Sample Itinerary – 7 days
Day 1: Arrive in St Maarten, an island of gently rolling hills rimmed with flawless beaches interrupted only by coves and bays cut into the coastline. After being met by the crew at The Princess Juliana Airport, you can enjoy a relaxing afternoon dockside as you join the yacht at The Princess Yacht Club or Isle del Sol Marina. Spend the afternoon amid the paparazzi on Orient Beach, or take the five minute boat ride to nearby Marigot to do some world class shopping. Once back at the yacht, allow your crew to arrange for a spa treatment at the resort or lounge around as the chef prepares dinner for you and your guests.
Day 2: After breakfast, relax on the boat deck as the yacht departs St Marten’s Simpson Bay. A short two hour cruise brings you to the wonderful Island of St Barths. Once the yacht is anchored in Gustavia Harbor take a ride in the tender or head to town. Gustavia offers visitors a wealth of boutiques, duty free shops, some good restaurants, and a colorful open-air market. Among the island’s natural riches is a small tree called the Gaiac, which comes from native Carib’s word for “Tree of Life”. It blooms a striking deep blue and can be seen all over the island. After a five star dinner prepared by the chef travel by limo to the ritzy center of St Barths to take in its nightlife.
Day 3: Join your guests on the aft deck for breakfast as the crew prepares for the yacht’s departure. Relax in the sun on the upper deck as you set course for the island of Antigua, only 6 hours way. Once tied up at Falmouth Harbors Yacht Club venture ashore or take a cruise around the harbor in the launch. Take a horseback ride on a nearby beach or allow the crew to arrange for a helicopter ride to see an active volcano on the nearby island of Montserrat. If physical fitness is your forte, work out on the upper deck, or take the scenic hike up to Shirley Heights for a breathtaking view of the Harbor and the rest of the island.
Day 4: Wake to the smell of fresh baked muffins as the chef prepares breakfast to be served in the open air on the aft deck. Today’s destination is Harmony Hall located in Antigua’s Nonsuch Bay. This is a wonderful area where only a reef lies between the yacht and the Atlantic Ocean, rolling in unbroken from Africa. Run around on the wave runners, or join the crew for a snorkeling adventure on the inside reef just off of Green Island. Once back on the yacht enjoy a Goombay Smash on the boat deck. This island drink made famous in Harbor Island near Eleuthera, is a favorite in the Caribbean. As your chef prepares a “Lobster Feast”, kick back, relax, and take in the sunset bringing with it the end of another wonderful day.
Day 5: Take in a final view of Antigua as you depart Nonsuch Bay for the six hour cruise across the Guadeloupe Passage to the French island of Guadeloupe. This island, once known by the Caribs as, Karukera, which means “Island of Beautiful Waters,” is the largest in the Leeward chain. Guadeloupe is a water sports enthusiasts’ paradise. In fact, it is on Jacques Cousteau’s top ten list for best places to dive worldwide. Once docked at The Marina Bas Du Fort in Pointe-a Pitre venture ashore to see a bustling waterfront with brightly colored umbrellas and gaily dressed market women surrounded by heaps of fruits and vegetables.
Take in the Creole atmosphere as you walk along the streets lined with fascinating gingerbread style buildings. The thirty minute walk through a rain forest to the 350 foot Carbet Waterfalls is another experience not to be missed. After a long day of activities join the crowd back on the yacht for an island style barbeque on the boat deck complete with reggae theme and dress.
Day 6: Today’s journey brings you to the island of Dominica. The island originally called, Wai’tukubli, which means ” Tall is her body,” is an apt term for an island whose 5,000 foot peak often has its head in the clouds. Exceptional dive sites are found on the north and its northeast coast. Reefs teem with colorful sponges and glowing crinoids, forming a home for rays, batfish, squid, and seahorses. Dive the drop-off known as “The Wall”, an underwater volcano, which offers caverns filled with sea life, and crusty corals including a rare black coral. Take the 20 minute hike up to Trafalgar Falls on the west side of Morne Microtin. Watch high above as the crystal clear water comes crashing down making a spectacular scene in the pool below. Once back on board, relax as the yacht rides easy at anchor in the surrounding turquoise water.
Day 7: Wake to the sound of the yacht in motion as you depart Guadeloupe for Martinique. The island known as the Paris of the Antilles, has one of the highest standards of living in the Caribbean. Its fine French restaurants, and shops along with an International Airport, make Martinique a popular destination for visitors. After a walk around the island’s capital, Fort de France, join the crew back on the yacht for a sport fishing excursion in the tender. Fish the islands outer reef for Tuna, Barracuda, Kingfish, and Bonito. With a fresh catch in hand relax onboard as the chef prepares dinner for you and your guests.
(Thanks to International Yacht Collection for the above itinerary):