Family Charters
Family Sailing Holidays in the Grenadines
Stable catamarans, a crew who love kids on board, short sailing hops between calm anchorages, and every watersport toy you can imagine on deck.
Why the Grenadines is the world's best family charter ground
Most Grenadine anchorages are only 5–15 nautical miles apart. The trade winds are reliable but rarely scary, the water is warm and clear enough to see the anchor drop, and there's always somewhere within a short dinghy ride to swim, snorkel or hunt for shells.
The result is the kind of holiday kids remember forever — jumping off the trampoline, snorkelling with turtles in the Tobago Cays, learning to helm a 50-foot catamaran, and eating dinner on a beach that only three other boats can reach.
What's included on a family charter
Every crewed family charter we book includes the essentials below. Extras like nannies, birthday cakes and themed evenings are easy to arrange in advance.
Stable catamaran
Wide, level decks and quiet nights at anchor — no rolling, no tipping, plenty of room for kids to spread out.
Chef on board
Kid-friendly menus agreed before you sail — picky eaters, allergies and snack schedules all handled.
Water toys as standard
Paddleboards, kayaks, snorkel gear and fishing lines; wakeboards, seabobs and inflatable slides on larger yachts.
Short sailing hops
Most Grenadine islands are 5–15 miles apart, so nobody's stuck on board longer than an hour or two at a time.
Kid-sized safety kit
Child life jackets in every size, harnesses for smaller kids, and a captain who briefs the family on day one.
Family-friendly crew
Captains and hostesses who genuinely like kids on board — happy to teach basic helming, snorkelling and knot-tying.
A day on board with the family
Days settle into a gentle rhythm within 48 hours. Here's a typical one in the central Grenadines.
- •07:30
Morning swim
Wake up in a turquoise bay. Kids off the swim platform before breakfast on deck.
- •10:00
Short sail
A gentle 1–2 hour hop under sail to the next island — helming lessons, hoisting sails, spotting flying fish.
- •12:30
Lunch & snorkel
Anchor for lunch, then straight into the water with snorkels for turtles, rays and reef fish.
- •15:00
Watersports session
Wakeboarding and tubing behind the tender, paddleboarding around the anchorage, kayaks to the beach.
- •17:30
Beach & sundowners
Ashore for a beach walk, ice creams, and sundowners while the sun drops behind the next island.
- •19:30
Dinner & stars
Dinner on board or ashore, then out on the trampoline to watch shooting stars — the Grenadine sky is astonishing.
Best anchorages for kids
Four Grenadine anchorages we go back to on almost every family charter.
Tobago Cays
The turtle sanctuary — reef-protected, waist-deep water, guaranteed turtle sightings on almost every snorkel.
Read the guide →Salt Whistle Bay, Mayreau
A postcard-perfect crescent of white sand with a shallow lagoon on one side and calm anchorage on the other.
Read the guide →Princess Margaret Beach, Bequia
Long swimmable beach, easy dinghy access, walkable into Port Elizabeth for ice cream and provisioning.
Read the guide →Palm Island
Shallow turquoise lagoon on the windward side — perfect for younger kids to swim without any surf or current.
Read the guide →Watersports, snorkelling & shore time
Ages & suitability
Toddlers (0–4)
Absolutely doable with two adults per child, or a hired nanny. Netting on trampolines, life jackets on deck, quiet anchorages only.
Primary age (5–11)
The sweet spot. Confident swimmers, love the water toys, still find helming a catamaran magical. Turtle snorkelling is a highlight.
Teens (12+)
Match with a boat carrying wakeboards, seabobs and kitesurfing kit. Union Island for kite lessons, Tobago Cays for freediving.
Frequently asked
What age is best for a family sailing holiday in the Grenadines?+
We book families with kids from age 4 upwards regularly. Under 4 works if you bring a nanny or if there are two adults per child — the boats are safe, but small toddlers still need constant eyes.
Will the kids get seasick?+
Very rarely. Grenadine hops are short, mostly downwind, and we sail catamarans which barely heel. If anyone's a known bad sailor, the captain plans routes to keep everyone comfortable.
How do sleeping arrangements work?+
Most crewed catamarans have 3–5 ensuite guest cabins, each with a double or twin. Kids often share a cabin; teens usually want their own. Larger yachts sleep 10–12 with room for grandparents too.
What watersports are included?+
Snorkel gear, paddleboards and kayaks are standard on every crewed yacht. Wakeboards, water skis, tubes and seabobs come with larger yachts — we'll match a boat to your family's toy wishlist.
Is it safe for children?+
Yes. Every yacht carries child life jackets in all sizes, and captains give a family safety briefing on day one. Anchorages are calm; there's always an adult in the water when kids are swimming.
How much does a family charter cost?+
A crewed catamaran for a family of 6 starts around $12,000 per week plus expenses. Bareboat or skippered charters are cheaper — from about $5,000/week for the boat — if a parent holds a sailing licence.
More on booking and logistics on our How to get here page, or browse our crewed catamarans.
Ready to plan your Grenadines charter?
Tell us your dates, group, and budget — we'll send shortlisted yachts within 24 hours.