Getting tired of sailing the Virgins? Well, there is a lot of other tremendous sailing grounds in the Caribbean.

Sailing in the Windward Islands can be a tremendous experience with both pleasure and adventure. Windward Islands is a group of islands situated in the Lesser Antilles. The name "Windward" is etymologically from the island's windward motion. This wind movement is in contrast to the "leeward", which is the source of Leeward Islands' name.

The Windward Islands are composed of the sovereign territories of Martinique, the Grenadines, Grenada, Saint Vincent, and Saint Lucia. At the height of the British Colonial era in the Caribbean, the Windward Islands total land area was larger as compared of today. It used to have on its official territory the islands of

• Tobago,

• Trinidad (Trinidad and Tobago at that time was not united),

• Dominica (at present, Dominica now belongs to the Leeward Islands) and

• Barbados (Barbados was alienated from the group because its government separated from the union in 1885).

From 1871 to 1960, Windward Islands' capital was Grenada's Saint George. Although at that time the island-group runs their own system of government, they had, however, a universal head - the union's Governor in Chief.

Sailing here is best done between November to April. The average air temperature is from 22º to 30º C (72º to 86º F) and the water temperatures stay between 20º and 23º C (68º and 74º F). The northeast trade wind blow steadily at a constant 15 to 25 knots.

Most sailing charter start in St. Vincent or St. Lucia and sail to the south. If you start in St. Lucia I would recommend that you anchor in Anse des Pitons on the first night.

Going back, you will be hard on the wind, so allow plenty of time to work your way up north to your return base.

If you are really into stimulating activities, sailing in Windward Islands is just right for you. The region was once formed by volcanic eruptions. Because of this, most of the islands are rugged. Several of them are mountainous. Its forests are rich and abundant in all forms of flora because of the islands' volcano-fertilized soil.

Sailing in the Windward Islands can be best experienced when you route your way to the Grenadines. This island country is situated between Granada and St. Lucia. It has several smaller islands. The best thing is, some of them have small hills. Others have a single palm tree surrounded by a proportion of white sand. Grenadines is blessed with stunning beaches, clear turquoise sea waters, and magnificent reefs. The island has been a haven for many keen divers because it has one of clearest water in the Caribbean. On it are colorful fishes and other forms of marine life.