OVERNIGHT SKIPPERED CRUISES DESTINATIONS
Discover Caribbean Sailing Paradises: Grenada, Carriacou, The Grenadines Islands (The Tobago Cays, Canouan, Bequia, St Vincent & and more!
Grenadines Sailing Escapade offers tailored overnight cruises to suit your specific preferences, providing an adventurous skippered cruising experience. Our destinations span from Grenada to Saint Vincent. Depending on the duration of your cruise (ranging from 2-30 nights), you have the option to stay around Grenada, and explore Carriacou and the southern Grenadines islands such as Sandy, White, Saline, and Petite Martinique. Alternatively, you can sail the entire Grenadines area, including Union Island, Tobago Cays, Mayreau, Canouan, Mustique, and Bequia.
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Grenada
Located at the Southern tip of the Windward Islands chain, Grenada has the reputation for being the most friendly of the Caribbean Islands and is the base from which our cruises depart.
Known as "the Isle of Spice" for its nutmeg, cocoa, cinnamon, and exotic flower cultivation, Grenada is also the gateway to the pristine waters of the Grenadines, some of the best sailing in the Caribbean.
The state of Grenada is made up of 3 main islands, Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, with a string of smaller ones dotted between them. Each island is unique and cruisers should not miss exploring Grenada with its rich culture, its old forts, hiking through the rain forest and snorkeling the famous Jason Taylor's Underwater Sculpture Park. For the divers, Grenada and Carriacou are renowned diving destinations, the first for its many shipwrecks, including the Bianca C, and the second for its reefs.
The Grenadines
The Grenadine Islands chain consists of about 600 islands and islets in the southeastern part of the Lesser Antilles, ranging over 60 miles (100 km) southwesterly from Saint Vincent to Grenada. The northern Grenadines are administratively part of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, while the southern islands are a dependency of Grenada. The Saint Vincent group consists of Bequia, Canouan, Mayreau, Mustique, Union Island, and associated islets. Carriacou, Petite Martinique, and Isle de Rhonde are the largest of the Grenada group.
Together, they create the perfect paradise picture for cruisers: deserted islands surrounded by turquoise water and stunning coral reefs with an abundance of tropical fish and marine life.
Isle de Rhonde, between Grenada and Carriacou, offers the perfect break during the crossing between the islands, for a few hours or overnight. Cruisers who enjoy hiking will love to discover that large island and the beach tucked at the back. On a calm day, there is also a beautiful snorkeling spot between the Sisters' Rocks and the north side of Caille Island.
Carriacou offers great exploration opportunities both onshore and offshore. You will also be spoiled for choice of great food at the many restaurants on the island. The key off-shore spots are Sandy Island, Anse la Roche, Petit Carenage, Saline Island, and White Island, with a special mention for Tim Garraway's restaurant on Anse la Roche and Lovely Vegan Kitchen on Saline Island.
The Northern Grenadines
On your way up to St Vincent waters, do not forget to pass by the beautiful strait between Petite Martinique and Petit St Vincent and allow for a stop at the picturesque Morpion Island, a round sandbank surrounded by a beautiful shallow reef with a sole palm tree umbrella!
Union Island is the next one on your itinerary as it is also where you clear customs and immigration to enter into St Vincent territorial waters. Once your captain has cleared the paperwork for you, you will most certainly want to try the cocktails at Happy Island in Clifton Harbour, a man-made island built by Janti out of Conch Shells.
Clifton is most likely the quaintest little town on the island and is certainly geared to welcome international travelers. Several restaurants are serving delicious food and little boutiques with great clothes and souvenirs on the main street. You can also give a try to Sparrow Beach Club on the other side of Clifton or sail around to Chatham Bay, a magnificent sheltered bay at the south of the island where you will find several restaurants, ranging from local beach shacks (Sunset Cove is our favorite) to the shabby-chic Tenuta resort.
Union Island is also the place to book a kite surfing lesson or scuba diving expeditions in the Cays with several kite and dive shops available on the island.
If you feel like treating yourself to worldly luxuries, you can also book a day pass, a meal, or a spa treatment at one of the Private Resort Islands of Palm Island or Petit St Vincent.
The island of Mayreau's most famous destination is, without doubt, Salt Whistle Bay. With its double beach, coral reef and beautiful beach hikes, we recommend a stopover for a few hours or for the night on your way to the Tobago Cays.
The 5 islands of Tobago Cays
The Tobago Cays are undoubtedly the crown jewel of the Grenadines and a must-see on your Grenadines escapade. The archipelago is located in the Southern Grenadines of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and comprises five small islands and extensive coral reefs. The Tobago Cays are part of the Tobago Cays Marine Park which consists of a 1,400-acre (5.7 km2) sand-bottom lagoon which encompasses the five cays, the inhabited island of Mayreau and the 4 km Horseshoe Reef.
Petit Rameau has a small sandy beach on the eastern shore facing Baradal Island and a couple of tiny sandy areas on the southern side facing the narrow channel that separates it from Petit Bateau. The center of the island is covered in trees and low-growing foliage.
Petit Bateau is the largest of Tobago Cays islets. It is also known as Middle Island (Middle Cay) or as BBQ Island. You’ll get two excellent beaches, hiking trails, as well as several pop-up restaurants with lobsters in season (Free Willy, Romeo, Alphonso’s and others). Good lunch and dinner are about US$40 per person. Ask your captain to book for you. Meals can also be delivered on board if you prefer.
Baradal is the island with the iconic sand spit in the archipelago. There is also a second, smaller, beach. The key feature of this island is the Baradal Turtle Sanctuary, a protected area where green and hawksbill turtles can be observed foraging freely. It is also the closest one to the reef.
Jamesby is the smallest island in the group. It has a beach with palms and is easy to access with the dinghy.
Petit Tabac is located outside of the Horseshoe Reef and has an isolated beach perfect for a private picnic. It is also known as Jack Sparrow Island because “Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl” was filmed here. The island has many palm trees, and white sand is great for snorkeling on the reef. Entry into the water is mostly rocky, but there are also a few sandy areas with clear water on the shallows.
Horse Shoe Reef is a coral Reef site with many species of tropical fish and coral. The inshore side is best for snorkelers and the ocean side for SCUBA. The reef is very long and can be visited several times in different sections. You can also book a SCUBA trip with one of the schools on Union Island.
Canouan to Bequia
The Island of Canouan, or "Isle of Turtles" in the Arawak language, is a short sail north from The Tobago Cays. It is an island known for its white-sand beaches but Its main attraction is a 5-star golf resort: Canouan Estate. It is possible to make a booking for lunch, play golf, or enjoy a treatment at the SPA. For a more local experience, ask your captain about the secluded beach or, if you would like to take a hike, ask a local for directions, pack a lunch and get lost in paradise for the day.
Mustique Island is a private island that is run by the Mustique Company and is mostly known as the playground for the rich and famous, many of whom own villas in the private estate. You can enjoy the beautiful beaches as well as the restaurants, including the famed Basil's Bar in Britannia Bay, where, who knows, you could enjoy a drink with Mick Jagger.
Bequia is the second-largest island of St Vincent and means "island of the clouds" in the ancient Arawak language, most likely because its relatively high summit slows them down over the island's peaks. This is most likely an island where you will enjoy a hike through the forest or snorkel the reef off Admiralty Bay, and laze on the white-sand beaches like Princess Margaret.
St Vincent
As the main island of the state, it is primarily a hub through which people transit to get to the more alluring Grenadines Islands. While you are there, you might enjoy a more cultural and historical visit through Kingston, the capital with its forts and even the oldest botanical gardens in the western hemisphere, or a refreshing dip in the Wallilabou Falls, just a kilometer north of the Wallilabou Anchorage (another film set of "Pirates of the Caribbean") or the Dark View Falls, for which you will need land transport to get to. Another great attraction on the island is to hike up to the Soufrière Volcano. This activity requires a guide and is possible depending on the current activity of the volcano.
