The 70-meter anchor chain is hauled in and we set off for Palm Island — the first stop on our journey aboard the Serenity. We anchor off the island and swim ashore into the realm of the wealthy. A magnificent sandy beach and an elegant hotel hidden behind palm trees await us. Unfortunately, the overcast sky dims the view.

We continue on to Union Island. The sheltered bay makes the harbor of Union — as the island is commonly called — a popular meeting point for sailors. We take the Zodiac ashore and explore the little town. Colorful and lively, with plenty of bars and a central market square. On Union you can do some hiking and, of course, swim. For those arriving by yacht, there are also marine supply shops in case anything is missing or broken, as well as repair services.

At dusk we head out to the reef — more precisely, to Happy Island. On this island built entirely from conch shells, there is a bar right in the middle of the Caribbean Sea. This is where captains and passengers gather for a leisurely sundowner.