jdykes8

My fiance are going to Young Island next August and were hoping to get some advice on the 2 day sail away, seems there are a lot of pros and cons. It sails to Bequia and Mystique.

Anyone have some suggestions?

sarajkl

We loved Young Island- were there on our honeymoon in April 2003. It is wonderful (see my previous posts). We did sail away- but we cut it short, staying on the boat only one night. 1.The boat was nice and clean- but no where near as nice as the cottages. 2. The open seas were pretty rough- so if you get seasick- watch out, it is not like sailing thru a harbor. I was pretty queasy. 3. Bring earplugs, we docked in the bay in Bequia- but even the earplugs were not enough to block out the street party that was going on. 4. As it was our honeymoon, the hot, stuffy (no ac, no fan) bedroom with two twin beds was not an ideal set up. In effect, we got almost no sleep the first night, and with the sailing between islands making me queasy- we opted to head back early. All in all, I would recommend just a full day boat trip or sail, unless you are real "sailors". I just kept asking myself why we were on the boat when we could be sleeping in the comfy cottages...

curiousx

sarajkl, I'm sorry you did not enjoy your sailaway. I am a frequent sailor (but not beyond getting queasy yet) and find the Grenadines offers some of the best in the world.

As you experienced, the 1-2 hour channel crossing over to Bequia can be rough; in fact this is known as one of the more challenging crossings around because it is where two major currents meet. However, I have experienced it as flat as a tabletop, as well. There's just no telling. The crossing to Mustique is not in the same league.

When were you in Bequia ? If you were there over Easter, you were indeed in party-time as that is when the Bequia Regatta is held. The rest of the year, the Harbour is quieter especially now that a major noise-making restaurant has been moved out.

I am surprised that your skipper did not try and take you to a quieter anchorage, such as Princess Margaret although, at Regatta time, nothing is really quiet.

The cabin you describe is typical of most yachts - however there is lots of ventilation and if you go again, make sure the skipper shows you how to adjust for this and catch the lovely breezes.

sarajkl

curiousx- You gave me some wonderful advice when I was researching my trip! thanks again! In fact, now that you mention it- it was around the time of the Easter Regatta when we were in Bequia- and maybe that was the reason for all of the late night/early morning excitement in the harbor. We were able to go to Bequia and Mustique- which were both great. I just wanted to provide a warning to anyone who was picturing sailing along flat seas-as much as I enjoyed the destinations- the waters were just too rough for me to enjoy the trip. I don't mean to dissuade other would be sailors- maybe they will be lucky enough to get calmer seas!

Maria

curiousx,

we leave on friday for a week of sailing (bareboat charter) in the Grenadines. We are flying into Canouan and have a 45 foot cat for 8 of us chartered. This is our 4th sailing trip together but our first time to the Grenadines (the first 3 were to the BVI). We do have some concerns about the sail to Bequia but also want to "strech" our sailing efforts and skills and be a little farther out there rather than returning to the same anchorages of the BVI.

We have been communicating and watching postings on Traveltalkonline as well as the Usual Suspects website. Do you have any additional info for us or recommendations?

Maria

curiousx

Hi Maria - As you have already discovered, the Usual Suspects website is an excellent source of Grenadines info as is Travel Talk.

Caribbean Compass at www.caribbeancompass.com is targetted directly at the sailors in this region and has lots of good info about some of the trickier sailing challenges and unmarked or poorly marked reefs and other hazards. Look for articles by Don Street and Chris Doyle. Caribbean Compass is distributed in hard copy (free) at many locations. The ads are also useful.

The roughest water you will encounter on the sail up to Bequia is in the Canouan channel itself, about 15 minutes out of Charles Bay. Get through that - about 30 minutes - and with the wind and current set right, you are in for a great day. The main challenge is not to let the current drag you off point. If the worst happens, well, you can anchor in Friendship instead of Admiralty Bay.

A week should give you time to sail up to Bequia and overnight there. I recommend a reservation if you have your heart set on Mac's Pizza (recommended).

A taxi tour around the island is a good idea (Noel, Lubin, Challenger, Lency, Alvin all recommended).

The next day, sail over to Mustique, have a burger at Basil's, visit must-see Macaroni Beach. Get a mooring up close if you can (I forget the charges maybe $20-40US ?). Snorkelling is good right from there. The anchorage is rolly so be prepared for a rockin' night.

From there, sail straight to the Tobago Cays (ugh that Canouan Channel again) and spend a couple of days there. Excellent snorkelling - it's worth taking your gear with you because it's hard to get locally and quality varies. Also many sites, like the Cays, have current and you will want your flippers.

Then spend another day or whatever you have left in Saltwhistle Bay on Mayreau. Have dinner at Dennis Hideaway and party with Righteous and the Brothers.

Last day, back to Canouan although this time you'll miss the worst part of the channel.

I am sure this advice replicates what you have picked up already from Suspects and TT so I hope I haven't bored you. Have a great vacation.

I'm off shortly myself - mostly the Grenadines with (if I get the energy) side trips to Trinidad, St. Lucia, and a couple of the smaller French islands. I'll be flying, not sailing, more's the pity.

orangetravelcat

It's been a while but we did the Sail Away option at Young Island back in 1992. We were married at the resort, and spent three days on the sailboat and seven in a cottage on Young Island. We got really seasick on the way to Mustique but after that, we were fine, and we loved the experience. I would do it again but this time I would be prepared with dramamine! Besides Mustique and Bequia, we went to the Tobago Cays and that was breathtaking.

Maria

curiousx,

Thanks for the additional info! We leave tomorrow and are so full of anticipation for all the wonderful sights. Best wishes to you on your trip also.

I will try to post a trip report when we return, either here on Fodor's Forum or on the Traveltalkonline forum.

Maria

curiousx

maria - just re-read my last posting and it could be read as a suggestion to anchor in Macaroni Bay - no no! Anchor in Britannia Bay. Sorry for any confusion.

J_Elaine

dear jdykes8,

I loved my Young Island Sailaway! I'd love to do it again!! I also did it in August. It was beautiful, relaxing, and great fun. They let you sail (i.e. steer the wheel), if you want.

There are 2 sailboats. I noticed that another poster said they had 2 beds on their boat. My boat (the smaller one, 44 ft, I think) had a double bed. I'm claustrophobic and didn't have a problem, because there are several glass hatches above your face.

I took dramamine before we left the first day, but it made me sleepy, so I didn't take it again. I was fine (see next paragraph). Well, almost fine. On the way home the last day we sailed through a heavy storm. Driving rain, heavy winds. The boat was at a 45 degree angle (or steeper) for more than an hour.

I'm not a great sailor, so I was queasy whenever I was inside the boat. No problem. I stayed topside the entire time. It was a great experience; all meals were served there. During the 2 days, the only time I went below was to sleep or use the loo. I'm sure I could have slept 'under the stars', if I wanted to.

Before you leave they'll ask you what you want to eat and drink. You can choose every meal.

It was a wonderful experience. It made the trip! I'd do it again in a hearbeat!