The Caribbean - Intrepid Travel

The Caribbean
Rest & relaxation? Rum & reefs? Decide what R&R means to you
Cayo Largo Coral Reef, Cuba
Tortola harbour, British Virgin Islands
Can you arreos?
British Virgin Islands
Isolated. Incredible. Irressistable.
Consider yourself rich and famous
Nestled off the south coast of Cuba, in the heart of the Carribean Sea, the
Cannarreos Archipelago abounds in stunning natural beauty. Never heard of it?
This archipelago is a true little known treasure. One of its eastern most islands,
the dazzling Cayo Largo del Sur (better known simpy as Cayo Largo) boasts
coral reefs of dazzling proportions. Don your snorkel and discover a thriving
underwaterworld or go for a splash in crystal clear waters. Or simply stretch out
on a flawless beach and soak up some Caribbean rays. Columbus did venture
out here at some point but you’d never know it; the place remains (by the
masses at least) gloriously undiscovered. Private beach? Hells yeah.
Unless you charter a yacht or have your own sweet vessel tucked away
somewhere, your chances of seeing the beautiful British Virgin Islands are slim to
none. Luckily, if you don’t fall into category A (boat licence anyone? Plus a whole
heap of serious mula?) or B (hello, Donald Trump), we can get you in on the
action. Intrepid Travel’s sailing trips offer you the freedom of getting to out-ofthe-way places on a budget that won’t leave you hyperventilating. Turn to page
34 and be tempted by our 8-day trip out to the majestic Virgin Islands. Don’t just
imagine those crystal clear waters and soft sandy beaches, get out there! Grab
your togs and travel like royalty. Just without the hefty pricetag.
32 The Caribbean
Fast facts
Top 4…
Saint Ursula
Old timer
Virgin to Virgin
When Columbus first
sighted the British
Virgin Islands, he
named them Santa
Ursula y las Once Mil
Vírgenes (Saint Ursula
and her 11,000 Virgins).
The manjuarí – a
prehistoric gar fish
believed by some
biologists to be the
point where fish
evolved into mammals
– exists only in Cuba.
Virgin honcho Richard
Branson owns an entire
74-acre plot of paradise
named Necker Island.
He purchased it in 1978
for £180,000 at the ripe
old age of 28.
Real revolutionary
In 2000, Fidel Castro
unveiled a life-size
statue of John Lennon
in Havana’s Vedado
District, calling him a
‘true’ revolutionary.
High praise indeed.
History’s most assassination-proof leader
The CIA’s attempts to overthrow Castro’s Cuba didn’t begin and end with the foiled Bay of Pigs
invasion. Not by a long shot. By some counts, more than 600 plots were hatched to kill off the Cuban
leader in his days at the helm, either by assassinating his person... or simply ravaging his character.
Here are some of the more unorthodox ones.
Milkshake
containing poison
Cigar contaminated
with botulinum
Conch shell packed
with explosives
Caribbean rum cocktails
Daiquiri
A favoured drink of
Hemingway and JFK –
one a big Cuba fan, the
other not so much...
Cuba libre
Cola, white rum,
fresh lime chunks
and a highball glass.
Revolutionary.
Piña colada
With pineapple juice,
coconut cream and
sugar, this is the drink
for the sweet tooth.
Mojito
Delicious and apparently
great for staving off
scurvy. There’s your
excuse right there.
The weather in…
While we’re of the opinion there’s never a bad time to
travel, some seasons are obviously warmer or colder
than others. Take a look at our weather guide below, so
you can decide on the best travel season for you.
J
F M A M
J
J
A
S
O N D
Havana
Tortola
Cayo Largo
Wetsuit laced with
poisonous bacteria
Ballpoint pen containing
hypodermic syringe
Cigar packed with
explosives
Aerosol spray can
containing LSD
KEY
Monsoon 25-30˚C
Additional information is available at intrepidtravel.com
Pleasantly warm 20-30˚C
The Caribbean 33
A curious namesake
The story goes that Dead Man’s Bay
was named after pirates who drowned
swimming across from neighbouring Dead
Chest Island. Sounds very much like a
Robert Louis Stevenson inspired tale...
British Virgin Islands Sailing Adventure
TRIP CODE ITMB
MORE DETAILS intrepidtravel.com/ITMB
PHYSICAL RATING
CULTURAL RATING
STYLE
Original
THEME Sailing
GROUP SIZE Max 8
ACCOMMODATION Catamaran (7 nts)
TRANSPORT Catamaran
MEALS 6 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches
GUARANTEE Departure guaranteed
NOTES 1. A trip kitty of USD 120 applies to this trip - please
see trip notes for more information. 2. All special meal
requests need to be advised at the time of booking. 3.
Please provide passport details at time of booking with
exact name as per passport (including middle name), as
these are essential for booking services on this trip.
BUDGET Allow USD 300 for meals not included
TRAVELLER RATING 4.36 out of 5
DEPARTS Every Saturday from January to April
Start
2015
03 Jan
10 Jan
17 Jan
24 Jan
Finish
10 Jan
17 Jan
24 Jan
31 Jan
31 Jan
07 Feb
14 Feb
21 Feb
28 Feb
07 Mar
The Baths, British Virgin Islands
07 Feb
14 Feb
21 Feb
28 Feb
07 Mar
14 Mar
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
34 British Virgin Islands
14 Mar 21 Mar
21 Mar 28 Mar
28 Mar 04 Apr
See our website
for 2016 dates
8 days, Tortola to Tortola
DEPARTURE
GUARANTEED
Discover the colourful Creole cultures, pristine coral reefs, hidden island coves and
proverbial pirate lore of the British Virgin Islands.
ITINERARY... Day 1 Tortola Get ready for a sublime
sailing experience. Meet at Maya Cove and settle
aboard your sea-bound home. Days 2-7 Norman
Island/ British Virgin Islands Archipeligo Settle
into island life with a leisurely snorkel around The
Caves. Dive through caverns and grottoes to spot
octopuses, stingrays and maybe even a pod of
dolphins. Afterwards, jump ship to the Willy-T, a bar
and restaurant where the rum flows fast and the
reggae jams pump through the night. The next day, set
sail towards Dead’s Man Bay. Stop in at Peter Island for
a swim in the gorgeous waters before heading to Salt
Island in search of the RMS Rhone, the most perfectly
preserved shipwreck in the Caribbean. The next island
destination is at the southern tip of Virgin Gouda: the
incredible rock formations known as The Baths. Explore
the dark caverns and rocky boulders of this peculiar
geological creation – another day, another island
paradise. Spend a day marooned on a deserted island,
snorkelling in lush marine seabeds or just soaking
up the surroundings of North Sound, once a popular
pirate hangout. Jost Van Dyke is an awesome place
to go for a hike or just chill out on the beach sipping a
cocktail swinging back and forth in a hammock. There
is more great snorkelling and beach lounging to be
had in Sandy Vay, Sandy Spit or Green Cay before an
afternoon sail to Soper’s Hole in Tortola. If the time is
right, party full-moon style and master the rhythm of
reggae. Day 8 Tortola Return to the harbour at Tortola,
where this fun-filled, sun-blessed adventure draws to
an end after breakfast. Perhaps stay on longer to soak
up more spoils of this island paradise.
Highlights
• Anchor at Dead Man’s Bay for a laze on its
beautiful beach
• Navigate rock formations at The Baths
• Hike around the island of Jost Van Dyke
Virgin Gorda
Jost Van Dyke
Marina Cay
Green Cay
Sandy Spit Tortola
Soper’s Hole
Beef Island
Cooper Island
The Baths
Salt Island
Peter Island
Norman Island
B R ITIS H
VIR GIN ISLA N D S
Trinidad, Cuba - Megan McChesney
Cuba combo
Want to see more of Cuba? Why not
combine the Classic Cuba trip (QUSL) with
our Cuba Sailing Adventure (QSSC, below)
to create an awesome 15-day trip. The best
of Cuba on land and at sea!
Havana, Cuba - Megan McChesney
Havana, Cuba - Linda Borozan
Cuba Sailing Adventure
TRIP CODE QSSC
9 days, Havana to Havana
DEPARTURE
Discover a side of Cuba few people have experienced – life at sea sailing to one
unspoilt beach, beachside restaurant and welcoming port after another.
ITINERARY... Day 1 Havana Welcome to Havana, a city
of contrasts, where the streets are alive with action and
salsa and rumba music drift through the air. If arriving
early, perhaps discover the neighbourhoods of Habana
Viejo or Vedado to be immersed in the vivacious
culture of the city and to witness a time capsule of
days gone by. Days 2-8 Cienfuegos/Archipielago
de los Canarreos Journey to Cienfuegos, a charming
waterfront city known as the ‘Pearl of the South.’ Jump
on board the yacht and set sail to Cayo Guano, where a
lush tropical paradise, blue waters, coconut trees and
some of the best sunsets on earth await. Spend the
next four days sailing the idyllic islands of Cuba, which
are set among the world-renowned beauty of the
Caribbean Sea. Visit Cayo De Dios and discover hidden
beaches, untouched sands and pristine blue waters.
Grab snorkelling gear to witness some of the Cuba’s
magnificent underwater scenery – you may even spot
a turtle or two. Relax and chill out on the deck of the
yacht, bask in the glorious sunshine and soak up the
laidback vibe of the Caribbean. Discover Cayo Largo, an
island that boasts some of Cuba’s most beautiful coral
reefs. Unveil the hidden gems of Cayo Los Majaes, Cayo
Rico, Cayo Estopa and Cayo Cantiles, all resplendent in
their natural beauty. During the day, hit the water for
a spot of swimming, snorkel with curious marine life,
MORE DETAILS intrepidtravel.com/QSSC
GUARANTEED
laze on white-sand beaches and taste the flavours of
Cuba. In the evenings, enjoy island style barbeques and
unwind with new friends beneath shimmering stars.
Day 9 Cienfuegos/Havana Enjoy a final breakfast on
board the yacht before heading back to Havana, where
this unforgettable sailing adventure ends.
Highlights
• Discover the vibrant contrasts of Havana
• Bask on the white sands of Cayo Largo
• Visit the fishing village of Cayo Cantiles
• Taste divine food at beachside restaurants
PHYSICAL RATING
STYLE
CULTURAL RATING
THEME Theme
Original
GROUP SIZE Max 8
ACCOMMODATION Catamaran (7 nts),
homestay (1 nt)
TRANSPORT Catamaran, public bus
MEALS 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
GUARANTEE Departure guaranteed
NOTES 1. A Cruising Tax of CUC 12 or EUR 10 per person per
day is payable before embarking the yacht in Cienfuegos.
2. All special meal requests need to be advised at the time
of booking. 3. Passport details are required at the time of
booking. 4. We highly recommend that you travel with a
backpack, a soft sided bag or a small suitcase [the size of
which would be accepted as carry on baggage on an aircraft.
BUDGET Allow USD 50 for meals not included
TRAVELLER RATING N/A as this is a new trip
DEPARTS Every Saturday from January to April
Start
2015
03 Jan
10 Jan
17 Jan
24 Jan
Finish
11 Jan
18 Jan
25 Jan
01 Jan
31 Jan
07 Feb
14 Feb
21 Feb
28 Feb
07 Mar
08 Feb
15 Feb
22 Feb
01 Feb
08 Mar
15 Mar
14 Mar 22 Mar
21 Mar 29 Mar
28 Mar 05 Apr
See our website
for 2016 dates
Havana
C U BA
Cayo del Rosario
Cienfuegos
Cayeria Los Majaes
Cayo Rica
Cayo Cantiles
Cayo Estopa
Cayos de Dios
Cayo Largo del Sur
Cuba - Linda Borozan
Additional information is available at intrepidtravel.com
Cuba 35
36 The Caribbean
Your boat in the Caribbean
Catamaran’s make sailing in the Caribbean as smooth and laidback as the destinations themselves, and allow easy access to the
shore and sights along the way. Their twin hull allows for plenty of deck space to stretch out on while cruising crystal-clear waters,
to toast the sunset while anchored off shore and to fall asleep on when star-filled nights are so irresistible you can’t go below deck.
Typical boat layout
In the Caribbean we sail in catamarans. They are more stable than a traditional sailing boat and
because of their shallow draft (the water they need to float in), they can go as close as possible to the
shore, coral reefs and cays. The catamarans we use have four twin/double share cabins, three shared
bathrooms, a galley [kitchen], living area and ample deck space. Kayaks and paddles are provided on
board, which allows for exploration away from the boat .
Cabins
Bathroom
Communal
Galley
Havana - Carolyn Gracie
Skipper profile: the Caribbean
Dean Taylor, British Virgin Islands
Dean’s laidback demeanour is a hit with his passengers, putting them at ease and allowing them to
come together as a group. His knowledge of the Caribbean seems endless, and he strives to help his
passengers both on the water and while at port.
“I’ve sailed since I was a child and was lucky enough to professionally skipper my first yacht at 21 from
the UK to southern Spain, though I’m sure I was skippering rubber rowing boats long before that!
For me, it’s the fresh air and sense of self-dependence that draws me to sailing, and I’ve always felt
closer to the real world sailing than I have ever felt on land. It just makes sense somehow.
The best sailing adventures? These happen when you make the most of it! I’d advise all those who take
to the water to breathe deeply, feel the beauty of the world around you and take the chance to explore
new places.”
Additional information is available at intrepidtravel.com
The Caribbean 37