Ted Lockwood
(231) 218-5186
About Ted Lockwood
Our crew of four arrived in Sint Maarten with one goal in mind: Sail, a 2024 Excess 14 safely to Grenada for hurricane season storage. Of course, there is no reason to rush a voyage through some of the most beautiful sailing grounds in the world.
After an easy travel day from Michigan through Miami, we checked over the boat, provisioned, and enjoyed a memorable farewell dinner at Lagoonies, a lively waterfront restaurant with excellent food and music. The next morning began with fresh pastries and coffee at Café Atlantico across from the David Walters Yachts office.
Our Excess 14 had been sitting in Simpson Bay Lagoon for several months, so before departure we arranged for divers to clean the hull, topped off fuel and water, completed minor sail repairs, and performed a full rigging and safety inspection. Once through the Simpson Bay drawbridge and customs formalities, we pointed the bows south.
The first leg brought us roughly 60 nautical miles to Saint Kitts in 15–20 knots of trade wind breeze. Formerly a British sugar colony, St. Kitts still carries reminders of its colonial history with old plantations and forts scattered across the island. We anchored for the evening and were serenaded by beachside music well into the night.
From there we sailed on to Terre-de-Haut, passing the dramatic island of Montserrat. Montserrat’s volcanic eruptions in 1995 and 1997 buried much of the southern half of the island under ash and lava, forcing the capital city of Plymouth to be abandoned. Even from offshore, the scars of the eruption remain strikingly visible.
Terre-de-Haut, part of the Îles des Saintes in Guadeloupe, offered one of the trip’s most charming stops. With its quiet harbor, French-Caribbean architecture, and welcoming cafés, it felt like a small slice of Europe tucked into the tropics. A morning visit to a local French bakery quickly became a crew favorite.
Continuing south, we passed the lush volcanic peaks of Dominica. Known as the “Nature Island,” Dominica is famous for rainforests, waterfalls, and hiking trails that weave through rugged volcanic terrain. With more time, it would have been an ideal stop for exploration ashore.
An overnight stop in Martinique gave us a glimpse of one of the Caribbean’s most developed French islands, blending modern marinas with old-world culture. Arriving at night was quite interesting as the commercial ship and tug traffic was very active. After refueling and clearing customs, we continued to Saint Lucia, perhaps one of the most visually stunning islands of the voyage.
Anchoring beneath the towering Pitons was unforgettable. These volcanic spires rise dramatically from the sea and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Gusty winds funneled through the mountains at 30 knots or more, but by evening the anchorage settled into calm tropical perfection. Dinner ashore at Sugar Beach felt cinematic — torchlight, surf, and warm Caribbean hospitality.
Farther south, we reached Bequia, a laid-back sailor’s paradise with a rich boatbuilding heritage. I have been there during the holidays and Bequia puts on a wonderful show, complete with entertainment and fireworks. Then came the turquoise waters of Tobago Cays, arguably one of the Caribbean’s finest anchorages. Sea turtles, rays, coral reefs, and crystal-clear water made it difficult to leave.
A customs stop at Union Island revealed an island still recovering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Beryl in July 2024. Despite the destruction, the resilience and warmth of the local people stood out immediately.
Our final leg south passed Carriacou, Sandy Island, and the underwater volcano Kick'in Jenny (underwater Volcano)before arriving at Dragon Bay, home to Grenada’s famous underwater sculpture park — a remarkable blend of marine life and art.
We arrived at St. George's and docked at Port Louis Marina by mid-afternoon. The marina staff welcomed us professionally, and the crew quickly prepared the boat for hurricane haul-out. Grenada has long been considered one of the safer southern hurricane refuges in the Caribbean, making it an ideal seasonal base for cruising yachts.
What began as a straightforward sail, turned into an unforgettable Caribbean adventure. While we completed the voyage in just over a week, each island offered enough beauty, history, and culture to justify spending months exploring the Eastern Caribbean in depth.