We left you at the last day of our crossing from Cape Verde to Martinique... and now, we have arrived in the Caribbean! After 15 days at sea aboard Tiboulen, we finally spotted Martinique at dusk, amidst squalls.
What a sight! This moment will forever remain etched in our memories, as will the smells: first the scent of seaweed, then the unmistakable, comforting aroma of land.
With a Special Weather Bulletin (BMS) issued by CROSS AG announcing gusts of up to 45 knots, we were prepared for a challenging final night. However, taking advantage of the squalls, we picked up speed as night fell, keeping full sail in the gusts.
Tiboulen raced at an average of over 8 knots, with surges reaching 12 knots, allowing us to arrive before the strongest winds hit. Once anchored in the bay of Sainte-Anne, we treated ourselves to a well-deserved swim off the aft deck, followed by our first proper night’s sleep in 15 days.
Sailing in Martinique
After a well-deserved week of rest at the port of Le Marin, we resumed our journey, sailing along the leeward coast of Martinique.
This trip allowed us to visit multiple anchorages and explore the island, all while weathering frequent squalls.
Soaked, but warm and always in awe of the stunning scenery, we pressed on.
Visiting Our Partner School in Tartane
AAfter an initial online conversation with the students, we were eagerly anticipating this in-person meeting, and they were too!
We started the day with a beach cleanup operation on the shore right in front of their school. This beach, so important to them, has now been restored to its pristine condition, giving them the chance to enjoy a cleaner coastline.
After meticulously sorting the collected waste on a large tarp, we took the opportunity to discuss the dangers of pollution with the students. They enthusiastically engaged in conversations about the 3 R’s: reduce, reuse, recycle.
To make the experience even more engaging, we gave them a short quiz and shared a comic strip from the Smurfs series, provided by our partner association, Surfrider Foundation. The day ended with a well-deserved snack on a beautifully clean beach.
Heading to the Grenadines: “Welcome to Paradise...”
After our stop in Martinique, we set sail southward towards the Grenadines, a paradisiacal archipelago with islands that are even more breathtaking than the postcards suggest.
. These landscapes had to be earned, as the constant squalls and channels, where wind and swell intensify, required frequent maneuvering. Reef in, reef out, reef in again, furl the genoa, unfurl it, furl it again... the work never stopped!
After 24 hours of sailing, including an exhilarating night at sea, we finally reached Union Island to complete our clearance procedures.
From there, we explored magical spots such as Frigate Island, Mayreau, and the crown jewel: the Tobago Cays. This paradise, with its crystal-clear waters and exceptional marine life, offered an unforgettable spectacle.
We reunited with our fellow transatlantic sailors, gathering three boats in the same anchorage to enjoy various activities together, including kitesurfing, wing foiling, snorkeling, and fishing. After two weeks of exploration, we completed our exit clearance at Bequia and headed toward Saint Lucia for one last night before crossing the channel to return to Le Marin.
