Sailing in the Caribbean; Exploring the Leeward Islands

YOUR SAILING AREA

Leeward Islands, Caribbean

Set the sails from St Lucia and follow the trade winds north and island hop your way to Antigua. Think, blue water snorkelling, delicious French food and breath-taking bays to explore. Experience the unspoilt, authentic Caribbean, away from the busy resorts and beaches with ideal sailing conditions and fantastic weather, this is blue water Caribbean sailing at its best. There are ample opportunities to explore a stunning collection of islands, go snorkelling amongst colourful reef fish with turtles, and enjoy fresh barbecued lobster on the beach at sundown. Anchor in secluded bays, dive from the bows of the boat and feel the powder white sand between your toes.

This luxury skippered sailing holiday in the Caribbean will focus on the island cluster that makes up the Leeward islands and includes Martinique, Dominica, Guadeloupe and Antigua.

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Caribbean Island Hopping

Begin your Caribbean sailing holiday on the volcanic island of St Lucia known for its iconic tapered mountains called the Pitons. Home to volcanic beaches, St Lucia is a popular diving destination surrounded by coral reefs. Walking trails are popular ashore with forest trails leading to cliff side waterfalls and beautiful gardens.

Onto the next mountainous island of Martinique and home to Mont Pelée, an active volcano with an abundance of dense rainforest. The sand on the beaches in the North is a silvery grey as a result of the historic volcanic ash –  a stark contrast to the South where white sand lines the shores. The largest town of Fort-de-France features steep hills and quaint narrow streets and the gardens of La Savane bordered by shops and cafes.

The island of Dominica is covered in luscious mountain rainforest and is teeming with wildlife and great walking trails. The National Park is home to the iconic Boiling Lake, hot springs and impressive 65 metre Trafalgar Falls. The capital town of the island is Roseau has sleepy streets lined with colourful timber gardens and botanical gardens. Butter-fly fly shaped Guadeloupe is divided by the Salée River and gives ways for hilly landscapes, long beaches and sugarcane fields. Parc National de la Guadeloupe encompasses the beautiful Carbet waterfall and the volcano of La Grande Soufrière.

Caribbean Wildlife watching

Wildlife watching in the Caribbean is a real treat. Spot graceful green and loggerhead sea turtles gliding effortlessly through the water and bottlenose dolphins swimming with the wake of the bow. Birdlife in the Caribbean is an incredibly beautiful sight so keep your binoculars at the ready to spot these colourful delights. With species only native to the Caribbean, these are once in a lifetime encounters! Pink Flamingoes are also a common bird across the Caribbean islands; these sociable creatures inhabit the blue lagoons, mudflats and lakes, living in colonies that can contain thousands of individuals.

All voyages for Skyelark

Skyelark

Guest berths: 8 Rig: Sloop

Skyelark is a luxury Oyster 62 sailing yacht, built for elegance and speed whilst maintaining the utmost comfort for her guests both below decks and while under sail.

Designed and built as a competitive pedigree to match her beautifully drawn lines and sumptuous interior she has had many successes in ocean races and regattas.

Her sloop rig and modern design mean sailing with her can be done with just two people and she is an excellent boat to learn the ropes during your sailing holiday.

Below decks, private cabins are beautifully appointed and a well thought out layout means she is suitable for a variety of travellers; single sailors, couples or private charters of family or friends. Skyelark has a spacious saloon and a generous galley where the crew will prepare healthy and home-cooked meals after a days sailing. with full air conditioning, Webasto heating and quiet flush heads, staying abord Skyelark is more akin to a hotel than a boat!

On deck there is a large, safe and family-friendly cockpit, a lounging deck and transom seats. There is always somewhere comfortable to be, either for socialising or some quiet reflection.

A  removable bimini over the cockpit keeps the sun or the rain out, and if the weather is inclement at anchor, then a full cockpit enclosure keeps everyone snuggly warm, whilst maintaining the alfresco views.

Oyster 62’s are known to circumnavigate with young families on board or sail to the Arctic reaching 80 degrees north. Oyster 62 ‘s offer the perfect package of speed, elegance, luxury and easy, safe comfortable cruising – Skyelark is certainly one of the finest examples. She spends her summer sailing the UK, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly with voyages around Scotland and the Hebrides before sailing winters in the Caribbean.

Take a look inside!

Deck plan

Skyelark is part of our luxury fleet and as soon as you step onboard you will feel the high quality finish and standard throughout the boat. From the comfortable cockpit seating area on deck for al fresco dining under the stars to the well appointed stateroom ensuite cabin, Skyelark’s design has been well considered to ensure luxury and comfort are at the forefront of her sailing experience.

Fitted with all the mod-cons, guests are welcomed to get involved with the sailing of Skyelark if they wish but the easy winch system and racing rig mean she is designed to be operated with a small crew. So if sitting back and enjoying the views is top of your list, you’ll be well looked after aboard. On her expedition sailing voyages, guests are encouraged to get involved to fully experience life at sea.

All* meals are cooked aboard so you can be sure to be very well fed, with both healthy and cooked choices for breakfast, delicious lunches and a varied menu of home-cooked food for dinner. With minimal light pollution, the Caribbean have some of the clearest skies you’ll have ever seen so make use of Skyelark’s generous seating area on deck and eat beneath the stars. Below decks, Skyelark has private twin cabins, a generous ensuite double cabin and VIP luxury double cabin for that added bit of comfort.

*During 10day Caribbean voyages, 4 meals (lunch or dinner) are to be eaten ashore at guests expense to ensure the full Caribbean experience.

Read more about life onboard Skyelark here.

Travel insurance notes

As this is an active adventure holiday, we advise that everyone has the appropriate personal accident travel insurance whilst onboard in addition to standard travel insurance which would cover you in the time between making your booking and departing for your adventure. These policies can sometimes be combined so please check with your travel insurance provider.

Please read more information on our Insurance guidelines page.

FAQ

• Are all meals included?

  Yes, all food and drink is included in your ticket price* *On 10 day Caribbean voyages, 4 meals (lunch or dinner) are to be eaten ashore to get the full Caribbean experience.

• Are there any added extra's?

  No, unless you go ashore. Excursions are not included.

• Are drinks included?

  Yes.

• Can you cater for dietary needs?

  Yes, please ask at the time of booking.

• What language is spoken onboard?

  English

• Do I need to tip the crew?

  Tips are not mandatory but are welcomed by the crew!

• What are the sleeping arrangements?

  3x Twin, 1x Double and 1x VIP cabin if req.

• How many toilet/showers does she have?

  3 bathrooms, all with showers.

• Is there WIFI?

  No, but you should easily be able to reach 3G/4G from the shore.

• Can I charge my phone/Camera?

  Yes

• Are there life jackets provided?

  Yes

• Are Waterproofs provided?

  No

• Do I need sailing experience?

  No, absolutely not! Just a lust for adventure.

• Will I be sea sick?

  Everyone reacts differently but we recommend if you are at all worried to take some medication 24 hours before departure.

• Is bedding included?

  All bedding and wash towels are included. Please bring a swimming towel if you wish to swim ashore.

Travel Planning

From: Rodney Bay, St Lucia

To: Falmouth Harbour, Antigua

To see where the ports are, along with your likely sailing area, please view the sail area & highlights.