The Lesser Antilles

A Caribbean sailing dream
From the British Virgin Islands to Saint-Martin

On our Brig ‘Eye of the Wind’ we will take you on an unforgettable journey to discover the beautiful British Virgin Islands and sail back to Saint Martin from there.

Please note the following for your planning: The sailing trip described here is the second part of the two-week tour "To The British Virgin Islands", which begins and ends in Marigot / Saint-Martin. This one-week travel option ends at Road Town / British Virgin Islands. Please contact us - we can assist you in customizing your arrival and departure.

Discover Tortola with its vibrant "Caribbean way of life"

The starting point of this trip is the harbor of Road Town / Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. The port of Road Town gives you a very special holiday atmosphere with a combination of mild climate, beautiful scenery and relaxed Caribbean lifestyle. Use your time before check-in for a stroll through the botanical gardens in the center of Road Town. On the Main Street of the BVI, you find many houses built in the colonial style, inviting for a stroll past the shops, bars and pubs. Some British etiquette mixes with the relaxation and happiness of the “Caribbean way of life”. On the Virgin Islands, the visitor will find national parks and miles of unspoiled, white sandy beaches instead of skyscrapers and casinos. In places, the waterside is lined with spiny cacti, among which iguanas doze in the midday heat, and mangrove trees with tangled roots extending into the water. Emerald hummingbirds suck nectar from colorful blossoms and below the surface you find a coral reef with an armada of colourful tropical fish.

In Tortola you will board our modern tall ship, which is equipped to high standards, and meet the crew and sailors. After a tropical cocktail you will check into your air-conditioned cabins. It is easy to find your way around above and below deck, and after a safety and sailing briefing you will quickly feel comfortable in the stylish maritime atmosphere. The sails are operated by hand only. During the trip, you will also have the opportunity to lend a hand with setting sails, manning the helm and other daily routines on board on a purely voluntary basis - previous experience is not required. However, even if you do not fancy climbing up the shrouds or "pulling rope" and would rather spend your time relaxing on the deck, the raising and lowering of sails will become a familiar spectacle over the next few days that will never cease to fascinate.

White Bay: soggy dollars for a „Painkiller“

We leave Road Town and sail around the west end of Tortola. White Bay on the south coast of the island of Jost Van Dyke is our next stop, if wind and waves allow us to go there. On a beach of fine sand, where you immediately want to start digging for buried pirate treasure, the famous “Soggy Dollar Bar” is set against a breathtaking backdrop of palm trees. Since there are no piers to anchor, you end up landing with the dinghy in shallow water or swimming towards shore….which explains why “soggy dollars” are the official recognized currency. Here you will get the best “Painkiller” in all the Caribbean: a cocktail made of rum, coconut milk, pineapple and Orange Juice. (Photos courtesy of BVI tourist board.)

Relax under the sails

After a night at anchor we cruise through the waters of the BVI, past islands bearing such amazing name like Pelican, Dead Chest, Mosquito Island and Carrot Rock. Then we head southeast and sail to the “Leeward Islands”. With seemingly endless expanses surrounding us, a pleasant breeze pushes us through the azure water. The gentle, constant ups and downs of the hull in the waves, the vastness of the sea, which gives the eye no reference point, and the faint creaking of the rigging are the best ingredients for a relaxing holiday experience. Look forward to our excellent galley, which has received the grade 1.0 throughout in our surveys on customer satisfaction. Let yourself be surprised! In our extensive library you will find a good book with which you can make yourself comfortable under the sun sail.

Snorkeling and swimming in the „bathroom“ of the Caribbean

Soon we will drop the anchor again at Virgin Colada, the third largest island of the archipelago. Here, the randomly arranged granite boulders of “The Baths” form small caves and pools, inviting you to explore and snorkel. A delicious dinner after your snorkeling tour, maybe a glass of wine from the bar and a beautiful view of the sunset – makes a perfect day in paradise.   (Photos courtesy of BVI tourist board.)

Towards the sunrise – course for the Leeward Islands

In Saint-Martin we will end our Caribbean adventure and you will say goodbye to our crew and your fellow sailors. The trip will have a balanced rate of time under sail, relaxing and shore excursions. Without the hustle and bustle of everyday life you will find to have approached the most beautiful islands and beaches of the Caribbean from the water. From Saint-Martin you can fly back home with lots of fantastic memories.

Use your stay on the island for a relaxing day at the dream-like Dawn Beach, a hike along the rugged cliffs of the Pointe Blanche Bay, a trip to the monument at the French-Dutch border, or a sunny boat trip through the Simpson Bay Lagoon. Almost every point of the island can be reached by a short ride on the frequent direct minibuses. Philipsburg is the largest port, which is visited by up to six majestic cruise ships every day. The range of activities for tourists is correspondingly diverse, varying from sports like Jet Ski and snorkel tours to casino visits or a visit to the sunny beach of the Great Bay. A white dream beach of fine sand borders directly on the busy shopping area of Front Street, which is known for its duty-free shopping. Do not miss a visit to the nearby market, where traditional hand-made goods are sold in the full splendor of the Caribbean.

Princess Juliana airport in the southwestern part of the island presents an interesting feature and popular photographing opportunity; Due to the proximity of the runway to Maho Beach, the distance between the landing aircraft and the heads of the beach visitors (or the masts of the boats moored there) is, often only a few metres. You can fly home with one stopover from the international airport Princess Juliana to all European or International Airports.

Highlights:

• Explore the most beautiful beaches, bays and harbours in the British Virgin Islands and the Antilles
• Sailing adventure, Caribbean culture and relaxation time
• Good balance between attractive shore excursions and time at sea
• Excellent galley with culinary delights from morning to night

Travel time: 16 - 23 February 2013

Services:

• 7 nights on the 100-year-old sailing ship ‚Eye of the Wind‘.
• Exclusive accommodation in double cabins with hot and cold water, shower, toilet and air condition (single cabin supplement)
• Full board (including all meals and soft drinks, coffee / tea)
• Lounge with TV / DVD, and extensive onboard library

Not included: Arrival and departure, shore excursions and alcoholic beverages.

Special note: The specific ports are optional. The ship management reserves the right to change the route depending on wind and weather conditions on short notice.