| St Vincent and the Grenadines are a group of islands | | | | Casino, the Amrita Spa and the Trump International |
| that make up one country. Other than being next | | | | Golf Club. It is not a favorite of yachties in the |
| door neighbors, they bear no relation to Grenada, | | | | Grenadines, but if you have had enough tranquility, it |
| despite the similarity of the name. These special | | | | is the perfect place for an afternoon on the golf |
| islands have a similar feel to the British Virgins in that | | | | course or evening at the casino! |
| you can easily sail or motor from one to the other | | | | Tobago Cays |
| while remaining in the same country. The similarity | | | | Further to the south are the Tobago Cays, famous |
| ends there in that these islands are still less | | | | for amazing snorkeling and for the filming of "Pirates |
| developed and far less "discovered" than the BVI. No | | | | of the Caribbean " and "Dead Man's Chest". This |
| jet skis, aquascooters, or spearfishing are permitted | | | | cluster of cays inside a rim of reef (Horseshoe Reef) |
| in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which make it | | | | are becoming more popular but are still far less |
| perfect for a relaxing charter (see our boats in the | | | | crowded than places like the Baths in the BVI. Every |
| Grenadines). There is a conscious effort toward | | | | morning, the "bread man" will come around to your |
| protecting the spectacular natural heritage of the | | | | boat offering bread and ice, two necessities. |
| islands. | | | | Sometimes, there will be fishermen offering fresh fish |
| The prevailing winds and currents are north to south, | | | | or lobster (beware the underweight/illegal lobsters!). |
| especially in the winter months. It is comfortable to | | | | Islanders sometimes host beach parties or bbq's, but |
| sail southward from St. Vincent down to Union Island | | | | the Cays are by and large a natural phenomenon and |
| , with the wind and the swell. Steaming north can be | | | | remain a completely undeveloped national park. Be |
| more of a struggle but the islands are close together | | | | sure you are well provisioned before going in. Once |
| and a round trip can easily be accomplished in a week | | | | there, soak up the beautiful sights around you, both |
| to ten days. But...the main point of the Grenadines is | | | | under the water and above. |
| not to "accomplish" anything. As one visitor put it, | | | | Mayreau |
| "There is never enough nothing to do...." | | | | Saltwhistle Bay in Mayreau is not to be missed. It is |
| St. Vincent | | | | one of the most perfect beaches in all of the |
| St Vincent is a rugged, hilly volcanic bit of real estate | | | | Grenadines. If you arrive too late in the day during |
| that still houses a 3,000 foot volcano named | | | | high season, you will have to anchor in Saline Bay on |
| Soufriere, which last erupted in 1979. There are no | | | | the far side of the island (a nice hike over the crest |
| white sand beaches to attract tourists, and, thus, the | | | | of large hill). (Beware of anchoring anywhere near the |
| island has remained largely unspoiled. The interior is | | | | ferry that comes barreling into Saline Bay in order to |
| undeveloped and, in a sense, nothing but "wild | | | | dock at the enormous concrete pier over to one |
| nature". There are not even roads crossing the island. | | | | side). |
| A true "eco-tourist" will enjoy climbing the volcano or | | | | Saltwhistle Bay is home to a spectacular resort called |
| taking a trip by boat to the Falls of Baleine on the | | | | the Saltwhistle Bay Club (ph: 784-458-8444). Visiting |
| north end of the island. For the less adventuresome, | | | | yachties are welcome to lounge and swim at the |
| the Botanical Gardens near Kingstown are the oldest | | | | beach (pretty much like being in a postcard that is |
| in the Western Hemishere and quite beautiful. There | | | | too good to be true). For a luxury experience, |
| are still specimens of breadfruit left by the famous | | | | reserve well in advance for cocktails at the |
| Captain Bligh. | | | | Saltwhistle bar and dinner at the stone tables under |
| Bequia (pronounced Beck-way) | | | | the trees at the beach. For a little "local flavor" or a |
| This beautiful island is only about eight miles from | | | | less expensive dining experience, walk up and over |
| Kingstown or Blue Lagoon in St. Vincent down to | | | | the hill to some of the local bars and restaurants. The |
| Bequia. Bequia is the largest of the Grenadines (7 | | | | food is fresh and delicious, and the people of the |
| square miles) and has a rich history of boatbuilding | | | | island are very welcoming and friendly. |
| and whaling. For years it was only possible to get to | | | | Palm Island |
| Bequia on a ferry from St. Vincent or a private boat | | | | Just a mile to the west of Union Island and south of |
| so the island has maintained a very authentic West | | | | the Tobago Cays is Palm Island . There is a narrow |
| Indian character. | | | | strip of sand just off the island, which looks like what |
| The main stopping point for yachts is Admiralty Bay | | | | you always imagined a deserted would be. Many of |
| Port Elizabeth. There is a long walkway around the | | | | the palms that were planted here have been stripped |
| bay with various local shops, bars and restaurants. | | | | off by hurricanes. You can anchor and go snorkeling |
| Try the Gingerbread Café, which serves | | | | in an area that is protected and clean. |
| breakfast, lunch and dinner and also sells gourmet | | | | Palm Island itself is home to an upscale resort called |
| special ty goods including wine, coffee and caviar...or | | | | Royal Palm and a chi-chi beach bar and restaurant. |
| Auberge Des Grenadines, famous for fresh lobster...or | | | | Yachties can reserve for lunch or dinner. (ph: |
| Frangiapani (right on the water), known for lobster | | | | 784-458-8824) The "main event" on the island is still |
| (grilled lobster, lobster cocktails etc), curried conch | | | | Casuarina Beach, one of the prettiest in the West |
| and its Thursday night "jump-up" and barbeque. A | | | | Indies . |
| little outside of town, Le Petit Jardin is a special treat. | | | | Petit St. Vincent |
| Its owner/chef trained at the Culinary Institute in the | | | | This tiny island has a beautiful, quiet little "cottage" |
| US , but his style is definitely mouth-watering French | | | | resort (22 cottages). Each cottage has a flagpole and |
| gourmet. At the southernmost end of town is the | | | | when the guests want room service, they run up a |
| Plantation House, an old West Indian-style plantation | | | | flag! There are no televisions, telephones or even |
| resort with cottages and a restaurant and bar. | | | | room keys. The resort's bar and restaurant will |
| Mustique | | | | accept a few groups of yachting guests each night. |
| This island hideaway (only 3 miles long and a mile and | | | | The only way to get a place at the bar and a table is |
| a half wide) is about fifteen miles from St. Vincent | | | | to reserve well in advance. Petit St. Vincent Resort |
| and ten from the West Cay of Bequia. Mustique is a | | | | ph 954-963-7401). |
| privately-owned island sprinkled with only about 90 | | | | Union Island |
| homes, many belonging to the rich and famous. | | | | Union Island can be seen from miles away because |
| Gently sloping manicured lawns and beautifully kept | | | | of its famous peak, Mt. Parnassus (866 feet). The |
| houses are characteristic of the island. The best way | | | | main town of Clifton is a bustling, "happening" spot. |
| to get around is to rent a "mule" (heavy duty golf | | | | There is an open-air fruit and vegetable market in the |
| cart) or a motorbike (Mustique Mechanical Systems | | | | main square and a number of grocery stores. There |
| 488-8555). | | | | is also one lovely gourmet store, which sells fabulous |
| Competing with Foxy's for the most famous New | | | | wine, coffee, olive oil, bread and chocolate. There are |
| Year's Eve party in the Caribbean is Basil's Bar ( ph# | | | | several local restaurants/bars overlooking the harbor |
| 784-488-8350 ). Basil's also hosts a Blues Festival | | | | including Lambi's and the Anchorage Yacht Club. In |
| each year (from January 19-February 5 in 2007) and | | | | May, the island celebrates the beginning of the |
| a Wednesday night bbq buffet and "jump-up" with a | | | | planting season with the Maroon Festival. Easterval is |
| steel band. Yachties in search of a drink, a great | | | | held each year during the four days around Easter. |
| sunset and a little Caribbean music dinghy right up to | | | | In the harbor of Union Island , there is a tiny bar on a |
| the pier where Basil's is located. You can buy a | | | | man-made island called Happy Island . Happy you will |
| kaftan (for which Basil's is known) in shop adjacent | | | | be when you stop in there for a cocktail at sunset. |
| to the restaurant. | | | | Just tie your dinghy up and enjoy! |
| Cotton House, formerly a suger mill was completely | | | | On the far side of the island in Chatham Bay, there is |
| renovated in 2004, is the only resort on the island. It | | | | a crescent beach (quite nice but not a spectacular |
| is small with only 20 rooms, and like just about | | | | white sand beach like the one at Saltwhistle Bay ) |
| everything in Mustique, offers complete luxury in a | | | | where "Shark Attack", a Union Island local has a |
| small, private setting. | | | | beach barbeque featuring pork and lobster. |
| For provisions, try Corea's Food Store or the | | | | (Reservations 784-2694). Just make sure you bring |
| Mustique General Store in the harbor. (The harbor is | | | | your own plate and cutlery, get near the front of the |
| quaint and boats hosting more than 25 people are | | | | buffet line (or you will miss the grilled lobster) and ask |
| not allowed in.) There is a lovely French pattiserie, | | | | Shark Attack the price of the dinner before it is time |
| Sweetie Pie Bakery that sells baguettes, croissants | | | | to pay (prices can drift upward as the night goes on). |
| and pain au chocolat. | | | | There is a steel band and dancing after dinner. |
| Canouan | | | | Other Helpful Information |
| Canouan was a quiet island virtually untouched island | | | | There are infinite ways to spend your holiday in St. |
| until Italian developers bought it some years ago. | | | | Vincent and the Grenadines. It is important match |
| Now it hosts a large Raffles Resort, the Tamarind | | | | your (and your party's) desires and goals to the |
| Beach Hotel and Yacht Club, the Villa Monte Carlo | | | | itinerary. |