IYC Inspiration: A Week Of Family Fun, Exploring Grenada To St. Lucia Aboard ELA
Our IYC consultants take pride in creating the best itineraries, working closely with yacht owners and their families to design the perfect cruising experiences. They put together itineraries that suit every age, interest, and travel style in the most suitable destinations. When the owner of the 164' (50m) Heesen yacht ELA wanted to spend quality time together onboard, the southern Caribbean provided the perfect setting for adventure and downtime.
This IYC Inspiration spotlights a multi-destination Caribbean itinerary from Grenada to St. Lucia. With ELA's family-first layout, warm atmosphere, and standout amenities, parents enjoyed true relaxation while children and teens had nonstop fun, all supported by ELA's dedicated Captain Jake Oberholzer and his crew. Here is the story of their week-long luxury yacht charter in the Caribbean:
DAY 1: First Splash In Grenada
Captain Jake and his professional crew members welcomed the owner and family aboard ELA, anchored off the southeast of Grenada, with cooling towels, warm smiles, and a mixture of signature Caribbean rum cocktails and teenage-friendly mocktails. After they settled back into their yacht, they wasted no time diving into the Caribbean.
As they emerged ready and full of excitement to jump in, the crew had the toys ready to go, and an afternoon was spent with them, playing, testing out the Seabobs and paddleboards, while some of the adults relaxed and soaked up the Caribbean rays in the spacious areas onboard. Dinner was then served alfresco on the deck, featuring grilled fresh seafood and various sides, all in a family-friendly buffet style, for their first taste of the week's gourmet creations to follow.
DAY 2: Rainforest Hikes And Island Barbecue
After a big breakfast fit for an adventure, featuring the chef's special pancakes, smoothies, and eggs, the whole group set off for a rainforest hike ashore through Grenada's Grand Etang National Park. Guided by local experts, they made their way through the lush canopies, pausing to cool off in the many waterfalls they found.
Back onboard, ELA's sauna soothed tired muscles, while the cold plunge on the sundeck provided a refreshing reward after a day's hiking. As the family enjoyed tiki-style sundowners, the crew transformed the upper deck for an island-inspired barbecue night, one of the family's favourite theme nights, ELA's crew loves to arrange.
DAY 3: Watersports Galore
Today was all about playtime onboard. Waking up for breakfast together anchored off a secluded bay, ELA became a launchpad for fun. The older children mastered the art of the E-foils while the younger ones and parents challenged each other on the inflatable climbing wall.
With a delicious lunch as rest, the afternoon continued the watersports energy, and some went off to explore the surrounding bay on the Schiller bikes and paddleboards. Throughout the day, the crew captured all the activity with the onboard drone.
As some hung up their swimming outfits for the day, they enjoyed more of the onboard wellness facilities, and a massage was arranged for some of the adults before dinner. That night, the family gathered around for an alfresco movie night. ELA's foredeck is home to a state-of-the-art cinema screen and excellent surround sound, so with popcorn in hand, they all stretched out on the sunloungers on the bow and enjoyed a family movie under the stars.
DAY 4: Finding The Best Beaches
After a slow morning of fresh smoothies and a morning workout, enjoying the Pilates reformer and other gym equipment, brunch was savored before the day ahead. ELA then cruised on to some of the smaller islets and anchorages north of Grenada.
Anchored in another beautiful spot for the morning, the families headed out on ELA's chase boat for a safari exploring the area, armed with snorkels for quick dips along the way. For the remainder of the day, the crew found the perfect beach for the ultimate beach day and picnic setup, where they relaxed, enjoyed a gourmet spread, sunbathed, and played beach games.
Back on board, some of the younger family members got involved with the crew, who were decorating for dinner, incorporating some of their beach finds and shells into the night's theme.
DAY 5: Underwater Adventures And Family Nights
Thanks to ELA's shallow draft enabling access to more secluded bays, the next leg of the journey took them north to St Vincent. Anchored off a pristine beach, they spent the morning snorkelling, swimming, and appreciating the anchorage.
After enjoying the chase boat safari so much on the previous day, they headed back out for another adventure. And, as well as enjoying the idyllic island landscapes, they were also lucky enough to spot a pod of dolphins. Meanwhile, below the surface, some of them headed out with ELA's on-board dive instructor for a scuba dive experience with a local guide, taking them to some of the best spots.
That evening, the pizza oven and the family's vocals were warmed up, ready for the activities. The chef and crew organised a fun pizza party, where they enjoyed their favourite toppings, before ending the night with a karaoke party on deck.
DAY 6: Hiking St. Lucia's Iconic Peaks
For the last couple of days, ELA headed to St. Lucia. Anchored in Soufriere Bay, between the iconic UNESCO-listed Pitons for the day, the family went on a hiking adventure ashore - tackling the summit of the Gros Piton.
The afternoon unfolded with some relaxation after an active morning and a long lunch. Thanks to ELA's open planned living, there are plenty of spots for everyone to relax. With energy still to burn, the children decided to give wakeboarding a go, wanting to improve the skills they had learnt from the last trip. Regrouping for dinner, they enjoyed dinner and drinks before an impromptu games night.
DAY 7: Pirate Fun
Waking up for breakfast, today called for a day and evening of pirate adventures. The crew set up the boat in full pirate mode, complete with decor, treasure hunts, and games for all ages. ELA cruised up and anchored in Marigot Bay, once a filming location for the Pirates of the Caribbean. This picturesque and sheltered bay was an excellent setting for the day.
The family loved dressing up with the crew and enjoyed the playful treasure hunt, where they worked together to solve clues both on board and ashore, using maps and riddles to guide them. After securing all the treasure, the day was broken up by some snorkeling and other watersports, followed by a pirate-themed dinner and a dining setup.
DAY 8: Farewells And Lasting Memories
The final morning of this trip meant a lingering brunch while the crew surprised the owner's family with ELA's thoughtful parting gift: an edited drone video of their week's adventures to remember. Some of the children even managed a quick last swim before they left for a private transfer taking them to St. Lucia's international airport for departure.
For families seeking the perfect itinerary to explore the Caribbean this winter, featuring watersports, adventure, and relaxation hosted by the best charter crews onboard, contact IYC's expert consultants today.