How to Sail in Heavy Weather – Tips on Reefing and Heaving To
Mayreau
Sail around Cathedral Rocks, out of Tobago Cays, and shoot past Mayreau on a broad reach. Look through the palms where the hills drop off and glimpse a little patch of paradise. Intertwined with the palms you’ll see a few sailboat masts.
These people are on to something – with one caveat: Mayreau is the ultimate secluded island, a place Doyle, in his Cruising Guide, calls a “one-road, two-car island”. He’s not far wrong.
Saltwhistle Bay is that first anchorage. This is normally a Grenadine must-do, though at the time of our visit there were issues with mooring balls, so you might want to try Saline.
Hardly a hardship, to be fair.
Dinghy into the pier from your Saline anchorage and take the short, but steep, hike to the village for spectacular Grenadine views.
Petit Saint Vincent
My first time in the Grenadines I wasn’t even on a boat. We were staying at a resort on Petit St. Vincent.
The anchorage here is one of the most beautiful in the southern Grenadines – sapphire and aquamarine waters, gorgeous beaches.
Enjoy dinner at this resort built by former yachters but be sure to call ahead for reservations (they monitor VHF channel 16). Envision a table on a terrace with the lights of Carriacou twinkling in the distance like a Christmas display. Think five-star cuisine.
And reflect on your voyage thus far.
Sure, you missed Mustique, Friendship on Bequia, and Saltwhistle Bay, but you can hit those next time. For once you’ve cruised St. Vincent and the Grenadines – there will always be a next time.
