Drake Channel in the BVI is protected by the many islands) and so the currents, swells and winds are stronger in the Grenadines. The islands are also a little further apart – there is roughly an hour’s sail between them - so the sailing is generally a little more demanding. The Grenadines also have a slightly “rawer”, more naturally West Indian atmosphere about them too. The unsophisticated nature and beauty of the islands and their beaches are key ingredients making them a magnificent place to explore under your own steam.