Sea View: Between St Barts and Barbuda, A Whale Of An Encounter!

"It's sixty miles from Barbuda to St Barts. That worked out as day's sailing in 15-20 knots of wind under grey skies. Suddenly a jovial pod of jumping dolphins passed by to brighten our day. While the four of us were watching their display from the trampoline, we caught sight of two grey and white hulks, maybe two or three meters below the surface of the water. They seemed to be moving slowly, but it was clear that they were travelling at the same speed as the dolphins. We realized that for the first time, just a few dozen meters from us, that these hulks were two whales. It was an emotional moment. Our wonder was soon followed by caution (we can't help thinking of Tsaelou, who had hit a whale during a transat a few years before). A few minutes later, one of the masses emerges slightly from the water, this time much further away. This first encounter with whales is heart-stopping. When we arrived at St Barts, Jules got out his legendary "St Barth French West Indies" t-shirt, an old piece of cloth which has seen some winds and tides, as he's been wearing it for twenty years. We stopped by Gustavia to kit out the family similarly, and we were set for another twenty years! You can't go to St Barts without stopping by the "Le Select" bar. It's the least chi-chi and the most "yachty" of Gustavia's bars. Boat crews come to have a drink whilst Caribbean 80s music plays in the background. All in a friendly atmosphere. We then headed for the Anse du Colombier. Although it's a lovely bay, the beach is not easily accessed by land. There's a 45 minute walk with some very undulating terrain. Just before sunset, we headed to Fourchue island. We felt like Robinson Crusoes on this wild island, which is uninhabited and is an official nature reserve. It's a memory that will stay with us: clear waters, ideal for snorkeling, and the sunset. It's definitely a must-see when you're in St Barts"!

Camille, Manon, Sophie & Jules on board: Sea View.
www.seaview.bzh