Jewels of the Caribbean

There’s no better place to start your Caribbean adventure than in Antigua. Embark your yacht in English Harbour and take your rightful place among the scores of superyachts at anchor. With 365 coves – one for every day of the year – along its 50 miles of postcard-perfect coastline, you won’t be short on ways to spend your first day. Head to Jabberwock beach with one of your yacht’s sailing dinghies, Nonsuch Bay with a paddleboard, or sail out to sea at sunset with your iPhone for the ultimate insta-snap.

An early morning passage brings us to Guadeloupe. Take one of your yacht’s tenders ashore to Grande-Terre’s trendy St Francois and enjoy delectable seafood delights at Le Zagaya, then join the yacht on one of the islands palm fringed southern beaches. Divers in the group will enjoy exploring the colourful reefs around Pigeon Island, where seahorses, turtles and hundreds of tropical fish cavort in the crystal clear waters.

Sailing further south, the next two days will be spent discovering the alluring island of Martinique, where rainforests tumble into the sea at the north, and melt into soft sandy strands at the south. Hike the volcanic Mount Pelée then enjoy a beach BBQ prepared for you by your crew.

St Lucia is the “Jewel of the Caribbean”. The island is crowned by the Pitons, two twin peaks, from where rainforest and raging rivers tumble to the shore. Her 240-square-miles of sandy beaches and secluded bays entices sailors to come back for more. Guests can see St Lucia’s main attraction as they lean over the decking of their yacht. Hundreds of marine species swim in crystal clear seas. Scuba divers and snorkelers should drop anchor at Anse Chastanet reef. Here octopi and needlefish cavort in shallows from 3m to 40m deep. St Lucia’s never-ending trade winds guarantee a soft summer breeze. Your crew can break out windsurfs and kitesurfs, then massage tired muscles back on board.

Volcanoes shaped St Vincent. Its peak is a 1,234m-high active caldera, which sits atop a rainforest range. Head inland for hot springs or sail to black sand beaches on the shore.

Kids can join crew a themed adventure on the set of Pirates of the Caribbean. Grown-ups can hit the spa on Young Island, where Johnny Depp and Keira Knightley were pampered pre-filming. Or drop anchor at the Falls of Baleine on the northern coast, the site of a waterfall that tumbles into a natural swimming pool. A true buccaneer beach is Petit Byahaut. This blissful beach is film set class and can only be accessed by boat.

Of all the Grenadine Islands, Bequia is synonymous with the sea. Over 30 established dive sites ring this pristine island gem. Leap off your yacht with a snorkel or scuba tank for drift dives, drop-offs, canyons and caves. The island’s silk-soft sands range from the deserted to the barely touched. Princess Margaret Beach is so-called after Her Royal Highness breezed in from Mustique. The island capital of Port Elizabeth is a pretty patchwork of rum shops and seafood shacks. This scenic trail continues into Bequia’s verdant interior to Mount Pleasant, where the panorama pans fifty miles south to Grenada.

Mustique describes itself as ‘the world’s finest private island’. This Caribbean gem hosts nine blissful beaches and fifty species of bird.

Surrounding Mustique is a Technicolor reef. Glide past bluestripes and butterfly fish on a sea scooter safari, or follow a guide into the rainforest interior where Mangrove Cuckoo and Tropical Kingfisher lie in wait.

Mustique is more private playground than members’ club. You’re likely to see Hollywood A-listers sipping Drambuies barefoot at the bar, while European royals line up to shoot pool. What happens on Mustique stays on Mustique.

Canouan’s twin lagoons sum up the island’s carefree spirit: Friendship Bay and Glossy Bay. Electricity only arrived here in the 1990s. Highlights of the low key social calendar include calypsos, carnivals and reggae-powered street parties. But Canouan offers much more than pink sunsets and white sand. Its tropical golf course runs close enough to the ocean for guests to whack a ball from foredeck to green. For silky sand and beach bars drop anchor at Carenage Bay or Godahl Bay. The latter was voted one of the world’s best beaches by The Travel Channel.

Lucky are the 250 residents who call this Caribbean castaway home. Mayreau has no airport, no bank, no roads and no worries. The boat-only island is frequented by a privileged elite. Its sandy-bottomed shoreline hosts more grouper and snapper than a yacht party can possibly eat. Saltwhistle Bay is a heavenly half moon of calm waters and powder white sand. The only danger to your party is too much sun, too much rum, or a falling coconut.

Deep in the Caribbean blue, Palm Island is a 135-acre piece of paradise. Five white sand beaches frame the scene: if one is busy, simply sail to a deserted neighbouring beach just next door. Casuarina beach runs the entire length of the island in a golden ribbon of sand. Our yachts may host all manner of toys, but most guests simply dive in and race to shore. After sunset seafood dinners on board your yacht, could life get anymore low key?

Grenada is a tropical giant. Its interior is covered with rainforest and waterfalls. Its shoreline is surrounded by turquoise bays and deserted sands. A beach barbeque or game of cricket has never been so grand. Set sail to the outer islands for sleepy, sunny charm. Carriacou is a sand-ringed jewel that the 21st century forgot. On nearby Petite Martinique the biggest news is when a coconut drops. Over 30 established dive sites surround these islands. These include luxury liner Bianca C. in 30m of transparent sea. It’s one of the world’s best wreck dives according to The Times.