Windstar’s Windward Islands Surf & Sunsets cruise takes you deep into the center of the Caribbean, visiting islands off the crushed path, plus small ports which can be massive on tradition and island vibes. It’s the journey you’re taking once you need to be in locations the place everybody else will not be.
You’ll go to impartial nations, and international territories all set in opposition to the backdrop of dramatic lush coastlines, sun-kissed seashores, and azure waves. You’ll study concerning the deeply rooted historical past of colonialism, slavery, and the way a singular tradition was born from its historical past. You’ll delight your senses with spice and rum.
This is an itinerary interesting to solar seekers, nature lovers, historical past buffs, and foodies who crave distinctive blends. Here are a few of the highlights.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Your Caribbean journey begins within the colourful hub of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Established in 1521, San Juan is the second-oldest European-founded settlement within the Americas and the oldest below US jurisdiction. The metropolis was inaugurated nearly a century earlier than the Mayflower laid anchor, and it’s now a spot of colonial-era artifacts and historic authenticity blended with the fashionable world.
When the Spaniards arrived within the early 1500s, San Juan was only a abandoned spit of land dominated by robust commerce winds and dramatic headlands. They settled it, constructed a metropolis, constructed forts to guard it, and maintained town as the first army and legislative outpost for the Spanish Empire within the Caribbean. That was till 1898 after the Spanish-American War when the US annexed the island as a territory.
From port, you’re solely a 10-minute stroll away from the colourful and well-preserved streets of Old San Juan. Within strolling distance are additionally the 2 predominant sights of town, Castillo San Cristobal, and Castillo San Felipe del Morro (El Morro). El Morro is claimed to be the oldest Spanish structure instance within the New World. Construction of this fort took nearly 200 years to finish.
Sea Day
Who doesn’t love a sea day throughout their cruise? Take today to sleep in, hit the fitness center, get a spa therapy, learn within the Yacht Club, or lounge on the deck and watch the world go by. The day is yours to chill out and luxuriate in life at sea.
St George’s, Grenada
From the second you set foot in St George’s you’ll rapidly notice that Grenada will not be a cliché Caribbean vacation spot. While it gives glowing white seashores comparable to Grand Anse and a plethora of untouched diving areas below the waves, it’s the lush inside and wealthy tradition that set this island nation aside.
To really expertise one of the best of Grenada, you’ll need to take into account the Best of Grenada tour that may soak you within the richness of the island with a go to to the Diamond Chocolate Factory, the shallow crater Lake Antoine, Grand Etang National Park, a nutmeg manufacturing facility, you’ll savor a creole lunch at a former plantation, and lastly get pleasure from time at one of many many lovely waterfalls on the island.
If you’d moderately spend your day within the water, head out to the Statue Park in Mango Back. The set up is situated 16.5 ft (5 meters) beneath the floor and is comprised of 14 statues. The sculptures assist in reef restoration and it’s not unusual to see a number of species of fish whereas snorkeling or diving on the park.
Bequia, St Vincent & the Grenadines
Bequia is taken into account to be probably the most excellent island within the Grenadines. The island is printed by beautiful seashores, colourful buildings line the streets of Port Elizabeth, and life embraces the island vibes creating an surroundings that’s really unforgettable. It’s an island paradise and one of the best half is that you simply and your fellow Windstar cruisers will get pleasure from it with few different folks.
The tender pier is situated proper within the coronary heart of Port Elizabeth, and as soon as onshore, you may go to the whole thing of the world by foot. The spotlight is the Belmont Walkway, a paved island-style path that follows the shoreline previous a number of native cafes, eating places, and takes you to 2 lovely seashores. The finest seashore close to to the port is Princess Margaret Beach.
If you’re into rubbing elbows with the wealthy and well-known, or at the very least attempting, you may go for an tour to the fantastically upscale Mustique Island. This tour takes you by pace boat alongside Bequia earlier than making the open water crossing to Mustique. Once on the island, you’ll get pleasure from a 4×4 tour that stops at a number of seashores, and factors of curiosity, all whereas permitting you to gawk on the superstar houses alongside the way in which. It features a conventional lunch with a view earlier than having some free time on the dockside bar. You’ll then cross again to Bequia for an hour at Princess Margaret Beach. It’s a stunning method to spend your day in paradise.
Pigeon Island, St Lucia
St Lucia is thought for its UNESCO website that options the Pitons, two majestic volcanic peaks and 24 miles (39 kilometers) of vibrant coral reef. This makes them one of the vital photographed websites within the Caribbean. However, a generally ignored website in St Lucia is Pigeon Island National Park, residence to spectacular English fort ruins, archaeological relics of Arawak Indians, and beautiful seashores. Lucky for you, Windstar makes this island their port of name.
While you continue to have the choice to take a catamaran cruise to the Pitons, the Windstar crew shall be exhausting at work establishing a incredible seashore barbecue so that you can get pleasure from once you get again! This occasion means you get to get pleasure from a non-public seashore with all of the facilities you’d have on board. Lounge chairs, watersports, floating mats, seashore bar and a lunch buffet together with stay native music is yours for the day.
When you’ve had your fill of seashore time, set off on foot to the highest of Pigeon Island, the place you may benefit from the 18th century ruins of Fort Rodney, together with spectacular views of each Rodney Bay and the plush shoreline of St Lucia.
Les Saintes, Guadaloupe
Les Saintes is a set of small islands that lies ssix miles (10 kilometers) off the coast of Guadeloupe simply south of the city of Basse Terre. They are thought of to be the spotlight of any go to to Guadeloupe. The islands are volcanic, a lot the identical as different Caribbean islands, and rise sharply from the ocean. Only two of the ten islands are inhabited; Terre de Baus, whose residents can hint their roots again to the early days of colonization and slavery, and Terre de Haut, the extra standard cease for guests.
While not precisely a secret, the islands are nonetheless the least explored nook of Guadeloupe and simply considered one of its most lovely. Windstar tenders into the beautiful Terre de Haut, the place you may then discover many of the island on foot. There are two 1,000-foot peaks to be climbed or you may stroll sq. throughout to the opposite aspect for a extra unique seashore expertise. Just don’t swim, because the seas are tough on the windward aspect. The island can be identified for its scrumptious French delicacies with an island twist and the aroma of contemporary baguettes can have your mouth watering as you wander the streets.
The most sought-after tour is the Historic Tastes & Treasures of Fort Napoleon that provides transportation to the fort and an immersive guided tour that takes you thru the complete historical past of the fort, the islands, and far of the Caribbean. Windstar books unique entry to the fort within the afternoon, which means it isn’t open to the general public throughout your go to.
Philipsburg, St Maarten
In 1648, France and the Netherlands break up this Caribbean Island into Saint Maarten and Sint Martin. Today’s residents and guests don’t pay a lot consideration to the outdated treaty and simply get pleasure from all that the island has to supply.
The downtown of Philipsburg is a straightforward 15-minute stroll from the dock, or you may pay for the sometimes-available water taxis that may drop you proper on the Philipsburg boardwalk. As with most Caribbean Islands, you’ll discover an countless provide of sugary white sand seashores to get pleasure from, however one place, Maho Beach, is among the most original locations to go to in all of the Caribbean.
While the seashore itself will not be one of the best, folks flock right here because it’s situated immediately behind the worldwide airport of St Maarten. This means flights land over Maho Beach all day, together with big jets from Europe. There are a pair seashore bars the place you may seize a chilly one and verify flight schedules. It makes for an total nice and distinctive expertise.
Alternatively, getting out on the water by both taking a leisurely catamaran journey that features snorkeling and seashore hopping or by boarding an America’s Cup Racing sailboat for an adrenaline inducing expertise.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Your final morning finds you again in colourful San Juan after a profitable journey to a few of the lesser identified and lesser visited windwards islands within the Caribbean. But the enjoyable doesn’t need to cease there. If you didn’t get an opportunity to go to Old San Juan, that is your time to hitch the disembarkation strolling tour and get to know this fascinating metropolis and its magnificence.
Alternatively, when you did see Old San Juan, then why not take an tour to considered one of Puerto Rico’s high shelf rum factories, Rob del Barrilito. Here you’ll study the historical past of the beloved Tres Estrellas and tour the property that continues to supply this rum within the authentic means. You’ll additionally get pleasure from a full-scale rum tasting, with a possibility to study flavors, age and the way it impacts the drink. It’s the proper method to finish your trip.
About the Author: Lina Stock is an award-winning photographer and author at DivergentTravelers.com. She has been exploring the world since 2001 and has traveled to greater than 100 nations and all 7 continents.