Windward to Leeward Training from Grenada to St Maarten

What Is Sailing on This Course Like?

Route Overview Primary Route (and possible stops): Grenada – Carriacou & the Grenadines – St. Lucia – Martinique – Dominica – Les Saintes – Deshaies (Guadeloupe) – Sint Maarten Estimated Distance: 475–500 nautical miles, depending on stops and routing Key Points: Coastal and offshore navigation north along the island chain, multiple overnight passages, variable stops at anchorages depending on timing and weather. Passage Breakdown Grenada to Carriacou & the Grenadines Crew briefing, vessel checks, and weather review in Grenada before departure First leg to Carriacou and through the Grenadines, with anchoring opportunities at Union Island, Mayreau, or Bequia based on timing Watch rotation (3 hours on, 6 hours off) established immediately, all crew involved in navigation, log keeping, and sail handling Up the Island Chain (Windwards & Leewards) Successive offshore legs north along the Windwards and into the Leeward Islands Potential anchorages or brief stops: – St. Lucia – Martinique – Dominica – Les Saintes (Guadeloupe) – Deshaies (Guadeloupe) Multiple overnight sails required to cover distance and manage weather windows Navigation includes coastal piloting by day and open-water passages by night Final Approach to Sint Maarten Final overnight passage north to Sint Maarten, with arrival and customs check-in at the marina Crew dinner ashore at Lagoonies Bistro Training Focus Offshore and inter-island passage planning: route selection, waypoints, and safe harbor identification Practical navigation: use of chartplotter, radar, AIS, GPS, and visual references Watchkeeping: helm, lookout, sail management, log entries, and system checks Night operations: navigation, safety, lighting protocols, and fatigue management Sail management: headsail changes, reefing, downwind and reaching techniques for variable trade wind angles Real-time weather assessment and route adjustments based on forecasts and conditions Expected Conditions Winds: E–ESE trades, typically 15–25 knots in open water; possible gusts in squalls and acceleration zones between islands Seas: 4–8 feet in open channels, moderate to rough at times, with shorter-period chop between the islands Weather: Mostly clear with trade wind cumulus, brief squalls possible especially near island channels, warm and humid throughout Hazards: Traffic in coastal approaches, occasional fishing gear, squall lines, and strong currents between certain islands Why This Passage is Relevant Combines continuous offshore sailing with multiple island landfalls Requires active night watches and real passage-making skills Broad exposure to navigation scenarios: open water, coastal, and inter-island Ideal for sailors seeking multi-day watch experience and mile-building under realistic conditions You get to experience the entire easter Caribbean conditions in one passage