Partner Content
Photos courtesy of the Barnard Family –
The Beginning
In 1986, Martin Barnard and his daughter, Joanne, founded Barefoot Holidays, a travel company with offices in St. Vincent, Barbados, and St. Lucia. This marked the start of the Barnard family’s deep involvement in Caribbean tourism, aiming to highlight the beauty of the islands through personalized travel services. Their commitment to enhancing the visitor experience played a transformative role in the region’s tourism landscape.
Expansion into Yacht Charters
In 1990, Mary Barnard expanded the family’s footprint by founding Barefoot Yacht Charters, which soon became a leading yacht charter company in the southern Caribbean. Mary recognized the growing demand for intimate, personalized yacht experiences and set Barefoot apart by offering private sailboats and catamarans to explore the pristine waters of the Grenadines. Barefoot attracted a global clientele, establishing the Grenadines as a top destination for yacht enthusiasts.
The Birth of SVG Air
That same year, Martin Barnard, along with his pilot sons-in-law, Paul Gravel and Dominic Gonsalves, saw the need for better inter-island transportation. Travel between the islands was challenging, limiting both tourism and business opportunities. In response, the Barnards launched SVG Air in 1990, initially serving the islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines but quickly expanding to other Caribbean destinations.
Seamless Integration of Air and Sea
One of the Barnards’ most innovative ideas was integrating their yacht charter and airline services. They offer yacht guests a unique option to sail downwind through the Grenadines and fly back with SVG Air, while a captain returns the yacht to base. This combination allows guests to maximize their time exploring the islands without the inconvenience of upwind sailing, enhancing their overall experience.
This seamless integration of air and sea travel showed the Barnards’ deep understanding of their customers’ needs and solidified Barefoot Yacht Charters and SVG Air as complementary services that added significant value to each other. By connecting travelers to their desired experiences more efficiently, the Barnards helped position the Grenadines as a premier sailing and travel destination.
Supporting the Yachting Community
For over three decades, SVG Air has been the go-to airline for the island communities, as well as for yacht enthusiasts throughout the Caribbean. The airline’s daily flights ensure smooth access to key marinas, making it an essential service for yacht crews, owners, and charter guests. Whether delivering spare parts, transporting crew members, or offering transfers for guests, SVG Air plays a critical role in the smooth operation of the yachting industry in the region. By keeping yachts connected and supplied from Grenada to Antigua, SVG Air helps enhance the luxury sailing experience. As demand for these services continues to grow, the airline is committed to expanding its support for the yachting community and broader tourism industry.
For 14 years, SVG Air managed airlift for Mustique, and for 34 years, Canouan. In 2011, the governments of Antigua and Montserrat invited SVG Air to provide air services to these islands and in 2021, SVG Air signed a contract with the Government of Grenada to operate Twin Otter services between Grenada, Carriacou, and St. Vincent. They continue to provide these services, with plans to upgrade operations with two new Twin Otters. Today, SVG Air remains the exclusive air provider for many distinguished clients and resorts and is the only scheduled carrier to the Grenadines and Barbuda.
Excellence in Sailing Education and the Next Generation
Beyond yacht charters, the Barnard family’s contributions extend to sailing education. Mary Barnard founded Barefoot Offshore Sailing School, which offers courses for sailors at all levels, from basic skills to advanced offshore and celestial navigation. The school’s high-quality instruction and the varied sailing conditions of the Grenadines make it a top destination for students worldwide.
Under the leadership of Philip Barnard, a professional sailor with international racing experience, Barefoot Yacht Charters has expanded its fleet, catering to the increasing demand for both luxury performance yachts and comfortable cruising vessels. Despite its growth, Barefoot Yacht Charters remains committed to the boutique, personalized approach that has defined the company since its founding. The Barefoot Offshore Sailing School also continues to grow, offering advanced offshore courses and maintaining a reputation for excellence among serious sailors. Philip’s own experience as a professional sailor has elevated the school’s profile, attracting serious sailors seeking both instruction and adventure.
A Lasting Legacy in Caribbean Tourism
The Barnard family’s story is one of vision, innovation, and a deep love for the Caribbean. Through the creation of SVG Air and Barefoot Yacht Charters, Martin and Mary Barnard helped lay the foundation for businesses that have become cornerstones of the region’s tourism and transportation sectors. Their commitment to offering exceptional experiences by both air and sea has enriched the lives of countless visitors and locals alike.
Today, the Barnard family’s legacy lives on. SVG Air, under the guidance of Paul Gravel and Mark Bayne, remains a vital link between the islands, while Barefoot Yacht Charters, led by Philip Barnard, continues to offer unparalleled sailing adventures. Together, these enterprises have helped define the tourism landscape of the southern Caribbean, creating opportunities for exploration, adventure, and unforgettable experiences for generations to come.
