Sailing for the Birds
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Spanish sailors called them “Los Pájaros” or “the birds” because they resemble a small flock of birds scattered in flight, but this group of Caribbean islands is better known as the Grenadines. They were renamed during the 17th century by pirates, who used the natural ports to conceal their ships and their treasure. The name stuck and the islands continue to draw everyone from royalty to scuba divers alike.
Start your trip off sailing through the clouds on the island of Bequia. The native inhabitants named it Bequia, or “island of the clouds,” because of its mountainous peaks and beautiful skies. Weigh anchor in the natural harbor and main port of Admiralty Bay on the west side of the island. In colonial times, Admiralty Bay had one of the few dry docks located in the Caribbean. It now draws swarms of sailing and cruising yachts to its protected waters, especially during the annual Easter Regatta. Just offshore are the underwater wrecks of ships belonging to Dutch slave traders, pirates, and Spanish Admiralty. Shallow caves often reveal the homes of moray eels, lobsters and Hawksbill sea turtles. Other sea life includes Humpback whales. Bequia is one of the few places in the world where restricted whaling is still permitted. The International Whaling Commission allows natives of Bequia to catch up to four whales per year using traditional hunting methods of hand-thrown harpoons in small, open sailboats. Animal lovers will be relieved though, because they rarely meet the limit and fail to catch any whales some years. However, whaling has made a cultural impression on the island evidenced in the small whaling museum and the Whale Boner Bar & Restaurant of Port Elizabeth displays an arch made of two whale ribs at the entrance.
Hold on to your scuba gear and head over to the small island of Mustique. What small Mustique lacks in dry land area it makes up for with its several coral reefs. When it’s time to dry off, head to the beach for some bird watching, which is prolific, and you may also sight the occasional camouflaged tortoise. Further inland lie the remnants of large sugar plantations like Endeavor and the Cotton House which portrays pieces of a bygone era that still echoes on an island where there are to this day no powerlines or traffic lights. Other Notable residences include Les Jolies Eaux built by Princess Margaret, sister to Queen Elizabeth II.
From the monarchy of Mustique head to the natural majesty of the Tobago Cays. This collection of five small uninhabited islands rounds out a trip to the Grenadines. The islands, including Petit Rameau, Petit Bateau, Baradol, Petit Tobac and Jamesby, comprise the Tobago Cays Marine Park, a protected national park and wildlife preserve. A horseshoe shaped reef encompasses four of the islands creating a sand lagoon where ships can anchor in the cerulean waters. Some of the most extensive and complex coral reefs occur on shallow shelves here among the Cays and are perfect for divers. From royalty to rustic the Grenadines offer up an incredible vacation experience!
This article was posted on Wednesday, February 1st, 2012 at 8:00 pm and is filed under Blog.