Captains Log

Sails of Valor: Setting Sail from Trinidad

There’s something magical about the first day a crew comes together—when faces once seen only on screens finally meet in the humid, salty air of adventure. That’s how our journey began in Trinidad, as the Sails of Valor crew reunited dockside, excitement pulsing through every handshake and laugh echoing across the marina.

Settling In and Setting the Tone

Once aboard our vessel, we gathered to assign cabins and settle into our floating home. The rhythm of the boat quickly took over—bags tucked away, lines coiled neatly, and the gentle creak of the dock reminding us that the sea was waiting. Half of our crew headed out for provisions, returning hours later with crates of fresh produce, snacks, and a verity of drinks. The rest stayed aboard, checking systems, securing gear, and prepping for the days ahead.

By late afternoon, everything was in order. We motored out to a quiet nearby cove, dropped anchor, and watched as the sun slid behind the hills of Trinidad. There we worked together and installed the Head Sail as well as the Main Sail. We were the only boat there—alone with the hum of the ocean and the promise of tomorrow’s passage. It was the perfect calm before the voyage began.

Clearing Out and Heading North

Morning came softly, with coffee mugs clinking and the crew moving about in quiet rhythm. We cleared customs and immigration, officially beginning our journey north. As we left Trinidad’s bay, not only did the sea greet us with a gentle roll—calm, forgiving, and full of invitation, but a group of dolphins did an assortment of acrobatic tricks to send us a good farewell.

But soon, we reached the Dragon’s Mouth—a narrow passage just outside Trinidad known for its unpredictable currents. The name proved fitting. The ocean swirled in confusion, waves coming at us from every direction. It was a sailor’s riddle—steady the helm, trust your crew, and ride it out.

Beyond the turbulence, the sea opened up, and the night began to fall. The wind carried us north under a velvet sky, stars overhead and the sound of our wake splashing away. Nineteen hours of open water stretched before us—a steady rhythm of shifts, navigation lights, and quiet reflection.

Landfall: Carriacou and the Islands Beyond

Into the night, Carriacou appeared on the horizon like a dream rising from the sea. We moored in Argyle Cove, the island still and beautiful in the morning light. After checking in, the crew took a short hop over to Sandy Island—a pristine, uninhabited strip of sand framed by turquoise water and coral gardens.

We swam, snorkeled, and explored the untouched beauty around us. Time slowed. Salt on our skin, laughter in the air, cold drinks in hand as the sun melted into the horizon—it was one of those perfect moments that remind you why you sail in the first place. Bring a calmness to our souls.

That evening, as we sat together watching the fading light over the Caribbean, it wasn’t just another voyage—it was the beginning of something greater. The start of this chapter for Sails of Valor and the healing journeys we’ll continue to share, one horizon at a time.