Leeward Islands

The Leewards run north to south with the trade wind on the beam, which makes them the easiest islands in the Caribbean to sail between: a morning’s passage from one to the next, then a choice of anchorages in the lee. St Barths and Antigua anchor the charter season at either end, with St Martin between them as the fleet’s base.

Each island is its own country, so the passages come with customs and a change of flag, and the character changes with them. Antigua’s English Harbour is the classic-yacht world’s winter home; Guadeloupe and the Saintes at the southern end are French, quieter and greener.