The freedom of the trade winds: the swell and the good visibility
Sailing near and between the Leeward Islands - the heart of the Caribbean. For example, from Sint Maarten/Saint Martin to Saint Barthélemy and Anguilla or from Guadeloupe to the surrounding islands of Marie-Galante, la Desirade, Petite Terre and Les Saintes. A touch of adventure. A different world, discover the magic of the tropics from a whole new perspective, enjoy Creole music and grilled fish, the starry sky on the boat. Please note that due to the north-easterly trade winds in winter, the sea can be rough at 15 to 25 knots between the islands on the open sea when "blue water sailing". In the European summer, the trade winds are weaker at 5 to 15 knots and it is somewhat easier to sail.
The Leeward Islands are a sailing area for advanced and experienced sailors. The sea is often rougher than on the Windward and Virgin Islands. An experienced skipper can be hired locally. Ideal conditions for coastal sailing are found more to the south around the island of Martinique (Windward Islands). There are many sheltered marinas, constant trade winds from the north-east and the island's landscape, culture and charm make it an ideal area for sailors who want to navigate "on sight" and experience Caribbean flair with European culture. There are beautiful day trips, sunsetsail and other coastal activities for less experienced sailors. Ask us about your incentive or tour group, full service or "just" bare boat à la carte.
Boat charter along the coast
We arrange excursion boats with and without skipper for day trips along the coast for snorkeling, fishing or relaxing and enjoying the day at sea. Excursions close to the coast are often possible without a license with small boats. It is required for larger boats from 6 HP and trips on the high seas (French Antilles, other countries on request). We recommend that you email this to us before departure so that we can ensure that it is recognized. Outside the 12-mile zone no license is required. You should take a skipper with you if you are not familiar with the local conditions.
Here are some examples of excursions:
Guadeloupe:
Deshaies: e.g. Îlet a Kahouanne, Tête à l'Anglais
Sainte Rose: e.g. Îlet la Biche, Îlet Fajou
Martinique:
Le Robert: e.g. Les 10 îlets de la Baie du Robert, including the Îlet Loup Garou
Le Francois: e.g. Baignoire de Josephine, Îlet Oscar
Saint Martin:
Anse Marcel: Îlet Tintamarre, Cul-de-Sac: Îlet Pinel
St Barths:
Gustavia: Île Fourchue, Colombier Bay
Anguilla:
Sandy Ground: e.g. Prickly Pear Cays, Sandy Island, Scrub Island
It may be cheaper to hire a boat from St Martin/Sint Maarten.
Antigua:
Green Island (few anchorages)
Multi-day trips: monohulls, crewed yacht charters and catamarans
We can arrange boats for sailing trips lasting several days with or without a skipper. We organize the journey from/to the airport with any overnight stays , as well as the return transportation of the boat for OW trips. When hiring, a self-declaration of sailing experience is sometimes required if the SBF See is not required. In the period of tropical storms (June to November) and generally when blue water sailing, we recommend that you take a skipper who knows the area with you (especially for longer passages at sea, e.g. St Martin - Antigua, approx. 60 nautical miles). On the windward side (Caribbean west), smaller waves are to be expected than on the leeward side (towards the Atlantic). There are relatively few sheltered harbors, but also some suitable bays, as well as a ban on sailing at night. Daylight is available all year round between 06:00 and 18:00. Harbor entrances are rather poorly signposted and you have to watch out for numerous reefs. At the turn of the year, the north-east swell on the Leeward Islands can reach around 2.5 meters. The tidal differences are very small, about 0.5 meters.
Sailing on sight, mooring with mooring lines, sheltered marinas,
is best around the island of Martinique. Somewhat more demanding
Coastal sailing can be found around the islands of St Martin/St Barth's and Antigua. On all 3 tours you can enjoy pure Caribbean sailing.
An interesting 7-day tour is for example: Guadeloupe - (Petite Terre -) Marie Galante - les Saintes - Guadeloupe. A somewhat easier tour is Saint Martin - Anguilla - St Barths - St Martin (approx. 100 nautical miles).
Recommended reading:
Doyle, Chris and Fisher, Lexi: The Cruising Guide 2020-2021 to the Southern Leeward Islands: Antigua to Domenica, 319 pages, Cruising Guide Publications 2019, in English
Please familiarize yourself with your booked cruise before departure.
Sailing regattas
We organize participation and the associated logistics for sailing regattas. For example, for the Heineken Regatta in March at Saint Martin, which is already part of the island culture with its varied supporting program. Or for the Antigua Sailing Week. Another highlight is the Caribbean Trophy, which does not always take place in our destination. There are also many smaller, regional sailing competitions for which we are happy to organize participation. You will come into contact with the local athletes in particular. All events are an attraction for spectators, celebrities, yachts and soca rhythm...... "Only" to watch is the "Buckett's" invitation regatta in March off St Barth
Heinekenregatta: Date 2023: 02 MAR - 05 MAR. Sailing will take place during the 4 event days off the coast of Sint Maarten. Named after the main sponsor since 1983, the everyman regatta is organized by the renowned Sint Maarten Yacht Club SMYC. A colorful mix of participants from all over the world ensures a relaxed atmosphere in the evening on the party mile with live music and during the day while sailing. The combination of windward, leeward and coastal regatta in conjunction with the very good wind conditions make the race very spectacular. Although German-speaking sailors are not the exception, they are not the majority of skippers in the 4 bareboat classes either.
Antigua Sailing Week: Date 2022: 30 APR - 06 MAY. Due to the limited availability in Antigua and the lower prices, yachts in bareboat charter are often rented in the French Antilles, mainly through the official sponsor Dream Yacht Charter. In addition, the logistics are sometimes complicated, not only with OW-Miete. For the crossing to Antigua, a skipper experienced in the waters should steer the boat (sometimes challenging wind conditions despite trade winds, shoals). The Antigua Sailing Week is a race for everyone in various boat classes, sailing during the day and partying in the evening. Most of the yachts come from the UK, but in the charter categories mainly from German-speaking countries. Sailing is concentrated in the English Harbour, Falmouth Harbour and Jolly Harbour areas on the windward side of the island.
Bucketts Regatta: Date 2022: 17 MAR - 20 MAR. Boats must be at least 90 feet long. An invitation is required to participate. Around 30 boats between approx. 27 and 70 meters in length put on an impressive show off the coast of Livestyle Island.
The supporting program is impressive: e.g. Fleet Welcoming Party, Buckett Bar). Of course, you can also view superyachts in Monaco or Beaulieu-sur-Mer, but not in tropical temperatures in winter. Gustavia with its luxury boutiques, great hotels or restaurants such as the Barrière with its spectacular view over the bay of Gustavia or Le Toiny, or the Bagatelle for a CRS or café au lait directly on the promenade.....
More sailing events to sail along to:
Antigua Classics 30/03 - 04/04/2022 from/to Falmouth Harbor
"Oldtimer Regatta" in several boat classes for larger and smaller sailors, such as Dragoon Class, Historical Class, Traditional Class. There is also a party, for which the area around English and Jolly Harbour simply has the ideal locations.
Les voiles de Saint Barth's 17 APR - 23 APR 2022
In contrast to the Buckett Regatta, this is a regatta for everyone, of course, as befits the noble island with a corresponding supporting program in the evening: sound & light show, live music etc. 4 racing days.
Yacht charter agency: bareboat, skipper, crew
We arrange your yacht from Antigua, Saint Martin, Guadeloupe or Martinique with French and international companies. There is a high capacity of boats, among others from the following providers:
Autremer Concept (Le Marin, Martinique only, catamarans only, one way on request) www.autremerconcept.com
Dream Yacht Charter (from Jolly Harbour, Antigua; Marigot, Saint Martin;
Le Marin, Martinique, one way possible) www.dreamyachtcharter.de
Kiriacoulis (only from Port de Plaisance, Simpson Bay Lagoon, Cole Bay, Sint Maarten, one way possible) www.kiriacoulis.com
The Moorings (from English Harbour, Antigua; Marigot, Saint Martin; Le Marin, Martinique, one way possible) www.moorings.de
Starvoyage (only possible from Le Marin, Martinique, one way) www.starvoyage.com
Sunsail (from English Harbour, Antigua; Captain Olivers Marina, Oyster Pond, St Martin; Le Marin, Martinique, one way on request) www.sunsail.de
YPM Yachtcharter (from Port Lonvilliers, Anse Marcel, St Martin; from Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe; Le Marin, Martinique, one way on request) www.vpm-yachtcharter.com
Protected marinas, hurricane holes and anchorages (selection):
Guadeloupe: Marina Fort-du-Bas, Marina Basse-Terre, Deshaies Bay, Marina Saint Francois, Anse du Bourg Terre-de-Haut on Les Saintes
Anguilla: Road Bay, Cove Bay
Antigua: English Harbour, Falmouth Harbour, Jolly Harbour, Nonsuch Bay
Martinique: Anse Mitan, Le Marin, La Baie des Anglais
St Barth's: Gustavia, Anse Colombier
St Kitts & Nevis: Basseterre, Charlestown, Cades Bay, White House Bay
St Martin: Marinas from Marigot, Captain Olivers Marina Oyster Pond, Simpson Bay Lagoon, White Bay (Îlet Tintamarre)