Sailing and Sustainability
Having nature in mind as you sail through the Grenadines is a pretty easy task for most.
To sail, enjoy and not leave an eco footprint may feel a little more challenging. However, there are many simple things you can do that actually make a huge difference to our waters and their ecosystems, all while having a vacation of a lifetime!
As world ocean day is upon us, it’s a perfect time to band together and find new ways to help the nature playground that we all love and enjoy.
Saying Yes to Less Plastic. Not NO to all Plastic.
Using no plastic at all may seem like a wish that can never be fulfilled. After all, it has become part of how we live, consume and dispose. It’s so easy to purchase and to use. It may feel like it will take too much effort to stop it altogether. Because of these factors, it may just not be that simple to stop using it cold turkey. Starting by just becoming aware of it’s use and how it breaks down (or doesn’t) in the sea and how you can minimize usage may just be enough to create some of the change we need to see in our ocean environments.
Let’s look at a few ways you can sail with sustainability in mind!
How to Sail with Sustainability in mind?
Ready to become more environmentally friendly while saving money and having the vacation of your dreams? Now that sounds desirable.
Sailing and sustainability already go hand in hand. It is already one of the most eco-friendly vacations to take. Sailing boats are powered by the wind and if the weather shows up in your favour, you may be able to go most of your trip without using your engine.
As we are working at our end to make your experience even better whilst looking after our environment, here are some simple things you can do to make your trip even greener:
Reducing plastic
You can minimize your plastic use by bringing your own water bottle with you. There are many options are that stainless steel or glass with outer protective covering. You could also bring along a fun, bright coloured cloth bag for all of your shopping experiences. Paper plates and cups may be an option for you if you are having beach picnics etc.
Go with the wind
You have likely put so much time and thought into your vacation so you can relax, unwind and enjoy some well deserved down time. So, if you find yourself on a light wind day in a calm anchorage, instead of rushing off to the next spot, you could use the day for relaxing, swimming, snorkeling, enjoying the sunshine and beach picnicking.
Choose natural sea washes, gentle gels, sunscreens and cleaning products
There are natural products available that have been made with the environment and the sea specifically in mind. Some are natural shampoos and body washes, others are sunscreens and sea scrubs and gels that are made for use in the ocean. Whatever you choose, bring along products for your sailing trip so you don’t harm the beautiful marine life. Also if you are cleaning on board, our team has some great suggestions for you!
Wherever you can, choose paperless options
When arriving at Barefoot, you will always be given the option to choose paperless invoices via email rather than printing them out. Go on, opt for it!
Recycle
If you have plastic bottles on board, bring them back to the base and give them to us, so all the waste doesn’t end up in the water down islands. We may be able to pass them on for recycling or up cycling on the island. You may also like to get involved in beach clean ups as you pass through the islands and do your part to help us keep the islands clean. 
Choose to eat locally
We have fresh food markets in St Vincent that are worth seeing if they coincide with your trip. You can also purchase locally grown food at some of our supermarkets and also small farmers selling their own home grown produce on the roadside. Many islands also have their own versions of these. Also, there are some local restaurants that boast locally grown and sourced produce. When eating out speak to the restaurant owners and choose where you spend your dollars carefully to reduce your eco footprint and support more sustainability in the islands.
Remember, every little bit counts. Have a fantastic sail and smile wider knowing you are saving the environment for our generations to come!
Barefoot Now Offering Long Term Charters!
You’ve chartered a sailboat for a week maybe even 2 weeks but it’s just not enough, well now you can enjoy a month or even three months sailing not just the grenadines but all the Caribbean islands from Puerto Rico to Grenada.
Chose one the participating yachts in our fleet and sail away on a vacation of a lifetime. No schedules, no time limits. Have you been contemplating purchasing a sailboat to live on? This is a great way to find out if your suited to live aboard life or the cruising lifestyle.
Barefoot Long Term Charters are limited to mid and low season, which means less crowds and better mooring opportunities for you. Plus the rates are amazing! Up to 50% less than the normal daily rate. Still too expensive? Have your friends come and join you for a week or two. Most of our yachts have three and four double cabins so there’s more than enough room for everyone. Pick up a group of friends in St Lucia, drop them of 2 weeks later in Grenada where you can pick up your next group of friends.
Fill out the form below and one of our charter experts will be happy to answer all of your questions to get you started on your vacation of a lifetime.
We are Going Green! Smart Antifouling Solution at Barefoot Yacht Charters
The beautiful waters of St Vincent and Grenadines are lush and filled with tropical flora and fauna for all to enjoy. At Barefoot Yacht Charters, we are dedicated to keeping it that way.
It is our goal to help reduce threats to our marine ecosystems by careful attention to boat maintenance and use.
Many antifouling paints are harmful to marine life such as turtles, rays, fish, sea birds, shellfish. Even a small amount of toxic chemicals can easily disrupt their natural habit and reduce their life span. We believe it is our duty to help to preserve our sea and wildlife.
The new Sea Hawk Smart Solution is the next generation in antifouling technology.
It is engineered to be the most effective environmentally friendly antifouling paint available. Smart Solution provides equivalent performance to traditional antifoulants, but utilizes completely METAL-FREE biocides resulting in no bioaccumulation in the environment.
Sea Hawk have long been an industry leader in bottom paints and barefoot has used their products for sometime. Smart Solution is undergoing testing on our fleet with very promising results so far and will be fully employed through out our entire fleet by summer 2016.
Philip Barnard, Managing Director of the Barefoot Yacht Charters and The Barefoot Group of Companies shared the company’s vision and it’s decision to introduce the new Smart Solution to the fleet.
“The request for an environmentally friendly bottom paint was received by all other paint companies like asking for it to be day and night at the same time, it just could not be done. The addition of Smart Solution to the Sea Hawk product line came as a great comfort to us at Barefoot Yachts as we have been searching for an alternative to the poisonous bottom paints used in the charter industry for some years now. Smart Solution works with the environment instead of against it using nature to protect our boat bottom instead of trying to kill everything that comes close to it. This is another great leap forward for our Barefoot lifestyle”.
Smart Solution is the next generation in antifouling technology.
is engineered to be the most effective environmentally friendly antifouling paint available. Smart Solution provides equivalent performance to traditional antifoulants, but utilizes completely METAL-FREE biocides resulting in no bioaccumulation in the environment. The coating’s reaction to salt water creates a slick film that encapsulates the hull, providing enhanced speed and premium performance against growth.
- Environmentally-friendly metal free bottom paint
- Slick film when launched
- Copper-free
- Compatible over existing antifoulants
- Increased speed
- Llyod’s Registry Certified
“In our ongoing effort to reduce our impact on the areas we sail, Barefoot is proud to continue our partnership with Sea Hawk paints and maintain the natural beauty of St Vincent and the Grenadines.” Philip Barnard
Carnival in St Vincent and the Grenadines with Barefoot Yacht Charters
What to do? You want to spend your bareboat yacht charter vacation on a relaxing sail with Barefoot Yacht Charters in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, but you also want to jump up and party at Carnival.
Our multi-island nation has rural Carnival activities which extend from mid-June to August in the Grenadines so you can enjoy the best of sailing, salt, sea and party!
Two islands in particular have unique elements in their celebrations, yet still retain the flavor of Vincy Mas:
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Bequia Carnival from June 20 – 23; and
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Canouan Carnival, a whole week of exciting shows and street parties from July 25 to August 1.
Dazzle your senses and sweat out the stress at Carnival, then recuperate on a sail perhaps to another Grenadine island where more adventures await, for each isle has its own history and ambience. Or just stay on board and be lulled into a deep relaxation until it’s time to jump up again.
Sailing in the Grenadines is line of sight sailing which means it is just short hop from one island to the next. You can enjoy the local ambience, festivities of Carnival in any capacity you choose. Whether you join in the celebrations or simply enjoy the culture and music from your yacht.
You can have your perfect holiday, and Barefoot Yacht Charters can make it happen!
Purchase Your Own Yacht
There’s nothing quite like sailing your own boat around the magical Islands of St Vincent and the Grenadines, one of the Caribbean’s premier tropical cruising grounds. It gets even better when your boat operates as a commercial charter boat, so you can offset the operating costs against the income earned.
As the only yacht brokerage company physically located in the Caribbean islands of St Vincent and the Grenadines, we offer our clients uncompromising professional integrity, many years of professional broker experience, a selection of great boats and an intimate familiarity with sailing the gorgeous Caribbean waters.
We also offer luxury bareboat and fully crewed yachts, an American Sailing Association (ASA) Sailing School, our own charter and scheduled airlines and an in-house travel agency and tour operator.
See our Yacht Ownership page for more details on how you can benefit from the best of both worlds.
Featured Yacht
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42′ Fountaine Pajot Venezia
2000 US$ 239,900
Fully-equipped, in very good condition and ready either to cruise the world or for continued profitable charter management. ‘Inordinate’ is a beautiful boat that has been routinely and expertly maintained by the Barefoot Yacht Charters maintenance team. If you’re looking for an excellent value on a solid global cruising catamaran with thousands of miles left in her, then don’t let this one get away from you. Complete maintenance history is available. Call or email for more information.
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Learn To Sail!
Learn to Sail in the Caribbean
Earn ASA (American Sailing Association) Certification during our Liveaboard Sailing Courses in the beautiful Grenadines. We offer One Week Basic, Catamaran and Advanced Coastal Cruising sailing courses.
Already have Basic Certification? Barefoot Offshore Sailing School offers Weekend Courses which will take you to the next level. All this and a Caribbean vacation a lifetime!
10% Off For Returning Customers
Escape the cold this winter and head to the Caribbean for your next sailing adventure.
If you have had the Barefoot Yacht Charters experience before, book now to receive your 10% returning customer discount.