September in Review

Farewell Summer 2019…

Last week we had the pleasure of waving goodbye to summer on Lady Fiona on the Amalfi Coast.  It already feels like forever ago but our 4 days onboard were fantastic, you can read my blog about it.
I can’t believe the summer season is finishing.  With just a couple more charters in Greece, next month I have the first in the Caribbean winter period. 

The end of the Mediterranean summer means it’s Caribbean time!!  Allegro, GiGi and Lady Fiona are all busy preparing themselves for their Atlantic crossings, all will be in the Caribbean before Christmas and staying until April/May time.

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Allegro | CNB76

• 6 guests in 3 en-suite cabins.
• Based in Antigua, available; BVIs, St Maarten, Antigua, The Grenadines
• Crew: Andrew, Sarah & Libby
• Last week available; 25th March – 1st April St Lucia – €26,000 per week plus expenses
• Online Brochure

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GiGi of Lymington | CNB66

• 6 guests in 3 en-suite cabins.
• Available; BVIs, St Maarten, Antigua, The Grenadines
• Crew: Sam & Zina
• Available Dates; 5th – 16th Feb – €21,000 per week plus expenses
• Online Brochure

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Champagne Hippy – Oyster 825

• 8 guests in 4 en-suite cabins.
• Available; St Lucia & The Grenadines BVIs, St Maarten, Antigua,
• Crew: Dudley & Sam
• Available 28th January – 4th March, 26th March – 19th April 2020 – £33,000 per week plus expenses
• Online Brochure

My favourite itinerary for the Grenadines is to fly into St Lucia and sail south all the way to Grenada, almost downwind all the way.  Here is my 10 day itinerary:

Day 0 – Meet the yacht in Marigot Bay, this beautiful bay was used as the set in the first Dr Doolittle film, and is where a British Admiral hid his fleet, they put palm leaves in the rigging and the French fleet sailed right past. It is the home to the Marigot Bay Resort and Marina.

Day 1 – Leave Marigot Bay and sail South to the Pitons, pick up a mooring between the two Pitons for an early lunch then check out of St Lucia and take a longer afternoon sail to St Vincent, into Wallilabou Bay and the set of Pirates of the Caribbean. Check in to St Vincent & the Grenadines.  Ask one of the local fisherman for a tuna, they are very determined and will go off and ry and catch you one. 

Day 2 – Sail to the south of St Vincent to Young Island Cut, a beautiful anchorage with deep waters positioned between St Vincent and Young Island for lunch and carry on to Bequia, Admiralty Bay, the main town on the Island for the night. Small hotels, bars, restaurants and shops spread from the town along the shore, strung together by a tiny path along the beach, this is a real Caribbean yachting community.
 

Day 3 – Sail to Friendship Bay on Bequia, visit the Turtle Sanctuary and enjoy the swinging chairs at the bar on the beach. After lunch sail to the magical Island of Mustique, it’s privately owned and run by the Mustique Company, Rent a mule for the afternoon and drive around the island, making sure you visit the beautiful Macaroni Beach and are back at the Firefly Hotel/Bar in time for sunset and cocktails at Patrick’s Bar. (I have many beautiful sunset photos from here).  The Cotton House is a beautiful old plantation house, a great spot for a special dinner out. 

Day 4 – Today’s sail is to the stunning Tobago Cays, a marine park, the best spot for snorkelling, turtle spotting and a lobster BBQ on the beach, spend the afternoon swimming and exploring, ask one of the local boat boys for your lobsters.

Day 5 – Morning sail to Mayreau, a pretty bay surrounded by palm trees for lunch, afternoon sail to Union Island, anchor off Clifton in a beautiful protected anchorage where the water is a brilliant green-turquoise colour.  Visit ‘Happy Island’ a bar balanced on conch shells for a fine rum punch.

Day 6 – Sail to PSV, Petit St Vincent or Petite Martinique (depending on the wind direct) to a beautiful anchorage and your last island in the Grenadines.

Day 7 – Sail to Hillsborough, Carriacou, stop for lunch, a tour of the town and rum shops!  Short afternoon sail down to Tyrrel Bay, there are some great dive sites here and they will pick you up and drop you back to the yacht. A boat vendor also comes round selling fresh oysters from the mangroves and prepares them for you while you wait, a great sundowner treat.  There is also the floating bar, The Angels Rest which is a fun place for sunset.

Day 8 – Weather permitting sail down the windward side of Grenada, lunch under sail arriving at Prickly Bay. My other restaurant recommendation that is an absolute must of your cruise is right here, Gary Rhodes’ restaurant, Calabash.  

Day 9 – Sail round to Port Louis Marina on the west side, explore the new development here in the capital St Georges, or take a tour of the Island and see the rainforest and Waterfalls. 

Day 10 – Wow, I hope you wrote down everywhere you stopped to remind you when telling your friends all about your Captain Jack Sparrow adventure.

The next big boat show on the European Calendar is Dusseldorf. 18th – 26 January 2020.  Tickets are already on sale, €19.00 for a day day ticket and €27.00 for a two day pass, to be honest you’ll never make it round every hall in a day if you want to browse.   Matt will be there for the duration of the show, he’s booking appointments now for CNB66, CNB76, Sunreef 60, 70, 80, Lagoon 67, Lagoon 77, Jeanneau 64 and Fountaine Pajot 67 now, so get in their quick if you’d like to meet him there, get a tour and discuss your requirements. 

Email matt@diyachting.co.uk

Matt has been in Poland this weekend visiting the Sunreef Shipyard with clients, their sailing Sunreef 80 is due for launch summer 2020.  These luxury catamarans are superb for both private and charter use. 

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Hope you’re all having a great summer.
Happy Sailing 

and the diYachting team

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