We would like to show our utmost gratitude to our incredible sponsors and supporters that are making the Golden Arc Expedition possible. Please take a look at their websites by clicking on their logo and seeing the incredible products and services they have on offer.

financial sponsors

kit and equipment suppliers

ACCOMODATION sponsors

We are very grateful to the huge number of individuals, clubs, marinas, hotels and resorts that have kindly offered to accommodate and in many cases feed us during the course of our expedition. Here we will share with you our experiences with those who have extended their generous support. 

Beachcomber Hotel; St Johns, USVI

The Island Beachcomber Hotel is proud to be the very first beachfront hotel in St Thomas. Lorette and Michael Resch opened the Island Beachcomber Hotel as a 12 room efficiency hotel in 1956. The site where the hotel currently sits was once a navy chapel, navy barracks and a miniature golf course. Over the years The Island Beachcomber has enjoyed visits from celebrities such as Vivian Vance (Ethel Mertz from “I love Lucy”), Bert Parks and Cecil B. DeMille . The Hotel most looks forward to the visits from our guests that return year after year and bring their friends and family with them.

The hotel has had several expansions and renovations that make up the current beachfront hotel with 50 rooms, beach bar and garden restaurant.

While the Island Beachcomber Hotel was in its infancy , tourism in the Caribbean region was as well. Lorette Resch has been a major force in the US Virgin Islands and the entire Caribbean region in expanding tourism. Her commitment to training , marketing and service has helped to elevate the hospitality industry in the region. Lorette achieved the highest honour from her peers in 1982 with the award of Caribbean Hotelier of the Year. The Resch Family is proud to welcome you to the Island Beachcomber Hotel and St Thomas.

Frenchmans is a private estate comprising nine detached villas set on a dramatic peninsula overlooking the Caribbean sea. Each villa embodies the natural elegance of our location, its furnishings inspired by the beauty and simplicity of the site which overlooks a secluded beach and an array of uninterrupted views over crystal blue waters. The resort offers a dedicated concierge staff, a regulation tennis court, an ocean-side pool, and a restaurant adjacent to a beach.

The property is positioned on the easterly side of Frenchmans Cay, within close proximity of some of the Virgin Islands' most remarkable beaches, and within a few minutes' walk to Sopers Hole marina with its selection of inviting shops and restaurants. The resort location is also a few minutes' drive away from easy access to neighbouring islands via our local island ferry dock.

Nanny Cay; BVI

Set in one of the finest and most central locations in the BVI, Nanny Cay is located on the South side of Tortola, between the capital Road Town and West End.We are proud to provide the very best marine services and facilities possible in what after all is one of the most popular sailing destinations in the world today.

Nanny Cay’s hotel offers 40 air-conditioned rooms with cable television. The accommodation, comprising standard studios, deluxe studios and a deluxe suite, were completely refurbished in 2010. The hotel is a popular choice for tourists, charter and marina guests. We cater to families, sailors, business people and even honeymooners. To suit the different needs of our guests, we offer three types of accommodation. Our most basic of rooms is the Standard studio; which have two full sized beds. For a bit more room and bigger beds we offer the Deluxe studio, which has, two queen sized beds, a seating area and larger floor space.

All guests are entitled to use our fresh water pool, which overlooks the beautiful Sir Francis Drake Channel, or relax in a lounger on the beach where you can catch a breeze and watch the yachts sail by.  If you are feeling a bit more active you can work out in our gym or partake in a fun beach volleyball match.  To stay in touch with loved ones or business we also have have complimentary high-speed WIFI in all rooms and Internet computer available for guests to use, located in the hotel lobby.

A modern and naturally sheltered marina with berths for 180 yachts with high-speed fuel dock; 120/220V electricity; luxury shower facilities and restrooms; water and ice from Nanny Cay’s own R/O plant; garbage disposal; 100% site-wide backup power.

Bitter End Yacht Club

The Bitter End is a Virgin Gorda vacation retreat where love of the water, family tradition, welcoming staff and the generous Caribbean spirit matter most. We invite you to immerse yourself in our world and see how we define the perfect tropical vacation. We really do offer the best watersports activities, club fleet and excursions in the Caribbean. And our spectacular waterfront, with its blue skies and starry nights, creates the perfect shoreside experience whether you’re dining at one of our waterfront venues, sunning on one of our three beaches, or relaxing on the private deck of your Reef, Horizon, or Garden Room.

If you are looking for a tropical location for swimming, sunbathing, boating, kayaking, windsurfing, or just relaxing, you will find it at this secret jewel of the Caribbean! Bitter End Yacht Club on Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands is the only Caribbean beach resort of its kind. The Bitter End's emphasis on water sport activities for families as well as couples makes it an ideal resort for active vacations.

Located in the North Sound area of Virgin Gorda, the British Virgin Islands, Bitter End Yacht Club, Resort and Spa is in a spectacular water sports setting. Tropical beaches, snorkeling, diving, fishing, a fleet of yachts and Boston whalers tempt even the most dedicated landlubber to spend time on the water. Three restaurants provide you with sumptuous meals, which are included in your stay. Accessible only by boat, every room has a spectacular view! Sailing the waters of the British Virgin Islands, diving the reefs and wrecks, Bitter End is a family retreat with something for everyone both ashore or afloat.

Enjoy cool breezes swinging in your hammock, soak in the breathtaking sights where you can refresh, refuel, and renew your senses. Unleash the spirit within you and unlock your creative flow when you play in panoramic beauty everywhere.

For over 30 years the Bitter End Yacht Club has been the vacation destination for water sports enthusiasts from around the world. It's where yachtsmen from everywhere come to play!

The Crewhouse Hostel; St Martin

The CrewHouse is conveniently located close to the island's international airport and is only a 10 minute walk to the island's most well known beach, the Maho Beach. Watch some of the most amazing landings in the world, explore the island and return to the hostel bar Rusty Rocket for a cold drink. 
Choose from a 6-bed dorm room, a 10-bed dorm room, a 4-bed deluxe dorm with kitchenette and en-suite bathroom or for those wanting more privacy, a private room with private bathroom. WiFi is included in the rate as well as a welcome drink upon arrival. 
The staff speaks English, Spanish and Dutch and know the island well. Ask any staff member for tips on what to do and where to go or directions to the nearest must-sees. 

Golden Era Hotel; St Eustatius

Small, comfortable two-story hotel located 1/2 mile from the beach. Experienced visitors to the Caribbean know that affordable accommodation is hard to find. The hotel is at the edge of the sea on the site of an 18th century merchant warehouse, this hotel is located in one building with comfortable, not deluxe accommodation.  A 20 room hotel located in a peaceful setting on the edge of the Caribbean sea. 

FOUR SEASONS RESORT NEVIS

In Nevis, a little-known jewel of the Caribbean, thrilling water sports, world-class golf, outdoor spa treatments, and much more, all perfectly complemented by Four Seasons luxury and service, are waiting to be discovered.

Charming gingerbread cottages dot the Resort’s grounds and lush, fragrant gardens lead to the pristine sands of Pinney’s Beach and with a vast array of facilities including golf, spa, watersports and a fantastic children's club make this one of the top family hotels in the Caribbean. It features 196 Rooms and Suites in 12 two-storey guest buildings. Guest rooms feature a furnished outdoor veranda or patio and oversized marble bathrooms with a deep soaking tub and a separate shower. Rooms can include a further bed or sofabed to accommodate families. All rooms and suites feature: hairdryer, down pillows, cable TV, DVD player, phone, wifi, safe, iron and ironing board, newspaper and bathrobes.

The Four Seasons Nevis has everything you need for a relaxing and fun holiday. There is a good choice of restaurants, serving international and locally influenced cuisine, and plenty of choice for children too. Guests can enjoy the beautiful beach or one of the three pools and even rent a cabana - beach hut - for the day for their own private use. There are 10 tennis courts, an 18 hole golf course, good selection of watersports and a beautifully appointed spa.

The Four Seasons Nevis offers guests four dining options; Mango is a great place to enjoy fine West-Indian cuisine, Coral Grill offering fresh seafood and exquisite cuts of meat in a dramatic ocean side setting and Neve for buffet breakfasts or casual Italian dinners. There's also the option of lighter fare beside the beach during the day from the Cabana beach side menu. The Elegant library bar is a great place to meet for a pre dinner cocktail and most nights there will be some light entertainment on offer from a pianist to a band of some sort.

Sea Song Villa; Montserrat

Nestled in Montserrat’s rainforest-covered hills, with breathtaking sea views, Sea Song is a secluded hideaway, perfect for those seeking a restorative and utterly peaceful vacation.

Elegant and recently renovated, the two storey villa is available for vacation rental.  It has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, two reception rooms, two 60-foot balconies which function as extra rooms and a beautiful grand piano-shaped swimming pool.

The swimming pool, gazebo and pool deck are lit at night. There is air conditioning in the main bedroom and overhead and free-standing fans in the rest of the house.  There is instant hot water, a modern well-equipped kitchen and a separate laundry. Water on Montserrat is supplied from clear mountain springs and is pure. There is a gas barbecue, and a wood or charcoal-burning barbecue area on the pool deck. We have Internet, cable and a wide screen TV.

Woodlands Beach, described as one of the most lovely beaches in the Caribbean, is a 10-minute walk away.  In season (August-November) you may be lucky enough to see turtles nesting or hatching. The offshore reefs are teaming with life and can be explored by snorkel from the beach (or scuba diving can be arranged).

The Caraibes Bonheur Hotel; French West Indies

The Caraibes Bonheur hotel residence offers one of the best and rare complex type 4 stars in Guadeloupe.

You will find at your disposal all the comforts of home while maintaining your independence and your complete privacy! Enjoy a rare and exceptional view of the Caribbean Sea and its two wild islands: Kawan and Ilet tête à l’Anglais. The residence offers a new concept, “holidays home”, that is a mix of customised and attentive hotel service.

The units are furnished with fully equipped kitchen and are provided with air-conditioning and cable TV. 

Free wifi and free access to our swimming pool, all situated in a cosy setting. So if you need a moment of well being, calm and relaxation, come for a while at the hotel Caraibes Bonheur**** ! The Résidence will give you access to a beach with deck chairs and shower that is just 300 meters from the place of your stay.

Picard Beach Cottages, Dominica

Picard Beach ‘Wellness eco-Cottages is set on 6 acres of an old coconut plantation and is host to numerous grasses, flowering and fruit plants, a mature Samman and many Coconut trees and an array of wildlife. They pride themselves on their on-going wildlife protection and environmentally sensitive operations and invite guests to fully participate.

The accommodation is in private cottage set within a tropical garden only steps away from Dominica’s longest sandy beach where you are able to snorkel on reefs ‘nearly at your doorstep’.  At night you will be serenaded by nature’s orchestra and the rhythm of waves lapping at the shore… then wake up to the song of the birds drawing their nectar from the garden’s new blooms, the view of our Cabrits National Park and the inspiration to live your day to the fullest.

SEA WORLD GUEST HOUSE, DOMINICA

The Sea World Guest House in Dominica is located in Roseau. The guest house has a barbecue and terrace and guests can enjoy a meal at the restaurant or a drink at the bar. Each room includes a TV. Rooms are fitted with a private bathroom equipped with a shower. 

You will find a a 24-hour front desk at the property. Car rental is available at this guest house and the area is popular for fishing. The nearest airport is Canefield Airport, about 6 km from Sea World Apartment. 

It would be tough to beat the warm and friendly welcome we received at the Balenbouche Estate on St Lucia. If you are looking for a relaxed home from home Balenbouche nails it. 

The family owned 75 acre heritage site and organic farm offers five charming self-contained St Lucia cottages close to several beaches. The property is on the South-West Coast of St Lucia, between Laborie and Choiseul and is located 20 minutes from the International airport and 30 minutes from the town of Soufriere, in the most beautiful and authentic part of the island.

Balenbouche is a magical place, a world in itself. The past and the present are intricately interwoven in the 18th century sugar mill and historic plantation house and grounds. The estate includes fruit orchards, pastures, lily ponds and nature trails. The family has owned and managed the estate for three generations. Gradually, the property was transformed from a struggling farm to a well known St Lucia attraction, Caribbean eco resort and retreat venue.

Harlequin Travel have kindly provided us with a nights accommodation at the spectacular Buccament Bay Resort on St Vincent which was especially welcome after a tough crossing from Canouan. A good nights rest here is especially welcome given the next days crossing to St Lucia will be the longest and most arduous yet. Unfortunately, our fleeting stay, (and budget!), precludes us from making the most of the stunning location and facilities but do check out the website; they have it all!