The French side of the island of Saint Martin, is part of the European Union, with Marigot as her capital. However neither side of the island is part of the Schengen Zone. The Island has a rich cultural heritage with over a hundred different nationalities and languages spoken. There is plenty to do here for the adventurous and active, from hiking to zip lining, jetskiing, diving, or for something a littler quieter, anchoring off the hidden bays and coves to enjoy the peaceful, powdery, white-sand beaches.
In the Leeward chain of the Caribbean Sea, close to St Martin lies Anguilla, which offers natural beauty and a more relaxed atmosphere, with the island generally less developed and one of the best kept secrets of the area. The locals have kept this pristine paradise from developers and Anguilla therefore attracts a high end clientele. This Caribbean paradise is known for its ecologically important coral reefs, which are perfect for snorkeling, pristine palm lined beaches where you can enjoy a bbq and cocktail at one of the many vibrant beach bars, or anchor off one of the island's quiet coves.
St Kitts and its neighbouring island, Nevis are known for their historic, cultural and architectural importance. Despite relying heavily on tourism, the islands are less dense in hotel resorts and are amongst the most enchanting and picturesque in the entire Caribbean. The preservation of their ecosystems is a paradise to nature lovers, and the gentle hike up Nevis Peak, the active volcano which makes up the island, will spoil you with amazing views. The capital of the islands is the bustling Basse-Terre, located on Saint Kitts, where you can brush up on the island's history at the National Museum or enjoy one of the many outdoor bars & duty free shopping.
If you want to step away from the glitz and glamour and enjoy nature at its best, then Antigua's little sister, Barbuda, is the perfect stop on your charter. After being destroyed by Hurricane Irma in 2017, where the entire population was evacuated to Antigua, the island is returning to its former self, and relies heavily on tourism. As the island is largely underdeveloped, it is the perfect habitat for hundreds of species of birds and animals. As Barbuda is composed of Limestone, it has amazing caves and sink holes for you to explore, if you can tear yourself away from the crystal clear waters & soft pink sand beaches...
Antigua is a hive of yachting activity and one of the greatest luxury yacht destinations. It is the perfect location to embark or disembark a Caribbean charter, before sailing north west on to the Virgin Islands or south to the Windward Islands.
Sailing conditions are excellent in Antigua, and being one of the sunniest islands in the Caribbean, along with miles of perfect, white sandy beaches, it is a paradise for beach lovers. You will also be charmed by the choice of wonderful, secluded anchorages, which are perfect for snorkelling.
If you can manage to tear yourself away from the beaches there is plenty to see and do on the island. The colourful capital, St John's is perfect for some duty free shopping and museum visits. On the south of the island the Nelson's Dockyard National Park, boasting over 12 miles of hiking trails with scenic views, historical sites and more fabulous beaches.
Montserrat is known for its active volcano which erupted and destroyed the island's capital, Plymouth, in 1995. There has since been an exclusion zone on the island, where thankfully, nature now flourishes and the landscape has completely transformed. A guided visit can be arranged to this carefully monitored area to learn more about this important part of the island's history. Beaches on the island are rugged and feature the usual dark sand that volcanic islands are known for...Except one beach, Rendezvous Beach, which features pure white sands surrounded by lush green hills and the smoking volcano as a backdrop. A visit to Montserrat will certainly be a unique, once in a lifetime experience.
Guadeloupe is an archipelago of over twelve islands, the two main islands of Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre which form a butterfly shape and are separated by the Rivière Salée, have completely different landscapes. Being an overseas department of France and part of the Eurozone, there is a wonderful mix of all things Creole and French. Christopher Columbus landed here in 1493 and gave the island its name, the archipelago was called Karukera by the Arawak people, meaning The Island of Beautiful Waters. You will be enchanted by everything from lush rainforest mountains, with beautiful waterfalls and an abundance of bird and animal life, to deserted beaches where you can laze all day, and of course not forgetting the local speciality rhum agricole, made from sugar cane.
Dominica is officially called The Commonwealth of Dominica and shouldn't be confused with the Dominican Republic. This English speaking island lies near Guadeloupe to the northwest and Martinique to the south east. The island has been nicknamed "Nature Island of the Caribbean" due to it's wonderful natural environment. It is a young island, still being formed, due to its geothermal volcanic activity. Here you will find "Boiling Lake" which happens to be the world's second largest hot spring. The island is a bird paradise too, with over 195 species found here, the national bird, the sisserou parrot, is found only on this island. As Dominica is volcanic, it has fewer beaches than its neighbours, but it is a fabulous eco tourist destination thanks to its rainforests, waterfalls, hot springs and lakes. It is an ideal destination for the adventurous, with the Caribbean's first long-distance hiking trail and superb SCUBA diving areas.