Essential Information

• Address & Map
• Arrival & Departure
• Sailing Information
• Banks & Money Exchange
• General Information
• Electrical, Phones & Music
• Activities
• Provisioning
• Health & Safety

Address & Map

Address

Lagoon Marina and Hotel
PO Box 133
Blue Lagoon
St Vincent
West Indies
Tel: 011 784 458 4308
Fax: 011 784 456 8928
Email: sunsailsvg@vincysurf.com
Please note this number is NOT staffed full time.
The Lagoon Hotel & Restaurant are currently closed for renovation.

Location

Sunsail’s base is at the Lagoon Marina, situated in Blue Lagoon on the southern tip of St Vincent.
Blue Lagoon is a cosy bay protected by encircling coral reefs. There is a marked entrance for yachts up to 6ft draft at high tide.

Base Open Hours

Base office hours and opening hours of the minimarket are from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Base/Shore Facilities

Facilities: Hotel, restaurant, boutique, and office facilities.

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Arrival & Departure

Time Difference

The US and St Vincent are on the same time zone.

Flights

Luggage allowance is 20kg per person. Only one item of hand luggage per person is allowed and this must not weigh more than 5kg. For storage aboard we recommend traveling light and using folding luggage.

Lost or damaged luggage while flying is the responsibility of the airline and is not covered by your travel insurance.  You must not include in Checked Baggage money, jewelry, precious metals, computers, personal electronic devices, negotiable papers, securities or other valuables, business documents, passports and other identification documents or samples.

If an incident occurs, immediately report it to airport officials. Claims will not be considered once you have left the airport.

Alcohol may be taken on flights but only in checked luggage (well secured from breakages) not as hand luggage due to airport security restrictions.

Transfers: E.T Joshua Airport– Blue Lagoon base.

One way by taxi: US$14 per taxi up to 4 pers. (EC$35) Additional pers. US$2 per person (EC$5.4)Transfers between 11pm & 7am add US$5 extra (EC$13.5).

Duration: 15 mins. 

It is essential that you notify the base of your arrival time in advance, so that taxi transfers can be arranged.

Note:  If you are flying via St Lucia, it is not possible for Sunsail to pre-organize a taxi transfer from the International Airport to the Domestic Airport as Sunsail no longer has a base on St Lucia. You should therefore take a taxi on arrival.

Luggage

We would highly recommend packing prescription medicine and essential clothing (swimsuit, t-shirt and shorts) in your hand luggage as occasionally your luggage may arrive at the base after you do.
Please pack using soft-sided bags, as these are easier to store on your yacht.

Passport and Visas

Please ensure your passport is valid for the period of travel and for six months after you return. Your passport name must match the name on the flight ticket otherwise you may not be able to travel and insurance may be invalid.

If your child is not already included on a valid passport they are required to hold their own passport.

It is the responsibility of each individual to ensure relevant visas are obtained where necessary. Sunsail cannot be held responsible for refusal of entry or travel due to lack of visas. If you are in any doubt please contact your Embassy for full details.

Customs and Immigration

Each Island has its own customs regulations and you will find it necessary to ‘clear’ both in and out of customs at an official location for each territory.
Customs regulations apply to the importation of foodstuffs, especially meat, fish and all fresh produce.

On Arrival

Your yacht will be ready at 6:00 pm for boarding.  The first evening is a sleep aboard where you have the time to unpack provisions and settle into the boat.

If you arrive before 6PM you may request a briefing for that same day. If you arrive after 6PM, your briefing will take place the following morning after 8:30AM.  The yacht briefing introduces you to your yacht, its systems and rigging.  It is carried out individually for each yacht.  It is important that all systems and equipment are fully understood.  Briefings are mandatory.

Chart Brief – There will also be a chart briefing if you arrive before 4PM, you may request a briefing for that same day. If you arrive after 6PM, your briefing will take place the following morning after 8:30AM
The chart briefing describes the cruising area and any potential hazards.

Out of hours arrival procedure

A Sunsail Representative will be at the base, waiting for your arrival. As a back up, an information sheet, with name of the boat, times for briefings and boat show, etc. will be given to the Security Guards or placed at the wall in the lobby. The cockpit light will be switched on.

On Departure 

At the end of your charter your yacht will need to be vacated by 11:00am.
Before departing your boat please collect a debrief form from reception.
The debrief form is to let us know if you have encountered any problems with the boat or broken anything during the trip, this enables us to rectify problems for the next charter.

In addition to filling in forms we also require you to bag dirty laundry and leave in the cockpit, empty all cupboards and refrigerator of food and throw away, return snorkel gear and any lifejackets borrowed from reception and ensure that the boat is handed back to Sunsail in a clean and tidy state.  We reserve the right to charge for boats left less than shipshape.

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Sailing Information

St Vincent is a Level 3 sailing area
Experience levels are based on sailing conditions and the length of passages within your chosen sailing area.  Follow the link for more information on the sailing conditions. This rating scale is designed as a guide based on the prevailing conditions during the most popular season.

Level 3 - Equates to 20 days sailing, 400 miles on an equivalent yacht or RYA Day Skipper qualification with experience to a higher level.
RYA Coastal Skipper qualification
ICC qualification with experience to a higher level
Wind/Weather – 10-25 knots
Navigation - Understand tidal flow, ability to navigate in open waters, cope with strong currents and be able to make a passage plan
Anchor/Mooring - Primarily anchoring, some slightly more exposed anchorages with poor anchor holding ground.

Sailing Licenses

Although no sailing licenses are required for cruising in the Grenadines, we strongly advise that you take any sailing certification on vacation with you.  This may be useful should you be contacted by Customs or Port Police.  If you have not already done so then Skipper and 1st Mate will be required to fill in a Sailing resume to confirm that you have the necessary skills to sailing in this region.

Cruising Permits & Taxes

Night Time Sailing

You are not permitted to sail at night unless it has been agreed with the base manager prior to departure.

Cruising Area Limits

BVI:- All the British Virgin Islands, including Anegada.
Outside our cruising grounds would be US Virgin Islands and Spanish Virgin Islands
Rest of Caribbean: No further than 20 miles out from Puerto Rico to Grenada,
excluding Saba, Montserrat, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago
There are some other restrictions throughout the whole Caribbean, which are detailed in the Caribbean Introduction section.

Mooring Fees and Taxes

Payable when clearing at customs.                            

The Windward Islands are actually 4 separate countries
1. Martinique (part of France)
2. St Lucia (south to Martinique)
3. St Vincent & the Grenadines (south to PSV)
4. Grenada (including Carriacou & Petit Martinique)

Mooring facilities are provided in some areas for overnight stays These are managed by local restaurants & bars or marinas. Charges are variable but start at US $15 a night.

A marine park fee for Tobago Cays is 10$ EC per day per person. This can be purchased in advance at the Sunsail Base.

Area & Sailing

More information on the sailing in this area.

Charts & Pilot Book

All the charts and pilot books you will need for the sailing area are on board the yacht.
Charts and pilot books can be purchased through the Sunsail office.

Coolers

Coolers are available at the base on a first come first served basis at no additional charge. Please sign these out and return them clean and undamaged otherwise you will be charged for replacement. Only one per boat.

Skippered Charter Information

The skipper’s time is booked from 12:00pm to 12:00pm in 24-hour periods. If you have reserved him for the first day of your charter and have a 6:00pm start, he will use this time to ensure he is happy with all aspects of the yacht and will be at the base to meet you upon your arrival. If you have reserved him for a later date on your charter he will start at 12:00pm on that day.

The skipper is responsible for the safety of the yacht at all times. He is not permitted to dive with you, nor leave the vessel overnight. He must conduct a safety brief with you before leaving the dock regardless of the duration of his contract with you.

For “check out charters” (anything less than the full duration of the charter) the check out skipper’s time is booked from 6:00pm to 6:00pm to allow for a meet and greet in the evening and go over basic systems, then a full day with you the next day. This skipper is required to give you a thorough briefing on all aspects of the yacht and dinghy in addition to assisting you with planning an itinerary for the trip and advising you how to contact the base, the return to base procedures and the emergency assistance procedures. It is suggested that you attend the scheduled chart brief that will be supplemented by the skipper during his time with you on the yacht. It is also suggested that you make it clear exactly what you want to cover…anchoring, docking, etc.

The skipper will be required to give you as much information as you require concerning the yacht and its systems, sailing skills and navigation in general.

The skipper fee does not include food or beverages for the skipper and are your responsibility. It is suggested that you discuss this on the first day with the skipper and establish whether you will give the skipper cash for meals, whether you have included him in your provisioning or whether you will accommodate him as part of the group for meals ashore.
The skipper must have his own cabin.

For one-day check out skipper’s it is your responsibility to get the skipper back to the base. If you prefer not to come back to the base you must pay for his expenses (ferry, taxi, etc.) to get him back to the base.
The average tip for a skipper is 15 to 20% of the skipper’s fee. This is, of course, at your discretion.

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Banks & Money Exchange

The nearest ATM cash machine is at E.T. Josuha Airport, 15 minutes taxi ride from the base.

Currency

Currency:  EC Dollars St. Vincent & throughout the Grenadines (US$1 = EC$2.6)
Euro Martinique & Guadeloupe
US dollars are also acceptable in all the Windward Islands.
 

Credit Card Information

Credit cards can be used for payment in larger establishments and restaurants.

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General Information

Language

English is the official language of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Some islanders speak a French patois, representing a mixture of African and French grammar.

Cost of Living

Lunch for 2 at a mid range restaurant is approximately $45.00EC (without drinks).  A bottle of bear is approximately $5 - $8EC.  A bottle of wine is approximately $30.00EC.

Restaurants

The French Verandah Restaurant,
Overlooking Villa waterfront and Young Island.

Blend of local and international cuisine, large selection of fresh fish and imported wine. Open daily, breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Tel: 457 4000

Sunset Shores,
Vincentian dining at this second floor restaurant with stunning views of the Caribbean Sea. Extensive à la carte menu, seafood, salads and pasta. Saturday night barbecues.
Tel:  458 4411

Frangipani, Belmont Walkway, Bequia
Popular spot, famous for its Thursday night barbecue buffet and jump-up with live music by the Elite Steel Band. International cuisine with a strong West Indian influences, extensive wine list. Tel: 458 3255
 
Basil's Bar, Britannia Bay, Mustique
World famous watering hole of the rich and famous, and seafood restaurant with a unique laid-back air, presided over by its amiable owner, Basil Charles. Charming and rustic, with bamboo walls and palm thatch roofs, it extends from the beach out above the bay on stilts. Every Wednesday is party night with a barbecue and jump-up featuring a live band. Tel: 488 8350, VHF 68

Majellas on the Beach, Charlestown Bay, Canouan
Visited by locals and tourists alike, this friendly and relaxed restaurant serves a range of international cuisine.

Restaurants open at approximately 9am and finish serving at 9pm

Restaurants closed during September – Low Season
If you decide to travel in low season it is likely there will be a limited choice of restaurants to eat ashore and it is necessary to provision accordingly. This would be a perfect time of year to enjoy a BBQ off the back of your boat.

Tipping

Tipping is standard and expected in all restaurants / bars and for other services undertaken during your vacation. The rule of thumb is generally 10-15% of the amount charged. Some establishments automatically add this onto the bill.

Shopping

Most shops open weekdays from 9am-4pm and generally only Saturday mornings over the weekend.
There is a small, but fully equipped supermarket at the marina. It is open seven days a week from 8.00 to 5.00 pm. If clients prefer to visit Sunrise Supermarket which is a bigger supermarket, they can take a taxi to go to the supermarket opposite the airport. The opening hours are Monday to Saturday from 8.00 a.m. to 8.00 pm; Sunday 8.00 a.m. till noon.

Hotels

Beachcombers Hotel: http://www.beachcombershotel.com/
Paradise Beach Hotel: http://www.paradisesvg.com/
Mariners Hotel: http://marinershotel.com/
Villa Lodge Hotel: http://www.villalodgehotel.com/

Furnished Apartments

Canash Beach Apartments: http://www.canashbeachapartments.com

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Electrical, Phones & Music

Electricity

The standard voltage on all yachts is 12 volts.

Mobile phones

Card and coin phones can be found all over the island.
You can buy phones cards in Post Offices and some shops.
If using a public phone you can dial 115 to get the operator for credit card and collect calls.
Please note that our base offers telephone and office services at standard local rates.
It is also advisable to bring your cellular phone, and to ensure sure you have global coverage.

Music/Ipods

All boats are fitted with a radio and CD player. If you wish to listen to your IPOD whilst sailing you will need to bring along an I-trip or FM radio transmitter.

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Activities

Car and Jeep Rental

Ranges from $US50 to US$80 per day.
You must purchase a local license, which is US$16 and your current driving license must have been valid for at least 3 years.
Driving is on the left.

Watersports

Diving

Please contact the base or divefantasea@vincysurf.com

Snorkeling

We have a range of snorkeling gear which you may wish to use. We are limited on children’s sizes so if you have your own you may wish to bring it with you.

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Provisioning

Provisioning is available in this location.  More information on Provisioning.

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Health & Safety

Illness or Injury

If you become ill and visit the doctor or hospital during your trip contact a member of Sunsail staff as soon as possible on either a lead boat or at the Sunsail base.
If you need to make a claim for curtailment due to illness, ask the base manager for assistance and contact your insurer’s emergency medical service immediately.
Your insurance company will assist with travel arrangements, advice and payment of bills.
Obtain receipts for any medication, treatment or transport you have to pay for and submit with your claim

Safety

All yachts are equipped with adult life jackets harnesses we leave it up to you to decide when personal safety equipment should be worn.
We have a limited supply of children’s life jackets (age 4+ only) if you have your own children’s life jacket we would encourage you to bring it along.
We suggest that children who are not strong swimmers should not be allowed in a dinghy without a life jacket or buoyancy aid and that they should wear a buoyancy aid or harness when on deck.
Children under the age of 16yrs should not operate an outboard engine and should be supervised at all times when in the dinghy.

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