laurie

I am looking for information on Young Island Resort on St. Vincent as well as information about short sails to the Grenadines for 2-3 nights. Does anyone have advice regarding St. Vincent or the Grenadines regarding where to stay, sailing and snorkeling? Which islands are better to see than others? I am looking for a romantic destination where myself and my husband can "get away from it all" and enjoy some water sports....Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

researcher

laurie, if you haven't done this so far, I'd suggest you use the text search function at the top of the page to search on key words like 'St. Vincent', 'Young Island', 'Grenadines', 'Tobago Cays', 'Pelangi' and 'Bequia'. This will bring up threads with lots of good information. Also look at the southern caribbean bulletin board at www.traveltalkonline.com Then post again if you have further questions.

Laurie

Thanks for the researching tips. Actually, I had searched this Board for that information and there is not a lot of info on Young Island (a couple of people posted a bunch of times- but repetitive info) and nothing on their "sail away" option. I would appreciate any reviews of Young Island (especially comparisons to other resorts in the Grenadines) as well as info on sailing from St. Vincent to Tobago Cays. (I also searched on the other website you suggested and there is not much at all about Young Island)

researcher

Great - thanks for clarifying - this makes it easier to know what not to repeat !<BR><BR>Re sailing in the Grenadines...did you read the postings by 'Seth' on www.traveltalkonline.com ? I have done a lot of sailing in the Grenadines myself and find what he has to say very solid.<BR><BR>In the Grenadines, I normally stay in my private home, not in a resort. But I have visited all the resorts and also am acquainted with people who have stayed there.<BR><BR>Young Island is a very good resort, and should be at the price ! The beach is small. Guests have easy access to really interesting ecological sites on nearby St. Vincent (although St. Vincent is not itself a 'beach' island. <BR><BR>My personal preferences, however would be, first Canouan Beach Club (French owned and operated), then PSV, then Young, then the rest (Tamarind, Saltwhistle Bay, Palm).<BR><BR>In terms of islands, my personal preferences are, in order, Bequia, Mayreau, Canouan, Mustique and Union - but that changes frequently, depending on where I've been to most recently.<BR><BR>Best snorkelling is in the Tobago Cays and snorkelling is good elsewhere, as well.<BR><BR>The sail away option is well-regarded. The boat most often used is Nepenthe, skippered by Johnny Ollivierre, who is regarded as one of the best (Bamo, with Pelangi, on Bequia is another with a top reputation). <BR><BR>In my view, to visit the Grenadines without sailing south to the islands of Canouan, Tobago Cays and Mayreau is like going to Egypt and not seeing the Pyramids.<BR><BR>In terms of watersports, there are excellent diveshops wherever you go and you can rent equipment. Jetskis are, thankfully, banned in much of the Grenadines. Waterskiing is available in some locations and so are windsurfers.<BR><BR>I hope this is helpful to you.

researcher

forgot to mention that many of the Grenadines resorts are reviewed in detaikl by 'scubamom' at her website of the same namme

laurie

Researcher- thanks for all of the information! Well, I chose Young Island because of the Sail away option which was included in the price as well as the special they had- buy seven nights get the eight night free (April 2003). So in terms of price with everything (food and taxes) included for 2 people for 8 nights- it is less than $3000- which is at least $1000-2000 less than PSV and less than many of the other resorts. I am glad to see that you rank Young Island above Tamarind which we were also considering. I think we will definitely do the sail away option! I really would like to get to all of the islands that you mentioned and thanks again!

researcher

You are very welcome.<BR><BR>Re the sailaway - if you take the 3 day option, you will be able to overnight in Mustique or Canouan and also in the Cays, with a short time the next day to visit near-by Mayreau before sailing north again. I think this is the best, if you can do it.<BR><BR>If you take the 2 day option, you will have to drop something, probably the Cays and Mayreau. <BR><BR>Stay flexible about your destinations - wind and current can change everything !<BR>

curiousx

correction - Johnny's boat is Quest not Nepenthe. How embarrassing ! Nepenthe is great, too, however.

laurie

Does the Canouan beach hotel cater to mostly families, couples or both?

curiousx

There were no children when I was there.

orangetravelcat

Laurie, It was 11 years ago but my husband and I were married at Young Island. We thought it was wonderful! We did a package that included 7 days at the resort, and then 3 days on their sailboat with captain and cook. I recommend the 3 day sailing package, because that will allow you to go to the Tobago Cays which were breathtakingly beautiful,.