Bernard le Duc

Set off early after scoring a fresh baguette and croissants from the bakery. Wind initially light but once we left the wind shadow of Guadalupe, wind picked up to the steady 14-18 kts as forecast. Some big swell ~1.5-2m. Tight reach right across to Antigua. Anchored I. Carlisle Bay in 10ft of water.

Spent yesterday at on the mooring Ilet a Cabrit and dinghied across to explore the charming Bourg Des Saintes. After windy night headed out today expecting to reef to sail through heavy winds but instead wind dropped and swung behind us so we sailed for a while on the main only and then had to turn on the motor. Sailing up the west coast of Basse Terre experienced multiple rain squalls interspersed with patches of flat calm. Tried to anchor at Point Ferry in front of nice beach but it seemed too expose to the north swell and wind. Instead continued to Deshaies and picked up a mooring ball.

The wind funnels around the Guadalupe islands to create all sorts of interesting effects on the leeward sides. It accelerates down through Deshaies means we had a few spicy gusts coming through overnight. When we left in the morning, the wind was very light and we motored for an hour until we rounded a headland and the wind came in at 10-15 kts. Before sailing into the channel to Les Saintes we luckily reefed the main and jib - suddenly we were in 20+kts of wind and major swells again. We were also hit by a squall with 30+kts and zero visibility from the rain. But it cleared after a few minutes and we sailed close hauled across to Les Saintes. Were able to pick up the last mooring ball in the secluded bay at Ilet a Cabrit and sat just a couple of boat lengths from the shore observing the pelicans and the goats roaming the island.

Set off early. Put in 2 reefs and small jib. Experienced big swells and winds of 20-25kts but fortunately on beam reach. Generally sailed at 7+kts - hit 10.2kts surfing down a wave. Got drenched by a major squall . Picked up last remaining mooring ball in Deshaies Bay. Very relaxed little town.

Stronger winds and bigger swells today. Very choppy waves leaving Green Island. Run down the coast just on the jib. Pulled into Nelson’s for pre provisiong and checkout before Guadalupe.

Rough night listening to the party at the resort on the beach that went until 1am. Set off on tight reach all the way to the south western tip of Antigua in one long tack. Wind about 15-18kts. Swells built from 1.5 to 2.5m. Go into Rickets Harbour on Green Island around 3pm. Beautiful secluded bay but quite small and 4 other boats already anchored so spent some time figuring out best spot to anchor in case of stronger winds forecast for tonight.

Left Dickenson Bay on broad reach for about 3nm to avoid reefs and then headed up to about 60 degrees AWA. Wind strengthened to 15-20kts with swell of 8’ to 10’. Sailed at 6 to 8kts. Got in just after lunch anchored off the gorgeous beach on Cocoa Point in 15ft of water

Fast reach the coast in 14-20mts of breeze with flat seas. Reached 7,8kts. After St Johns headed closer to the wind to eventually tack into Dickensons Bay. Anchored on northern end in decent shelter. Picked up Pete from the beach to join us.

Short run down from Deep Bay for a lunch stop. Picked up mooring ball just off the resort beach.

Nice sail in 8-18 kts of wind. Started as a broad reach along the south shore and then close hauled up the west coast. Easy anchor in Deep Bay. Got a lot quieter after the part cats left. Hike up hill to the fort overlooking the entrance to St Johns.