Bareboat
You own every approach, reef decision, mooring and weather call. Expect a careful sailing-resume review and possible checkout skipper.
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The complete charter-planning guide
Sailing
the Grenadines
Trade-wind passages. Reef-ringed anchorages. A different island by sunset.
Bareboat · Skippered · CrewedReviewed July 27, 2026
Tobago Cays · Iain Grant / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.5
Best seasonJanuary–May
Classic charter7–10 nights
Typical windE–NE trades
ExperienceIntermediate+
Why sailors remember it
The passages are short. The decisions are not.
The islands remain visible across much of the route, but the Grenadines are more demanding than the BVIs. Open-water legs, powerful trades, acceleration zones, reef entrances, limited marina space and fewer instant fallbacks reward a practiced skipper—or a very good local one.
01
Choose the right skipper
Bareboat for recent, comparable experience; local skipper for a first Windward charter or a crew that wants the islands more than the responsibility.
02
Arrive before handover
Sleep ashore on Saint Vincent when possible. Protect the technical briefing and keep airline disruption out of the first sailing day.
03
Navigate in daylight
Reef passes, unlit craft, fish gear and fast squalls make “secured well before dusk” a core route rule.
04
Build weather buffers
The best ten-day plan has a movable day. The worst seven-day plan has seven restaurant reservations.
Charter choices
Start locally—or sail north from Grenada.
Skippered
The strongest first-trip option. A local skipper turns tricky entrances and island logistics into learning.
Crewed
Captain and chef shape the route around the crew, weather and fresh food. Expensive, but beautifully matched to this archipelago.
Saint Vincent or Grenada start?
Saint Vincent places Bequia one open-water leg away and reduces clearance. Grenada offers larger Moorings and Sunsail fleets plus Carriacou, but requires international clearance when entering SVG and a longer return plan.
Catamaran or monohull?
Catamarans offer shallow draft, space and excellent lagoon living but carry windage in strong trades. Monohulls reward the passages and often cost less, with deeper draft and less level living at anchor.
Confirmed local bareboat base
Horizon Yacht Charters
Blue Lagoon Marina · Saint Vincent
Monohulls and catamarans, skippered options and sailing instruction from the southern end of Saint Vincent. The base is roughly 20–25 minutes from SVD in normal traffic.
Current fleet & terms ↗Long-established Vincentian operator
Barefoot Yacht Charters
Saint Vincent
Locally rooted chartering with bareboat and crewed possibilities. Confirm the current fleet, handover location, insurance terms and exact cruising limits directly.
Current fleet & terms ↗Bespoke & crewed itineraries
Sail Grenadines
Grenadines-focused operations
Useful for skippered, crewed, learn-to-sail and one-way concepts where local planning matters more than a large standardized fleet.
Current fleet & terms ↗Largest southern-fleet choice
Grenada-based fleets
Port Louis Marina · Grenada
The Moorings and Sunsail operate from Grenada. A Grenada start gives a natural northbound route through Carriacou before clearing into the southern Grenadines.
Current fleet & terms ↗Moorings and Sunsail: Neither currently presents Saint Vincent as its own charter base. Their practical gateways are Grenada to the south and Saint Lucia to the north. Horizon operates the confirmed local base at Blue Lagoon.
Conditions
Trade winds do the planning in ink.
Prime season
January–May
Drier air and established trades. Christmas winds can extend into early season, producing sustained fresh breeze and rougher passages.
Sweet shoulder
Late May–July
Warmer water, fewer boats and often lighter wind, with more squalls and tropical-weather monitoring.
High caution
August–November
Peak Atlantic hurricane exposure. Fleet operations, resort services and insurance restrictions may tighten.
Wind
East-to-northeast trades commonly sit around the mid-teens to low twenties in knots, then accelerate between islands and off high terrain. Reef early before leaving the lee.
Sea state
Open passages collect Atlantic swell. The northbound legs can be wet and uncomfortable when wind opposes current; plan around the least experienced crew member.
Squalls
Rain lines can arrive quickly with sharp gusts and poor visibility. Close hatches, reduce sail early and do not enter reef water while visibility is compromised.
Volcanic lee
Saint Vincent’s high terrain creates calm patches followed by violent bullets. Keep the engine available and the crew prepared near the leeward coast.
Documents & clearance
One archipelago—until you cross the Grenada border.
01
SVG-based charter
Your operator normally prepares vessel documentation and explains local cruising permits, park fees and areas of restriction. Crew still need appropriate passports and entry status. You do not clear between Saint Vincent, Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau and Union because they are one country.
02
Arriving from Grenada
Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique are a separate nation. Clear out of Grenada, then enter SVG only at a currently authorized port with the full crew and vessel papers. Union Island is the natural southern port when its office is open; never assume hours after a storm or on a holiday.
03
Marine-park fees
Tobago Cays Marine Park fees and mooring charges are separate from national clearance. Pay authorized wardens, retain receipts and follow current zones for mooring, anchoring, fishing, drones and turtle areas.
Anchorage atlas
Choose the bay for tonight’s wind and swell.
Saint Vincent
The provisioning and charter gateway. The coast is dramatic, but several anchorages are deep, exposed or better approached with local help.Charter base · marina
Blue Lagoon Marina
The main local handover point with berths, hotel, restaurants and yacht services. The reef-fringed entrance requires the operator’s exact briefing and good daylight; some visiting charter companies restrict it.Moorings · easy west approach
Young Island Cut
A useful first or final night with restaurants and quick access to the southern services corridor. Current and boat traffic can be noticeable.Stern-to anchoring
Cumberland Bay
A spectacular deep bay beneath forested slopes. Local line handlers commonly assist with stern lines to shore; agree the service and fee before the maneuver.Moorings / stern-to · shore access
Wallilabou
Historic film-set atmosphere and a useful leeward stop. Depth, swell and local line handling require an unhurried approach.Weather-dependent anchorage
Chateaubelair
A possible northern base for La Soufrière, with fewer yacht services and a need for careful security, weather and shore-access planning.Bequia
The most complete Grenadines stop: provisions, repairs, restaurants, beaches and genuine maritime culture around one handsome bay.Moorings · anchoring · clearance
Admiralty Bay / Port Elizabeth
The classic hub. Choose a position with the ferry lane, depth, holding and afternoon gusts in mind; water, fuel, groceries and shore services are available around the harbor.Day anchorage · beach
Princess Margaret / Lower Bay
Beautiful swimming and an easy shore day south of town. Use only in suitable swell and avoid crowding the swimming zone.Windward alternative
Friendship Bay
Useful only in appropriate conditions. Exposure and reef make it a briefing-and-weather decision, not a default overnight.Mustique & Canouan
Managed islands with excellent facilities and clear local rules. Reserve.Managed moorings
Britannia Bay, Mustique
Pick up an authorized mooring and follow Mustique Company procedures. The bay provides access to Basil’s Bar, shops and island taxis; anchoring and landing rules are controlled.Moorings · village access
Charlestown / Tamarind Bay, Canouan
A practical west-coast stop for the village, supplies and restaurants. Protection varies with swell and yacht traffic.Full-service marina
Glossy Bay / Sandy Lane Yacht Club
The archipelago’s sophisticated marina reset with fuel, berths, dining and high-end facilities. Reserve and confirm current entry requirements.Mayreau & Tobago Cays
The visual center of the cruise—and the area where reef discipline, park rules and early arrival matter most.Anchoring / local moorings
Saltwhistle Bay
A tiny dream bay with limited room and heavy yacht traffic. Arrive early, keep clear of swimmers and do not force a marginal space for the photograph.Anchorage · ferry dock
Saline Bay
Roomier access to Mayreau’s village and the public-ferry wharf. It can be a more practical overnight than Saltwhistle depending on swell.Marine-park moorings
Tobago Cays / Baradal
The signature turtle lagoon. Use official moorings or authorized sandy anchoring areas only, pay park fees and keep well clear of reef and turtle grass.Park day stops
Petit Bateau & Petit Rameau
Beach landings, short walks and picnic possibilities without docks. Weather and reef state determine the safe dinghy plan.Union, Palm & Petit St. Vincent
The southern gateway combines a working island, broad anchorages and resort-controlled neighboring islands.Moorings · clearance · provisions
Clifton Harbour, Union
A reef-protected hub with ferries, airport, markets, water taxis and customs. The approach demands good light and current charting; reef, traffic and strong trade wind make it busy.Spacious anchorage
Chatham Bay, Union
One of the chain’s finest overnights, with strong holding areas, forested slopes and simple beach restaurants. Expect powerful gusts spilling over the hills.Resort-controlled access
Palm Island
Moorings and landing privileges depend on resort arrangements. Confirm before planning dinner or beach access.Resort-controlled anchorage
Petit St. Vincent
A beautiful southern stop with privacy rules. Contact the resort for current yacht, dining and shore-access procedures.Two workable routes
Seven nights samples it. Ten nights starts to feel like sailing.
Classic week
7 days · selective southbound
Blue Lagoon → Bequia
Complete the briefing early, make the open-water shakedown sail and settle in Admiralty Bay with daylight to spare.
Bequia
Keep the yacht still: provision, explore Port Elizabeth and walk or dinghy to Princess Margaret Beach.
Bequia → Mustique
Take a comfortable reach to Britannia Bay, secure an authorized mooring and tour the island by taxi.
Mustique → Canouan
Sail south to Charlestown or reserve Glossy Bay for a full-service marina night.
Canouan → Tobago Cays
Enter the marine park in excellent light, pay fees and spend the afternoon with turtles and reef scenery.
Tobago Cays → Mayreau
Make the tiny hop to Saltwhistle or Saline Bay, then walk into the hilltop village.
Mayreau → Blue Lagoon
A long northbound return. Leave early, protect daylight for the reef entrance and follow the base’s return instructions exactly.
Our preference
10 days · full southern chain
Blue Lagoon → Bequia
Settle into Admiralty Bay after the fleet briefing.
Bequia
Island day, final provisioning and a relaxed crew reset.
Bequia → Mustique
Britannia Bay mooring and an island taxi loop.
Mustique → Canouan
Choose village character or a marina night at Glossy Bay.
Canouan → Mayreau
Arrive before the Saltwhistle crowd or use roomier Saline Bay.
Mayreau → Tobago Cays
Short sail, long marine-park day; remain overnight if conditions and park rules allow.
Tobago Cays → Union
Use Clifton for supplies and services, or continue to Chatham Bay for quiet.
Union / Chatham Bay
Weather buffer, hike, kite session or a no-agenda anchorage day.
Union → Bequia
The longest northbound leg; depart early and monitor squalls and crew comfort.
Bequia → Blue Lagoon
Return with daylight margin for the channel, refueling and inspection.
Why the seven-day route is demanding
The final Mayreau-to-Blue-Lagoon return is long and places a reef entrance at the end of the day. A conservative crew can skip Mustique or Canouan, turn north from Tobago Cays earlier, or book ten nights. The charter briefing and forecast override this sample.
Food, fuel & systems
Provision deeply in the north. Refill opportunistically in the south.
Saint Vincent
Place the main order through the charter base or shop around Kingstown, Arnos Vale and Calliaqua. Confirm delivery time, cold storage and substitutions. Blue Lagoon is the best systems-and-supplies starting point.
Bequia
Port Elizabeth is the most useful mid-cruise stop for groceries, fresh produce, bakery items, water, ice, laundry and modest chandlery. Stock here before the southern chain.
Canouan & Union
Both offer useful basics, restaurants and some marine services; selection and opening hours fluctuate. Union recovery remains uneven, so ask the base for current intelligence.
Mayreau & Tobago Cays
Expect very limited groceries on Mayreau and no conventional provisioning in the cays. Boat vendors may offer bread, ice, fish or lobster; agree product, price and delivery clearly.
Water and power
Catamaran consumption rises quickly with showers, electric heads and rinsing gear. Confirm tank capacity, watermaker procedure and where the operator permits filling. Do not assume potable dock water without asking.
Fuel
Start full and follow the charter company’s designated fuel stops. Blue Lagoon, Bequia and major marinas are the logical service points, but availability can change after storms or during outages.
Captain’s desk
Live checks before casting off.
Cruising restrictions, clearance offices, marina services and storm recovery change. Use the operator briefing and these live sources for the final plan.
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