Come along on the ideal summer vacation: a Moorings charter adventure from St. Lucia to Grenada.
For any sailor dreaming of a Windward Islands passage, few itineraries rival the route from St. Lucia to Grenada. With lush volcanic peaks, iconic snorkeling grounds, and charming local encounters, this 180-mile journey delivers both luxury and adventure in equal measure. Here’s a firsthand account of a nine-day, eight-night voyage aboard a 46-foot Moorings catamaran that’s equal parts refined cruising and rugged exploration.
Photo Credit: The Moorings
Day 1: Touchdown in St. Lucia: Welcome to the Windwards
Arriving in St. Lucia, the shift to island time is instant and the stress of everyday life begins to immediately melt away. A quick and easy car rental process at the small but efficient airport had us headed north toward Anse Chastanet, our resort base before setting sail. The breathtaking property’s open-air rooms, surrounded by lush foliage and cooled by sea breezes, provided an unforgettable welcome. Twice-daily housekeeping, multiple lounging areas, and extraordinary service set the tone for the days ahead.
Day 2: Exploring Qualibou and the Botanical Gardens
Before boarding our boat, we took some time to explore the island’s interior. A short drive brought us to the Sulphur Springs—known locally as Qualibou—an active geothermal site within a collapsed caldera over 400,000 years old. Though it’s billed as a “drive-in” volcano, you can’t actually drive through it, but you can get remarkably close to steaming mud pots and sulfur vents.
Afterward, we strolled through the lush Diamond Botanical Gardens. Our guide helped bring the six-acre space to life, pointing out native flora along with some movie trivia (the gardens appeared in the 1984 film Romancing the Stone). With so much to do on the island—hiking, water sports, and more—boaters would be wise to spend several days exploring before their charter begins.
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Day 3: Boarding the Moorings in Rodney Bay
Our next leg began with a private speedboat arranged by Anse Chastanet, a welcome 25 minutes of smooth cruising versus the two-hour drive to Rodney Bay.
Check-in at the Moorings base was seamless. After a thorough chart briefing and final provisioning, we were underway by 1400 hours, setting out under clear skies.
By 4PM, we had moored in Pitons Bay beneath the iconic twin peaks—a spectacular backdrop for our first night. The mooring balls are easy to spot and secure, and boat boys quickly arrived to collect fees. Dinner ashore at the elegant Viceroy Hotel at Sugar Beach capped our first night aboard.
Day 4: Open Water to St. Vincent
We departed early for the longest passage of our trip: the four-hour sail from St. Lucia to St. Vincent. Trolling lines were deployed en route in the hopes of getting a fresh catch. Our first stop was Wallilabou Bay—instantly recognizable to Pirates of the Caribbean fans. Remnants of film sets remain, and a friendly local beachside bar offers drinks and photo ops.
Next, we continued on to Petit Byahaut, a nature preserve ideal for our first snorkeling session, before settling into Admiralty Bay, Bequia, a large and protected anchorage, and took the dinghy to Plantation House for a laid-back dinner.
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Day 5: Catches at Sea and Mustique Nights
Morning snorkeling at Devil’s Point gave way to another brief sail—this time to Petit Nevis for more reef exploration. Then came one of the highlights of the trip: a trolling run to Mustique that yielded two tuna and a mackerel.
Once docked, we celebrated with freshly prepared sushi aboard before heading to The Cotton House, Mustique’s premier resort, where fine dining and stellar service await. A driver picked us up from the dock, a detail that speaks volumes about the hotel’s level of hospitality.
Day 6: From Canouan to the Tobago Cays
After a shoreside hike and provisioning run, we sailed on toward Canouan in 5- to 6-foot seas—nothing our Moorings cat couldn’t handle. Hurricane Beryl had left its mark here, but the island is recovering steadily.
After a brief stop and hike, we made our way to the Tobago Cays. Winds were strong, making mooring a bit of a challenge, but local assistance made the process smooth. We grilled dinner on board and settled into the wild beauty of this national park.
Day 7: Turtles, Reef, and Rum Stops
We dinghied to Baradal Island in the early morning, where we swam with turtles and snorkeled vibrant reefs. A short sail brought us to Mayreau for lunch at Coconuts Bar & Grill, followed by cocktails at Thompson’s Bar & Grill—perched on a sand spit in mid-channel. Its unreal setting and local charm made it one of the most memorable stops. That evening, we anchored in Chatham Bay and cooked our fresh catch aboard under the stars.
Day 8: Mopion Magic and Petite Martinique
After clearing customs in Clifton, we headed for Petite Martinique via Mopion—a tiny, dreamy sandbar perfect for a mid-morning swim. Though supplies and services remain limited post-Beryl, the charm of Petite Martinique endures.
Dinner at Palm Beach Restaurant was a pleasant surprise: garden dining and fresh seafood served by a husband-and-wife team. Boaters, take note: They offer free moorings with a reservation.
Day 9: Grenadian Waters and Sandy Island Serenity
Photo Credit: Pure Grenada; Jasonde Caires Taylor-Vicissitudes
We set a southbound course for Tyrell Bay, Carriacou, spotting a double rainbow on departure. Customs here was efficient, and we finally indulged in hamburgers at a nearby lunch spot.
Later, we snorkeled around Sandy Island and visited Jason deCaires Taylor’s underwater sculptures at Jack-A-Dan. Dinner at Paradise Beach Club, just across the bay, was nothing short of upscale Caribbean dining. Owner Alison and her son Aaron exemplify island hospitality.
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Day 10: Dragon Bay and a Late-Night Rescue
The final sail day took us to Dragon Bay, near the Molinére Underwater Sculpture Park—home to 75 haunting, beautiful sculptures submerged just offshore. A nearby tour boat kindly pointed us to the best spots.
That evening, we moored in Grand Mal Bay. After dinner aboard, a knock on the hull just before midnight revealed two local divers who had lost their boat while spear fishing. Our crew quickly aided their return home—a dramatic and unforgettable close to our time at sea.
Day 11: Dockside in Grenada and Silversands Arrival
We returned the catamaran to Port Louis Marina in St. George’s, where the Moorings staff helped us to the slip with the same excellent service we’d seen all week.
Next stop: Silversands Resort. From the signature rum cocktail welcome to our sprawling three-bedroom villa to their renowned pool—at 100 meters, it’s the lowest in the Caribbean—this was luxury at its finest. Concierge service, marble interiors, and multiple terraces made this feel like a private estate rather than a hotel stay.
Days 12 & 13: Waterfalls, Forts, and Hidden Retreats
We ventured out to Annandale Waterfall and Forrest Park via a lush botanical trail, followed by lunch in St. George’s at Sails and a visit to the spice market and fort. The following day, our group split: Some tackled the Seven Sisters hike—slippery but rewarding—while others explored Silversands Beach House, a sister property with rooms tucked into cliffside rock.
Everyone regrouped back at the villa for sunset and frozen treats, a final sweet touch from our concierge team.
Photo Credit: Pure Grenada
Day 14: Bittersweet Departure
From island hopping to reef dives, each day offered something new. For those seeking an immersive and dynamic cruising experience, this Moorings charter through the Windwards offers not just a sailing itinerary, but a story worth telling.
-by Christina Lawrence
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