Chartering the Grenadines with kids — an honest guide
We charter dozens of families every year, and the ones who have the best time have thought about a few things in advance.
Age — kids from around six upwards genuinely love it. Younger than that and you'll spend a lot of time watching them near the water. Teenagers love it if there's Wi-Fi and toys (paddleboards, kayak, snorkelling gear); most crewed cats have all three.
Cabin choice — put kids in a shared cabin if they'll accept it, and take an ensuite for yourselves. Nights are hot; a boat with air conditioning that runs overnight is worth the premium for families.
Beaches — Salt Whistle Bay on Mayreau, Princess Margaret Beach on Bequia, and the sandbar off Petit Bateau in the Tobago Cays are the three that guarantee happy kids. Shallow, calm, no jellyfish issues, and turtles to snorkel with in the Cays.
Food — a chef on board is transformative for family charters. No arguing about restaurants, dinners on the boat under the stars, and someone who will happily do pasta twice in a row.
Screen time — bring downloads. Cellular data works in most anchorages via Digicel or Flow; Starlink is now on many crewed boats. See our crewed catamaran guide for boats that suit families.
Frequently asked questions
- What age is best for a first charter?
- From around six, kids genuinely engage with the sailing, snorkelling and beaches. Younger works but is more about supervision than holiday.
- Do charter yachts have air conditioning?
- Most crewed catamarans do; many bareboats have AC that only runs when the generator is on. Ask specifically about overnight AC if you have small children.
- Is there Wi-Fi on board?
- Starlink is now on most crewed catamarans in the Grenadines fleet. Bareboats typically rely on local SIMs (Digicel or Flow), which cover most anchorages.