Bookmark and Share

New! Offshore Sailing Club Cruise in the Leeward Islands – January, 2011

Great Cruising, beautiful harbors - Another exclusive adventure for Offshore Sailing School grads and avid sailors!

This cruise is now underway and everyone is having a sweet time in the warm waters of the Caribbean. We'll be posting details on our December 4-11, 2011 Belize cruise soon. When Andy and Jill Cross get back at the end of January, they'll post a diary for the St. Martin to Antigua and Antigua back to St. Martin adventure. What follows is information on the cruise underway.

About the cruise in the Leeward Islands, now underway!

The boats are sailing, warm skies are guaranteed. Boats were chucked for comfortable deck shoes for this the perfect getaway in sunny Caribbean climes. In winter months, the Leeward Islands provide 15-20 knot winds out of the northeast, average temperature is 83˚ with sunny skies and warm waters averaging 77˚  for swimming and snorkeling. Can you ask for anything more!

Leg 1 – St. Martin to Antigua – January 8-16, 2011

Leg 2  - Antigua back to St. Martin – January 17-25, 2011  

Great boats, beautiful sailing grounds

Sailing was on identical new 44’ Sunsail yachts with four private cabins and two heads. Packages are per person in a private cabin. Discounts were available for two sharing the same cabin. The Sunsail 44i is a high-performance blue-water cruising yacht built by Jeanneau with comfort and fun sailing in mind. Its large cockpit features a spacious dining area with big folding table and storage. Twin helm steering provides easy access to the aft transom while moored. Best of all, its large sail area offers great performance, and a powerful bow thruster makes maneuvering under power a snap. 

The 44i’s contemporary interior features a spacious salon and fully equipped galley, four comfortable private cabins and two large heads with showers, plus a deck shower. Opening hatches, ports and long salon windows allow for plenty of light and ventilation. With six yachts and just four cabins per yacht, our maximum per yacht is four singles or couples or a combination.  

Tour leaders for this cruise are Andy and Jill Cross - veterans of our Windward Islands cruise Leg 1. Andy teaches all our cruising courses in his "real" life, Jill is a superb mate and organizer. Sailing aboard the lead boat, Andy will discuss the itinerary with each crew every morning, together they will organize shoreside and onboard parties and make sure that everyone is having a safe and glorious time.

Crews assigned to each boat were determined after resumes are received. As participants book, we keep everyone informed as to who is going in case you want to be on the same yacht. The most experienced participants are assigned “skipper” and “navigator” roles for communication with Andy's boat and ultimate decisions in case of emergencies or difficult situations, should they occur. However, everyone is expected to share equally in steering, trimming sails, preparing meals and maintaining the camaraderie and joy associated with our Offshore Sailing Club Cruises. 

Fantastic sailing and great exploring ashore

Both legs include long and short passages, to islands full of history, glamorous beaches and unparalleled views. There’s plenty to do ashore and great sailing to enjoy. During the cruise the cruise leader hosts a BYOB party aboard for all participants, and organizes group dinners ashore where and when these shoreside diversions are the most fun!   

Per person cruising package for Leeward Islands:

  • $2795 for Leg 1 and $2995 for Leg 2  – $200 off for Offshore Sailing School grads!
  • If you are coming with a loved one or friend and wish to share a cabin, deduct $250 per person
  • If you are taking a private cabin and wish to do both legs of the trip, deduct 5% from your total cost.
  • If you are a couple sharing a cabin and wish to do both legs of the trip, you may deduct 10% from your total cost. 

Here's what's included:

  • Private or shared cabin (see above) on a new Sunsail four cabin 44i by Jeanneau
  • All breakfasts, lunches and snacks and four dinners provisioned in advance
  • Meet and Greet dinner on first night of cruise
  • Leeward Islands cruise polo shirt
  • Offshore Sailing Club hat
  • Cruising Guide for the area (per cabin)
  • Fuel
  • Damage waiver

$750 deposit per person required on booking. The balance was due no later than 5 p.m. ET on October 29, 2010. A $150 refundable security deposit also due with the final payment. Scroll down to the bottom for more details. 

Leg 1 – St. Martin to St. Antigua Itinerary

Saturday, January 8
The Sunsail base on St. Martin/St. Maarten is located on the eastern side in Captain Oliver’s Marina at Oyster Pond, a protected lagoon surrounded by hills and a beautiful beach where the Dutch and French sides of this colorful island meet. Our fleet of Sunsail 44i yachts is available for boarding at 6 p.m. You'll join your mates for a Meet and Greet cocktail party and dinner at 7 p.m. at Captain Oliver’s Resort. The cocktail party is a cash bar (you pay); dinner is included in your package. 

Sunday, January 9
Breakfast aboard, morning briefing, depart Oyster Pond for St. Barts, fifteen miles southeast of St. Martin. Here you’ll discover rolling hills, picturesque villages and French ambience. On the way, we’ll stop at Il Fourche for lunch and superb snorkeling (8 nm), then head to one of the best anchorages in the Caribbean, secluded Baie Columbier (a 2 nm sail).  

Monday, January 10
On the west coast of St. Barts is Gustavia, one of the most charming villages in the Caribbean featuring vintage architecture, open-air markets, cafes and boutiques. A 2 nm sail from Baie Columbier, here’s where we will clear out of the French region, enjoy some very special shopping, then set off on a 20 nm sail to Orangestad on St. Eustatia. Affectionately referred to as Statia, this is as close as you’ll get to Caribbean life from ages past. The people are warm, the pace is unhurried and crowds are virtually non-existent. A must-see here is the spectacular walk-in volcano, which rises in a perfect cone to 2,000 feet. Clear waters reveal some exceptional reefs and hundreds of fish, perfect for diving and snorkeling. Statia’s National Parks are home to a number of endangered species including the rare Antillean iguana. For a scenic spot, head up to Fort de Windt, an 18th century fort with a great view of neighboring St. Kitts.  

View of English Harbor on Antigua

Tuesday, January 11
Before leaving, we will clear out of the Dutch region and head to Basse Terre on St. Kitts (a 20 nm sail). The charming island of St. Kitts is a lush tropical paradise reminiscent of the South Pacific. Mount Liamuiga, a dormant volcano covered by a dense, tropical forest stands tall amidst the clouds. Nature lovers can embrace the abundant ecosystems, lava formations, and seaside lagoons. That night we’ll stay in White House Bay, a 5 nm sail away. 

Wednesday, January 12
We’re off to Shitten Bay for lunch (3 nm) and then to charming Charleston, the capital of Nevis (15 nm), where you can explore this island’s dense rainforest, keeping an eye out for the wild greenback monkeys at Golden Rock Estate.  

Thursday, January 13
Today is an exciting 30 nm sail to Little Bay on Montserrat, famous for the active volcano, Soufriere, at the south end of the island. Little Bay is a good, safe spot to start a taxi tour of the sights. Montserrat was settled by the Irish in 1630-1649, hence many Irish names. 

Friday, January 14
Sail off to Jolly Harbour, Antigua to clear in after a delightful 25 nm sail. On the southwestern tip of the island, we’ll probably all head to shore for dinner (having consumed most of our provisions by now). A 350-acre resort awaits, with plenty to do, including a casino.

Saturday, January 15
E-day – end of the cruise, alas, as we enjoy our last (15 nm) sail to English Harbour, home of the famed Antigua Race Week held each spring. Located within the fifteen square miles of Nelson’s Dockyard National Park is Antigua's graceful historic district. Spend the afternoon shopping, lounging on the boat or hike up to Shirley Heights via Lookout Trail - a nature walk originating at the harbour. Shirley Heights features semi-restored fortifications of a colonial observation post and the best views of English Harbour.

Sunday, January 16
Depart for home or extend your stay ashore on Antigua. On Sundays, you can enjoy a BBQ and live music at Shirley Heights… there is so much to see on this island! Everyone must be off the boats by 11 a.m.  

Leg 2 – Antigua to St. Martin

 Monday, January 17
Arrive in English Harbor, Antigua and board boats at 6 p.m. Meet and Greet party and dinner ashore starts at 7 p.m. (cash bar; dinner included in your package). 

Tuesday, January 18
After our first morning briefing, we'll clear out of English Harbour and sail to Nonsuch Bay (12 nm) on Green Island, on the east side of the island. It's a fabulous view from Harmony Hall, a converted sugar mill with a beautiful art gallery, craft shop and restaurant. Green Island is an unspoiled hideaway where you can spot red-billed tropicbirds and pelicans amongst the abundant bird life. Inside its protective reef, you’ll find some of the best snorkeling in the area.  

Wednesday, January 19
We’re off to Codrington Bay, Barbuda, an exciting 35 nm sail to "the-heart-of-nature. Here unpaved roads meander and so do horses, donkeys and deer that come in to graze. Every house has a fence, built solely to keep the animals out of the yard. Every morning young men bring their horses down to the lagoon for a swim and grooming. 

Thursday, January 20
Lay day in Barbuda. This low, tranquil island is renowned for its sandy beaches, especially “eleven mile” beach, a particular favorite among sailors. Snorkelers are in for a treat with eagle rays and sting rays a common sight over colorful coral. The untouched beauty here could overwhelm you, with stunning pink coral sand and incredible snorkeling through the colorful trenches of Low Bay’s reef. If you’re a nature lover, you should visit the world's largest frigate bird sanctuary, which boasts the oldest surviving avian species known today. 

Friday, January 21
This is our longest sail – 55 nm downwind to Charleston, the capital of Nevis. This green and lush island beautifully combines rainforests and unspoiled beaches with the best-conserved colonial settlements in the Leeward Islands group. 

Saturday, January 22
Time to relax and explore Nevis’s neighbor, St. Kitts. We’ll anchor overnight in White House Bay after a leisurely 10 nm sail, where you'll find an interesting old wreck and more good snorkeling.

Sunday, January 23
We’ll head around the corner to Oranjestad, St. Eustatia to clear out (21 nm) and anchor in Oranje Baai. Called Statia, this small island has a large history with a perfect volcanic cone rising 2000 feet above sea level. Once the trade capital of the Indies, its present-day historical society has restored many of its ruins and old buildings. Scuba diving here is excellent and there's a good selection of enjoyable restaurants.

Monday, January 24
On our last full day of cruising we'll sail to Ile Fourche (28 nm)  which lies conveniently between St. Martin and St. Barts. We pick up moorings provided by the St. Barts Marine Reserve in a protected harbor with steep hills and craggy peaks. This is a great place for our final onboard group cocktail party. Snorkeling here is excellent . 

Tuesday, January 25
The second leg ends by 11 a.m. in Oyster Pond, St. Martin after an 8 nm sail. You can head for home today, but we're betting you might want to spend an extra day or two and explore St. Martin/St. Maarten on your own or with other club members. 

More details 

Extra expenses to plan for, not included in your package

  • Beverages (you may order in advance or get together with your crewmates when you arrive and do a little shopping before departure)
  • Four dinners ashore while cruising (special outings everyone looks forward to, you choose the days) 
  • Purchases made during the cruise (each boat generally sets up a boat kitty for costs such as clearing in and out of the islands, fresh provisions, ice, moorings and other items)
  • Taxis to and from airport (fares range from $35 to $45, per Sunsail, and travel time is up to 40 minutes)
  • Hotels ashore (If you wish to book these for a day or two prior to or after the cruise ends, Sunsail suggests  www.captainolivers.com in St. Martin and  www.jollybeachresort.com in Antigua)
  • Airport departure taxes

More information

Currency is Eastern Caribbean (EC), Euro (St. Martin), Dutch Guilder (St. Maarten). U.S. Dollars and credit cards are usually accepted throughout the islands. (Please check with your credit card companies to see if yours are accepted in this region.) Language is English, French and Dutch. Electricity ashore is 220 volt, onboard the boats is 12 volt only. If you wish to charge phones, razors, etc. you will need a car-lighter type adapter. There is no Internet capability aboard, but a few Internet Cafes can be found ashore. Sound systems have CD players and radios with an IPOD plug-in socket. 

Travel advice from Sunsail

For airfare, Mariner Travel, Sunsail's travel agency, is very experienced with getting air reservations to Antiqua and St. Martin. Call 888-952-8420. Flights on major airlines are available from most major U.S., Canadian and European cities to both cruise start destinations. Airport designations for booking flights: Antigua ANU; St. Martin XSM. A valid passport and a return ticket are required. St. Martin is the only duty-free port on this cruise. Time zone in the region is Atlantic Standard time, year-round. 

The small print

The $750 per person deposit (less a $100 per person processing fee) is refundable up to September 15, 2010 at 5 p.m. After that date, no refunds are allowed. The number of boats and itineraries are subject to change.

Offshore Management reserves the right to deny participation in any Offshore Sailing Club cruise or activity without cause or explanation. Requests for skipper and navigator positions will be honored or denied at the discretion of Offshore Sailing School management. Offshore Sailing School is not responsible for unforeseen additional costs that might arise before or during the cruise.  

More information about these fabulous cruising grounds!

ABOUT ANTIGUA 

Falmouth Harbour was built by the famous Lord Nelson and known for centuries as one of the finest shelters in the entire Caribbean. Falmouth Harbour remains a favorite with modern day sailors, offering a number of pubs, shops, restaurants and a lively nightlife. Yachtsmen recognize the marina as one of the most modern facilities available, a perfect combination of a beautiful, natural harbour with the necessities of modern sailing life. North Sound, Great Bird Island - with its pristine eco-system, is protected by over twenty small islands and numerous reefs. It is a nature lover’s dream and the only place in the world you can still see an Antiguan Racer snake in the wild. A hike to the summit provides spectacular views and the opportunity to spot frigate birds, herons, brown pelicans, osprey, turns, noddies, laughing gulls, red-billed tropicbirds and West Indian whistling ducks. Deep Bay is a well-protected bay, a nice spot for an afternoon swim, with a lovely beach and excellent beach bar/restaurant. The coral-encrusted Wreck of the Andes, a 3-masted barque that sank in 1905, now lies in 20 feet down, its mast poking out of the water, and is a snorkeler’s delight. At the north end of the bay, you can hike up to what remains of Fort Barrington, originally constructed in the mid-17th century. 

Jolly Harbour, on the picturesque southwestern tip of Antigua is home to a 350-acre marina and resort by the same name. In addition to activities like golf, tennis and squash, Jolly Harbour offers a well-stocked supermarket, fuel dock, banks, post office and several good restaurants. Customs and Immigration are onsite, making this an ideal jump-off point for sailors going on to Nevis. Here you can spend the day relaxing or enjoying a variety of watersports. And in the evening, try your luck in the casino. In the colorful capital of St. Johns, fabulous duty-free gift shops and boutiques sit alongside the local market stalls. Take a break from browsing and grab a bite to eat from one of the many snack stops on the busy streets or get away from it all at one of the roof top eateries.

ABOUT ST. MARTIN/ST. MAARTEN

Good winds and medium seas allow sailors to enjoy exhilarating open-water sailing in this stunning yachting haven. Rivaling the BVI as the Caribbean’s most popular destination, St. Martin provides a good mix of island hopping and open blue water cruising. St. Martin is divided between two principalities: French in the North and Dutch in the South, which makes for a perfect combination of Caribbean style with European food and flair.  

Saint Maarten is the smaller, Dutch part of the island shared peacefully with France’s St. Martin. It’s the world’s smallest island on which two separate nations, with two very different characters and sets of laws and customs, co-exist on either side of a border marked only by welcome signs.  

The Dutch section of the island, only 17 square miles, has become one of the Caribbean’s most popular holiday and shopping destinations. Not only can visitors hop across the invisible border to get a taste of French Caribbean life, they can also enjoy the advantages of shopping in one of the world’s few completely tax-free ports.  

In the capital of Philipsburg, there are more than 500 stores in pastel-colored, clapboard Dutch-style buildings selling luxury goods at 25% to 50% below normal prices. For truly local shopping with a Caribbean flavor, don’t miss Philipsburg’s Saturday market. 

The sporting highlight of St. Maarten is the March Heineken Regatta, which draws yacht crews from across the world providing an excuse for parties and steel band entertainment on both the Dutch and French sides of the island. After Easter, the annual carnival is an extravaganza of calypso competitions, costume and dance, as is the official holiday celebration marking Queen Juliana’s birthday on April 30. If that isn’t enough partying, islanders and visitors can pop across the border to the French side to enjoy the festivities on Bastille Day – June 14. 

St. Martin is 21 square miles of French territory with a strikingly French way of life. The currency, the language, the goods in the shops, the escargot and frog legs in the restaurants and the pastries and breads in the bakeries, the cars, the fashions and the sheer style – it’s all unashamedly French, with the added Caribbean attraction of superb beaches on which to spend the hot, sunny days. 

At the French centre of a spectacular bay is the small capital town of Marigot, with 50 restaurants and many shops where visitors can take advantage of the town's tax-free port status. Every Wednesday and Saturday there are festive open markets with vendors selling tropical products, fruits, vegetables, fish, spices and local art and crafts. 

Grand Case, known as the dining capital of the Caribbean, has the greatest concentration of restaurants, including French, Italian, Vietnamese and West Indian. Away from the busy towns, visitors will find a wide choice of breathtakingly beautiful beaches and bays, some of them popular and lively, others quiet and secluded. Entertainment comes in the form of organized parties at some of the larger resorts and discos at some of the restaurants, but mostly you’ll find a musical culture of reggae bands and piano players in the bars and bistros. 

ABOUT SUNSAIL

Sunsail’s yacht charter base is located in the best-known spot on Antigua at Nelson's Dockyard. Built by the famous Admiral Lord Nelson, this is an ideal starting point for exploring the coastline and some of Antigua’s lovely beaches. This historic area is now known as much for its lively pubs and restaurants as its fascinating history. Nearby, Shirley Heights is popular for its famous “Jump Up” BBQs and rum punch parties with dancing and live music.