7 Day Charter Itinerary in St. Vincent & The Grenadines

A St. Vincent and the Grenadines charter itinerary offers some of the Caribbean’s most rewarding cruising. With short sailing distances, turquoise waters, secluded anchorages, and unique island cultures, SVG remains one of the region’s premier destinations for sailors seeking an authentic island-hopping experience.

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Chartering a yacht in the Caribbean is a great vacation option. There are no crowds, just your bubble of family and friends. There’s plenty of open ocean. Plus, there are places ashore to visit, albeit with a mask in the company of other visitors and island residents alike, to add to the fun. One of the best places to charter, especially because it’s a bit off the beaten track, is St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“For decades St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), a nautical playground of 32 islands and cays stretch over 44 miles, has been a favorite sailing heaven for seasoned yachters,” says Natasha Anderson, marketing officer for the St. Vincent and The Grenadines Tourism Authority, based in Kingston, St. Vincent. “However, SVG has managed to remain unspoiled from overdevelopment and mass tourism. Each of the inhabited 9 islands has a unique personality but share a warm and unpretentious vibe that is infectious to all. There are countless treasures including deserted cays, secluded bays and beaches, vibrant harbors, verdant mountainous forest, and open stretches of clear turquoise waters teeming with marine life.  

7 Day Charter Itinerary in St. Vincent & The Grenadines

Companies such as Horizon Yacht Charters, with a base at the Blue Lagoon Marina in St. Vincent, and Sail Grenadines, a family-owned charter company located in Port Elizabeth, Bequia, offer bareboat and crewed yacht charters on a fleet of multihulls and monohulls.

There are many ways to weave through SVG for a week. Here is one suggestion:

Day 1: Blue Lagoon, St. Vincent to Britannica Bay, Mustique.

Cast off on a southerly 16-nautical mile sail to the private island of Mustique, home to the rich and royal.   

“Stop off at Petit Nevis for some snorkeling en route,” says Katie Bingham, founder of Sail Grenadines. “Then, on Mustique, enjoy sunset cocktails at Basil’s Bar and Sunday sunset Jazz if this day coincides with your holiday plans.  It’s also worth visiting the local fish market and buying lobster, tuna, mahi-mahi or barracuda.”

Day 2: Mustique to the Tobago Cays.

Continue sailing south, past the island of Canouan and just east of Mayreau, to the Tobago Cays. The five small islands here are all surrounded by magnificent coral reefs, and part of the Tobago Cays Marine Park.

“Enjoy a Lobster BBQ on the beach, hosted by Romeo, one of Tobago Cay’s local guides,” recommends Lesley Dowden, reservation specialist at Horizon Yacht Charter’s Blue Lagoon base. 

Day 3: Tobago Cays.

“Spend the day snorkeling and swimming in the turquoise waters with the turtles. Hike the islands to the various viewpoints and spot iguanas on the way. If you have time and you are qualified, go diving with one of the local dive schools. At night, stargaze,” says Bingham.

Day 4: The Tobago Cays to Petit St Vincent.

Six nautical miles further south is the private island home of the luxurious Petite St Vincent Resort. “You must stop off at Mopion on the way. It’s a tiny, tiny island with just room for a single coconut thatched sun shelter,” says Dowden. More of a sandy cay than an island, it’s the picture-perfect place to envision yourself in a castaway fantasy. On Petit St Vincent, hike to the top of Marni Hill, 275-feet above sea level and the perfect vantage point to see the whole of the Grenadines.

Day 5: Petit St Vincent to Union Island.

Time to head back north, sailing just under 5 miles to Chatham Bay in Union. “Anchor in Chatham Bay and for dinner head for Seckie and Vanessa’s restaurant, Sun, Beach & Eat. They are the friendliest, most helpful people in the islands,” advises Dowden. There’s everything from rum punch starters to rum cake for dessert on the menu, plus everything in-between from conch fritters and callaloo soup to lobster in season and fresh fish of the day.

Day 6: Union Island to Mayreau.

Less than five nautical miles north of Union is Mayreau, the smallest inhabited Grenadine Island at 1.5-square miles in size. There’s no airport here; the only access is by sea. Anchor in Salt Whistle Bay to the north or Saline Bay to the southwest.  

“Take a walk to the village (named Old Wall and located on the only paved road between Salt Whistle and Saline Bays) and enjoy the local atmosphere. The view from the church (Roman Catholic, on Station Hill) over to the (Tobago) cays is stunning. Book a dive to explore the nearby reefs,” suggests Bingham.

Day 7: Mayreau to Bequia.

Sail 24 nautical miles northeast to Bequia, the second largest of the Grenadines. “Spend the afternoon anchored off Princess Margaret beach. Walk the trail along the waterfront to explore market stands, shops for provisioning and local handicrafts. Sip rum punches in Lower Bay at sunset and spend the evening at one of the many restaurants and waterside dining experiences in the harbor. If you are feeling energetic, take a morning hike the next day to Mount Peggy,” says Bingham. 

Depart for Blue Lagoon, St. Vincent, and the end of the week’s charter.

Or, Bingham adds, “if you have a few more days, take an upwind sail to Saint Vincent’s Cumberland Bay and Wallilabou Bay. Snorkel, organize a rain forest hike, go fishing with the locals, or BBQ on the beach. Enjoy the peace and quiet of this beautiful coastline and numerous bays rarely visited by passing yachts.

The sample itinerary illustrates why SVG is a great place to charter: there are so many different islands to visit and all within a short sailing distance of each other.

 

Editor’s Note: Also Check out the 10 Day Charter Itinerary from St. Vincent to Grenada

If you like this, you’ll also like:

• For the full picture, browse our Caribbean sailing itineraries — every day-by-day itinerary across the Eastern, Southern, and Western Caribbean.
• 7 Day Charter Itinerary to the Spanish Virgin Islands
• 7 Day Charter Itinerary to the US Virgin Islands
• 7 Day Charter Itinerary to St. Maarten, St. Martin, Anguilla and St. Barth

Frequently Asked Questions About Chartering in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Why is St. Vincent and the Grenadines popular for chartering?

St. Vincent and the Grenadines offers more than 30 islands and cays spread across a relatively compact cruising area. Sailors enjoy short passages, clear water, vibrant marine life, and a mix of developed harbors and secluded anchorages.

How many days do you need to charter in SVG?

Seven days is enough to visit many of the highlights, including Mustique, Tobago Cays, Petit St. Vincent, Union Island, Mayreau, and Bequia. However, many sailors extend their trip to explore St. Vincent’s west coast and additional islands.

Is Tobago Cays worth visiting?

Absolutely. Tobago Cays is often considered the crown jewel of the Grenadines. Protected by Horseshoe Reef, it offers exceptional snorkeling, sea turtles, crystal-clear water, and spectacular scenery.

What is the best island to visit in the Grenadines?

That depends on your interests. Tobago Cays is famous for snorkeling and wildlife, Mustique is known for luxury and celebrity appeal, Bequia offers local culture and waterfront dining, while Mayreau provides a quieter, more laid-back experience.

What is Mopion?

Mopion is a tiny sand cay near Petit St. Vincent, famous for its single thatched umbrella shelter. It is one of the most photographed spots in the Grenadines and a favorite stop for charter yachts.

Is sailing in SVG difficult?

Most sailing routes involve relatively short island hops. However, sailors should be comfortable with open-water passages and trade wind conditions, particularly between some of the southern Grenadine islands.

What is Bequia known for?

Bequia is known for its welcoming harbor, waterfront restaurants, local markets, beautiful beaches, and strong maritime heritage. It remains one of the most popular stops in the Grenadines.

What can you do on Union Island?

Union Island offers excellent kiteboarding, beach bars, hiking, snorkeling, and access to quiet anchorages such as Chatham Bay.

Is Mustique open to visiting yachts?

Yes. Visiting yachts regularly moor in Britannia Bay and can enjoy restaurants, bars, beaches, and island tours. Basil’s Bar remains one of the island’s most famous attractions.

What makes SVG different from the British Virgin Islands?

While the BVI is known for protected waters and extensive charter infrastructure, SVG offers a more remote feel, fewer crowds, and a stronger sense of discovery while still providing excellent sailing conditions.

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What This Means

St. Vincent and the Grenadines continues to deliver the kind of Caribbean cruising many sailors dream about.

• Short passages connect dramatically different islands
• Anchorages range from lively harbors to deserted cays
• The natural beauty remains largely unspoiled
• Each island offers its own distinct personality

For sailors seeking authentic Caribbean cruising beyond the crowds, SVG remains one of the region’s finest charter destinations.

Carol Bareuther has written for ALL AT SEA since 2004.