Introduction to the Itinerary
Our hillside villas have been designed to accentuate the unspoiled natural beauty of the island and our gardens offer areas of pure tranquility, ideal for rest and relaxation. Perfect your pose as you recline next to the pool, or enjoy the shade of the cabana with a fresh coconut in hand. Remember, paradise is only a few steps from the central area of the villa. It’s here you’ll find our divine private beach and it’s here that your senses will come to life!
As well as multiple occasions for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and playing with the collection of water toys, our guests at Mayreau Villas will have the unique opportunity to be able to observe first-hand a coral reef restoration project. We’ll spend a whole morning at Saline Bay on Mayreau, observing how ‘spider’ frames are set up to attach staghorn and elkhorn coral fragments, whilst also searching for signs of new coral life on the reef.
We’ll also snorkel at Salt Whistle Bay, probably the most picturesque anchorage in the Grenadines, and take day trips to neighbouring islands in the Grenadines chain, and one of the highlights of the week will be spending an entire day exploring the fabulous Tobago Cays Marine Park.
One whole day during the week is set aside for both fishing and diving charters. For those keen to fish, there’s the choice of either a local (cost-effective) boat or a more upmarket fishing charter. Led by a locally registered dive operator, scuba divers can explore some of the best diving locations in the entire Caribbean in the sparkling turquoise waters around Mayreau and her sister islands.
Back at the villas, join your fellow guests for sunset cocktails followed by a mouth-watering dinner. As you head back to your private suite you look out onto the bay, now illuminated by stars, and you’re already wondering what excitement tomorrow has in store.
Sample Itinerary
Here is sample itinerary of what you may expect while enjoying a vacation with TradeWinds at Mayreau Villas in the southern Grenadines. Weather conditions or other outside factors may mean that the itinerary is slightly changed. Please note: Everything consumed at the beach bar is included in the all inclusive fee. Breakfast is always served at the North Villa pool deck. Lunch and dinner is usually served in the Beach Club restaurant, and guests order from the menu there. On Tuesdays we have lunch in Union Island (at guests’ expense) and on Friday evenings we dine out at a local restaurant (at guests’ expense). On Thursdays we provide a picnic lunch in the Tobago Cays and dinner is prepared and served at the Villas.
We aim to spend as much time as possible on the water. However, we give our guests a choice with the daily activities - if guests don't want to join any excursions or activities then they can stay behind at the Villas for a more relaxed day. Whatever they choose, there will always be a crew member around to look after them.
Arrival Day - Saturday
Guests should be on the dock at Sandy Lane Marina on Canouan Island on time for pick-up at 5pm, for a complimentary water transfer to the dock at Mayreau Villas. Arriving into tiny Mayreau island almost feels as though you’ve been transported to another dimension, where time has slowed down, and you can withdraw from the often frantic activities of everyday life and rebuild your connection to nature and to humanity. You’ll be greeted with Welcome Cocktails by your Captain and First Mate for the week, and shown to your suites before enjoying your first gourmet dinner under the stars – as close to paradise as it gets.
Day 1 - Sunday
After a delicious breakfast at the Villas, we’ll put on our walking shoes and take a short hike to the charming little church and lookout point at the top of the hill. The views from here are truly spectacular. On the way back downhill, we’ll stop off for a drink at Righteous Robert’s colorful local bar and enjoy some Caribbean drumming (guests are welcome to participate). Back at the Villas, we’ll enjoy lunch at the restaurant and explore the grounds and the gorgeous beaches, before sunset cocktails and another mouth-watering dinner served at the Beach Club Restaurant.
Day 2 - Monday
Caribbean coral reefs have declined by 50% since 1950, partly because they are sensitive to water conditions; they are under threat from excess nutrients, rising ocean heat content and acidification, overfishing and sunscreen use. After breakfast today, we’ll spend the morning snorkeling at Saline Bay on Mayreau, part of the CLEAR Caribbean Reef Restoration project in which we are active partners, wholeheartedly supporting this vital project. Environmentalists and volunteers assist in setting up ‘spider’ frames to attach Elkhorn coral fragments onto, and our guests will have an opportunity to see the reef rebuilding project in action, as well as to search for signs of new coral life. After lunch at the Beach Club Restaurant, we may go diving or perhaps enjoy some of the water sports available at the Villas, before Captains Cocktails and yet another scrumptious dinner at the Restaurant.
Day 3 - Tuesday
The first delicious meal of the day behind us, today we’re off on a day trip to Union Island. We’ll take one of the tenders and explore the charming little town of Clifton, snorkel in beautiful Chatham Bay with its calm turquoise waters (perfect for snorkeling and swimming) and enjoy lunch ashore in the shade at Sparrow’s Beach Club & Restaurant. Later, we’ll visit the famous Happy Island Bar and Grill on the edge of the harbour to meet Janti, who built his tiny “island” from conch shells he collected on the shore. Afterwards we’ll sail around Palm Island, and share the story of this exclusive resort with our guests before we return to Mayreau for sunset cocktails and dinner.
Day 4 - Wednesday
Breakfast over, today is set aside for diving or fishing charters. For those keen to fish, we have the choice of either a local (cost-effective) boat or a more upmarket fishing charter. For divers, one of the Divemasters or Dive Instructors from Grenadines Dive (with a government permit to take down divers within the Tobago Cays Marine Park) leads the dives in some of the best diving locations in the Caribbean - Puruni wreck dive, Mayreau Gardens (spectacular), Horseshoe Reef and more. We also do free-diving activities at the Puruni wreck for experienced divers, as it's only 10 meters deep. Guests who are not participating in any of the above activities have an opportunity to experience sailing the Hobie cat, which is always great fun and most guests love this. There’s also kayaking, snorkeling around the dock, dock jumping (favourite with kids) or just chilling on the beach or pool areas before cocktails and dinner at the Beach Club Restaurant.
Please note that the cost of both the fishing charters and the diving charters is not included in the all-inclusive fee, and should be paid direct to the charter provider.
Day 5 - Thursday
Today is the highlight of the week for most guests – our exciting Tobago Cays full day trip from 10am to 5pm. After breakfast we load up one of the tenders, and minutes later we’re snorkeling with stingrays and turtles. We packed a picnic lunch, which we’ll enjoy on a picture-postcard beach on one of the uninhabited islands while we explore the whole area. Among those we’ll visit is stunning Petit Tabac, also known as Jack Sparrow Island, as an episode of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie was filmed here in 2003. After a magical day, we return to the Villas for Captains Cocktails and a wonderful dinner prepared by your crew.
Day 6 - Friday
After a hearty breakfast, we’re off to spend the morning at heavenly Salt Whistle Bay, exploring this world-famous beach and swimming in the ocean. A real treat for our guests is to laze back sipping rum with coconut water from freshly picked coconuts, and soaking in the atmosphere. After lunch, the TradeWinds yachts based on Canouan begin to arrive, and the atmosphere becomes very festive. A super end to the week, topped off with a tasty dinner at one of the local restaurants in the village, before we head back to the Villas for a final delicious nightcap.
Departure Day - Saturday
After a last tasty breakfast, it’s time to gather your belongings, as well as your wonderful memories of a week in this most beautiful environment. Before exchanging fond farewells, your crew will arrange for you to depart Mayreau for Canouan at 9am (or earlier depending on flight times). Already you will be planning your next adventure with TradeWinds.