Tobago Cays vus du ciel
Tobago Cays, a paradise in The Grenadines
Mayreau
The Grenadines seen from the sky
Baradal in Tobago Cays
Mouillage des Tobago Cays, Grenadines

Cruise in The Grenadines

I wish a quote

The Grenadines ... the name alone of this archipelago is enough to set you dreaming. Once you've set sail from Martinique, The Grenadines await you with open arms ...

The unrivaled pleasure of sailing to one of the most beautiful nautical destinations in the world ...!

The Grenadines are rich with unforgettable scenery and there are an infinite number of navigations possible within the many islands that make up this archipelago.

To really make the most of your 10-day discovery cruise, we suggest a departure route setting sail from Le Marin in Martinique.

Day 1

You have found your nautical feet on board and can't wait to lift anchor and cast off. Having carried out all clearance formalities, you can set sail! The motor hums and you head south from Le Marin. If you are desperate for a swim then, before you hoist the mainsail, you can always take a short break at Sainte-Anne. Here, as well as swimming alongside turtles you can pop to the market to have your first taste of some local culinary specialities.

You will set sail from here for Saint Lucia, the main island south of Martinique and situated only 25 miles away. You will be there in only 3 or 4 hours once the mainsail and Genoas have been hoisted.

Once there, the tip of Pigeon Island will catch your eye and the call of the holiday spirit will take you to a mooring in Rodney Bay. Here you will feel the first 'good vibrations' of the British Antilles and their smiling rastafarians. You can also carry out all obligatory entry clearance formalities here. Take advantage of the stopover to withdraw some local currency as ATMs will become harder to find further into The Grenadines. Settle down in one of the restaurants overlooking the marina and taste the succulent and spicey 'roasts', accompanied (with moderation, of course) by the local beer, the 'Piton'.

If it is a Friday, the now famous 'Friday Night' festivities will have you dancing to the rhythm of the bass guitars in the village of Gros Islet.

Day 2

After a good (and maybe a short!) night's sleep, lulled by the gentle rocking of the boat, you set off towards Marigot Bay, just a little further south.

This ancient hideaway of weather-beaten pirates is a small, deep and lush bay, where you can swing through the coconut palms on the end of a rope while other members of your party sip cocktails on sunbeds on the beach or take a look around the marina and the larger yachts moored up to the single jetty there.

After a while, you head for the enchanting isle of Saint Vincent. Depending on your preferences, you let yourselves be bewitched by Cumberland Bay or Wallilabou Bay, with their beaches of volcanic sand edged with coconut palms. As the water is nice and deep here, you will moor your boat with its aft to the beach, and looking out to sea. The locals will come and help you moor up, directly to one of the numerous coconut trees.

Nature lovers will be able to enjoy this unspoilt island, off the tourist track. When night falls, the bays echo with the sounds of animals hidden amongst the vegetation on land.

Day 3

The following day, a short sail with a good wind will take you to Béquia (otherwise known as Békoué), just a few miles away, or to Admiralty Bay and its many yachts where you can drop anchor not far from the beach. The Grenadines are there. You will already hear the music coming from the Port Elizabeth coastline and tiny tropical fish will come and hide beneath your hull looking for shade. Your first underwater explorations will be here, around the rocks lining the beaches, where whales used to be hunted in times gone by.

You have to land and carry out clearance formalities for entry into The Grenadines if you did not already do so at Saint Vincent. At the same time, you can have a look round the distinctive little village with its colourful bars while the sun starts to set, before heading back to the boat for a well-deserved rest.

Day 4

Early in the morning you will set sail from Admiralty Bay for the famous Mustique Island, an ancient pirate hideout with its crayfish fishermen living and working side-by-side in contrast with stars and their luxury villas. Britannia Bay with its Lovell village and the famous Basil bar on stilts, will greet you with inflatable dinghys that you need to pay for, as preserving their seabeds is now a priority for the local inhabitants.

In the afternoon, after a short walk, you will cast off and head for the tiny Canouan island and the town of Charlestown. Often neglected because of its better-known neighbours, Canouan is well worth a visit. Its wooden-walled houses and its many goats lend a lot of charm to this forgotten island. The large Charlestown Bay is ideal for a pleasant night's stay.

Days 5 and 6

Raise anchor as early as possible today to get to the much-talked-about Tobago Cays! You are there at last! Simply sailing through the channels with every possible shade of blue all around you is impressive enough. If you want to make the most of these views then aim to arrive in daylight hours, between 8 am and 3 pm ideally. Drop anchor near Baradal and spend a bit of time in this miniature paradise. You will feel as if your boat is almost airborne above the translucent waters of the lagoon. The coral reef, its viragos and turtles will be there to greet you. You will see its superb sudden depths and may be lucky enough to spot a ray or a shark in the 4 meter depths.

Hop into your dinghy and head for Petit Tabac, on the other side of the reef. Remember your camera to capture all the wonderful underwater beauties.

Watch out though, you are in a protected area and fishing is forbidden. But all is not lost: hail a local fisherman in his multicoloured boat and he will bring you back the best crayfish and could even deliver fresh bread the next morning. What a treat!

additional information : since the end of January 2023, anchorages are not free in the Tobago Cays.
There is also a tax to pay : about 60 EC for the boat and about 15 EC per person.

Day 7

Tobago Cays mustn't make you forget their neighbour, Mayreau. So, head for this pleasant island with her bays of Saline or Salt Whistle, where the picture postcard beaches will enchant you. Let the local rhythm take over and, with a smile on your face, set off up to the village and its small stone church that dominates the Tobagos and pop in to Robert's bar for a drink or two on your way back.

Day 8

Fewer than 3 miles away is Union, the most populated of The Grenadine islands and the destination for your final stopover. The anchorage at Clifton, well protected by its coral reef, allows you to leave your boat safe and secure so you can go and treat yourselves to a good meal in a local restaurant, surrounded by Caribbean ryhthms and music, right there on the beach.

Take the time to stroll around the well-stocked local market. Soak up the relaxed atmosphere and the good humour of the locals, as your cruise is coming to an end ... 

Day 9

 

 

 

Yes, it's already time to head home and this morning your alarm will go off at dawn.

It's 130 miles back to Le Marin, your return base in Martinique. You can navigate this in one go, it'll take about 20 hours.

Before heading north, take a small detour via the islets of Morpion and Punaise, minuscule stretches of sand in the middle of the sea, and make sure you take a photo!

Now it really is time to take your boat back to port. Set off early to arrive in Martinique before nightfall. If not don't take any risks, have a stopover at the last anchorage point at Anse Caritan, just at the entry to Le Marin.

Day 10

After tidying up, packing and having a good clean of the boat at our jetty in Le Marin, it is time to hand the rental boat back. The holiday is over, but we know that you will never forget the last 10 days and that we will see you again before too long!