Caribbean Hang Out Cruise - St Maarten to Antigua

Departure from Sint Maarten

Sailing from Sint Maarten to Anguilla & Sandy Island

Barefoot Perfection A short sail north brings us to Anguilla, an island known for powder-white beaches and impossibly clear water. We anchor off the tiny, postcard-perfect Sandy Island — a crescent of sand set in a ring of turquoise. What to do: – Snorkel straight off the yacht into crystalline shallows – Paddleboard around the cay – Sink into a beach chair with grilled crayfish and a chilled rosé – Long, lazy lunches with your feet in the sand Back onboard, the afternoon is for chillaxing: shaded cockpit reading, a swim ladder dip, perhaps a siesta as the Swan rests gently at anchor. As the sun lowers, we prepare sundowners — aged Caribbean rum, fresh lime, and crushed mint — served as the sky burns gold and coral. Dinner ashore: seared tuna with mango salsa, coconut rice, and grilled plantain. The sea is flat, the stars outrageous.

Sailing from Anguilla & Sandy Island to St. Barth

French-Caribbean Chic Next we glide toward glossy Saint Barthélemy, affectionately known as St Barths. The approach into Gustavia is cinematic — red-roofed houses climbing the hills, sleek yachts lining the harbor. This is barefoot elegance at its finest. What to do: – Espresso and flaky croissants at a harbor café – Boutique browsing and French wines in town – Swim at Colombier Beach, accessible by tender – Beach club lounging with chilled rosé and seafood platters The culinary influence turns distinctly French here: oysters on ice, Provençal rosé, lobster thermidor, tarte tropézienne for dessert. Evenings can be spent ashore at a chic waterfront restaurant — or back aboard, where the chef prepares bouillabaisse infused with Caribbean saffron and local reef fish. Sunset ritual: Slightly aged rum, olives, and warm baguette slices as the harbor lights flicker to life.

Sailing from St. Barth to Guadeloupe

Spice, Rainforest & Creole Depth We sail south to Guadeloupe, where the landscape grows dramatic and volcanic peaks rise from the sea. The scent of spice markets and tropical forest hangs in the air. Here the pace remains unhurried, but the flavors intensify. What to do: – Visit local markets brimming with nutmeg, vanilla, and cacao – Hike rainforest trails with views over emerald bays – Taste rhum agricole at a traditional distillery – Snorkel vibrant coral gardens Dinner ashore embraces Creole traditions: slow-cooked colombo chicken, grilled mahi-mahi with lime butter, accras (crispy salt cod fritters) served with ti’ punch. Evenings are balmy and musical — perhaps a little zouk drifting across the anchorage.

Arrival in Nelson's Dockyard

Nelson's Dockyard, Antigua

A Historic Finale Our final leg carries us to Antigua and Barbuda, finishing in the historic embrace of Nelson’s Dockyard. This UNESCO-listed Georgian naval dockyard is a fittingly elegant conclusion — stone buildings glowing in late-afternoon light, masts rising behind centuries-old brickwork. What to do: – Wander the restored naval quarters and maritime museum – Sip dark rum cocktails at a dockside bar – Swim in secluded coves around English Harbour – Celebrate the final evening with a Caribbean tasting menu For the farewell dinner: grilled Antigua lobster, charred vegetables with thyme, passionfruit pavlova, and a final bottle of Champagne under the cockpit stars.