Rates are for 1 week for number of guests shown and include: crew, food, & running expenses. Prices are subject to change without notice & many yachts have a surcharge over Christmas-New Years. For itinerary information and LEEWARD ISLAND local links click here.
Leeward Island Yachts for Charter - Page 2
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NEVIS
Surrounded by beaches, this lush, volcanic island of Nevis is just 12 miles from St. Kitts, which boasts a world class resort, the Four Seasons, with its world-renowned golf course.
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The history of this island is particularly interesting.
Besides being the birth place of Alexander Hamilton, two hundred years ago, it was the fashionable health resort of the British West Indies with its mineral spa baths.
Today, besides its hot pepper sauce, Nevis is known for its gingerbread decorated wooden buildings in its capital of Charlestown, as well as having some of the most charming hotels in the Caribbean, known as, “The Inns of Nevis.”
Hotels such as The Golden Rock Estate and the Nisbet Plantation are restored sugar plantations.
Of all of its numerous beaches, the reef-protected Phinney’s Beach is the longest and the best for snorkeling. |
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
These two volcanic islands lie 32 miles apart in the Leeward Island group, with Antigua being the largest and most historic of the British Leewards.
Its coastal craters of old volcanoes form coves and harbors with over 365 palm-fringed sandy beaches. The waters around both islands teem with a myriad of tropical fish.
Barbuda is an unspoiled, flat, sparsely wooded coral island known as a "sportsman’s paradise". It is a haven for birds, deer, wild pigs, and offers miles of deserted white beaches, excellent fishing, snorkeling and ancient shipwrecks for underwater exploration.
Antigua’s capital, St. John, has a new shopping and leisure complex on Heritage Quay, containing one of the island’s three casinos.
The nightlife often comes to you – steel bands, combos and limbo dancers tour the hotels each night.
Tourism is the main industry in Antigua. Excursions include: Fort James, St. John’s Cathedral, the scenic drives (such as Fig Tree Drive) and national parks, such as Indian Town, with its spectacular surf-torn coastline and blow holes. |
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In the south, the small resort town of English Harbour has become a yachting center and is also the sight of Nelson’s Dockyard. Tennis, horseback riding, golf and water sports are all available. The island is internationally famous for its cricket, as well as the Antigua Sailing Week in April.
MONTSERRAT
If you are on a sailing vacation or yacht charter and are looking for a frantic pace, you will not find it on Montserrat. Instead, you will find the resilience and determination of 4,000 people rebuilding their British island.
On July 13, 1995, the Soufriere Hills volcano began erupting after 350 years of dormancy. The historic town of Plymouth was completely destroyed by another violent eruption in June 1997. Today, most of the still remaining residents are crowded into the safety zone of the northern third of the island that is still habitable.
It is an interesting place to visit, especially the town of St. John’s, where new housing and schools are being constructed.
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Curious visitors can enjoy the spectacular volcanic scenery at Montserrat Volcano Observatory, which provides amazing views of what nature can do, as well as scenic views of the neighboring islands of Antigua and Nevis.
Enjoy picturesque walking trails, located in the northern mountains, pass the bold colors of tropical trees and flowers, and capture the abundant bird life and small waterfalls.
The warm black sandy beaches, as well as the popular Rendezvous Beach (the only white sand beach on the island) provide a sense of tranquility in their seclusion.
In addition, Montserrat has an abundance of world class fishing and more that 30 dive sites. |
GUADALOUPE
Butterfly-shaped Guadaloupe is an island of contrasts from the arid lowlands and white beaches of Grande-Terre, to the mountain rainforests and diving grounds of Basse-Terre, with its agricultural cane fields, stands of pineapple and many ancient windmills.
Although a part of France, its people and lifestyle are a blend of European, African and East Indies cultures.
Basse-Terre, the capital of Guadaloupe, and one of the oldest towns in the Caribbean (1640) has narrow streets, many beautiful parks and a 17th Century cathedral.
Fringed with coral limestone cliffs and white sandy beaches, it is also where most of the tourist facilities are located.
Pointe-a-Pitre, the island’s bustling commercial center with its modern buildings, busy streets, chic French boutiques and open-air markets is reminiscent of the French Riviera.
The harbor is crowded with schooners, freighters and often cruise ships.
Most of the large resort hotels are in Gosier, a playground for water sports by day and dining, discos and gambling at night.
Basse-Terre is mountainous with numerous banana plantations and some of the Caribbean’s most spectacular scenery. |
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The 74,000 acre Parc Naturel is a wonderland of waterfalls, lakes, tropical rainforests and cascading rivers. The still active volcano of La Soufriere rises 4,813 feet to crown this remarkable preserve.
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The town of Malendure is the launching site for the 150 acre Reserve Cousteau, a marine park around the Ilets Pigeon. (In 1955, Jacques Cousteau discovered what he considered to be one of the best dive sites in the world.)
Hot volcanic springs around the islands have created a wonderfully warm environment for a much wider variety of sea life than other Caribbean coasts.
Underwater forests of hard and soft corals and large communities of tube and barrel sea sponges, in all colors, give shelter to a universe of fish in all shapes, sizes and hues. |
MARIE GALANTE AND LES SAINTE
The offshore islands of Marie Galante and Les Saintes are dependencies of the French region of Guadaloupe.
Low and pastoral, this circular 60 square mile island of Marie Galante is a sugar, rum and cotton island. The island is bordered by white sandy beaches, of which the hidden coves of Anse Canot are the most secluded.
The Iles des Saintes are a huddle of eight islands, of which only two, Terre de Haut and Terre de Bas, are inhabited.
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Today, they are skilled sailors or fishermen identifiable by their wide hats called salakos.
Terre de Haut is the most interesting island with its 18th Century Fort Napoleon and charming villages.
Transportation on Terre-de-Haut is mainly by scooter, and is a fun way to “beach hop” around the island.
Relaxing with a café au lait in the town square is extremely tranquil, and the delicious seafood from the morning’s catch cannot be beat! |
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DOMINICA
With its lush rainforests and lofty mountains, Dominica is one of the least developed of the Leeward Islands. A sense of the unspoiled “Garden of Eden” pervades this rugged green landscape.
With abundant rainfall and rich volcanic soil, the economy revolves around agriculture and processing agricultural products. Bananas are the main export along with coconuts, limes, cocoa and various spices. The light industry has grown around the manufacturing of oil and soap from palms, canned citrus juices and madras fabrics.
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If you are a bird-watcher, botanist, or hiker, than Morne Trois Pitons National Park is a 5,000 acre nature haven.
A challenging trail leads from the village of Laudat, to the Valley of Desolation and Boiling Lake (a hot sulfuric area).
Other trails lead to Freshwater and Boeri Lakes, exotic Emerald Pool, Trafalgar Falls and many of the island’s scenic mountain peaks. River bathing is popular in the numerous mountain pools.
Dominica is the last remaining refuge for the once cannibalistic Carib Indians. About 2,500 live in this 3,700 acre reservation, where they farm, fish and make a variety of traditional craft items which includes carvings and baskets.
The capital is Roseau, the main port and commercial center. On the outskirts of Roseau is the 44 acre Botanical Gardens that contain exotic plants and flowers as well as various species of Dominica’s parrots.
The quiet town of Portsmouth is a jumble of colorful houses on a beautiful harbor that has more than 2 miles of black sandy beach lined with coconut palms.
If you are looking for the tropical bounty of the islands, Dominica is the place! |
The LEEWARD ISLANDS will provide more varied experiences per square mile than any place on earth. You never know what you will find from island to island or even past the next bend in a narrow mountain road.
The only thing for certain is that a sailing vacation or yacht charter aboard a catamaran, mono-hull or large motor yacht in the Leeward Islands will be a pleasur!
To choose your LEEWARD ISLANDS, contact Gail Hartman at (800) 382-9666 or email me at gail@visailing.com.
A paradise beyond expectation awaits! |
