10 days island hopping Saint Martin - Martinique

 

The journey starts in Saint Martin and ends in Martinique. Both islands have international airports.

 

The constant trade winds allow the Clipper Stad Amsterdam to sail through the translucent blue water in her full glory. With a temperature of 30 degrees even during the nights it is very enjoyable. The refreshing seawater is perfect for snorkeling and diving!

Sailing from the one gorgeous island to the next on the warm trade winds, depending on the wind and weather, we have many opportunities to discover the Caribbean.
 

Saint Eustatius is the smallest, most picturesque island of the Caribbean. From our anchorage in Oranje Baai we will go with our sloop to the shore to visit the colonial Dutch Oranjestad.

On the rocky coast of Statia you find the Fort Oranje. This fortress operated to defend the Dutch territory. Nowadays the island is off track for most yachts, which makes it wonderfully tranquil.

 

Saint Eustatius, Saba, Saint Kitts and Nevis once formed one large island during the ice age, but are now small islands situated close to each other. On Saint Kitts we can make a tour to a sugar cane plantation. The old railway from the mill to the port of Basseterre is still being used. The Clipper Stad Amsterdam visits the island regularly and our local guide can quickly bring us back to the ancient Saint Kitts, from the time it was still named Saint Christopher.

 
On this Island-hop-trip we will combine sportive days of sailing, enjoying the beautiful full-rigged sailing through the magnificent Caribbean sea, with excursions with local guides on the various islands.
 

We can sail around the mountainous Saba. Starting early, and with your help if you want to, we set sail. The first track we sail close-hauled until we can bear away to admire the other side of the  volcano. We might be able to see the water turn light blue when sailing near the famous shallow Saba bank.

 

Quite some miles southwards we find three small French islands belonging to Guadeloupe. These are picturesque islands where we can enjoy a nice stroll. Iles des Saintes is the Caribbean version of the Quartier Latin from Paris. A perfect spot for an intimate diner ‘a deux’ ashore. In the morning we can enjoy a relaxing time on board and swim around the ship, or we go ashore for a French croissant and café au lait in a local bakery. From the fabulous viewpoint on top of the hill, during a hike, we can actually see the island of Dominica, mostly hidden in a cloud.

 

Dominica is the greenest island in the Caribbean. Tropical rainforests and plantations cover most of the island. There are no beaches, which causes less tourism to intrude.

A raincoat is no luxury on the jeep safari we can make to explore this luscious island.