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Anyone been to or have input about the Grenadines?

Anyone been to or have input about the Grenadines?

Old Oct 16th, 2004, 02:47 PM
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Anyone been to or have input about the Grenadines?

My husband and I are going to St Lucia for the second time this November. This trip we are going to take a day excursion to The Grenadines. I believe we land on Union Island and sail from there. Any information, suggestions, experiences would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Brenandg
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Old Oct 16th, 2004, 04:00 PM
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Are you snorkellers - because you will be visiting prime sites. Tobago Cays, Mayreau, even the reefs at Union are very good. I recommend taking your own gear because what's locally available is often dodgy.

I'd suggest you visit the Usual Suspects website (www.usual-suspects-sailing.com) and also www.grenadines.net for excellent information about Union, Mayreau and the Cays. This is a fabulous part of the world.

The currency used is EC, same as in St. Lucia.

Try to sample the products of the excellent Hairoun Brewery - Hairoun beer or, if not beer drinkers, one of the Hairoun soft drinks (furit punch or ginger beer are particularly good.

If you go to Saltwhistle Bay on Mayreau, buy your drinks from the local guys with the coolers near the jetty - about 1/3 the price of the resort.

Take some dramamine/gravol just in case the seas are rough. Also some rain gear against the spray or the odd squall.

Have a blast.
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Old Oct 16th, 2004, 05:10 PM
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Thanks so much for your response, especially about the snorkel gear. we thought perhaps theirs would be better, but I have qualms about how well they clean that stuff as well. We will be bringing our own thanks to your advice.

Did you stay in the Grenadines or do a day cruise? After reading your response, I am really looking forward to going. The words fabulous and have a blast are very encouraging. Also, thanks for the web sites. I'll be sure to check them out.
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Old Oct 16th, 2004, 08:35 PM
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If you are only going on a day sail from Union Island your best bet will be to go to Tobago Cays for some of the best great snorkeling in the Caribbean or just relaxing on the beaches of the many cays. If you have time you can make a quick stop Saltwhistle Bay on Mayreau like curiousx mentioned. As an alternative, you could visit the Petit St. Vincent Resort and Palm Island but because of the distances you won't have time to visit all four of those islands or any of the other Grenadines such as Mustique, Bequia or Canouan. That's OK though - you'll have a good excuse to go back there again someday and spend a week or two sailing from island to island. The Grenadines are a great part of the Caribbean, lots of "old world" charm.
 
Old Oct 17th, 2004, 05:06 AM
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happy to help - I spend a large part of every year in the region so am able to do land stays as well as charter and day sails. As Sunnyboy says, you now have a good excuse to come back - one taste is not enough !
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Old Oct 18th, 2004, 05:24 PM
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To curiousx, lucky you to spend so much time in such a beautiful place!

Sunny boy, I have read some of your other posts and you do a fabulous job of describing the different islands. The reader really gets a feel of what it is like there.

I am a newcomer to this site. I was reading some on trip advisor but they have little to nothing on the Grenadines. I have looked at many web sites though and it looks like a beautiful place. I am an ER nurse and do need to get away from it all at times.

One more question. Do they accept US dollars there or do you recommend changing to EC? In St lucia, almost everything was priced in US dollars. I get a little mucked up trying to figure out what the price really is when using EC.
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Old Oct 18th, 2004, 06:14 PM
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1EC=about 37 cents US. .

In the Grenadines, larger businesses will willingly accept US$, travellers cheques and, often, credit cards. Small businesses really appreciate you offering EC currency but will try to accommodate US tender. However, your change will most likely be in EC.

www.traveltalkonline.com is a forum that that has a great deal of practical info about travelling in the Grenadines (check the Southern Caribbean board).

Have a wonderful trip !
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Old Oct 18th, 2004, 07:11 PM
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One hint - when traveling in the Grenadines you might want to bring a small "credit card" size calculator so you can convert $EC to $US. If you don't have a calculator you can make a quick calculation by dividing the $EC price by 3 and adding 10%. The resulting answer will be within pennies of the actual cost. Thanks for the nice comments.
 
Old Oct 19th, 2004, 03:42 AM
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Gerry and I stayed at Palm Island last year. The resort has a great luncheon spot for visiting sailors. I would highly recommend. . .
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Old Oct 28th, 2004, 11:44 AM
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I've been to St.Vincent 3 times on business, and each time I make sure to do a day sail through the Grenadines. It's one of my favorite places, and the sand at the Tobago Cays is the whitest sand I've ever seen... and I've been to about 20 Caribbean islands so far! My only advise would be try to get on a small boat if you can, as one time I was on a boat that was packed with about 25 people and it wasn't as much fun. Happy sailing!
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Old Oct 31st, 2004, 04:25 AM
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Just one more "Go" to Tobago Caye added to the above. It has some of the best snorkeling in the islands.
The only area that is better are some parts of the reef in Belize and Honduras in Central America.
Probably a little damage to the coral from the hurricanes but still will have your eyes popping it the natural beauty.
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Old Oct 31st, 2004, 06:24 AM
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I took curiousx excellent advice and looked at the web sites recommended. What are the odds of finding a boat vendor to BBQ a lobster for lunch while in the Tobago Cays? Is this more of a late day thing? Also, and I realize all charters are different, what is the average amount of time we would get to spend at each place. I think it will be Mayreau and Tobago Cays. Thanks! Remember, this is just a day sail then back to St Lucia by approx 6:00pm
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Old Oct 31st, 2004, 07:00 AM
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If I understand correctly, you are flying from St. Lucia to Union and then sailing from there to the Cays ?

You will have time for a good snorkel and look-around. Probably 1.5-2 hours - certainly not more than this if you are going to Mayreau as well.

That said, you will not have time to arrange a BBQ lunch in the Cays. Save it for when you come back on your own charter !

Lunch will be likely be on Mayreau where you can go to the Saltwhistle Bay Resort (the Captain will take your order and radio it in before you arrive).

Or you can bring a picnic to eat on the beach, buying beer and soft drinks from the local lads who have a stand/shack near the jetty. Bring something to sit on cos the beach ants bite!

Or you can hike up to the village and have whatever's cooking at Dennis Hideaway or Righteous and de Brothers. If you do this, however, you will have to remain very conscious of time because the boat will leave without you! If you choose Dennis, he has a truck and will pick you up at the jetty and run you back (I am not sure whether Robert Righteous has transport). Again, the Captain will radio in to let them know you are coming or you can email/phone them in advance (recommended).

Some daysails will provide lunch in the Cays, but again there is not enough time for you to arrange a BBQ.

Of the alternatives available, my preference is the picnic lunch in pretty Saltwhistle Bay followed by a leisurely swim in the calm calm waters.

There's also a bit of snorkelling along the sides of the Bay - just enough to keep it interesting but minimal compared to the Cays, of course.

Enjoy
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Old Oct 31st, 2004, 08:12 AM
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Thanks again curiousx for your response. It really helps to know little details and not go there completely blind as to what to expect. The info that I have about the trip says that lunch is provided whatever that means. My mouth was just watering at the thought of BBQ lobster! Can't blame a girl for trying.

I don't even know what boat charter we are going on. This is the trip that sunlinktours offers. I can also book through Sandals.

Thanks for the advice about the village and the time factor. That was one of the things I thought about doing, but think for our first time there, will just stay close. Don't think I want to get stranded there (or do I?)

Any thoughts on buying stuff from the vendors? We would like to buy some island goods.
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Old Oct 31st, 2004, 12:28 PM
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Hmm, my bet is you will be going with Captain Yannis, a reputable catamaran operation based in Union. Here's the web address. http://www.captainyannis.com/index.html

As for vendors, well you might want to have a look at what the Tobago Cays boat boys offer (Usual Suspects does a really good rundown on who has what). The few beach vendors in Mayreau are around the jetty - I don't really remember anything special.

Have a wonderful time !

Be wary of buying articles made from turtleshell or black coral. Both will likely be confiscated by customs if found.
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