The Grenadines Itineraries: Day Charters and Multi-Day Routes
The Grenadines are built for island-hopping. With seven major islands spaced just 5–15 nautical miles apart, and passages that rarely take more than an hour at cruising speed, this chain offers the Caribbean’s finest multi-stop itineraries. Below are three distinctive day-charter routes and two multi-day itineraries that cover different ground and can be combined into a comprehensive 7-day north-to-south voyage from Bequia to Union Island.
Day Charters
Bequia Coastal Explorer
A full-day charter exploring the largest Grenadine island. Depart Admiralty Bay in the morning and cruise around Bequia’s southern coast to Princess Margaret Beach – a pristine crescent of white sand named after the princess who famously swam here during her visits to Mustique. Anchor for a morning swim and snorkel over the rocky reef at the beach’s western end. Continue west to Friendship Bay for a paddleboard session in calm, shallow water, then round the island’s northern tip to the secluded Moonhole community – a collection of dramatic stone houses built into natural rock arches, visible from the water. Return to Port Elizabeth for a waterfront dinner at Mac’s Pizzeria or the Frangipani Hotel, watching the sun set over Admiralty Bay.
Tobago Cays Turtle Snorkel (from Canouan)
The ultimate Caribbean snorkelling day charter. Depart Canouan’s Sandy Lane Yacht Club and cruise 6 nautical miles east to the Tobago Cays Marine Park (approximately 30 minutes). Secure a mooring buoy in the lagoon and spend the morning snorkelling with green and hawksbill turtles in the seagrass beds between Baradal and Petit Bateau – encounters with 50 or more turtles are routine in these shallow, crystal-clear waters. After lunch on the aft deck, dinghy to the sandbar off Petit Tobac (a filming location for Pirates of the Caribbean) and drift-snorkel along the outer edge of Horseshoe Reef, where eagle rays, nurse sharks and schools of blue tang patrol the drop-off. Return to Canouan in the late afternoon with a sunset cocktail in Glossy Bay.
Union Island, Palm Island and Petit St Vincent Circuit
A day charter exploring the exclusive southern Grenadines. Depart Clifton Harbour on Union Island and cruise south to Palm Island (2 nautical miles, 15 minutes) – a 54-hectare private resort island with five white-sand beaches and a casual beach restaurant open to visiting yacht guests. Swim, snorkel the reef on the windward side, and enjoy a beachside lunch. Continue south to Petit St Vincent – PSV – one of the Caribbean’s most exclusive resorts (1 nautical mile further). Anchor off the main beach and tender ashore for afternoon tea or a sundowner at the hilltop restaurant, soaking in 360-degree views of the southern Grenadines and Grenada on the horizon. Return to Clifton Harbour via the tiny, uninhabited island of Mopion – a sandbar with a single palm-thatch umbrella that makes an irresistible photo stop.
Multi-Day Itineraries
3-Day Route: Bequia to Canouan (Northern Grenadines)
This 3-day itinerary explores the northern half of the Grenadines chain – culture, celebrity and natural beauty – covering approximately 25 nautical miles.
Day 1: Bequia (Admiralty Bay and Island Exploration)
Begin in Admiralty Bay, one of the Caribbean’s finest natural harbours. Spend the morning exploring Port Elizabeth – provision the yacht at the local market, browse the Sargeant Brothers Model Boat Shop (a Bequia institution celebrating the island’s boat-building heritage), and stroll the waterfront. After lunch, cruise to Princess Margaret Beach for an afternoon swim and snorkel, or dinghy to Lower Bay for a beach-bar rum punch. Return to Admiralty Bay for dinner at the Frangipani Hotel – live music on Thursday evenings – or dine aboard with the harbour lights reflected in the water. Overnight at anchor in Admiralty Bay.
Day 2: Bequia to Mustique
Depart Bequia in the morning and cruise 8 nautical miles south to Mustique (approximately 45 minutes). Pick up a free mooring buoy in Britannia Bay and dinghy ashore to the world’s most exclusive private island. Walk to Macaroni Beach on the Atlantic side for body surfing on consistent waves, explore the bougainvillea-draped paths and boutiques, and settle into Basil’s Bar for the Caribbean’s most storied sundowner. If your visit falls on a Wednesday, join the famous cocktail party; Sundays bring the beach barbecue. For refined dining, book the Cotton House restaurant in advance. Overnight on the mooring in Britannia Bay – the island’s twinkling villa lights and the sound of gentle waves provide the backdrop.
Day 3: Mustique to Canouan
Cruise 9 nautical miles south from Mustique to Canouan (approximately 50 minutes). Approach through the deep-blue Baliceaux Channel and round Canouan’s northern tip to the modern Sandy Lane Yacht Club – a 120-berth superyacht marina with full-service facilities. Spend the day exploring Canouan’s stunning beaches: Glossy Bay on the leeward side for calm swimming and snorkelling, and Godahl Beach on the windward side for dramatic Atlantic views. Lunch ashore at the marina restaurant or at one of the small local eateries in Charlestown. Canouan is the ideal staging point for the Tobago Cays (just 6 nautical miles east) and the start of the 4-day southern itinerary described below.
4-Day Route: Canouan to Union Island (Southern Grenadines)
This 4-day itinerary covers the southern half of the Grenadines chain – marine parks, deserted beaches and exclusive private islands – covering approximately 25 nautical miles.
Day 1: Canouan to Tobago Cays
Depart Canouan and cruise 6 nautical miles east to the Tobago Cays Marine Park (approximately 30 minutes). Secure a mooring buoy in the lagoon inside Horseshoe Reef. This is the day you have been waiting for: slip into the water and snorkel with green and hawksbill turtles in the seagrass beds between Baradal and Petit Bateau. The visibility is extraordinary – 15–20 metres over bright white sand and healthy coral patches. After lunch on the aft deck, dinghy to Petit Tobac’s sandbar and drift-snorkel along the outer reef. Overnight on the mooring in the Tobago Cays – the Milky Way is astonishing away from any light pollution, and the reef’s gentle murmur lulls you to sleep.
Day 2: Tobago Cays to Mayreau
Enjoy a final morning snorkel in the Cays – the early-morning light brings different colours to the reef and the turtles are particularly active at dawn. Mid-morning, cruise 3 nautical miles north-west to Mayreau and pick up a mooring in Salt Whistle Bay (approximately 15 minutes). This is one of the Caribbean’s most perfect beaches: a narrow isthmus of brilliant white sand between the calm Caribbean and the rougher Atlantic. Swim, paddleboard and wade ashore for a beach barbecue of grilled lobster from the local vendors (approximately $45–50 USD per person). In the afternoon, hike the short trail to the hilltop Catholic church for panoramic views across the Tobago Cays, Canouan and Union Island. Overnight in Salt Whistle Bay, with nothing but the sound of lapping water and distant birdsong.
Day 3: Mayreau to Union Island (Chatham Bay and Clifton)
Depart Salt Whistle Bay and cruise 5 nautical miles south to Union Island (approximately 30 minutes). Round the western headland to Chatham Bay – a spectacular crescent-shaped anchorage backed by green volcanic hills, with a handful of beach restaurants and not much else. Spend the morning swimming and snorkelling in this sheltered, uncrowded bay. After lunch at one of the beachfront barbecue spots, cruise around to Clifton Harbour on the eastern side. Explore the colourful waterfront town – local restaurants, fruit vendors and a lively yachtie social scene. For adventure, book a kitesurfing lesson in the channel – the consistent 15–25 knot trade winds make Union Island one of the Caribbean’s premier kite spots. Overnight at anchor in Clifton Harbour.
Day 4: Union Island to Palm Island and Petit St Vincent
Cruise south from Clifton Harbour to Palm Island (2 nautical miles, 15 minutes). Spend the morning on this private resort island – five white-sand beaches, excellent reef snorkelling on the windward side, and a casual beach restaurant open to yacht guests. Continue 1 nautical mile south to Petit St Vincent (PSV) for the afternoon – anchor off the main beach and tender ashore to one of the Caribbean’s most exclusive resorts. Enjoy afternoon tea, a hilltop sundowner with 360-degree Grenadine views, or simply walk the nature trails in near-total silence. On the return leg, stop at Mopion – a tiny sandbar between Palm Island and PSV with a single palm-thatch umbrella – for the ultimate Caribbean photo. Return to Union Island for a farewell dinner at Clifton’s waterfront, or overnight at anchor off Palm Island for a final night under the stars.
Guests seeking the definitive Grenadines experience can combine the 3-day northern route (Bequia–Mustique–Canouan) with the 4-day southern route (Canouan–Tobago Cays–Mayreau–Union Island–PSV) for a comprehensive 7-day charter covering the entire chain from north to south – approximately 50 nautical miles of the Caribbean’s finest island-hopping, without repeating a single stop. For an even grander itinerary, add the 40-nautical-mile passage north to St Lucia or the 20-nautical-mile hop south to Grenada, extending the voyage to 10–14 days and encompassing some of the most varied and spectacular cruising in the Eastern Caribbean.
