The Caribbean 2006-2007

Dear sailing enthusiasts, we'll be sailing along the Windward Islands during the winter season.

Sailing trips will start from Martinique, the largest of the Windwards. Starting harbour is Le Marin in the south of the island at the end of a very well protected bay. From there we'll sail to:
St. Lucia (Rodney Bay and Maginot Bay, with a possible tour to a volcano and similar trips ashore)
St. Vincent, one of the poorest islands in the Caribbean that has very beautiful scenery and diving spots
Bequia: Has a famous bay which all circumnavigators stop in
Mustique: Lonely beaches, pure Caribbean feeling, Reggae evening and the chance to meet a celebrity (e.g. Mick Jagger)
Tobago Cays: A snorkeller's and diver's paradise; and in the evening we can eat lobster on the beach

We'll also go to either Palm Island or Union Island. Definitely worth a visit.

All the islands have numerous beautiful bays and opportunities for excursions so that on the way back to Martinique we can make new discoveries all the time. Alternatively, we can also sail on to to Grenada, which would mean you having to take a flight back to Martinique. We organise your sailing trip according to your requests.

The Windward Islands guarantee pure sailing delight with their constant weather and the trade winds up to 4 Bft. We'll be sailing from North to South and then back on the leeward side of the islands. You should allow for 14 days in order to be able to visit at least a few of the islands. One or two trips ashore are a must. To ensure a carefree sailing holiday, it is important to know in which months tropical storms and hurricans occur. In the area of the Lesser Antilles you are safe from mid-November to mid-June. After that the frequency -and likelihood- of such storms increases and reaches its peak in August and September before falling off again. The islands situated from a northern latitude of about 13.5° are less affected, those north of Martinique more often.

History, the islands and their inhabitants
Following the dark days of colonialism the islands achieved autonomy to a large extent after World War II. This process was accompanied by uprisings, but today guarantees democracy and a calculable economic policy, even though the islands continue to suffer from economic and political problems. Today, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago are members of the British Commonwealth, partly as independent states or represented by a Governor. Martinique belongs to France and is consequently a member of the EU. This muddle results in frequent changes of courtesy ensigns and clearing in and out. What is particularly fascinating is the racial and religious diversity: Asians, Creoles, Europeans; Rastafari, Voodoo mixed with Christianity. It is a wonderful mix. The vast majority of locals are friendly and helpful, with only a few reacting coldly, because they regard tourism as a successor to colonialism.

Club Nautique Olaf Schädlich & Team Auerbach / Vogtland