9 days | St Lucia to Grenada
An arc of Caribbean islands known as the Windwards reads like a roll call of alluring gems. A charter adventure starts in St Lucia, a cultural fusion of Creole patois, Jamaican reggae and colonial architecture, and ends in Grenada, the Spice Island, where the scents of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves carry on the breeze. With the sparkling St Vincent and the Grenadines in between, there is never a dull moment on this route exposed to the trade winds.
DAY 1. RODNEY BAY, ST LUCIA
St Lucia is an island of hot sulphur springs, volcanoes, waterfalls and wildlife. Your yacht awaits, anchored in the lee of historic Pigeon Island at the north end of the island. After a leisurely lunch on board, choose from a round of golf at Cap Estate or a walk up to the fortress cresting Pigeon Island to look out to Martinique.
Rodney Bay is a wide, protected semi-circle of calm water – perfect for water sports. Try out the latest hoverboard, wakeboard or surf ski, or use your power on the paddleboards and kayaks. Enjoy a sundowner at the fort before dinner aboard under the stars.
DAY 2. MARIGOT BAY, ST LUCIA
Take breakfast as you cruise down to Marigot Bay. One of the most protected natural harbours in the Caribbean, it was once peppered with classic schooners and pirate ships. Stop for lunch here or carry on down to the Anse Chastanet hideaway resort with perfect views of the Piton Mountains.
The snorkelling and diving trail here can be exquisite. Iridescent green waters reflect the black, volcanic sand and make a perfect contrast to the bright corals and fish living about the underwater wall. If you’d prefer something a little less strenuous, then “sit back” in a zip-line harness and be propelled through 500 feet of the rainforest canopy. For relaxation seekers, there’s an excellent spa up on the hill or enjoy the services offered onboard.
Early evening, up anchor to slip down to the famous Pitons peaks in time for sundowners. Known as Jalousie Bay, it is now home to the Sugar Reef Resort and the divine boutique hotel Ladera set up on the ridge of the mountains.
DAY 3. ST VINCENT AND BEQUIA
Up anchor early and head down to St Vincent, while keeping an eye out for humpbacks whales with their calves. St Vincent is richly fertile, with steeply graded hillsides that rise straight out of a sapphire sea and are lush with a tangle of tropical flora and small terraced farms producing an incredible variety of vegetables, fruits and herbs. The Grenadines each possess a unique character and flair but are all equally low-key.
For any keen divers, it’s worth a stop at the bat caves where ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’
was filmed. Otherwise, continue your cruise to Bequia. There is always something 'happening' in Bequia – a new band and jump-up, a regatta, a gathering under the almond tree. Surprisingly cosmopolitan, it's one of those places to find a cool spot and watch the world go by with a cocktail in hand.
Anchor off the pristine Princess Margaret’s Beach and enjoy a cool drink at Jack’s Bar or head to De Reef on divine Lower Bay. Children will love the turtle sanctuary; hikers will enjoy the hills of Mount Pleasant and the trail down to Hope Beach. A ride out to the surf of Crescent Bay is a must, and all will love the steel band at the renowned Frangipani Hotel.
DAY 4. MUSTIQUE
Breakfast on board and cruise over to Mustique, just an hour away. A gorgeous little island, Mustique more than lives up to its reputation with a chic, upbeat atmosphere and a propensity for fun. By day, let your crew serve a delicious picnic under a ‘wiki up’ at Macaroni Bay – a mile-long stretch of white sand tickled by slow surf and a favourite haunt of all who have houses on the island. The riding stables keep beautiful horses for a canter down the beach or even a swim on horseback.
Come the evening, dine ashore at the elegant Cotton House Hotel, try out the revamped Basil’s Bar or the vibrant atmosphere at The Firefly Guest House. There are usually a handful of stars dusting the barstools and some live music, too. Mustique is THE place to be for New Year or for the Mustique Blues Festival in January/February.
DAY 5. CANOUAN AND TOBAGO CAYS
A 1.5-hour cruise south takes you down to Canouan. A small, mostly private, island with an exceptional resort owned by Mandarin Oriental and nestled on a pink sand beach. Developed with ultra-luxury lifestyle in mind, the original architecture is by the renowned Luigi Vietti
of Aga Khan and Porto Cervo fame. For golf enthusiasts, a round can be arranged on the beautiful 18-hole, Jim Fazio designed course.
After lunch head on down to the Tobago Cays. This iconic group of tiny islands (totally protected as a Marine National Park) is fringed by pearl beaches and surrounded by multi-coloured reefs for you to snorkel and dive over. No motorized watersports allowed, but this is the perfect place to let your crew guide you to this stunning living reef. Come the evening, feast on lobster and the freshest catch brought to the beach by the fishermen that afternoon.
DAY 6. TOBAGO CAYS
Settle in for the day. Take the big tender out to Petit Tabac – the furthest outlying of the islands. Dive on the outer reef, learn to kiteboard or practice your jumps, paddleboard and explore, swim with the turtles or laze on the sundeck. As the afternoon draws to a close, it’s time to head over to Petit St Vincent.
DAY 7. PSV AND UNION ISLAND
Petit St Vincent (PSV) is a private island and southernmost of the Grenadines. An exclusive resort lies carefully hidden among the trees, each secluded stone cottage with its own garden, calling for room service by raising a flag. The bar, set down on the beach to the side of the anchorage, welcomes yachts and has an excellent cocktail menu, and the boutique is a treasure trove. The beaches are pristine and have been given heavenly little palm shelters replete with hammocks.
DAY 8. PSV TO CARRIACOU
Cruise down to Carriacou just a few miles away. Lying under the flag of Grenada, Carriacou is an uncanny mix of local boat builders, artists, international runaways and a handful of luxury homeowners. Anchor in Tyrell Bay. With some of the best beaches in the Caribbean to enjoy, your crew will be ready to set up your beach bar ashore so you can make the most of them.
DAY 9. GRENADA
Weigh anchor at sunrise for the longer cruise down to Grenada, stopping for a snorkel or dive at the Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park. Grenada is popularly known as the 'Spice Island' – bright yellow nutmegs, with vivid red fruits, hang everywhere, as do giant cocoa pods and citrus fruits. Lilies, gingers and anthuriums grow wild. Monkeys swing through the rainforest, while armadillos, manicous and iguanas saunter about. There are waterfalls and rivers to swim in and a volcanic crater lake to view.
This is an island large and varied enough to spend days exploring. The crew will arrange their favourite driver to collect you so you can head up into the mountains, swim under the Concord waterfalls, have lunch at an old plantation house, pay a visit to the Belmont Estate and chocolate factory, or get pampered at a luxury spa. Grenada also boasts endless good restaurants and a lively nightlife.
On your last night, prepare for a farewell party on board with live music from the island.
DAY 10. DEPARTURE DAY
Leave the yacht after a delectable breakfast. The airport is a short hop away.
Contact our charter team for
winter ideas and itineraries at
charter@cecilwright.com