Trade winter weather for sun-soaked bays on a SPIRIT yacht charter, exploring the best spots in the Leeward Islands. Discover the itinerary here.
If you fancy trading winter weather for sun-soaked bays on a luxury explorer yacht, then hop aboard – your Leeward Islands adventure awaits. Customised to the highest specs and offering Amels pedigree, the 54.3m M/Y SPIRIT features large, beachy exterior spaces designed by the legendary Tim Heywood. With an exciting range of water toys and a crew who are up for anything, you couldn’t ask for a better superyacht upon which to explore the Caribbean. So, grab a rum cocktail, and get ready to discover the very best spots in the Leeward Islands onboard SPIRIT.
Exploring the best spots in the Leeward Islands
Antigua
Your yacht charter begins in dazzling Antigua, where some 365 white-sand coves with crystal-clear waters wait to be explored. There’s a beach for every activity, so whether you crave surfing in Galley Bay, kiteboarding on Jabberwock Beach, or taking Insta-worthy pics on Half Moon Bay, this beautiful island has you covered. Head inland to explore the rugged rainforest and mangrove swamps, or stay by the shore and let the bathlike waters lap over your toes. As the sun begins to set, have your crew (SPIRIT hosts 13 crew members) put on a beach barbeque and set up an informal cricket game.
Nevis
You will instantly see why this ‘land of beautiful water’ got its name, with sparkling turquoise seas that you could easily gaze at all day. Culinary delight here comes fresh from these waters, with lobster and mahi-mahi providing diet staples. This is the place to bliss out with a sun lounger and a glass of rum punch; to Seabob through a cloud of exotic fish including parrotfish, triggerfish and grouper; and to hike through tropical trails, being greeted by parrots and green vervet monkeys along the way. This is one of the best places to visit in the Leeward Islands for wildlife-lovers.
St Kitts
Next on your Leeward Islands yacht charter comes charming St Kitts, with its hundred-mile coast and translucent sea that stays around 80°f (27°c). Perfect for everything from a gentle afternoon paddle to an exhilarating dive into the depths – SPIRIT has 10 pairs of diving equipment for its 11 guests – you’ll never run out of things to do. Sample fresh mangoes and papaya as you soak up the sun, before hitting the Frigate Bay strip to visit Ziggy’s Bar, where Carib beer and reggae beats are the order of the day. If delicious bites are more your thing, Mr X’s Shiggedy Shack is one of the best spots in the Leeward Islands for flame-grilled lobster.
Barbuda
This little slice of paradise has just 1,600 human inhabitants and an array of frigate birds, turtles and wild donkeys, meaning that almost every beach is guaranteed to be a private escape. Head to the rugged Atlantic coast for some adrenaline-fueled windsurfing, or laze about on the Caribbean side, daydreaming on its rose-pink beaches and letting the nodding palms shade you. With snapper, barracuda and grunt all swimming these waters, this is a great opportunity to cast out a net and see what you catch, cooking your spoils on the yacht’s Teppanyaki grill. The island also has an incredible 90 shipwrecks, which your Captain will seek out on your request.
Saba
This Dutch island is one of the most intriguing places to visit in the Leeward Islands. As you arrive expect a traditional welcome of mahi-mahi curry and mango pie, dishes that the locals are very proud of. Hike half a mile up Mount Scenery to see breath-taking views over Saba and out over sparkling waters, rewarding yourself with a massage in the yacht’s dedicated treatment room. Dive into the blissfully warm waters to experience the bountifully rich reef complex of Saba National Marine Park, looking out for octopi, turtles, parrotfish and the occasional friendly shark.
St Barth’s
St Barth’s is a hedonistic haven – a squiggle of sugar-white sand, azure waters and emerald hills. This is one of the best spots in the Leeward Islands to celebrity-watch, with its capital of Gustavia exuding VIP elegance. Meanwhile, there are plenty of hidden gems for those who want to drop off the radar. Gouverneur Plage boasts white sand, gin-clear seas, and little else, aside from rumours of pirate treasure, while even Saline Plage, the island’s second-largest beach, doesn’t yet have a beach bar. Enjoy the glamorous nightlife as the sun goes down, or cosy up and watch a film on the 85-inch plasma-screen TV in the yacht’s very own skylounge.
St Maarten
Half French, half Dutch, this ultra-alluring island gives you twice as much culture to explore. Expect a chic aesthetic and a few naturist beaches on the French side, while the Dutch side is colourful and flamboyant, offering lively nightlife and signature rum cocktails. Start your day with a romantic sunrise paddleboard at one of 40 beaches, before embarking on a crew-led trek to the 424m-high Paradise Peak. To get your heart racing, take in views of a mango plantation from an extreme zip-line; reward yourself with a glass of Champagne in the yacht’s Jacuzzi. Life doesn’t get much better than this.
If this guide to exploring the best spots on Leeward Islands onboard SPIRIT yacht has inspired you, get in touch with the yacht brokers at Y.CO to find out more. Charter SPIRIT from 255,000 USD per week.
