With islands, beaches and boats aplenty, the question for many Caribbean travellers is how best to explore: cruising between ports of call with the wind in your hair, or sampling the land-based luxe of the finest resorts? The good news is, you may not have to choose.
OIL NUT BAY, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
One of the most exclusive destinations in the BVI, Oil Nut Bay is a 300-acre development of manicured perfection. Developed with impeccable taste and respect for the natural environment, the luxury enclave includes stunning vacation villas dotted across the forested hills, elegant dining options set back from the picture perfect beach and sensational sea views.
With the Marina Village now in operation, passing sailors can dock here for a night or opt to stay ashore. Spend time at the spa, hike the private trails, relax on over-water day beds or try one of the many land or water sports on offer.
www.oilnutbay.com
Nestled along an idyllic, white-powder stretch of Godahl Beach, Mandarin Oriental on Canouan Island is comprised of elegantly luxurious colonial-style suites and villas designed with impeccable attention to detail. A collection of restaurants and bars offer a variety of culinary delights and al fresco options, while the spa’s ten hillside palapa treatment rooms showcase stunning ocean views.
The resort also features a beach-side infinity pool, three night-lit tennis courts, a fully-
equipped fitness centre and kids club. Canouan's five square miles of lush, tropical terrain includes a championship Fazio-designed golf course, super-yacht marina, picturesque white-sand beaches and the largest natural coral reef in the Caribbean. The island is easily reached from the nearby islands of Barbados, Grenada and St. Lucia.
www.mandarinoriental.com/canouan
At Port Ferdinand you really can have the best of both worlds: a luxury villa with resort-style services alongside the fun and freedom of sailing the high seas. A beach club and yacht club in one, each sumptuous residence includes a private berth within the state-of-the-art marina and concierge services for all your land or sea based needs.
Located on Barbados’ idyllic west coast, the resort has a sheltered, sandy beach, excellent waterfront eateries, including a Nikki Beach, a fitness centre and spa, and water taxis waiting to whisk you over to the sister resort, Saint Peter’s Bay.
www.portferdinand.com
Even the saltiest of sea dogs will willingly swap life on the ocean waves for a spell at this award-winning St. Lucia resort. In addition to a prestigious marina complete with chandlery, eateries, supermarkets and banking facilities, visiting yachtsmen have full access to the resort’s infinity pools, fine dining restaurants, fitness facilities and spa.
For those who prefer to sleep ashore, rooms and suites are cut into the wooded hillside,
offering jaw-dropping views and sensational design, with soaring ceilings, slate floors and acres of space – with personalised service to match.
www.marigotbayresort.com
Located in English Harbour, in the very heart of Antigua’s yachting scene, and within striking distance of Nelson’s Dockyard, South Point is a chic little boutique hotel.
With 23 suites and penthouses boasting wonderful views of the harbour, a large pool, private beach and a restaurant serving up tasty treats, it has everything you need in a hotel, and plenty of shopping, dining, entertainment and yachting options within walking distance: an ideal place to unwind for a few days before or after a sailing vacation.
www.southpointantigua.com