The Leeward Islands are the northern islands of the Lesser Antilles, which is a long chain of islands wrapped around the eastern end of the Caribbean Sea on the boundary of the Atlantic Ocean. They include the island of Anguilla and extend south to the island of Dominica. They are called, “Leeward,” because the prevailing winds in the area blow from east to west.

At one time just getting to these tropical islands was an adventure. But now, the adventure can start on arrival with either a sailing vacation or yacht charter.

Whether you are sailing on a catamaran or monohull, or cruising in a large motor yacht, there is plenty to explore under the sea, on the coasts, in the rainforests of the mountain interiors, and around the streets of their tiny capitals.

With varied histories, nationalities, cultures and cuisines, each island has a character of its own. Experience the delightful Dutch, proper English or French chic all mixed with a touch of African influence.

Whether you choose to engage in the nightlife of discos, gambling, gourmet dining, relaxing on quiet beaches, hiking nature trails or dining barefoot, the Leeward Islands are the perfect place to escape!

The surrounding warm turquoise blue waters provide perfect conditions for your sailing vacation or yacht charter. All kinds of water sports are available, including some of the world’s best diving and snorkeling.

The Leeward Islands include the following:

ANGUILLA

This British island sits at the top of the Leeward Islands chain. This low coral island is known for its powdery white sand beaches, intense blue waters, exclusive hotels, untouched cays and reefs, and a feeling of unspoiled peaceful seclusion.

With only about 1,000 inhabitants, this island is perfect for sun worshippers, divers, and sailors alike. Much of the charm of Anguilla lies in what it lacks.

Visitors seeking peace and quiet will appreciate the absence of casinos, theaters and bustling hotels. For sun worshippers, the beautiful beaches at Shoal Bay and Rendezvous Bay, located on the southeast coast, are by far the most beautiful! Shoal Bay East is reputed to be one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. Divers can arrange day trips to Dog Island, Prickly Pear Cay or Scrub Island. A series of marine parks have been created to preserve the undersea environment, like Stoney Bay Marine Park, which includes an 18th Century Spanish wreck. Many islanders earn income from fishing and boat building.

Fishing off Anguilla has always been a booming business where sweet spiny lobsters are so plentiful they are exported to St. Martin and St. Thomas. Consequently, racing became a national passion on par with cricket. Today, the traditional wooden boats are built and sailed solely for that purpose.

Carnival lasts a week and is held in August with calypso competitions, dancing, pageants and boat racing. In addition, the races on Anguilla Day, May 30th, are world famous.(It is well worth it to coordinate your sailing vacation or yacht charter around these races to enjoy the spectacle!)

ST. MARTIN/SINT MAARTEN Since 1648, this island, half French and half Dutch, has been a haven for shoppers because of its duty free status. Bargains can be found in luxury items such as jewelry, watches, cameras, liquor, perfumes and crystal in the Dutch capital of Philipsburg. The bustling Dutch side has most of the larger resorts with casinos, discos, and night time entertainment. On the French side, the pace is more leisurely with fewer and smaller hotels. The charming capital town of Marigot has an early market where travelers on sailing vacations or yacht charters can barter for spices and local crafts. Small boutiques are perfect for browsing and sidewalk cafes offer classic French cuisine.

The little town of Grand Case is perhaps the gastronomic capital of the Caribbean, with dozens of restaurants lined up along the beachfront road. Throughout the island, there are dozens of beaches and lagoons that offer a perfect place to worship the sun, including acquiring an all-over-tan at Orient Beach. Just off Orient Beach lies the flat island of Tintamarre. In a well-protected anchorage surrounded by a beautiful white sandy beach, visitors to this nature reserve can enjoy snorkeling or partake in the world famous mud baths. Visitors to St. Martin can also enjoy windsurfing, horseback riding and scuba diving in the reefs and caves beyond its beaches.

ST. BARTHS

This ultra-chic French haunt of the rich and famous is in the Caribbean Island of St. Tropez. Magnificent yachts lay in the harbor, and Parisian chefs produce excellent cuisine for European and American visitors seeking its stylish tranquility.

Steep roads wind around small green mountains past meadows marked by stone fences reminiscent of Normandy. The residents of this tiny French island are mostly descendants of the original Norman and Breton settlers. In sharp contrast to the accepted topless attire at most of St. Barth’s many magnificent white sand beaches, the older women of the villages of Corossal and Colombier still wear quaint, starched white bonnets which date back to the 17th Century.

The capital town of Gustavia is one of the Caribbean’s most picturesque ports and yachting centers. Ultra-chic and expensive boutiques, red-roofed cottages, duty free shops and seaside restaurants circle the harbor. With there being no golf courses,very few tennis courts, no casinos or movies, the evenings are perfect for fine dining, beach strolling, and of course, hobnobbing with the rich and famous!

SABA

This tiny cone-shaped Dutch island of Saba rises abruptly out of the sea. Carpeted in tropical foliage with jaw-dropping cliffs and no beaches, this unique community remains isolated except for the occasional day tripper who arrives via plane or ferry.

Due to an extremely rough anchorage, the island has recently been declared "off limits" by most charter companies. For those able to make the stop, the picturesque villages of The Bottom and Windwardside are located over 820 feet above sea level.

If you are feeling energetic, you can climb 1,064 steps through lush tropical forest to the top of Mount Scenery. Some of the best parts of Saba are its volcanic underwater landscapes. Since 1987, Saba’s 26 diving grounds have been protected as part of the Saba Marine Park. Accessible only by boat, divers will be awed by such beautiful spots as Tent Reef Wall, encrusted with corals and sponges where stingrays and nurse sharks sleep in the sand. In Needle’s Eye, you will find a unique collection of tube and barrel sponges as well as star and brain corals and at Third Encounter, you will see an underwater volcano just 100 feet below the surface.

STATIA

This tiny Dutch island was once the trading hub of the Caribbean. Well off the beaten path, and not easily accessible by dinghy, the island is an historical gem!

With perhaps some of the friendliest people in the Caribbean, you will find total peace and quiet as well as a network of hiking trails and vast underwater landscapes just waiting to be explored.

The sleepy town of Oranjestad is made up of Lower Town and Upper Town. Lower Town is mostly underwater. But, there are still remnants of the 17th and 18th Century warehouse and seawall which can be easily explored by snorklers. Upper Town is a delightful mixture of ruins, restored buildings, and houses dating back to Statia’s Golden Rock era.

The St. Eustatius Historical Foundation is working hard to preserve its rich heritage, including the restoration of Fort Oranje. For those interested in hiking, Statia offers a well-marked yet energetic hike to the perfectly formed crater rim of the 2,000 foot dormant volcano known as the "Quill." The hike through the lush forest offers an exciting opportunity to see a spectacular variety of fauna and flora, as well as breathtaking views of the surrounding islands of Saba, St. Martin and St. Kitts. Statia is best known for its underwater archaeological sites.

With over 400 shipwrecks around the island, it is a diver’s mecca. Artifacts are spread across the sea floor including canons, clay pipes and trading beads. You can explore coral encrusted anchors that have been lying around since the 18th Century or explore wrecked ships like those at Double Wrecks, which are the remains of 2 merchant vessels from 1720 and 1760. Although Statia is not easy to get to, however you explore it, you will be glad you made the effort!

ST. KITTS

Green and mountainous, St. Kitts is just beginning to develop its tourism industry. It now has a modern airport, a deep water harbor for cruise ships, a duty free shopping complex and a new 648 room Marriott. There is an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, a casino, and soon, a dog track, which is currently under construction.

Basseterre, the capital, is steeped in its British and French history, although the Georgian-style architecture is unmistakably British. The Circus, Independence Square (a former slave market) and the Philatelic Bureau (St. Kitts’ stamps are some of the most beautiful in the Caribbean) are all interesting. You can tour the island by car or on the old sugar cane train. The train winds past vast sugar cane fields, old sugar plantations, small villages, and countrysides blooming with tropical flowers.

One of the top attractions is the historic Brimstone Hill, an 18th Century fortress known as the, “Gibraltar of the West Indies.” The view from the immense ramparts, which are 750 feet above sea level, takes in 6 islands.

Another site to visit is Romney Manor, a 300 year old great house that now houses Caribelle Batiks and a botanical garden.

The best beaches are at the south end of the island along Frigate Bay and Friars Bay. The nightlife is low key, but the local restaurants specialize in West Indian, Chinese and French cooking. Spiny lobster, crab backs, curries and conch are readily available.

Besides golf and tennis, St. Kitts also offers deep sea fishing and cricket. The 2007 Cricket World Cup was hosted by St. Kitts.

Continue to: Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat, Guadaloupe, Marie Galante and Les Saintes, Dominica