Thanks for the report. We sailed that area in March of 2018 and visited many of the same anchorages as you. We went St. Lucia>Grenada, but I found that the farther south we went the more pleasant things got (with the exception of Mustique which was very nice but very expensive).

Like you, we really liked Salt Whistle Bay. Plenty for the family to do, plus I'm a kiteboarder and actually preferred kiting there over Union Island. The winds were better that day compared to kiting at Union so that could have been the difference. Sandy Island was awesome too. We spent an afternoon there but should have stayed for the night. Instead we did the same as you and went around the corner to Tyrell Bay which was not a highlight for us. Tobago Cays were OK but kind of stormy when we were there.

I can relate to some of your challenges. Though we didn't have any issues with the boat boys in the Tobago Cays (other than being gouged a bit for our lobster dinner IMO), the boat boys to the north in St. Vincent were another story. I understand the challenges they face and that they are trying to make a living, but having to deal with such pushy characters can certainly put a damper on your vacation. We would be much more receptive to them and probably stick around and spend more money with them if they were more polite and respectful to us. Oh well, I guess I'm the visitor and it's their home so it is what it is. Also, we found out as well how thin the water around the Tobago Cays can get when we briefly ran aground trying to hug the east side of the anchorage. Fortunately we were going very slow and the bottom there is all sand. Still kind of embarrassing though. Our charter company did dive the boat but didn't say anything - even after I mentioned that we may have "nudged" the ground a bit.

If I have to be honest, I'm not sure we'll do another Grenadines charter. If we do we will probably start from Grenada like you did and spend more time in the southern parts of the islands. If you haven't sailed the Leewards yet I'd recommend them. Challenging open water and longer distance sailing like the Windwards, but no boat boys and the locals are friendlier based on my experience.

Matt

P.S. I am also curious where they hit the reef?