The Caribbean Through the Eyes of a Tall Ship Traveller After three blissful days soaking up the beauty of Antigua, the moment had finally arrived to step aboard the elegant Star Clipper and begin our sailing adventure through the Caribbean. Our first stop was the glamorous island of St Barts. Arriving just in time for midday, we enjoyed a delicious lunch on board before hopping into the tender and heading ashore. As we approached Gustavia, the island’s capital, we were greeted by an astonishing collection of multi-million-pound superyachts lining the harbour - each more impressive than the last. The town itself was effortlessly chic, buzzing with energy, from its designer boutiques to laid-back waterfront cafés, all wrapped in that unmistakable Caribbean yachting charm. That evening, we slipped quietly out of port, sailing into a golden sunset as we made our way towards Norman Island in the British Virgin Islands. The following morning was nothing short of magical. We cruised through the Sir Francis Drake Channel, surrounded by emerald-green, uninhabited islands set against impossibly clear turquoise waters. Dropping anchor just off Norman Island, we took the tender ashore and spent a dreamy afternoon paddleboarding and snorkelling - all complimentary, and all unforgettable. The onboard watersports team mentioned they’d spotted turtles, so we wasted no time grabbing our snorkels and heading back into the water. Before long, there they were - gracefully gliding across the seabed. Watching these incredible creatures in their natural habitat was, without doubt, one of the highlights of the trip. The next day began early, but it was worth every second. As we sailed past Soper’s Hole in Tortola, we were treated to the most breathtaking sunrise of the entire week soft hues of pink and gold lighting up the sky. Later, we experienced our first “wet landing” at White Bay on Jost Van Dyke. The crew expertly guided us from the tender onto the powder-soft sand, adding a sense of adventure to the day.
Only four miles long, Jost Van Dyke is small but mighty, brimming with character thanks to its lively beach bars and restaurants. It’s also the home of the famous Caribbean cocktail, the Painkiller - although I’ll admit, I wasn’t quite brave enough to try one! That evening, the atmosphere shifted into full celebration mode as a local Caribbean duo entertained us under the stars, getting everyone up and dancing barefoot on deck. Day five offered a slower pace. While many passengers set off to explore The Baths on Virgin Gorda, we chose to stay on board - soaking up the serenity of the ship, lounging by the pool, and watching as others climbed the mast. Later, we sailed to “Captain’s Best,” also known as Long Bay Beach on Beef Island. It felt like stepping into a Robinson Crusoe fantasy - endless stretches of pristine white sand, gently lapped by soft, rolling waves, with barely another soul in sight. Our next port of call was St Maarten, where we swapped tranquillity for adventure. Jumping into a taxi, we headed straight for the world’s steepest zipline - and the views were absolutely incredible. We then made our way to Simpson Bay, where watching the famous low-flying aircrafts roar just overhead as they land is an absolute must. It’s every bit as thrilling as you imagine. After a spot of lunch back in Philipsburg and a relaxing moment watching life drift by from the beach, we returned to the ship just in time for sailaway - and one of my favourite evenings onboard: the crew and passenger talent show. It was a night full of laughter, music, and unexpected performances that made it truly special. Our final day took us to St Kitts, where we embraced a slower rhythm once again. Crystal-clear waters, beach bars, local cocktails, and even monkeys playing along the rocks - it was the perfect Caribbean send-off. That evening, we gathered on deck beneath Star Clipper’s magnificent sails one last time. With a glass of bubbles in hand, we watched the sun dip below the horizon, reminiscing about an incredible week - and, of course, already dreaming about our next sailing adventure.