Round Trip
The Southern Grenadines Explorer: Reefs, Private Islands and Barefoot Bays
Tobago Cays & Southern Grenadines Yacht Charter Itinerary
The Southern Grenadines Explorer focuses on the most pristine and least developed section of this celebrated archipelago, taking you deep into the island chain where authentic Caribbean culture and untouched natural beauty still dominate the landscape. This seven-day round trip from Canouan concentrates on the waters between the central Grenadines and Grenada's dependency islands, offering intimate encounters with legendary marine parks, exclusive private island resorts, and traditional fishing communities that have maintained their character despite decades of yacht charter traffic. The relatively compact route covering just 45 nautical miles allows for shorter passages and more time at anchor, creating a relaxed pace perfect for those who prioritize exploration and immersion over covering maximum distance.
Starting from Canouan positions you perfectly for immediate access to the southern islands without the longer passages required from Bequia or St. Vincent. The route takes you progressively south through increasingly remote destinations, crossing the invisible boundary between St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada as you sail from Union Island to Petite Martinique. This geographic and cultural transition provides fascinating insights into how different governments and development approaches shape island character. You will experience everything from exclusive resort islands where privacy and luxury define the atmosphere to working fishing villages where boat building and traditional Caribbean life continue much as they have for generations.
The sailing conditions throughout remain excellent, with consistent trade winds providing ideal passages typically between 3 and 10 nautical miles. These manageable distances mean morning departures around 9 or 10 AM with arrivals by early afternoon, leaving plenty of time for swimming, snorkeling, beach exploration, and cultural encounters. The Tobago Cays serve as the natural centerpiece of the itinerary, but the surrounding destinations offer their own distinctive appeals that prevent the route from feeling like simply a way to reach one famous location. By the time you complete the circuit back to Canouan, you will have experienced the southern Grenadines as few visitors do, having moved beyond the standard charter routes to discover the quieter, more authentic character of these remarkable islands.
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Day 1: Canouan to Salt Whistle Bay, Mayreau
Nautical Miles: 5
Travel Time: 1 hour
Your southern Grenadines adventure begins at Canouan, where morning check-in and provisioning at the island's facilities prepare you for the week ahead. After stowing your provisions and completing yacht familiarization, depart Charlestown Bay and set course south toward the tiny island of Mayreau. This short opening passage eases you into Grenadines sailing with gentle conditions and spectacular scenery, as the string of islands and cays stretches away in both directions. The brevity of the route means you can depart at a relaxed hour while still arriving at your destination with most of the day ahead for exploration and settling into cruising life.
Round Mayreau's northern point and enter Salt Whistle Bay, one of those rare anchorages that immediately justifies every expectation built up by guidebooks and charter briefings. The bay presents a perfect crescent of white sand beach backed by swaying coconut palms, with water so clear you can see every detail of the sandy bottom beneath your keel. Take one of the available moorings or anchor in the designated areas with excellent holding in sand. Once secured, spend your afternoon swimming in the impossibly transparent water, walking the beautiful beach where a couple of simple beach bars offer cold drinks and island hospitality, or hiking the steep path up to Mayreau's tiny hilltop village for spectacular 360-degree views across the southern Grenadines. The village church and small community provide authentic encounters with island life, while the vista helps you understand the geography of the week ahead. Return to your yacht as evening approaches and enjoy dinner in the cockpit surrounded by palms and gentle waves, the perfect introduction to barefoot Grenadines cruising.
Route Highlights
- Departing Canouan and sailing south on a gentle introduction to Grenadines cruising conditions.
- Entering the postcard-perfect crescent of Salt Whistle Bay with its palm-fringed beach and crystal-clear water.
- Hiking to Mayreau's hilltop village for spectacular 360-degree views across the southern Grenadines.
Salt Whistle Bay, Mayreau
Day 2: Salt Whistle Bay to Tobago Cays
Nautical Miles: 3
Travel Time: 30 minutes
This morning brings one of the shortest but most anticipated passages of any Caribbean charter: the brief hop from Salt Whistle Bay to the legendary Tobago Cays Marine Park. Depart at a leisurely hour and motor-sail the short distance east, watching as the distinctive profile of the five small uninhabited cays emerges more clearly with each passing minute. The brilliant turquoise of the protected lagoon becomes visible from miles away, while the long barrier reef known as Horseshoe Reef defines the eastern boundary of this spectacular marine park. As you approach the marked entrance channel, the scene before you represents the quintessential Caribbean dream: pristine beaches, swaying palms, crystal-clear water, and colorful coral reefs visible just beneath the surface.
Navigate carefully through the reef entrance and take one of the available moorings to protect the fragile coral bottom from anchor damage. Position yourself with views of the surrounding cays and Horseshoe Reef stretching away to the east. With two full days planned in the Tobago Cays, you can adopt a relaxed approach to exploration rather than trying to experience everything in a few rushed hours. Spend your first afternoon snorkeling the spectacular coral gardens along Horseshoe Reef, where healthy elkhorn and staghorn formations create intricate underwater landscapes populated by countless tropical fish. Swim with the resident hawksbill and green sea turtles that frequent the shallow waters near Baradal Island, creatures so accustomed to snorkelers they continue feeding on sea grass seemingly unbothered by your presence. Local vendors arrive by small boat offering fresh lobster, fish, and tropical fruits. As evening approaches and the day boats depart, enjoy the transformation as the Tobago Cays become a peaceful paradise shared only among the charter yachts anchored for the night.
Route Highlights
- Arriving at the world-famous Tobago Cays Marine Park with two full days planned for exploration.
- Snorkeling the spectacular coral gardens of Horseshoe Reef with its pristine elkhorn and staghorn formations.
- Swimming with wild sea turtles in the crystal-clear protected lagoon waters.
Top View of Tobago Cays
Day 3: Tobago Cays (Full Day at Anchor)
Nautical Miles: 0
Travel Time: No sailing
Wake to sunrise over Horseshoe Reef and spend your entire second day exploring the Tobago Cays without the pressure of departure. This full day at anchor allows you to experience the marine park at different times and in different conditions, discovering how the light, tides, and daily rhythms transform the lagoon's character. Start early with sunrise snorkeling before the day boats arrive from the larger islands, when the water clarity reaches its peak and the reefs feel like your private underwater preserve. The morning light creates incredible visibility for photography and fish watching, with schools of blue tang, parrotfish, and sergeant majors moving through the coral formations in coordinated patterns.
Spend the middle of the day exploring the uninhabited cays themselves, dinghying to different beaches and walking the pristine sands where coconut palms lean at dramatic angles over the water. Each of the five cays offers slightly different character, from the popular turtle swimming areas near Baradal to quieter beaches where you might be the only visitors. Pack a picnic lunch and claim a section of beach for a few hours of complete relaxation. As afternoon progresses, return to snorkeling or try different sections of Horseshoe Reef you missed yesterday, or simply relax in your cockpit soaking up the extraordinary beauty surrounding you. The vendors make their rounds again offering fresh seafood for tonight's dinner. As your second evening in the Cays arrives, enjoy a spectacular Caribbean sunset from your anchorage, knowing tomorrow brings the continuation of your southern exploration but grateful for this extended time in one of the world's most beautiful marine parks.
Route Highlights
- Experiencing sunrise snorkeling with peak water clarity before the day boats arrive from surrounding islands.
- Exploring the five uninhabited cays by dinghy and claiming pristine beaches for picnic lunches.
- Enjoying a second evening in paradise with spectacular Caribbean sunset views from your anchorage.
Top View of Tobago Cays
Day 4: Tobago Cays to Chatham Bay, Union Island
Nautical Miles: 5
Travel Time: 1 hour
After a final morning swim in the Tobago Cays, prepare for departure and set course west toward Union Island. The short passage across the channel provides excellent sailing with steady trade winds, while the dramatic volcanic peaks of Union Island grow steadily larger ahead. Often called the Tahiti of the Caribbean for its mountainous profile, Union presents a striking contrast to the low-lying cays and reef-bound islands that have dominated your scenery so far. As you approach the western coast, the pristine anchorage of Chatham Bay comes into view, backed by lush green hills and offering a completely different atmosphere from the crowded commercial harbors on Union's eastern side.
Navigate into Chatham Bay's well-protected waters and anchor in sand bottom with excellent holding, surrounded by green hills and with views of a long undeveloped beach backing the entire bay. Despite Union Island's role as a busy yacht services hub, Chatham Bay maintains a peaceful, wilderness character since most activity concentrates in Clifton Harbor on the opposite side of the island. Spend your afternoon swimming from the yacht, exploring the beautiful beach that stretches along the bay, or hiking the coastal trail that leads south toward dramatic viewpoints overlooking the channel between Union and the islands beyond. A few simple beach bars offer cold drinks and authentic local food, but development remains minimal and the atmosphere decidedly barefoot. As evening settles over the anchorage, enjoy the tranquil surroundings and prepare for tomorrow's crossing into Grenadian waters, a geographic transition that will add international dimension to your Grenadines exploration.
Route Highlights
- Departing the Tobago Cays and sailing toward Union Island's dramatic volcanic peaks.
- Anchoring in pristine Chatham Bay, a peaceful wilderness anchorage far from commercial yacht harbors.
- Exploring undeveloped beaches and hiking coastal trails with spectacular views across the southern channels.
Chatham Bay on Union Island, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Lesser Antilles
Day 5: Chatham Bay to Petit St. Vincent
Nautical Miles: 4
Travel Time: 45 minutes
Depart Chatham Bay for the very short passage south to Petit St. Vincent, one of the Caribbean's most exclusive and well-established private island resorts. The brief distance allows for a completely relaxed morning departure while arriving with the full day ahead for enjoying PSV's unique combination of privacy and natural beauty. As you sail the short channel between Union Island and PSV, you pass through waters that mark the informal boundary between St. Vincent and the Grenadines territory to the north and Grenada's dependency islands to the south, though no official markers indicate this international transition. The low green profile of PSV's 115 acres emerges ahead, its pristine beaches visible along the western and southern shores.
Navigate to the designated yacht anchorage off the western beaches and take one of the available moorings or anchor in sand with attention to the resort's guidelines for visiting vessels. PSV has welcomed yachters for decades, maintaining exceptionally high standards while graciously allowing charter boats to enjoy the island's beaches and facilities. Once settled, spend your day swimming in crystal-clear waters, exploring the pristine beaches that consistently rank among the Caribbean's finest, or arranging lunch at the resort's beachfront restaurant where the cuisine matches the spectacular setting. The famous flag communication system, where resort guests use colored flags to signal staff rather than phones or intercoms, adds charming old-world character to the experience. Snorkeling around the fringing reefs reveals healthy coral and abundant tropical fish populations. As evening approaches, enjoy sundowners from your cockpit with views across the channel toward Petite Martinique, tomorrow's destination and your entry point into Grenadian culture.
Route Highlights
- Crossing the invisible boundary between St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada during your short passage.
- Arriving at exclusive Petit St. Vincent, one of the Caribbean's legendary private island resorts.
- Relaxing on pristine beaches and experiencing the resort's charming flag communication system.
Drone shot of Petit St. Vincent
Day 6: Petit St. Vincent to Petite Martinique to Tyrrel Bay, Carriacou
Nautical Miles: 10
Travel Time: 2 hours
Depart Petit St. Vincent and set course southeast toward Petite Martinique, a small island that maintains one of the strongest traditional cultures in the entire Grenadines chain. The brief passage across the channel brings you fully into Grenadian territory, where the red, yellow and green flag replaces St. Vincent's blue, gold and green. Petite Martinique has long been known as a boat building center and fishing community, with generations of families maintaining traditional Caribbean skills and maritime heritage. Anchor off the main settlement and go ashore to explore this authentic island, where colorful fishing boats line the beach and local boat builders still construct wooden vessels using time-honored techniques. The contrast with yesterday's exclusive resort island could hardly be more dramatic, providing valuable perspective on the economic and cultural diversity within these small islands.
After a few hours exploring Petite Martinique and perhaps enjoying lunch at a local restaurant, continue south to Carriacou and the well-protected anchorage of Tyrrel Bay. This larger island serves as Grenada's second most important territory after the main island, offering yacht services, customs facilities, and a substantial local community. Navigate into the spacious bay and anchor with excellent holding in sand, positioning yourself near the dinghy docks for easy shore access. Spend your afternoon exploring the waterfront area and nearby Hillsborough town, where local shops and restaurants provide insights into Grenadian life and the island's unique cultural traditions including boat building and Big Drum music. Tyrrel Bay offers several excellent waterfront restaurants for dinner, where you can enjoy fresh seafood while reflecting on your progression from the exclusive resorts and pristine marine parks of the northern Grenadines into the more traditional, working island culture of Grenada's dependencies.
Route Highlights
- Visiting traditional Petite Martinique and its authentic boat building culture and fishing heritage.
- Crossing into Grenadian territory and anchoring at Tyrrel Bay, Carriacou's main yacht harbor.
- Exploring Grenadian culture and enjoying fresh seafood at waterfront restaurants in Hillsborough.
Grenada, Carriacou - view on Petite Martinique and Petite Dominique
Day 7: Tyrrel Bay to Canouan
Nautical Miles: 18+
Travel Time: 3 hours
Your final sailing day takes you north from Carriacou back into St. Vincent and the Grenadines waters, completing your southern circuit and returning you to Canouan where the adventure began. This represents your longest passage of the week at approximately 18 nautical miles, but the excellent sailing conditions typical of the Grenadines make it an enjoyable rather than challenging day. Depart Tyrrel Bay after completing any necessary checkout formalities with Grenadian authorities, then set course north past Petite Martinique and PSV, retracing part of yesterday's route before continuing toward Canouan. The consistent trade winds typically provide excellent broad-reach sailing, making for comfortable progress as you cross back over the invisible international boundary.
As Canouan grows larger ahead, you recognize the distinctive profile from your departure day, now approached from the opposite direction. The route can be direct for those eager to maximize time at your final destination, or include optional detours to Union Island's Clifton Harbor or brief stops at other locations depending on time and interests. Round the southern point and navigate up the western coast to anchor once again in Charlestown Bay, completing your circular route through the southern Grenadines. Spend your final afternoon and evening enjoying Canouan's relaxed atmosphere, perhaps visiting the resort facilities or simply relaxing aboard while reflecting on a week that encompassed spectacular marine parks, exclusive resort islands, traditional fishing communities, and two different Caribbean nations. As night falls over Charlestown Bay, celebrate your successful exploration of the southern Grenadines, having discovered a more intimate and authentic side of this celebrated cruising ground across 45 nautical miles of exceptional sailing.
Route Highlights
- Crossing back from Grenada into St. Vincent and the Grenadines waters during your longest passage.
- Enjoying excellent trade wind sailing conditions on the northward return to Canouan.
- Completing your 45-nautical-mile exploration of the southern Grenadines with arrival back at Canouan.
Overhead View of an Exclusive Caribbean Beach
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