Many German crews first think of the BVIs or the Grenadines when it comes to a Caribbean cruise. However, charter yachts are currently extremely expensive in the Virgin Islands. And the Grenadines are usually hopelessly overcrowded. That's why our cruise takes us to the French Caribbean. This has the advantage that the flights are usually much cheaper and less complicated, even if they go via Paris. This is mainly due to the fact that the annoying change of airports in Paris is a thing of the past.
The episodes of this mini-series:
- The ideal week on the Baltic Sea
- The ideal week on the Adriatic
- The ideal week on the Aegean
- The ideal route in the Caribbean
Our cruise recommendation
So off to Pointe-à-Pitre, where Guadeloupe cruises usually start. There, crews can expect the finest sailing in the trade winds and a beautiful Caribbean palm tree ambience on land, villages with colourful wooden houses, famous rum distilleries - and all this with the advantages of the French character: good provisioning, great food, marinas, bakeries like in France and yet Creole charm and influences and hardly any crime. You should book a boat for ten days for this cruise, which combines the most beautiful aspects of the lush tropical volcanic island of Guadeloupe with the historically unique English Harbour on Antigua. There are two long 40-mile bumps in the trade winds, but the island is definitely worth it.
Day 1 and 2
We start off on the small archipelago of the Îles des Saintes, which is a little Caribbean dream. The main town of Terre-de-Haut is a picturesque village with beaches, bays, restaurants and mooring buoys for yachts.
Then we sail northwards along the west coast of Guadeloupe. It's best to keep a few miles away from the coast, otherwise the wind will be calm in the lee of the high island. If you like, you can stop in between for a tour of the tropical rainforest. The destination is the Soufrière volcanic crater and waterfall. Another good anchor stop is near Pigeon Island, where a strictly protected reef provides life under water.
The northernmost harbour on the west coast is Deshaies: a beautiful anchorage bay with a Caribbean village on the shore. Here you can easily clear out at the computer in a shop. This is necessary for the upcoming trip to Antigua.
Day 3 to 5
Start early so that you can spend a nice afternoon in the anchorage bay or marina of English Harbour. Clearing in is uncomplicated here: If you are only staying for 48 hours, you can clear out in one go. The lovingly restored dock and residential complex of the British navy from Nelson's time is probably the most beautiful and original harbour in the Caribbean. The perfectly sheltered bay in front of the steep mountain of Shirley Heights with its beach, palm trees and bars is almost magical; many crews stay here longer.
Tip: Try to arrive on a Saturday. Then you can go to the legendary party and steel band on the top of Shirley Heights at 4 pm on Sunday! The view from up there down to English Harbour at sunset with a drink in your hand and Caribbean sounds in your ear is a must. Depending on whether the crew falls for the charms of English Harbour, the journey continues eastwards to Green Island sooner or later. Great anchorages beckon there, and snorkelling allows you to see the rich fauna and flora of the reefs. Turtles can always be observed here. Then, with the trade wind behind us, we take a brisk ride back to Deshaies to clear in. There are also good buoy moorings here.
Day 6 to 8
Back along the west coast of Guadeloupe, you end up a second time in the Îles des Saintes. There are enough bays there to provide an alternative to the outward journey. For example, at the beautiful Plage du Pain de Sucre, a small sugar loaf-shaped mountain with a palm beach.
At the end of the tour, you can either return directly to Pointe-à-Pitre or head over to the rum island of Marie-Galante. However, only in calm weather, as there are only fairly open anchorages there. The best choice is off the fishing village of St. Louis or to the north at Anse Canot. There are also some good restaurants on the beach! An excursion to the award-winning Bielle rum distillery including a tasting is part of the visit to Marie-Galante. If you have to be back early on the day of departure due to flight times, you can spend the last night anchored off the small island of Le Gosier at the foot of a lighthouse. In the evening, it sends its cone of light over the palm trees. The beach on the main island is lined with cosy bars and restaurants. The next day, it's just a stone's throw back to Pointe-à-Pitre.
The trip in compact form:
- Day 1: Pointe-à-Pitre - Îles des Saintes A dream island to start with 20 nm
- Day 2: Îles des Saintes - Deshaies Ready to jump into Antigua! 26 nm
- Day 3: Deshaies - English Harbour In Lord Nelson's old harbour 40 nm
- Day 4: English Harbour - Green Island Snorkelling on the reef 9 sm
- Day 5: Green Island - Deshaies Back to Guadeloupe 46 nm
- Day 6: Deshaies - Îles des Saintes Creole variations 26 nm
- Day 7: Îles des Saintes - Marie-Galante Off to Rum Island! 18 nm
- Day 8: Marie-Galante - Pointe-à-Pitre Returning to base 19 nm
- Total distance 204 nm
