An imaginary cruise through the Grenadines & Grenada - Part 2

To continue our imaginary trip with our great friends Jeff & Kathy, after Tobago Cays, we had planned to visit Mayreau, a short 4-5 mile trip to the northwest. Winds were 14-16 knots out of the east that day with 4 ft seas, pretty much a persistent condition for most of the week so far. Since it was such a short trip, we would have likely motor-sailed (unless Jeff insisted on hoisting the spinnaker, as this was the closest we’ve gotten to going downwind).

Mayreau is a small island with pristine beaches and some of the most spectacular diving in the cuts between the Cays. Salt Whistle Bay, our anchoring destination, is also a good place for Stand Up Paddle boarding and enjoying tasty local dishes from the string of beach shacks on shore.

The next day we planned a trip from Mayreau to Union Island, a short 4-5 miles south in 15-19 knots out of the east. Our objective was to get to Clifton, a bustling port with a cosmopolitan vibe, on the windward side of the island. There we would visit the extensive outdoor market, replenish our gourmet supplies such as Caribbean chocolate, spices, coffee and rum and have sushi & smoothies at La Cabane juice bar. Later, we would enjoy treasure hunting at the boutiques and a meal at Barracuda, a not too expensive Italian restaurant with live music.

We celebrated Kathy’s birthday on Saturday, April 18th, with a 20 mile champagne sail (13-17 knots out of the east) to Carriacou, an island that is part of Grenada and requires check-in at Tyrrell Bay. Tyrrell Bay is a huge, well protected and popular bay with cruisers. We would load up on fuel, ice & water and get land showers and laundry service at the marina for the first time in a week. There are a lot of technical yacht services (canvas/sail repair, rigging, welding & fabricating, mechanical, etc.) and a good chandlery available. Assuming we didn’t have any technical issues to address, we might have taken a taxi ride to Windward, on the northern part of the island, where traditional boat building was made famous by the movie “Vanishing Sail” and you can still see the fishing fleet operating entirely under sail.

Our last two days with Kathy & Jeff started with a 25 mile sail (winds E 14-16 knots) to St. George’s, Grenada. When we arrived, we would enjoy the colorful brick buildings of this historic trading town and a slip reservation (electric & water hook up) at Port Louis Marina in the lagoon, across the bay from town, where we could make use of the pool, the Grenada Yacht Club, duty free shopping and a slew of first rate bars & restaurants.

On April 21st, Jeff & Kathy were scheduled to fly out early in the morning so with that, my imaginary trip through the Grenadines & Grenada ends. Now perhaps, I’ll try to figure out what we would have done with Michael M if he had shown up for his visit later that week!