Saint Vincent/Granadines Charter

[Tim R.]

My wife and I have been offered a free charter in the end of March for helping captain a 45ft. boat. We have never been there so we are looking for any advice.

Places not to miss
Good snorkeling
Good markets
Sample itineraries

Thanks

 

[Buck420]

My wife and I have been offered a free charter in the end of March for helping captain a 45ft. boat. We have never been there so we are looking for any advice.

Places not to miss
Good snorkeling
Good markets
Sample itineraries

Thanks

Tim,

I've chartered there w/ Moorings twice ... St Lucia to Grenada. Both times on a 46' cat (4 cabins).
I would STRONGLY suggest you get the latest edition of Chris Doyle's "Sailors Guide to the Windward Islands". Most of your questions will be answered as you read and study this excellent cruising guide.

Briefly, a good itinerary (and a "don't miss these") would be ... Bequia, Mustique, Mayreau, Tobago Cays, Union/Palm Island, then down to Grenada. You will find and become familiar w/ all the anchorages, places to go, cruising details, etc. in the afore-mentioned cruising guide.

This area is considered by most cruisers to be one of the 3 finest cruising areas in the world; w/ the other 2 being French Polynesia and the Greek Islands.... w/ the Tobago Cays being arguably the best of the best of the Grenadines...
Have a great time; It's unforgettable

 

[sandpiper10471]

GO! GO! GO! Having sailed the area twice, I can do nought but encourage you to do it. And I have to agree with Buck420 about the Doyle guide and the Tobago Cays. Be strong and assertive with the local "boat boys", especially if you go to Saltwhistle. Everywhere they will try to hustle you and sell you a service, often one not needed or welcomed. however, they do understand the word "No". Most of the islands of the Caribbean chain are about 30 miles apart, so island hopping is very doable and most desirable. Dominica is the least developed and most wild island with probably the best natural features to experience and the least bother by the locals. Tobago Cays are stunning but try to go during low charter season or it will be PACKED to unsafe levels.

And the most stunning scenery and sailing as a cruising destination? Lake Huron's North Channel. From personal experience, I believe it beats the Grenadines and the San Blas Islands. Dying to see if it compares to the Greek Islands.

 

[Salty]

I agree with Buck420 Chris Doyle Sailors Guide to the Windward Islands is a must. I chartered there a couple years ago, however I took the boat from Grenada and did a roundtrip to Carriacou (regatta), Petit Martinique, Petit St Vincent, Union Island, Mayreau, Tobago Cays and back to Grenada for Carnival. I have to agree Tobago Cays is a blast. great snorkeling. From St Vincent I would go Bequia, Mayreau, Tobago Cays, Union/Palm Island as Buck said. I dont know how much time you have, but for a week I don't think you have enough time for Grenada unless you want to do a one way. Hope you enjoy sailing the Windward Island. To me its much better sailing than the BVI. I'll also suggest you read the Usual Suspect adventures:
http://www.usual-suspects-sailing.com/

Enjoy!!

 

[Ed Caldwell]

We chartered from Sunsail at the south end of St. Vincent in June 2007 for a week. We followed this itinerary, although I may have a stop out of order:
- 2 nights Mustique on a mooring ball (Basil's and Firefly restaurants, great beaches)
- 1 night at anchor in Tobago Cays off Baradel (snorkeling)
- 1 night at anchor in Chatham Bay Union Island after side trips to Petit St. Vincent and Mopion Island (more of a sandbar with an umbrella, very cool!) and provisions and water in Clifton
- 1 night at anchor in Saline Bay Mayreau, dinner at one of the restaurants on the hill
- 1 night at anchor in Salt Whistle Bay Mayreau, dinner at the resort there, very good
- 1 night at anchor in Admiralty Bay Bequia, dinner in town but don't remember where

As you would expect, restaurants are a little pricey, and provisions are harder to find and with fewer options than in the BVIs for instance. But not a problem at all, and I'd make another trip tomorrow if I could. Get the Doyle guide to the Windwards, and look at the charter company sites for suggested itineraries. Picture is Salt Whistle Bay.

 

[Mich222]

Eight of us chartered a 50 footer from Sunsail at the south end of St. Vincent (2003). Sunsail did a good job for us- the boat was brand new. I concur that Mistique, Tobago Cays, Petit St. Vincent , and Bequia need to be on your itinerary. Have fun!!

 

[cephius (Dave)]

I've also chartered this area twice. Agree with all the above. My Tahiti charter was the only one better. (Haven't been to the Greek Islands in a sailboat yet.)

 

[rfrye1]

I agree with Buck420. Get the guide. We bareboated a 46' Cat with Sunsail and had a gas. Probably the best sailing I've had. We went in April and we had about 20 kts of wind every day, mostly on the beam. Warm days, warm breezy nites. Only disappointment was we caught no fish, but we were able to buy fresh tuna from a local.

 

[Tim R.]

Bought the guide today. I will read it to get more familiar before we go. Thanks for all the great tips. Can anyone recommend a good market nearby for provisioning?

 

[Ed Caldwell]

There are a couple of well stocked markets near the SVG airport. The charter base should be able to help you with a taxi to get there/back.

 

[rfrye1]

As I remember I was SHOCKED at the price of bottled water. I think a case of water that we pay $4 for here in the USA cost us $20-25. Coca-Cola was cheaper, so was beer. Of course they were giving rum away. Next time I would consider bringing my water filter!

 

[Tim R.]

Well we had an unforgettable time in the Grenadines last week. It would have been much nicer without my wife's father. He had us both rather stressed the entire trip. Some of the highlights include grounding on a sandbar(luckily he took my advice to avoid the reef), a hissy fit because we moved the boat without his permission, early morning rum drinking by the captain and doing his best to offend the locals.

The sailing and the islands were very nice. The peolpe there are genuine and friendly. Wind blew constantly but had to deal with large waves and currents. Ok for us but others on the boat had some discomfort. Here is our itinerary:

Bequia
Tobago Cays(Lobster BBQ on the beach with Patrick)
Clifton Bay(where we grounded)
Chatham Bay(Union Island)
Canuan
Mustique
Bequia
St. Vincent

Snorkeling was very over rated although we may be spoiled or maybe we just did not go to the best reefs.

Notable Wildlife: Turtles, Spotted eagle rays, sting rays.

Not sure if we will return. BVIs and Abacos I thought were nicer and they are closer.