CHARTER OUR FAVOURITE ITINERARIES IN THE CARIBBEAN

In the 1970s, a whole generation of young ‘long-hairs’ launched out across the oceans to go and see if life was pleasanter ‘on the other side’. And many of them found happiness in the Caribbean Sea, to such a point that they suggested to their friends that they join them, then that the friends of their friends come, in return for payment... The destination thus quickly became one of the ‘musts’, and the charter fleets developed rapidly from the 90s onwards. Since then, from the Grenadines to the Bahamas, via the Virgin Islands, you can sail all year round in the Caribbean. We must say that the conditions are particularly pleasant: winds which are strong but not too strong, and (almost) always blowing in the same direction, warm waters, dream scenery, with coconut trees and immaculate sandy beaches and underwater life allowing you to discover some multicolored wonders... Finally, the islands are as often as not close to one another, and sailing is generally ‘on sight’. In short, it’s the best.

Published 01/10/2014

By Jean-Christophe Guillaumin

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Issue: 138

Published: nov. / dec. 2014

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Find your itineraries - catamaran charter caribbean

ITINERARY IN THE GRENADINES

The usual departure base is the port of Le Marin, in Martinique. From there, you either sail south, stopping in the various islands bordering your route (St Lucia - St.Vincent – Bequia...), or you descend in one go, overnight. If you don’t want a long sail, there remains the solution of chartering directly from Grenada or Canouan.

Day 1: Le Marin (Martinique) - Rodney Bay (St Lucia)
Day 2: Marigot Bay (St Lucia)
Days 3 to 5: Bequia - Mustique - Canouan - Mayreau - Union – Carriacou
Days 6 and 7: Sail back up to Martinique, with a stopover in Rodney Bay. But the sail back is long and tedious. Prefer a one-way trip, or leave for 10 days to enjoy it to the full.

Why go there? You must, at least once in your life, have anchored in the Tobago Cays, one of the most beautiful anchorages in the world, even though it is often overcrowded...

BVI ITINERARY

The simplest way to reach the BVI is to pass via St Martin, and take a connecting flight. The other solution consists of chartering in St Martin and leaving in a cat for the BVI. It will take one night’s sailing, and the return trip will almost inevitably be...to windward!
Day 1: Departure from Road Town for Cooper Island: a short 6.5-mile sail, as a warm-up...
Day 2: Virgin Gorda.
Day 3: The most beautiful, the wildest, the one when you will (probably) be alone in the anchorage...Anegada.
Day 4: Marina Cay.
Day 5: Cane Garden Bay.
Day 6: Head for Great Harbour, on the mythical island of Jost Van Dyke. Why mythical? We'll leave you to discover the surprise... The evenings here are...hot!
Day 7: It’s already finished. You have to go home. Next time, you’ll stay for 2 weeks!!!

Why go there?
Easy access, easy sailing, and reassuring anchorages: it’s the ideal place for a first cruise in a cat... But the BVI also offer something to please everyone: couples looking for deserted anchorages (Anegada), or party animals looking for a lively atmosphere (Jost Van Dyke...).

ITINERARY IN THE BAHAMAS

The Bahamas are well served by numerous airlines. From the USA (via Florida), there are connecting flights to the main islands. From Europe, there are direct flights to Nassau, or via Miami. The departure zone for charter boats is the Abacos (Marsh Harbour), from where you will discover some dream anchorages, well protected by numerous islands.
Day 1: Departure from Marsh Harbour, heading north towards Great Guana Cay.
Day 2: Green Turtle Cay.
Day 3: Treasure Cay.
Day 4: Hope Town.
Day 5: Little Harbour.
Day 6: White Sound.
Day 7: 10 miles back to the charter base.

Why go there?
The archipelago is made up of 700 islands. More than enough to spend a lifetime visiting them... Man-O-War Cay is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, according to National Geographic. And the underwater life is magical: it is impossible to dive in the fish-filled waters of the Bahamas without coming face to face with a ...

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