CARAIBI - SAILING AREAS IN GRENADINES

MARTINIQUE
In Martinique, you will be striked by the beauty all around you. Lush and sunny, this island looks like an open-air green house. But it is also the perfect base for filling up your pantry, since grocery shopping will be difficult to do later on, on the other islands. After leaving Fort-de-France, about 26 miles to the south you will reach Rodney Bay, next to the natural park of Pidgeon Island; from its ancient fort, the sight is magnificent. Slightly more to the south is the spectacular Marigot Bay, with echoes of reggae music drifting by from nearby Castries, one of the Rasta Capitals of the Caribbeans.

SANTA LUCIA
Upon arrival we are welcomed by coconut palms, banana plantations, wild orchids, bouganvilleas; this is only the prelude to the imposing Pitons, two extinct volcanoes that rise up in the center of the island. The bay where you will anchor is part of a marine park: a dive is a must, followed by a swim in the luke-warm thermal waters of Diamond falls

SAINT VINCENT
The capital of the Grenadines, St. Vincent and the nearby islands offers a spectacular cruising area, with stable, brisk and favourable winds, ideal for sight sailing. The Marina located on the southern point of St. Vincent provides a delightful protected mooring site, perfectly located as a starting point for sailing south. With the help of the trade winds, it easy to sail the 30 miles that separate St. Vincent from ??? After as little while, the splendid Cumberland Bay appears, surrounded by lush banana plantations. You can spend the night here or continue on to Wallilabon Bay for refilling your water tanks and going through customs. The inhabitants of this island whre once cannibals; today they practice trading with the same high energy.

BEQUIA
We are now in the Grenadines. Bequia is the island of whale-hunters and ship-making masters. Possibly some locals are still practicing whale-hunting (illegally) with a harpoon. A delightful mooring site is the village of Port Elizabeth, previously a pirate cove, where the well-known “Whale Boner” bar is to be found. Its countertop was made from a whale jaw; it is the perfect spot for sipping a rhum or a pina colada, expecting John Long Silver himself to appear at any moment, with his woodden leg and a parrot on his shoulder.

UNION ISLAND
Clifton, the busy main harbour of Union Island, has a cosmopolitan atmosphere and is the sailing entrance to the southern Grenadines. Supermarkets and boutiques abound, and you can also admire the shark collection in the pool of the Anchorage Hotel. It is the ideal spot for a drink or a good meal.

MUSTIQUE
In a couple of hours you sail to this small and very “a la mode” island, in the waters of which, close to Montezuma Shoal, several shipwrecks are found. It is truly a unique place for divers: turtles, sharks, sting rays and many other creatures are now the inhabitants of the ancient submerged wrecks.

MAYERAU
An enchanting bay, crystal clear waters, lush palms, fun bars and restaurants: Mayerau offers just this. Salt Wistle Bay, on the north-western coast of the island, is an obligatory stop. It is a very sheltered cove where you can swim in a natural coral-lined swimming pool. A very romantic restaurant, completely built with coral rock down to its tables and chairs, lures you onto the beach. Another lovely beach awaits you in the enchanting Saline Bay.

TOBAGO CAYS
Several islands and crags compose this intricate and surprising mosaic. Here sailing must be more careful, but it is well worth it, because our destination is one of the most beautiful mooring sites in the world. We will drop anchor among three splendid islets with pure white sand beaches, crystal blue waters, majestic palm trees and, not far away, an imposing coral reef teeming with multi-colored fish, rightfully called “world’s end reef”. If paradise exists, indeed it cannot be very different than this. The site needs at least three days of rest to swim, dive, laze around, drink and feast on lobsters. This is a national marine park not to be missed. Tobago Cays are the top destination of many sailing itineraries. Snorkeling and diving in Horseshoe Reef, which protects this handful of islands, is a spectacle that will fill your eyes with a caleidoscope of underwater colors. There are several great moorings and small sand beaches fringed by palm trees, all to explore.
Un parco nazionale marino da non perdere.
Le Tobago Cays sono in testa a molti itinerari di vela. Snorkeling ed immersioni nell’Horseshoe Reef, che protegge questo pugno di isole, sono uno spettacolo che offre un caleidoscopio di colori sottomarini. Ci sono molti approdi superbi e piccole spiaggie sabbiose verdeggianti di palme da esplorare.

PETIT SAINT VINCENT
Our tour is just about over. Lets try to stay cheerful by enjoying a last swim at the nearby Palm island, a real jewel, and just one more romantic dance with a steel band. Our entrance in Clifton Bay, in Union island, definately awakens us from our dream. We must recollect our memory, but the vision of the airplane which is going to take us back to Martinique gives us a last, sudden and intense emotion.