Just south of the high, rugged island of St. Vincent is a group of islands known as the Grenadines, considered among sailors as one of the best tropical cruising grounds in the world.
A Canouan sailing itinerary has many possibilities. You could spend the entire week only a handful of miles from the Moorings base at Charlestown Bay enjoying leisurely sails, some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in the Grenadines, and a different scenic anchorage every night. Add sojourns ashore to walk the palm-fringed, white-sand beaches, shop in funky boutiques, hike scenic trails, explore a maritime museum, and sample Eastern Caribbean cuisine, and you’ve got the best of bareboat Canouan sailing. However, a look at the Grenadines (see Canouan maps) reveals the tantalizing possibility of adding longer open-water passages to your adventure, even a sail to Grenada.
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Charlestown Bay to Salt Whistle Bay – 6 nm. You’ll have plenty of time to settle in aboard your yacht prior to leaving Canouan Island to start your adventure in the Grenadines. Enjoy lunch ashore at one of the restaurants or set sail straightaway. It’s only an hour or so southwest to Mayreau’s Salt Whistle Bay, part of the Tobago Cays Marine Park. Hike the hills overlooking the bay, take a refreshing swim, and decompress from the stresses of life in the cockpit with a cool sundowner. The Salt Whistle Bay Beach Club has a restaurant, and there are two casual beachside bars.
Salt Whistle Bay to Tobago Cays – 2 nm. Enjoy a pleasant sail to nowhere, savoring the warm trade winds and the calm seas, then plot a course to Tobago Cays Marine Park. A treasure of the Grenadines, the park features some of the prettiest scenery and the best snorkeling and scuba diving in the entire Caribbean. Nestled behind the protective embrace of Horseshoe Reef, the most popular four cays (the fifth one is outside the reef) are home to all manner of wildlife, including sea turtles. The reef teems with tropical fish. Beach combing, swimming, windsurfing, and stargazing are just a few of the simple pleasures that often prompt sailors to spend more than one day of their Canouan itinerary in the park.
Tobago Cays to Clifton Harbour by way of Petit St. Vincent – 13 nm. One of the pleasures of sailing in the Grenadines is that it doesn’t take long to get to the next scenic overnight anchorage. On the way, you can visit other islands for day stops. About eight nautical miles nearly due south from Tobago Cays is a lovely overnight anchorage at Petit St. Vincent and a beautiful day anchorage off low Mopion Island. Little more than a mound of sand above the sea, it’s a perfect place to have a picnic or to so some snorkeling. Stay the night at Petit St. Vincent or sail north for about five nautical miles to Clifton Harbour on the east side of Union Island, the major yachting Mecca of the southern Grenadines. Anchor, relax, and then go ashore to explore the town, have dinner, and spend the evening barhopping.
Clifton Harbour to Chatham Bay – 5 nm. Linger over a delicious breakfast ashore at Clifton Harbour because it’s only a short sail around to the other side of Union Island to reach lovely Chatham Bay. Before you start the passage, perhaps anchor off Palm Island, directly across from Clifton Harbour, and go ashore for a walk or take a cool swim. Casuarina Beach is beautiful and has a pleasant beachside restaurant. When you set out for Chatham Bay, you’ll sail southwest down the coast of Union Island past Frigate Island and proceed west, then northeast, admiring the stunning coast as you go. The big island of Carriacou will be off the port beam. You’ll see magnificent Mt. Taboi (elevation 1,000 feet) long before you reach the secluded waters of Chatham Bay.
Chatham Bay to Admiralty Bay – 27 nm. This is the longest passage of your Canouan itinerary, and it ideally positions you to make the quick hop over to St. Vincent. Once you arrive at Admiralty Bay, the principle harbor on Bequia, grab a mooring or drop anchor and head ashore. Hike or take a taxicab to the top of Mount Pleasant, check out the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary, visit the Bequia Maritime Museum, window shop, or dine ashore at one of the many restaurants, ranging from casual to the more upscale.
Admiralty Bay to Young Island Cut – 7 nm. A visit to St. Vincent is one of the highlights of a Canouan yacht charter. Many sailors grab a mooring in Young Island Cut, a pretty stretch of water between St. Vincent’s southern end and Young Island. This is a favorite spot, in part because of its beauty and because of the plethora of restaurants and bars. You could spend the evening moving from one to another, sampling the island fare and socializing with other sailors. To the east is the small yachting center of Blue Lagoon, another favorite cruising destination. St. Vincent has much to offer, such as hiking, bird watching, historic sites, and the island capital of Kingstown. Take a taxi tour or arrange for a car rental.
Young Island Cut to Britannia Bay – 14 nm. Set out from St. Vincent early to take full advantage of the superb downwind sailing southward to one of the most exclusive and beautiful islands of the Caribbean, famous Mustique, a vacation retreat for the rich and famous. While its 90 or so estates perched atop hills with expansive manicured lawns are private, sailors are welcome to explore the trails and roads on foot, or on a rented bicycle or motorbike. Macaroni beach is one of the best in the Grenadines, the snorkeling is good almost everywhere, and there are a number of restaurants, both upscale and casual. The open-water passage from St. Vincent takes you nearly due south down the east, or windward side, of Bequia. You’ll pass the Pillories to port, just north of Mustique, and cruise into Britannia Bay, the island’s main harbor.
Final Morning
Britannia Bay to Charlestown Bay – 15 nm. Although you won’t want to sail back to reality (you can always come visit the Eastern Caribbean again!), the final leg of your charter will be a glorious downwind sail southward back to the Moorings base. Please check in by noon.
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