This archipelago of small, beautiful, mountainous islands lies a few miles south of the main island Guadeloupe. They consist of two larger islands Terre d'en Haut (Windward land) and Terre d'en Bas (Leeward Land) and a number of smll rocky, uninhabited islands. There are several good anchorages. The principal anchorage off the town Bourg des Saintes tends to become crowded with visitors from Guadeloupe during weekends, leaving space only in quite deep water for late arrivals. It is better to anchor away from the ferry traffic in the 20 foot depth of the bay to the south of the main anchorage. The entire bay is well protected - Ilet a Cabrit breaks the force of any chance morth-westerlies - but does sometimes have a swell.

My favorite anchorage is in Baie de Pont-Pierre, sometimes referred to as Baie des Pompieres (Firemens' Bay). This bay is totally protected, has a sandy beach lined with palm trees and good holding in it's western half. Enough wind blows through the opening between the rocky island to the east and the high headland to keep it cool and relatively bug-free. You can spend a few days here relaxing, snorkeling, or walking on the island. A walk of a lttle more than half a mile will bring you to the main town to buy supplies.
Charts N.O.S. 25563, Imray-Iolaire A28 and A281. Entrance to Baie de Pont-Pierre at 15° 52.7'N 61° 34.2'W. There is a rock about 5 feet below the surface in the middle of the entrance, but it is clearly visible in good light. The approach from the south tip of Guadeloupe is a 9 mile slog to windward. From the main city of Guadeloupe and charter boat center, Point-a-Pitre, it is an easy (under normal conditions) 22NM sail.

Another pleasant anchorage is at the west end of the main island, south of the appropriately named hill Pain de Sucre (Sugarloaf). This one, however is completely exposed to any chance north-westerlies. In settled weather a great anchorage off an extensive beach is at Grand Anse on the NE side of the smaller of the two main islands - Terre d'en Bas. All the other beautiful beaches are best visited from the land as they are exposed to the Atlantic swells and unsuitable for anchoring except in rare calm weather.

Once in Guadeloupe waters, it is well worth visiting Iles de la Petite Terre at 16° 10.8'N 61°7.3'W , in settled weather. Little known and rarely visited by Americans, the anchorage between the two islets, directly north of the lighthouse is well protected from the Atlantic swells by the extensive reefs to the east. Holding is good in sand, and there is a white sand beach on the smaller island. On the larger island there are interesting ruins of an old estate. The lighthouse is supposed to be the oldest one in the entire Western hemisphere that is still operating. There is fine snorkeling on the reef. The entrance from the NW is 7 feet deep and narrow between reefs and should be attemped only in good light. Entrance is dangerous if a northerly swell is running.

Of all the anchorages in the Grenadines this is the most beautiful, although not deserted. The island is privately owned and hosts a small, charming resort. However, contrary to most resort owners, those at Petit St. Vincent welcome visiting yachtsmen, as long as they respect the privacy of the paying guests in their bungalows. Yachtsmen may also enjoy the bar and restaurant. The anchorage has good holding and is well protected from ocean swells by reefs to the east.
Another delightful and deserted anchorage, exposed to the wind but sheltered from swells by the reefs, is located on the north side of the island. This anchorage provides immediate access to fantastic snorkeling on the reefs and to deserted, pristine, sparkling white beaches. From here it is also a short dinghy ride over to Mopion, a tiny deserted sand spit, upon which a palm leaf shelter has been erected. It must be the smallest island in the world with a permanent structure!

Charts N.O.S. 25042. Imray-Iolaire B31 and B311. Coming from the north, Clifton on Union I. or Palm Island, it is possible to pass through the reef that encircles Petit St. Vincent from the NW. Steer 162° towards the peak of the mountain on Petit Martinique. The passage between the shallow reefs of Mopion and the reefs of the submerged islet Pinese is about 18 feet deep on this course.

Petit St. Vincent is the last in the chain of islands under the administration of St.Vincent. The island across the sound, Petit Martinique, is under the administration of Grenada. The southernmost customs and passport office of St. Vincent is on Union Island.
The northernmost offices of Grenada are in Hillsborough on the island of Carriacou. North or southbound yachts must clear out at one and clear in at the other. A southbound yacht may declare it's desire to stop at Petit St. Vincent and receive permission to continue on into Grenada waters without returning to Union Island.

Admiralty Bay is the main anchorage for this delightful island, 9 NM south of the charter yacht base in Calliaqua Bay on St. Vincent. It is well protected, but the center of the bay is deep and the sand is hard. Make sure that the anchor is well dug in and that you have enough scope, because often strong gusts come whistling through the saddle between the mountains.
A better anchorage is off Princess Margaret Beach on the south side of the bay, but then it's a long dinghy ride into the settlement. Enterprising locals provide water taxi service. Bequia is a good base for taking on fresh produce before setting off to the Tobago Cays. There are several stores selling products of the local artisans, including model boats.
There is a wonderful, long, curving beach in Friendship Bay on the south coast. Because of the ocean swell it is only recomended in settled weather and even then stay close in on the east side, south of the hotel dinghy dock. Bequia used to be a whaling center and some of the old whale boats may be seen on the west side of the bay. An alternative is to walk over from Admiralty Bay, across the hill (about a mile) or take a ride in a jitney taxi from the post office.