LEEWARD ISLANDS SAIL BOAT CHARTER ITINERARY
The Leeward Islands are a set of islands in the Caribbean surrounded by some of the cleanest, clearest waters in the world where you can dive amongst the exotic marine wildlife, snorkel through reefs and swim with dolphins. Step ashore on occasion and try some of the regions cultural delicacies and crafts in local restaurants and shops. Round trip itineraries from a single island is possible, but ‘one- way’ itineraries allow you to see more of the Leeward Island chain.
Being once one of England’s most important naval outposts in the Caribbean, Antigua is naturally the sailors home from home. Nelsons Dockyard, the only remaining Georgian naval dockyard in the world, was once the home of working frigates, sloops and schooners. Built in 1725, it now forms part of the National Park and is where you can join Yacht Mustique. Antigua boasts a beach for every day of the year, so we can escape to a quiet anchorage for the evening or use English or Falmouth Harbour as a base from which to explore some of this island.
Known as the “Mother Colony of the West Indies”, St Kitts and Nevis were among the first islands of the Caribbean to be settled by the English and French. Discovered and named by Christopher Columbus, the two islands lie just two miles apart, separated by “The Narrows”. Nevis, the smaller island, still maintains is laid back, caribbean charm, whilst the larger St Kitts controls the economy of this independent federal state. We can stop for lunch, swimming and snorkeling on Nevis and continue to St Kitts for a tour of the island.
The island of differences! St Martin or Sint Maarten offers three different cultures all squeezed into an area of just 37 square miles. There is the delightful soberness of the Dutch side, the ‘savoir faire’ of the French side and the cosmopolitan atmosphere of a mix of both - of course with a Caribbean twist! The island has been split between French and the Netherlands since 1648, with the border being created by 2 walkers, one French and the other Dutch, who were placed back to back and told to walk in the opposite direction. Their path represents the border between both nations.
Anguilla, famous for its pristine beaches, some of the most beautiful in the Caribbean, and for its tax status, having no estate, profit, income or capital gains taxation. This has led to the islands other claim to fame, high-end luxury! Being just 35 sq miles and primarily low lying and flat, the island never really developed an indigenous industry, with the economy now driven by financial services. That said, the beaches and Cays around the main island provide some of the most remote and beautiful of all the leeward islands.
The most famous of the Caribbean islands, St. Barth’s is the St. Tropez of the tropics, and a little bit of France in the sun. At this time of year, you will find a lot of the world’s rich and famous holidaying there, and the little port of Gustavia can be very full of superyachts. Famous for its highend shopping and dining, there are also more out of the way places around the island, such as Anse Gouverneur in the south, a great place for watersports and with good snorkelling along the cliffs.
Barbuda is part of a three-island state with Antigua and Redond, and is an island that is unspoilt by tourism, and renowned for its unspoily long pink beaches. The beauty of Barbuda is in its natural and peaceful way of life. The population of just 1500 live in the village of Codrington, which has been virtually unaffected by tourism. Barbuda is 15 miles long and 8 miles wide, and is very rocky and flat. Much of the island is covered in impenetrable bush, which hides wildlife including deer, wild boar, land turtles and guinea fowl.
Sail from Barbuda to the back to the east coast of Antigua; Nonsuch Bay and Green Island. Green Island is a beautiful island, completely uninhabited and perfect for that getaway anchorage. Nonsuch Bay is home to Harmony Hall; an art gallery, hotel and Italian restaurant set high overlooking the bay. The converted sugar mill is the home to the newly created Harmony Hall Yacht Club, with its fleet of Dragon Keelboats. Nonsuch Bay is also home to Nonsuch Bay Resort, an excellent location to enjoy your last sunset cocktail, overlooking your yacht at anchor in the bay.
Sail around to English Harbour for your departure.
