Yachtcharter Windward Islands

From Martinique to St. Lucia and St. Vincent to Grenada, the Windward Islands offer yacht charterers a diverse sailing area that is perfect for exploring by catamaran or sailing yacht. Snorkelers and divers experience a lively underwater world and on land Creole food and a still pristine nature lure sailors from their boat.

Climate: tropical with temperatures between 28 and 32 degrees
Wind: Northeast trade wind
Sailing season: all year round with attention to the hurricane season from June to October
Strikes on: Martinique, St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent

Yacht charter Windward Islands

The Windward Islands are located in the southern part of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. The area from Martinique and Saint Lucia in the north over Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to Grenada in the south offers sailors and water sports enthusiasts with its short legs and varied landscapes the perfect Caribbean experience. Volcanic islands with tropical rainforest, secluded bays with turquoise waters, sheltered anchorages, a rich underwater world and a diverse culture of the inhabitants make up the charm of this area.

Starting points for a yacht charter are Martinique in the north and St. Lucia or Grenada in the south. All three can be reached by plane from Germany. Since the islands of the Windward Islands belong to different countries or rather are independent, clearing in and out has to be thought of. However, yacht charterers can now upload their details online at http://sailclear.com/ before starting the cruise to simplify the process.

Outside the hurricane season the area is generally unproblematic, but caution is advised when leaving the land cover of the islands. The reefs that exist off all the islands require caution when navigating. Therefore night cruises are generally not permitted.

Week trip with yacht charter highlight

St. Lucia - Bequia - Tobago Cays and Mayreau - St. Vincent - St. Lucia

On St . Lucia there are two yachting centers north and south of the capital Castries. One is the full service Rodney Bay Marina, which was built in a very well protected artificial lagoon and offers good supply possibilities. On the other hand Marigot Bay, a deeply cut bay with good holding anchorage and beautiful green surroundings. There is also a gas station here. The capital itself offers one of the safest harbors in the Caribbean. It is an important cargo hub, but rather sparse in sights. More interesting is the former capital Soufrière with the two Pitons, the landmarks of the island. The interior of the island is also worth a visit, whether a guided tour through banana plantations or rainforest or simply on your own with a rental car.

With St.Vincent yacht charterers reach the island state of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which also includes the numerous smaller islands to the south. Kingstown is both the capital of the island and of the state. On the island, visitors can expect abundant nature with steep, green mountains and tropical forest. In the north, the Soufrière volcano is still active, having erupted for the last time in 1979, and traces of the lava flows can still be seen there. Sailors can anchor, for example, in the bays Petit Byahaut, where diving is worthwhile, and Cumberland Bay, a beautiful bay with a popular beach bar. In the south of the island is the Blue Lagoon Marina with an attached hotel. The island has made negative headlines a few times due to robberies in recent years, but that doesn't mean that it is basically dangerous here. Nevertheless, you should check the current security situation before starting your yacht charter trip.

Bequia Island, located in the south of St. Vincent, is a tourist center of the Grenadines and very popular among sailors. Here yacht charterers will find a nice natural harbor in the west in Admirality Bay. You can anchor off the town of Port Elisabeth or off one of the sandy beaches in the southern part of the bay. In the bay there are various dinghy moorings and the town invites with a promenade for a stroll. The stores sell locally made souvenirs, and there are also various restaurants. An alternative in the south of Bequia is Friendship Bay, a safe anchorage with a beautiful beach.

On a yacht charter in the Windward Islands you should definitely include the small archipelago of the Tobago Cays. The islands are surrounded in a wide arc in the west by the Horseshoe Reef. This protected lagoon with its crystal clear water allows best views of reefs, coral gardens and their inhabitants, such as sea turtles. Snorkelers and divers should plan plenty of time here. Only lizards and birds live on the islands, no humans. In the high season, however, there are traveling merchants who usually organize beach barbecues in the evenings. If you are looking for long sandy beaches and palm idyll during your yacht charter, you will also get your money's worth west of the Tobago Cays on the small island of Mayreau . You can anchor on the west side, for example in Saltwhistle Bay. Visitors are welcome in the village, and there are also a few places to stop for refreshments.

Grenadines yacht charter tour

For a two or three week trip sailors can include other islands of the Grenadines. Also on St. Vincent we offer yacht charter bases from where a Grenadines cruise can start.

Martinique - St. Lucia - Bequia - Mustique - Mayreau and Tobago Cays - Petit Saint Vincent - (Grenada - Carriacou -) Union Island - Canouan - St. Vincent - St. Lucia - Martinique

Martinique is the largest of the Windward Islands and belongs to France. In the southwest of the island is the marina Le Marin, one of the largest marinas in the Caribbean. Yacht charterers will find here very good shopping facilities at the start of their cruise, which are not available in the same form on the other islands. In almost every bay of the island there are good anchorages and dinghies and on land well marked hiking trails.

Mustique is a private island, but visitors are allowed to enter. A walk around the island is recommended, but there is also the possibility to rent bicycles. Yacht charterers can treat themselves to a luxurious getaway at the spa, or enjoy live music at the island's meeting place, Basil's Bar. Photos should be taken on the island only of the scenery, not of the residents, as Mustique is a retreat for celebrities. Only a limited number of houses are allowed to be built here. This says both to the residents and to nature, which has not been pushed back here. The waters around the island are a marine protected area, where fishing is also not allowed. National park fees are charged locally. Yacht charterers will find the only anchoring bay in the west of the island: Britannia Bay.

In Canouan yachtsmen must head for the southern half of the island to anchor, as the north consists of a closed resort. On the west side, there are several anchorages, such as Rameau Bay and the larger Charleston Bay. On shore, you'll find well-stocked grocery stores and down-to-earth restaurants. In order to explore the island it is a good idea to rent a golf cart. With this yacht charterers can also visit the east side of the island with its turquoise lagoon. In the southeast, near the airport, a new marina is currently under construction, where superyachts can also dock.

Union Island is the commercial center of the southern Grenadines. To the east, yacht charterers can call at the lively Clifton Harbour, which offers a market, various shopping opportunities, restaurants and bars. Snorkelers can anchor off Clifton right on the impressive reef and go exploring. More tranquil is the green Chatham Bay with a sandy beach on the west side. Alternatively, yacht charterers can anchor off Frigate Island in the south near the village of Ashton.

Carriacou is the largest of the Grenadine Islands and together with its neighboring island Petite Martinique belongs to the state of Grenada. The island has a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Here the anchorages are off the west coast, on the one hand in the large Hillsborough Bay and further south in Tyrell Bay, where there are also good restaurants. If you like it quiet, you can buy your next dinner at Hillsborough's fish market and then retire to one of the mooring buoys off Sandy Island. Hillsborough is a port of embarkation and disembarkation. Also worth visiting is the village of Windward, the island's traditional boatbuilding center. Boat builders and fishermen are also the inhabitants of Petite Martinique, the charming little neighboring island. You can anchor there in front of the local dock, where you can also refuel.

North of Petite Martinique is the small private island of Petit Saint Vincent, which is home to an exclusive hotel complex. The only access allowed is the dinghy dock. Adjacent to this is a public area with beach, boutique, spa and beach bar. Sailors are welcome here. Otherwise, the island is reserved for hotel visitors, and the areas are marked with signs. However, yacht charterers can explore the large coral reef that surrounds the island, and a special beach experience is also a visit to the large sandbar Mopion in the northwest of the island, which can be reached by dinghy.

At the southernmost point of the Grenadines and also the entire Windward Islands is Grenada, also known as Spice Island. Its main export product is nutmeg and so it is worth visiting a nutmeg factory or other producers of local products such as cocoa factories or rum distilleries. You can try typical Creole dishes in the various restaurants of the capital St. George. Moreover, enthusiasts of culinary delicacies will not be disappointed in St. George as the level of quality outweighs the price. Yacht charterers can dock in two bays in the capital: In the southern lagoon lies the luxurious marina Port Louis, the sailing center of Grenada. The second bay is located at the foot of Fort George, which offers a great view over the city.
But also the inland of the very green, mountainous island with its waterfalls in tropical surroundings is recommendable. From the capital to the south lies Grand Anse with a kilometer-long sandy beach, which is easily accessible by dinghy. Other indented bays follow, such as the popular Prickly Bay with Spice Island Marina and Mt. Hartman Bay with Secret Harbour Marina. Both have a good infrastructure.