St Vincent and the Grenadines Yacht Charter Guide for 2024 and 2025
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Yacht Charter Guide - Discover Canouan, Mustique and Bequia on your Grenadines Luxury Yacht Charter and Bareboat Rental
Overview | St Vincent and the Grenadines Charter Types | Grenadines Crewed Motor Yachts | Grenadines Crewed Sailing Yachts | Grenadines Crewed Catamaran Charters | Grenadines Bareboat Charters
St Vincent | Bequia | Mustique | Canouan | Tobago Cays | Mayreau | Palm Island | Petit St Vincent | Union Island | Other Helpful Information | Our Grenadines Charter Yachts
Grenadines Charter Overview
St Vincent and the Grenadines are a group of islands that make up one country in the Windward Islands of the Caribbean, known worldwide as a superb yacht charter destination. A Grenadines charter provides you with a picture-perfect setting to spend your winter in the warm Caribbean sunshine. The season in the Grenadines goes on longer than the rest of the Caribbean and winds stay consistent throughout the later spring months.
These unique islands have a similar feel to the British Virgin Islands and yet they are much less developed and far less “discovered” than the BVI. No jet skis, wave runners, or spearfishing are permitted in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which make it perfect for a relaxing yacht charter vacation aboard a Grenadines boat. There is a conscious effort made toward protecting the spectacular natural heritage of the islands with a strong devotion to eco-tourism.
With prevailing winds and currents in St Vincent and the Grenadines, it is comfortable to sail southward from St. Vincent down to Union Island with the wind and the swell. Steaming north can be more of a struggle but the islands are close together and a round trip can easily be accomplished in a week to ten days. However, the objective of a Grenadines yacht charter is not to “accomplish” anything, you can quite happily hop from island to island and enjoy the simple pleasures in life.
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St Vincent and the Grenadines Charter Types
Grenadines Crewed Motor Yachts
St Vincent and The Grenadines is the ideal place to charter a crewed motor yacht; you can experience these exotic islands whilst enjoying wonderful luxury and comfort! It is extremely easy to cruise around from island to island in the Grenadines, especially with the speed and power provided by a motor yacht. You are sure to find a relaxing spot to read a book and bask in the sun, or there are endless restaurants to try the most luscious lobster!
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Grenadines Crewed Sailing Yachts
Chartering a crewed sailing yacht in the Grenadines is the perfect combination of a traditional sailing holiday, with the comfort of a crew satisfying your every need. You can feel the wind in your hair whilst admiring these dynamic Caribbean islands with your family and friends!
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Grenadines Crewed Catamaran Charters
A Crewed Catamaran allows you to saunter around your boat with ease, as it provides you with complete stability and comfort during your trip! The Grenadines are the ideal place to charter a catamaran; you can easily navigate your way through these remote and exotic islands, and find yourself the perfect spot to relax in the Caribbean sun.
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The Grenadines is the ideal destination for you and your guests to embrace your adventurous sides and charter one of our stunning bareboat monohulls or catamarans. A bareboat gives you the freedom to explore the islands at your leisure and discover hidden coves around the Caribbean throughout the winter and spring to take advantage of the consistent winds! One way charters between St Vincent and Grenada are increasingly popular, giving you more time in your chosen islands.
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St. Vincent
St Vincent is a rugged, hilly volcanic bit of real estate that still houses a 3,000-foot volcano named Soufriere, which last erupted in 1979. Here there are no powdery white beaches to attract heaving crowds of tourists and, thus, the island has remained largely unspoiled, so there is plenty for you to discover! The interior is undeveloped and, in a sense, nothing but “wild nature”. There are not even roads crossing the island so truly the best form of transport around St Vincent is by boat! Set sail from St Vincent on our 10 day Grenadines itinerary.
A true “eco-tourist” will enjoy climbing the volcano or taking a trip by boat to the Falls of Baleine on the north end of the island. For the less adventurous, the Botanical Gardens near Kingstown are the oldest in the Western Hemisphere and quite beautiful. There are still specimens of breadfruit left by the famous Captain Bligh.
St Vincent and the Grenadines charter yachts
Bequia
Bequia (pronounced Beck-way) is a beautiful and cool island that lies only about eight miles from Kingstown or Blue Lagoon in St. Vincent. This is the largest of the Grenadines (7 square miles) and still has a very authentic West Indian character with a rich history of boat building and whaling.
The main stopping point for yachts is Admiralty Bay/Port Elizabeth. There is a long walkway around the bay with various local shops, bars and restaurants. Try the Gingerbread Café, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and also sells gourmet special goods including wine, coffee and caviar…or Auberge Des Grenadines, famous for fresh lobster…or Frangipani (at the water's edge), known for its lobster specialities (grilled lobster, lobster cocktails etc), curried conch and its Thursday night “jump-up” and barbeque. A little outside of town, Le Petit Jardin is a special treat. Its owner/chef trained at the Culinary Institute in the US, but his style is definitely mouth-watering French gourmet. At the southernmost end of town, you will find the Plantation House, an old West Indian-style plantation resort with cottages and a restaurant and bar.
Mustique
Mustique is an island hideaway (only 3 miles long and a mile and a half wide) that lies fifteen miles from St. Vincent and ten from the West Cay of Bequia. This is a privately-owned island sprinkled with only about 90 homes, many belonging to the rich and famous. Gently sloping manicured lawns and beautifully kept houses are characteristic of the island. The best way to get around is to rent a “mule” (heavy-duty golf cart) or a motorbike.
Competing with Foxy's for the most famous New Year’s Eve party in the Caribbean is Basil’s Bar. Basil's is a built over the water and offers Caribbean fare, excellent rum drinks (try the Mustique Whammy if you dare) and a large dance floor. Basil's hosts a Blues Festival each year and a Wednesday night bbq buffet and “jump-up” with a steel band. Yachties in search of a drink, a great sunset and a little Caribbean music can dinghy right up to the pier where Basil’s is located. You can buy a kaftan wrap (for which Basil’s is known) in the shop adjacent to the restaurant.
The Cotton House, formerly a sugar mill when the island was purchased by Colin Tenant, was completely renovated in 2004, is the only "resort" on the island. It is small with only 20 rooms, and like just about everything in Mustique, offers complete luxury in a small, private setting. The Cotton house has a beachside bar and restaurant, and a clubhouse where locals can be seen playing Backgammon tournaments or watching an outdoor movie.
The island is also a popular destination for famous names such as Mick Jagger and Tommy Hilfiger to escape to in order to relax away from the busy celebrity lifestyle. Mustique has a long history of visits from the British Royal Family including the Queen and Princess Margaret, and now is a favorite destination for Prince William and Kate; the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who have visited the island several times and we're sure they will return again soon.
For provisions, try Corea’s Food Store or the Mustique General Store in the harbor. The harbor is quaint with numerous brightly painted local fishing boats. Tourist boats hosting more than 25 people are not allowed in. There is a lovely French patisserie, Sweetie Pie Bakery that sells baguettes, croissants, and pain au chocolat.
See our article on Chartering to Mustique and top Mustique Yachts.
Canouan
Canouan was a quiet, virtually untouched island until Italian developers bought it some years ago. It now hosts a large Raffles Resort, the Tamarind Beach Hotel and Yacht Club, the Villa Monte Carlo Casino, the Amrita Spa and the Trump International Golf Club. Because of the resort development on the island, it is not a favourite of yachties in the Grenadines, but if you have had enough tranquillity, it is the perfect place for an afternoon on the golf course, gourmet meal or evening at the casino before returning to your Grenadines boat!
Tobago Cays
Further to the south are the Tobago Cays, famous for amazing snorkelling and the filming location of both “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Dead Man’s Chest”. This cluster of cays inside a rim of the reef (Horseshoe Reef) are becoming more popular, but are still far less crowded than places like the Baths in the BVI. Every morning, the “bread man” will come around to your boat offering bread and ice, two necessities. Sometimes, there will be fishermen offering fresh fish or lobster (beware the underweight/illegal lobsters!). Islanders sometimes host beach parties or BBQs, but the Cays are by and large a natural phenomenon and remain a completely undeveloped national park. Be sure you are well provisioned before going in. Once there, soak up the beautiful sights around you, both under the water and above.
Mayreau
Saltwhistle Bay in Mayreau is not to be missed. It is one of the most perfect beaches in all of the Grenadines. If you arrive too late in the day during high season, you will have to anchor in Saline Bay on the far side of the island (a nice hike over the crest of the large hill). Beware of anchoring anywhere near the ferry that comes barreling into Saline Bay in order to dock at the enormous concrete pier over to one side. Saltwhistle Bay is home to a spectacular resort called the Saltwhistle Bay Club. Visiting yachties are welcome to lounge and swim at the beach (pretty much like being in a postcard that is too good to be true). For a luxury experience, reserve well in advance for cocktails at the Saltwhistle bar and dinner at the stone tables under the trees at the beach. For a little “local flavour” or a less expensive dining experience, walk up and over the hill to some of the local bars and restaurants. The food is fresh and delicious, and the people of the island are very welcoming and friendly.
Palm Island
Just a mile to the west of Union Island and south of the Tobago Cays is Palm Island. There is a narrow strip of sand just off the island, which looks like what you always imagined a deserted would be. Many of the palms that were planted here have been stripped off by hurricanes. You can anchor and go snorkelling in this area that is protected and clean and has an abundance of colourful sea life! Palm Island itself is home to an upscale resort called Royal Palm and a chi-chi beach bar and restaurant. Yachties can make a booking here for a delicious lunch or dinner. The “main event” on the island is still Casuarina Beach, one of the prettiest in the West Indies.
Petit St. Vincent
This tiny island has a beautiful, quiet little “cottage” resort (22 cottages). Each cottage has a flagpole and when the guests want room service, they run up a flag! There are no televisions, telephones or even room keys. The resort’s bar and restaurant will accept a few groups of yachting guests each night. The only way to get a place at the bar and a table is to reserve well in advance. Petit St. Vincent Resort is the perfect combination of understated elegance and wild splendour.
Union Island
Union Island can be seen from miles away because of its famous peak, Mt. Parnassus (866 feet). The main town of Clifton is a bustling and happening spot. There is an open-air fruit and vegetable market in the main square and a number of grocery stores. There is also one lovely gourmet store, which sells fabulous wine, coffee, olive oil, bread and chocolate. There are several local restaurants/bars overlooking the harbour including Lambi’s and the Anchorage Yacht Club. In May, the island celebrates the beginning of the planting season with the Maroon Festival. Easterval is held each year during the four days around Easter.
In the harbour of Union Island, there is a tiny bar on a man-made island called Happy Island, and without doubt, you will be happy when you stop in there for a cocktail at sunset! Just tie your dinghy up and enjoy! On the far side of the island in Chatham Bay, there is a crescent beach (not quite as spectacular Saltwhistle Bay's white, sandy beach!) where “Shark Attack”, a Union Island local, has a beach barbeque featuring pork and lobster. Just make sure you bring your own plate and cutlery, get near the front of the buffet line (or you will miss the grilled lobster) and ask Shark Attack the price of the dinner before it is time to pay as prices can drift upward as the night goes on! There is a vibrant steel band and dancing after dinner.
Other Helpful Information
There are infinite ways to spend your yacht charter vacation holiday in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It is important to match your (and your party's) desires and goals to the itinerary. If you'd like any suggestions for your Grenadines charter, please feel free to contact us.
Our Charter Boats and Yachts in St Vincent and the Grenadines
Our experts have personally visited nearly all of the charter operators in St Vincent and the Grenadines and can offer you virtually all of the high-quality charter yachts in these islands (and keep you away from those of dubious quality!). Just click below to see the Grenadines or St Vincent boat which best matches your needs if you are looking to charter sailboats in the Grenadines or St Vincent.
St Vincent and the Grenadines Yacht Charter: Bareboat Charters | Crewed Charters | Monohull Sailing Yachts | Catamaran Charters
Other Caribbean Yacht Charter Destinations: the Caribbean | Antigua | The British Virgin Islands (BVI) | St Barts | Anguilla | St Martin | Belize
