Soak up the sun on a chic St Vincent yacht break
With its glorious sunshine, it's not surprising that the Caribbean has long been a popular destination for those seeking a luxury sailing break. The region contains thousands of islands, so there is plenty of scope to take in stunning scenery, as well as indulge in a spot of sunbathing. Head to St Vincent and the Grenadines, however, and you can have an especially wonderful holiday.
This beautiful archipelago features 32 isles, so it's perfect for island-hopping from one chic destination to the next. You'll pass through crystal-clear waters as you sail, with the north-easterly winds creating exhilarating boating conditions. However, it is not just the pleasant weather and challenging sailing that makes the country a fabulous place to visit, but also the fantastic landmarks and activities offered on dry land.
St Vincent
The starting point for most Caribbean yacht charter holidays in the region is St Vincent, which considering it's the country's largest island is perhaps not too surprising. This is the ideal place to sample authentic local cuisine and stock up on any essentials you need before your yacht break starts in earnest, while it's also a good idea to explore some of the isle's historic landmarks prior to setting sail.
Among these is the botanical gardens situated on the outskirts of Kingstown. Established in 1765, this is the oldest nature facility of its kind in the entire western hemisphere and coming here means you'll get to see a range of exotic plants, including breadfruit trees. The establishment also has an aviary that houses a selection of rare birds.
Before you get in your yachting break gets underway, spend some time on the beach to relax. You'll discover both white and black sand bay here, so you won't struggle to find a spot where you can soak up the sun. Buccament Bay and Petit Byahaut are among the numerous coastal stretches that are perfect for relaxing on, while Mt Young Beach is one of the longest shorelines in the entire country.
Bequia
St Vincent is a wonderful island to explore but you will, of course, eventually want to set off in your boat to see the rest of the country. One isle that is definitely worth visiting is Bequia, which despite its diminutive size at just 7 sq miles, offers lots for you to do. After you've moored up, head to one of the many waterfront restaurants and bars located near the island's pretty white sand beaches to take in stunning sea views as you eat. Everything from freshly-caught lobster to gourmet French cuisine can be sampled here, so you can be certain of tucking into a delicious meal.
Once you've eaten, burn off some calories by taking a walk along the pretty Admiralty Bay. At its northern end you'll find the remains of Fort Hamilton, a lookout that was constructed by the British in the 1700s. Although the majority of the building is now in ruins, you can look at a number of cannons, as well as enjoy fantastic views of the crystal-clear water.
If you want to learn more about the island's maritime history, head to the whaling museum situated in the home of legendary local harpooner Athneal Ollivierre, before taking a trip to the Bequia Maritime Museum. This facility contains an array of model boats, as well as exhibits documenting the history of whaling.
Tobago Cays
St Vincent and the Grenadines is blessed with beautiful islands that feature high-end resorts, good restaurants and amazing facilities, but if you want to get back to nature head to Tobago Cays.
This cluster of small uninhabited islands offers the perfect chance to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life, with the abundance of white sandy beaches ideal for doing little more than relaxing.
Although the opportunity to sunbathe should not be missed, it's worth being a bit more active, if only for a little while. Both Petit Bateau and Petit Rameau contain well-maintained walking trails that take you through beautiful trees and offer amazing sea views, in addition to the opportunity to see local wildlife, such as hawksbill turtles and iguanas. The shallow clear waters of Tobago Cays also makes it a great place for snorkelling - upon diving beneath the waves you can see intricate coral formations and shipwrecks, with the remnants of a first world war gunship among the latter.
