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St Vincent and the Grenadines / Special Interests / Yacht Charters

By James Henderson

Some of the finest sailing grounds in the Caribbean, even the world are to be found in St Vincent and the Grenadines. You can cruise under the vast green heights of St Vincent itself and then head out into the Grenadines, which lie like prone animals on the sea horizon around you, and pull into an isolated cove, slide off into the crystalline sea and snorkel the reefs. If you are lucky, dolphins will jump at the prow of your yacht as you make the crossings between the islands and cays. The eight or so main islands lie in a 60-mile string that stretches south from St Vincent to Union Island and they vary a great deal in character. Some are quite developed, others have nothing but a hotel and the Tobago Cays are uninhabited - although there can be over 200 yachts at anchor there at the busiest time of the year.

The sailing in the Grenadines is excellent, though it is worth knowing that it is a little more ‘exposed’ than that of, say, the British Virgin Islands. The chain of the Grenadines 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 - and so the sailing is generally a little more demanding, but of course a corresponding feeling of freedom. The Grenadines also have a slightly ‘rawer’, more naturally West Indian atmosphere about them too. The unsophisticated nature and the beauty of the islands and its beaches are the key ingredients make them a magnificent place explore under your own steam.

Of course there is quite an infrastructure for the yachting industry, with beach bars and restaurants in most of the coves around the Grenadines. Some bays have buoys, but in most places you will anchor on the sandy bottom. There are also other services - in the Tobago Cays you will find people in small boats will approach you with fish and other food for sale. You can even order food from the supermarkets Union Island, arrange a massage on board your yacht, or join a scuba dive. There are marinas in St Vincent (most sailing charters start here) and Canouan, but there are also yachting facilities in Bequia and Union Island.

Most of the sailing in the Grenadines is bareboat sailing, but it is possible to organise a skipper and a cook, or a full crewed charter, some of which are attached to the hotels or take out day sails. TMM St Vincent is a small and well-established yacht charter company based in the south of St Vincent, ideally positioned for sailing the Grenadines. The company, headed up by John West, keeps a fleet of 15-20 catamarans and monohulls up to 50ft long with between two and six cabins. Charters are mostly bareboat, but skippers and cooks are available on request. Otherwise the charter brokers in the metropolitan countries will help you.

Yacht Charters on St Vincent and the Grenadines

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Looking for inspiration?

  1. Hike up St Vincent's 4000ft volcano, La Soufriere
  2. Take the Barracuda Express to the pretty harbour of Port Elizabeth, Bequia, for a day's sightseeing
  3. Enjoy a day sail and snorkelling trip to the stunning Tobago Cays
  4. Join in the carnival atmosphere and jump-up during Vincy Mas
  5. Rub shoulders with the rich and famous on Mustique

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