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The Lesser Antilles |
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Click On Photos to Enlarge
Martinique-Volcano at St.Pierre
St. Lucia - Anchored At The Pitons
A Swim off the Pitons
Dominica - End of the Race
Leaving Dominica
A Swim in the Tobago Keys
St. Georges - Grenada
Click On Photos to Enlarge |
We anticipate being in the Southern half of this chain from about December 15 to April 1. This is a classic Caribbean cruising ground which includes the islands of Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, the Grenadines, Cariacou and Grenada. All these islands are a daysail or less apart, so that passage-making can be daylight only --- typically a fairly boisterous sail of four or five hours between islands, followed by a couple of hours more of tranquil sailing in the lee of the next island. Although much more developed than Venezuela, there are still many good anchorages to be found. First we will tell you a bit about the islands, then suggest some passages: The French Islands Guadeloupe, Martinique, and their smaller associate islands add something special to the Antilles. It is pleasant to anchor in a lovely bay off a small town which looks like it had been picked up and dropped there from the French mainland and then to hop into the dinghy in the morning to go ashore for excellent coffee, croissant, or pan chocolate. Dinner at one any number of small restaurants, accompanied by a good French wine, is not so bad either --- not to mention the Camembert, Brie, baguettes, meats, and vegetables which are available everywhere. We personally have a taste for the remote but it cannot be denied that sailing among these islands is a welcome contrast. Excellent passages can be composed so as to include a combination of Gallic civilization and the more basic attractions of other islands. Dominica Of the English-speaking islands Dominica rates high. Here the attraction is the opposite of the French Islands. Dominica is basic but magnificently mountainous with a couple of good anchorages and several excellent nature trips led by competent local guides. A small group of charming French islands, The Saints, are only a few miles to the North of Dominica. A combination of Dominica, the Saints, and optionally, Guadeloupe, makes for an excellent mix. St. Lucia Another volcanic island with a special feature. The Pitons are the national symbol of the island. Anchoring underneath them is awe-inspiring. Normally we overnight here and then proceed along the coast of St. Vincent, a great sail in the lee, to Bequia in the Grenadines. The Grenadines The Grenadines are a part of St. Vincent. They are known as one of the world's great cruising grounds, and not without reason. The Grenadines consist of a number of relatively small islands running for about 50 miles in a more or less N. - S. direction. The islands - Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, Tobago Keys, Union and Cariacou (the latter is actually a part of Grenada) . They are separated by short daysails in semi-protected waters. Many have small towns where provisions can be acquired. This is another gorgeous area in which to sail. The islands lie across the trade winds so it is easy to step down the chain, island to island. There are a number of good places to spend the night, most notably in the Tobago Keys, where you are well protected but feel as though anchored in the middle of the ocean. Grenada & Cariacou Cariacou makes an excellent stopover. It seems more laid-back than the Grenadines. It's biggest town, Hillsborough, is good to supply from and pleasant to be in with its genuinely welcoming locals. There is an excellent anchorage off nearby Sandy Island. And finally Grenada, the perfect place to end a voyage; with an international airport, good restaurants, excellent provisioning, and a protected anchorage right in the attractive capital of St. Georges. From here it is only 80 nautical downwind miles, a short overnight sail, to Islas Testigos, the first of the Venezuelan out island groups. Alternately, Trinidad can be reached in about the same length of time..
Passages Among The Islands It is nearly 300 nautical miles to run from Guadeloupe all the way to Grenada. This is a little bit more than most people want to do in a two-week period. There are simply too many interesting places en route to want to pass through quickly. If you have three weeks, by all means experience the entire trip. It is unforgettable. If you have less time, we will just plan your return a few islands sooner or your pick up a few islands later. Here are some examples of interesting voyages: (a) Fly into Dominica, then North to the Saints, and Guadeloupe. Sail, take a fast ferry, or fly back to Dominica for your return flight. You can also begin this trip in Guadeloupe but our experience is that airfare is more economical into Dominica. No matter how you do it this trip gives an excellent mix of the wildness of Dominica and the amenities of the French Islands (two weeks, one week possible). (b) Fly into St Lucia and sail to St. Vincent, through the Grenadines and Cariacou, to Grenada. Take an inter-island flight back to St. Lucia for your return. The morning after your arrival you will be anchored beneath the spectacular Pitons. Next day, either explore this area for a bit or sail to St. Vincent and along the coast to Bequia in the Grenadines. Then island hop down to Grenada from where you can connect back to your return flight. The Grenadines legs of this voyage are through a very popular area, but there is also great sailing. (an excellent two or three weeks, one week possible in Grenadines only). (c) Fly into St.Lucia and sail North to Martinique, Dominica and Guadeloupe. Sail back or return by inter-island flight or ferry. This trip features relatively long inter-island passages and lots of excellent French food and wine. Can also be done in reverse order (two weeks). (d) Grenada (or Trinidad) to the Venezuelan islands. A dream of a trip. See Venezuela section.
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