Grenadine Escape Ltd
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Crewed yachting in Canouan
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Crewed yacht charter in the Grenadines
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Children in the shallows
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Catamaran anchored during a day sail
- Category
- Crewed Yacht Charters
At a glance
Grenadine Escape prides itself on its in-depth local knowledge and contacts, along with its “open and honest” approach under the guidance of founder Lara Cowan and her experienced Bequia-based team. It also has offices in the UK.
- Best for:
- Crewed yachts; sail & stay; sail & dive; deep sea fishing
- Why:
- This owner-managed company takes a personal approach to its crewed yacht charters offered in a number of Caribbean islands.
Key features
Flexible and personalised approach, meet and greet service
Journalist’s Review
In Depth
Grenadine Escape specialises in luxury yacht charters throughout the Caribbean.
Established in 2000 by managing director Lara Cowan, who grew up in St Lucia and Mustique, the company has offices on Bequia and in London and Hampshire in the UK
The company’s senior yacht charter broker and reservations manager is Fiona Williams, who in the 1990s ran a Caribbean charter yacht called Dabulamanzi throughout the islands, and owned and managed a small yacht charter company in Bequia. Now she lives on the island working for Grenadine Escape.
Lara says the company’s dual presence in the UK and Caribbean means it is open for business 24/7. She is based in Britain, but visits Bequia a number of times a year. She is also responsible for selecting the crews for each vessel – a task she feels is critical to the operation.
“We look to have the best yachts in their class – with a crew to match them,” she explained.
“They have got to be people who can intuitively read their guests and give them the space they need. They need to be fun, but they also need to be flexible to fit in with what the guests want to do and need to be able to read situations well.”
Fleet
The company has access to more than 25 private crewed motor, sail and catamaran craft of between 46ft and 82ft that take between four and 10 guests.
What's Included
The charter fee generally includes the service of the captain and crew, meals, standard ship’s bar, fuel and all expenses related to the running of the vessel and use of on-board sports equipment. It does not include diving, scuba equipment, premium beverages and fine wines, off-yacht excursions, dockage, cruising taxes and permits, telephone, airport transfers and crew gratuities or similar expense incurred by the charterer. However, on large boats scuba diving equipment is included.
Crew
The compliment of crew differs according to the size of the vessel, but generally ranges from two to four and includes the captain and cook.
Sail and Stay
Clients are sent an itinerary in advance detailing where and when they will be met for their villa and yacht stay. There will be an outline schedule for their time on the yacht, but this is flexible and can be altered on consultation with the captain.
For more information please see our review of Grenadine Escape Villa Rentals.
Sail and Dive
This is totally flexible depending on where clients want to go, but the company uses Crystal Blue Sportfishing which it knows and trusts.
Deep Sea Fishing
This is totally flexible depending on where clients want to go, but the company uses St Vincent-based Crystal Blue Sportfishing which it knows and trusts.
Booking Procedures
There is no set procedure. The company aims to acquaint itself with each customer’s tastes and requirements and guide them towards the itinerary best suited to them. For example, for customers wanting to go diving or fishing, Grenadine Escape staff will liaise with their supplier and schedule it in.
Provisioning
Clients are sent a five-page form in advance to select their likes and dislikes and a menu is prepared in advance. Any special occasions are noted.
Meet & Greet
The yacht captain and his partner meet customers at the airport or, if they are unable to attend, a concierge is sent to take them to the boat where the captain will meet them.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1: Customers join their yacht at Young Island, just off the coast of St Vincent and set sail for Bequia, spending the evening there.
Day 2: Explore Bequia
Day 3: Sail to Mustique and explore the island.
Day 4: Sail to the Tobago Cays, passing Canouan, and catching dinner on the way.
Day 5: Visit Petit St Vincent, stopping at Mopion Island enroute.
Day 6: Sail to Sandy Island and Carriacou for exploring and lunch. Then depart for the “jump-up” at Mayreau.
Day 7: A morning of watersports or relaxation before setting sail for Union Island, where the clients disembark for their private flight to Barbados.
Sports & Toys
Most vessels have a towing ring from which to pull wakeboards, kneeboards, doughnuts and water skis. They also come equipped with kayaks, fishing equipment and snorkelling gear. Some have scuba dive equipment too. Inside distractions include computer games, iPod docks, TVs and DVD players.
Useful Information
The company’s new bespoke website ge.virtualnet.co.uk has an updated search facility; a Google maps facility; contact and agent form; and availability calendar.
