Union Island 12 36.291N 61 26.999W

Persephone... Cruiser/Racer
Nigel & Karen Goodhew...
Mon 13 Feb 2017 13:53
We chose Union as our starting point in the Grenadines. A fairly fast downwind overnight sail from Barbados, round the back of Canouan and Mayreau islands and into our chosen anchorage at Chatham bay on the western (leeward) side of Union.

We started here because the customs formalities for St Vincent Grenadines can be done here, and because we want to visit the Tobago Cays, a few miles to windward of Union and Mayreau.

Here we swam from the boat, cleaned the few barnacles assembled around the rudder and transom, and enjoyed a wonderful chicken supper, anchored in the breezy, but flat waters of the bay. We had our first encounters with the "boat boys" who hassle each and every new boat arriving at an anchorage, usually just at the point when you are at your busiest, anchoring or atidying the boat, preparing the dinghy etc.

Next morning, it was time to up anchor again and find the administrative centre of Union Island, close to the airstrip on the windy eastern coast....a place called Clifton.

We dinghied ashore, met Steve and Jody from Ena Vigo, found the famous Yacht Club and strolled up to the airstrip terminal to complete formalities.

Clifton is lovely. A great little dock, a small lagoon inhabited by sand sharks, a colorful village green with shops and bars, all painted in pastel colours. But an exposed, bouncy and very windy anchorage, close to several reefs.

After a short stop, a little shopping for Karen and Anna, refilling the dinghy fuel supply, we were off again in search of a more sheltered anchorage for the night. We chose Saline Bay, on the lee side of Mayreau, the gateway to the Cays, and only a half hour sail from Union.


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