Sailing an Surfing in The Caribbean (EP 8)

Sailing and Surfing are two sports, that are inherently difficult to combine. In the latest update from our circumnavigation, we manage to do both. The Grenadines in the Southern Caribbean provide both sheltered anchorages for sailors, and consistent reef breaks for surfing.

As we concluded our transatlantic, the green hills of St Vincent emerged out the clouds as frigate birds circled overhead. It would’ve made a great filming location for Jurassic Park, if not for the many houses dotted around. As we rounded Rock Fort, an ominous pinnacle shaped stack with old fortifications atop, we saw a busy anchorage sandwiched between a small island resort and the mainland of St Vincent.

There were about 10 boats in the quarantine anchorage all waiting to be cleared in. After 3 days we were called ashore for a PCR test and then had to wait another 5 days for the results. After 21 days at sea we had little food left to last the following 8 days. Luckily, someone figured out how to make rice pudding. And we caught fish. So we didn’t do too badly.

‘Jack Sparrow’, a boatman, allowed us to swim, and walk on the uninhabited Rock Fort island. With all this we were pretty content on staying aboard Elixir and had little desire to integrate back into life on land.

Eventually we received our negative results, we stocked up the boat with fresh food and anchored next to the reef we’d been itching to surf. Our friends aboard Hecate, who also eagerly surf, came and joined us. And we shared stories of our Atlantic crossings.

Lily was planning on going back to live in the UK, so whilst she was still here we went off to explore the rest of the Grenadine islands. We sailed south, hoping to find some waves. We’d heard rumours of epic reef fringes with sharks you could snorkel with. The other islands certainly delivered with some areas still having crystal clear waters and plenty of marine life.

Sailing and Surfing are two sports, that are inherently difficult to combine. In the latest update from our circumnavigation, we manage to do both. The Grenadines in the Southern Caribbean provide both sheltered anchorages for sailors, and consistent reef breaks for surfing. As we concluded our transatlantic, the green hills of St Vincent emerged out the clouds as frigate birds circled overhead. It would've made a great filming location for Jurassic Park, if not for the many houses dotted around. As we rounded Rock Fort, an ominous pinnacle shaped stack with old fortifications atop, we saw a busy anchorage sandwiched between a small island resort and the mainland of St Vincent. There were about 10 boats in the quarantine anchorage all waiting to be cleared in. After 3 days we were called ashore for a PCR test and then had to wait another 5 days for the results. After 21 days at sea we had little food left to last the following 8 days. Luckily, someone figured out how to make rice pudding. And we caught fish. So we didn't do too badly. 'Jack Sparrow', a boatman, allowed us to swim, and walk on the uninhabited Rock Fort island. With all this we were pretty content on staying aboard Elixir and had little desire to integrate back into life on land. Eventually we received our negative results, we stocked up the boat with fresh food and anchored next to the reef we'd been itching to surf. Our friends aboard Hecate, who also eagerly surf, came and joined us. And we shared stories of our Atlantic crossings. Lily was planning on going back to live in the UK, so whilst she was still here we went off to explore the rest of the Grenadine islands. We sailed south, hoping to find some waves. We'd heard rumours of epic reef fringes with sharks you could snorkel with. The other islands certainly delivered with some areas still having crystal clear waters and plenty of marine life.