Tag Archive for: Grenadines

St Vincent and the Grenadines Covid Free

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As air travel begins to open up and people are looking for a stress-free, safe, vacation experience, sailing the beautiful Caribbean is on the top of many lists. The Grenadines in particular, are some of the most idyllic and secluded islands in the world.

The Grenadines are a perfect spot to drop anchor with confidence and enjoy a safe family vacation out on the water.

St Vincent and the Grenadines are currently classed as Covid-free, a boost of confidence for sailing travelers. We we are working hard to roll out our new safety protocols and ensure that a socially distanced, private and safe vacation is available for all of our charterers.

We take you and your health very seriously and have taken every precaution to help keep you and your family safe whilst sailing with us and to give you peace of mind so you can enjoy your time out on the water to it’s fullest.

We are currently completing renovations to our front office, adjusting our systems and have updated our safety procedures with the health of our staff and charter guests at the forefront of our minds.

We are taking bookings, ensuring paperwork is done prior to arrival and have many other regulations at the base to make sure we are doing all that is possible to ensure the safety of our guests.

We have aligned our safety procedures with the current guidance of the relevant authorities including the WHO, CDC and local operating governments.

Here is the full outline of what you can expect from Barefoot Yacht Charters when you book a charter with us, including at the base on the yachts, our government protocol and what you can do to help make your sailing vacation as safe and as enjoyable as possible.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR UPDATED SAFETY MEASURES

So follow the travel protocols, ensure you and your family and friends are Covid free and come sailing in a Covid free environment.

We look forward to seeing you enjoying yourself out on the water again and indulging in all these beautiful islands have to offer.

Black Friday Bonanza

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This Black Friday, we are taking off more than just our shoes!

This offer is too good to keep a secret until Friday so we just had to let you in on what we are offering.

We want you to be able to get in now while there is availability. Indulge in the tropical trade winds, turquoise water and pristine sandy beaches in the stunning St Vincent and the Grenadines and receive PREMIUM season charters at the high season rate for all charters between December 22nd 2019 to January 3rd 2020.

In addition to this, we areoffering 10 DAYS sailing for the price of 7, at this reduced rate!

  • Check out our new Barefoot Black Friday Special
  • Receive high season rates during PREMIUM season when you book during the below dates
  • Valid for all Barefoot charters between December 22nd 2019 and January 3rd 2020
  • In addition, receive 10 DAYS sailing for the price of 7, for bookings made by November 24th

But hurry, this amazing offer is only valid on bookings made between Sunday December 22nd 2019 and Friday January 3rd 2020.

Spend your holidays immersed in sunshine and seas at the best possible price!

CLICK HERE TO ENQUIRE

 

 

7 BEST Snorkel Spots in the Grenadines

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While there are many beautiful spots throughout St Vincent and the Grenadines that will take your breath away, life below the keel is a huge reason to visit the islands all by itself.

Swimming and snorkeling with the turtles, eagle rays, octopus, nurse sharks. Magical coral reef and colourful reef fish are among some of our charterers top things to do while sailing.

We have special secret spots we will be sharing with you in our video blog this year. This month, we have given you a glimpse into what your trip could look like below sea level.

Download our FREE PDF on 7 BEST Snorkel Spots in the Grenadines HERE!

We enjoy all our underwater adventures in the islands but we have to tell you. Some spots are still our ultimate favourites. Even after 4 generations sailing these waters.

No. 7 on our list and by far not our least favourite in the islands, is Bequia. This tiny island is home to large eagle rays, turtles, seahorses, lobsters, crabs, octopus and a diverse range of reef fish and all within a short dinghy ride from your anchorage!

No. 6 is Canouan, a special little spot named L’isalot. It’s just a short dingy ride from the new marina in Canouan. A beautiful snorkel area with an abundance of sea life including some resident nurse sharks.

No. 5. is Union Island. The northern end of Union Island is home to Chatham Bay, a picturesque bay with great snorkeling! Spot large sea stars and turtles living in the reef. You may even hear the call of a whale or 2 in season.

Check out our favourite secret spot and all the details of our Top 7 Snorkel Spots in the free PDF. We give you our top tips for each spot and an idea of exactly what you will experience. Read through from no. 7 all the way up to the priceless no. 1 !

Look forward to seeing you beneath the sea.

The Barefoot Family

Our New Fleet!

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Barefoot yachts has a new fleet for sailing the grenadines on yacht charter in the caribbean.

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Hurricane Irma

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We would like to provide you with an update following hurricane Irma.

We thank you all for your concerns and kind messages and thankfully report that St Vincent was further south and out of the hurricane force winds and the surges that affected our brothers and sisters in the northern islands.

In St Vincent and the Grenadines, we experienced a small rise in water level and some wind and rain. However our hearts are with our friends up islands who took the brunt of this storm. We are now also reaching out to our friends in the neighbouring islands, who have been severely affected by hurricane Maria. We will provide updates on this as we have more news.

Managing Director of the Barefoot Companies, Philip Barnard says:

“Our thoughts extend to all those affected by the hurricanes, the people of the northern Caribbean as they come to terms with the after-effects of Hurricane Irma. The Caribbean is highly dependent on tourism and these beautiful islands need our support during these times”.

We are relieved to report that St Vincent and the Grenadines will continue to operate as normal following the hurricanes, as we were just south of the line of impact.

At this time, we are pleased to be able to offer assistance to yacht charter companies affected, provide boats in St Vincent and the Grenadines for upcoming charters and also to assist those who’s vacations have been compromised by the storms.

Our hearts remain with all those who have much rebuilding to do and we will continue to provide assistance wherever we can.

If you would like to assist the people of these islands, you can do so through donation at a number of sites, a couple we have listed below:

Global Giving

https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/hurricane-irma-relief-fund/

Virgin Unite

https://www.virgin.com/unite/bvi-community-support-appeal

We are saddened by the devastating effects of Irma and Maria and encourage all to continue traveling to and supporting the islands of the Caribbean.

The Barefoot Family

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Meet Our Guests, Mark and Olivia!

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The Following is the travel log of 2 of our Barefoot friends and regular charterers, Mark Pratley and Olivia.

They sailed for 2 weeks through the islands of St Vincent and the Grenadines this year and documented their experience!

Thank you Mark and Olivia for sharing your island adventure with us.

Read more

5 Travel Tips for your Caribbean Vacation

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Planning, packing and traveling to your favourite travel destination may be inevitable, but feeling stressed in the process isn’t. Today we share our top tips on how to plan, create and enjoy a memorable Caribbean holiday.

  1. Pack Light. We have all overpacked at some point in our traveling lives and in some instances we do require that extra jacket, hat or pair of jeans during our travel.. but many times it just ends up following you home unused at the end of the trip. Our tip? Only pack the essentials. Pack only what you need and then allow 1 or 2 extra items. You will feel lighter, probably find you still don’t need all of it and airports will become a lot more enjoyable for the whole family. Download your FREE Packing Checklist to help you choose the items that are most important for you! 
  2. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Travel is mostly exciting because of the journey and experiences, however we also get excited during the planning process which is also an important part of the thrill. A little planning can perfectly assist in creating a fun-filled vacation but it’s very easy to go overboard on the planning which can turn into stress. Many of us have tried to ‘make the most’ of a vacation at some point only to be disappointed if it doesn’t work out ‘perfectly’. Remember if you’re in the islands with those you love, it’s already perfect! Avoid trying to create the magical experience and simply just be present and enjoy each moment as it happens naturally.
  3. Boost your body. Give yourself a travel health kick 1 week prior to sailing. Add some extra B Vitamins and Vitamin C into your intake during the last week and boost your body for travel. B Vitamins can help lower stress levels and prevent mosquito bites and Vitamin C may help to prevent seasickness and reduce the risk of contracting colds and flu while traveling.
  4. Use your boat extras. Your boat is your home on water for a week or more so why not make the most of its facilities? Plan a beautiful BBQ night on board one evening, create a romantic star lit dinner in the cockpit, sit on the bow with a cocktail for sunsets, use your snorkel gear and water sports gear to enjoy the beautiful reefs and surrounds at your leisure
  5. Take only memories, leave only footsteps. Make lasting memories through photography, video, connections and laughter. Look at the gorgeous fish, coral, shells, flora and animal life around the islands. Although you may be tempted to touch, remember all the beauty that is there will await your next visit. Leave your footprints and sand castles and take your photographs, stories and life long memories. 

Just like life itself, sailing often comes with many different experiences. Some planned and others unexpected. As much as we strive to deliver the very best charter experience for you, how much you enjoy the ride is really up to you! Look at each encounter as an opportunity and let your island journey take you on an adventure of a lifetime. Relax, learn, play and enjoy every moment! Feel happy knowing that you’ve done your research and are making the best decisions for you and your family.  You’ve put the work into creating this trip and it’s time to reap the rewards.

It’s time to relax and enjoy your holiday!

From the Barefoot Family

 

7 Reasons to Sail in Summer!

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There are so many great reasons to sail in summer and it’s not just for the amazing deals available in off-season.

La Mouette, in the Tobago Cays – (Photo: Mark Pratley, Barefoot Yacht Charters)

The Caribbean in the summer gets a lot of bad press…it’s too hot, it rains a lot, there’s a risk of tropical storms…but for some, including us, cruising in The Grenadines is better in the summer and here’s why.

First let’s address the hurricane risk.  The Atlantic hurricane season is officially from 1 June to 30 November. Statistically tropical storms are more likely to form in the north and The Bahamas and Bermuda have more to worry about than St Vincent and The Grenadines, which is considered to be at the southern edge of the hurricane belt.

With sophisticated weather forecasting, you can get at least 3 days’ notice of any potential problems.  Barefoot Yachting check almost obsessively the weather patterns and if there is any cause for concern they can get you and your yacht to safety. Quickly.

And yes. it is hot and it does rain in the summer, but it doesn’t rain every day and it never rains for long. Everything gets dried out quickly. It’s hot here all year long and whilst it may be a little hotter in the summer, on your yacht you will always get the sea breeze to cool you down.  Still hot? Just jump in and go for a swim.

Petit Tabac, Tobago Cays

Petit Tabac, Tobago Cays – (Photo: Mark Pratley, Barefoot Yacht Charters)

So now there is no reason not to sail in the off season but what are the benefits?

  1. For starters you will get a good deal on your charter, or on a sailing course through BOSS. Less demand means lower prices for you. Not only that but you will get a wider choice of yachts available.
  2. Ironically, despite being hurricane season, in general the winds are a little lighter and the sea state more comfortable than in the winter. Perfect sailing weather.
  3. The crowds have gone! You don’t have to miss out on a great days sailing by having rush to get a mooring buoy, or a decent spot in the anchorage.  Tobago Cays without a hundred other yachts there!
  4. The islands are completely different in the summer. They have a much more relaxed feel about them because not everyone is chasing a dollar or two and coping with the hoards. You feel you’re getting to know the true Grenadines.
  5. You may get good deals on mooring buoys, just ask what their summer rate is.
  6. Less queues at the bars and restaurants, better service, less waiting.
  7. The shops won’t run out of ice!

So, a bargain boat, good sailing, no crowds and ice for your Rum Punch.  It’s a no brainer really.

Join us next summer! www.barefootyachts.com

A brand new course to celebrate BOSS’s 20th Anniversary!

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This year B.O.S.S celebrates our 20th Year anniversary of sharing our Barefoot Offshore Sailing School with a brand new course! What an amazing journey it has been!

Over these years, thousands of sailors have passed through our Basic Learn and Cruise to Bareboat Skippers License courses.

Many of these students have gone on to complete their Advanced Offshore Courses on our exciting St. Lucia – St Maarten 9-day course and further their knowledge with our in-house add-on courses such as our Yachtsman’s Rigging and Diesel Engine Courses.

We are proud to welcome our graduates back to the waters of St Vincent and the Grenadines, to go on charter and partake in our very own homegrown courses.

A brand new course we are most excited and pleased to offer is The Barefoot Navigator alongside well-known author Jack Lagan. 

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The Barefoot Navigator course has been developed to provide hands on ancient navigation skills. We use everything  around us, from the indigenous birds of the area, wave and wind directions and the stars above to fix our position.

“Come join us as we rekindle the ancient navigation arts through the Barefoot Navigator”. Designed to help all sailors reduce their “Zone of Uncertainty” while out on the water. You may ask “how can we possibly do this?” The answer; by rekindling the navigation arts and techniques of the ancient seafarers!

Clients always ask us how are we able to set our prices at such excellent competitive rates. The answer is simple. We are the most active sailing school in the West Indies and have a high volume of clients who take our courses. We also own our own Marina and this helps us cut costs as we do all of our maintenance, turn arounds etc. all at our base.

We invite all sailors, old and new to come and join us as we continue to push forward purposefully to help all better their knowledge and skills both on and off the water. We are pleased to continue offering the full sleeve of ASA (American Sailing Association) Courses alongside our BOSS courses.

Come join us for some fun learning in the sun!

boss

 

 

St Vincent and the Grenadines – Zika Virus FREE

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The rapid spread of Zika virus through the Americas, together with the association of infection with microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome, have propelled this previously ignored virus into the limelight. 

Says Professor Esper Kallas of University of San Paolo, Brazil.

What is Zika?

Zika fever is transmitted among humans by mosquito bites. It is a member of the flavivirus family, which includes the dengue virus.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention outline that “most individuals (75%) infected with Zika virus experience mild or no symptoms”. About 25% of infected people develop symptoms 2-10 days after infection in four people may develop mild flu symptoms and a light rash that can last between two and seven days.

The World Health Organisation says people affected should drink plenty of fluids, ensure they rest regularly and treat pain and fever with common medicines.

Which countries are affected?

The World Health Organization has placed travel notices for those countries experiencing the transmission of the ZIKA virus.

This list of countries currently includes the US Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a U.S territory, Saint Martin, Barbados, Curaçao, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Haiti and Jamaica. A map on the Pan American Health Organisation website is updated weekly.

Should we be concerned about Zika in St Vincent and the Grenadines?

There have been no reports of the Zika virus in the islands of St Vincent and the Grenadines, and no travel notices are issued by the World Health Organization (WHO).

If you are traveling to and from St Vincent and the Grenadines, do keep in mind that travelers who visit a country where Zika is found could still become infected if bitten by a mosquito in those areas (download our checklist to help avoid this HERE). Imported cases may result in local spread of the virus.

Prevention for Travelers

When traveling to countries where Zika virus or other viruses are spread by mosquitoes, it is important to take precaution:

  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
  • Stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside.
  • Sleep under a mosquito bed net if you are overseas or outside and are not able to protect yourself from mosquito bites.

We have created a special Mosquito Prevention Travel Checklist for you to download below to help you reduce your risk of mosquito bites wherever you go!

In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have created a checklist for travellers which you can download directly from our checklist. We are dedicated to keeping you healthy and happy!

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We want you to experience the very best of the Grenadines with nothing to worry about except which island to which you would like to set sail :)