Set out on a breathtaking cruise suffused with tropical atmosphere, delicious rum, sunshine and warm sea with dolphins and turtles. You’ll get a taste of the Creole way of life and experience an unforgettable sailing trip. We’ll show you the route day by day.
Where do Martinique, St. Vincent and the Grenadines lie?
The island of Martinique lies in the south-eastern part of the Caribbean and belongs to the Lesser Antilles. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an island country and part of the Windward Islands of the Lesser Antilles.
When to sail out to Martinique, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
The tropical cyclone season in the Caribbean technically lasts from June to mid-November. The best time to go sailing is therefore December to May, when it’s peak season in the Caribbean with relatively stable weather without the risk of hurricanes.
Complete 10day charter route plan from Martinique to St. Vincent and the Grenadines
1. Day – Captivating Martinique
The island of Martinique will immediately enchant you with its captivating mix of French charm and tropical ambience. From the airport in Fort-de-France it’s a simple 45 - minute taxi ride to the port in Le Marin. There, you’ll go through handover and board the catamaran. Then you can start to fully enjoy the real Caribbean.
You’ll kick off the holiday with a traditional welcome drink of Ti’ Punch, made with aromatic rum, lime and cane syrup. The local rum has truly earned its place among the most delicious rums in the world!
TIP
Local shopkeepers have plenty of experience of boat provisioning and can take care of any shopping and supplies you need to load up on. The shopping fee is between 20 and 50 EUR, in addition to the cost of foodstuffs.
The indigenous Caribbean Indians called Martinique “Madinina” – Island of Flowers. You’ll soon understand why, as the vegetation is incredibly lush and very diverse. You can head out to the mangrove forests; banana, pineapple and sugar cane plantations; or up into the hills to admire the rainforest with its wild creeks and waterfalls.
The island capital is Fort-de-France, but the town of Saint-Pierre, destroyed in 1902 by a powerful eruption of the Montagne Pelée volcano, was still the main town at the beginning of the 20th century. It’s possible to hike up the volcano.
The island is renowned for its sweet bananas, pineapple and local rum, which many believe is the best in the world. You can buy fresh fruit, fragrant spices, fish and seafood and various local products at the town markets. Fort St. Louis is also worth a visit.
Day 2 – The refreshing island of Saint Lucia
The very next day, you’ll raise anchor and sail to the island of Saint Lucia; a cruise of around 4 hours. You’ll take advantage of the almost constant trade winds from the east and sail with the crosswinds to the northern tip of the island of Saint Lucia to the spectacular Rodney Bay. The marina is located a little to the side, where you can moor and get some local East Caribbean dollars out of the ATM.
If you sail an hour further, you can visit Marigot Bay. This is home to the famous JJ’s Bar where you can soak up some real Caribbean flavour.
Saint Lucia is a true demigod of the Caribbean Sea. It’s a breezy, volcanic island with rainforest, a boiling lake and where thermal waterfalls bathe the turquoise sea and its wide, white-sand beaches. Standing on deck, you’ll be enthralled by the unbelievable panoramas and picturesque harbours.
Experience trade winds between the islands and ocean waves, or appreciate the tranquility of the leeward coast with its palm beaches, picturesque bars and undemanding, but exciting, snorkelling. Saint Lucia is home to diverse flora and fauna. Maybe you’ll get to see the multi-coloured Amazon parrot, which is almost extinct as a result of the hurricanes. This species of Amazon can only be found on the island of St. Lucia and has therefore become its national symbol.
Day 3 – Up into the Grenadines
Make sail early in the morning and head to the charming island of Bequia, the largest island in the Grenadines despite measuring only 18 m2. It also boasts the delightful age-old name of Island of the Clouds.
You’ll sail along the coast of Saint Vincent and will reach Bequia after approximately an 8hour cruise. While sailing, you can look forward to seeing flying fish, dolphins and with a bit of luck maybe even whales swimming alongside your catamaran.
The Grenadines fall under the administration of Saint Vincent and together form the independent island country of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. They are part of the Windward Islands of the Lesser Antilles and lie between the islands of Saint Vincent and Grenada. Individual islands in the Caribbean are independent states and therefore you must always obtain Customs and Immigration clearance when island hopping.
The main dock is Admiralty Bay, a beautiful harbour bordered by a bay and a beach full of coconut palms. The local area is very pleasant, with a market, small shops and restaurants. This is where you’ll take care of the necessary administrative procedures required when entering the Grenadines. You can dock at one of the many empty moorings (depending on the wind direction), such as Petit Nevis and Isle à Quatre, amongst others.
Once a year, locals on the island of Bequia hunt whales in traditional wooden fishing boats. They have a permit from the International Whaling Commission as it’s a 200 year old tradition. The permit is understandably very stringent and is granted on the condition that traditional hunting methods are used in the form of harpoons and traditional boats.
Day 4 – Celebrity hunting on the island of Mustique
The famed private island of Mustique is only a two-and-a-half-hour cruise away. Make sure you visit the legendary Basil’s Bar, where you might bump into Mick Jagger at the bar, or some other famous person who owns a place on this billionaires’ island. You can hire a jeep and ride around the luxury properties to Macaroni Beach on the east coast of the island.
Day 5 – The most beautiful part of the Grenadines: the island of Canouan
Head to the island of Canouan, where you’ll find 2 anchorages available. You can take advantage of the strong island trade winds and sail in the direction of Charlestown Bay, or in calmer weather you can moor in The Pool on the windward side of the island. This lagoon is one of the most beautiful parts of the Grenadines and is protected by coral reef and the clear azure sea. You can drop anchor in 2 to 3 metres of water and fully enjoy this tranquil and otherwise inaccessible harbour used only by catamarans.
Day 6 – Relaxation, snorkelling and grilled langoustines in a stunning cove
A short, hour-and-a-half boat ride will take you to the island of Mayreau and what many claim is the most beautiful cove in the world, the small Salt Whistle Bay. Turquoise waters and beaches with the softest sand are an invitation to relax in the shade of a palm tree, with the delicious smell of freshly grilled langoustines wafting from the local restaurants. It’s the perfect place to enjoy snorkelling, scuba diving and paddleboarding. The bay is also sought after by windsurfing and kitesurfing aficionados.
The shallow water in the bay allows catamarans partial access. From the beach you can take a steep, narrow path to the nearby village. It’ll take you around typical Caribbean dwellings to a fascinating little church, which offers unobstructed views of the Tobago Cays Marine Park, your next stop.
Day 7 – Diving with turtles in an azure lagoon
An hour’s sail from here lies a sea lover’s paradise: the impressive protected area of Tobago Cays Marine Park. The sea is a thousand shades of azure and this stunning lagoon is protected by a large, curved coral reef teeming with extraordinary underwater life.
You can encounter endangered and protected turtles from the island of Baradal, including green sea turtles and hawksbill sea turtles, which are diligently protected from illegal hunting by marine park staff and WIRECAST members. They also regularly monitor their nests on the local beaches during nesting season. You’re also likely to come across reticulate whipray, giant starfish and fish of all colours. Visitors must pay an entry fee.
Local fishermen hawk their catch of lobster and local fish, so you can savour the best barbeque on the beach. On the islet of Petit Bateau you’ll chill right out to the rhythm of the reggae and the ever-present Ti’ Punch. You’ll find everything you could wish for from a dream holiday.
Dropping anchor in the open sea might be a bit tougher, but catamarans are well adapted to it.
Day 8 – Like a pirate of the Caribbean
It’s time to head back to Martinique. You can either sail around the island of Union, or take advantage of the customs transit and sail directly to Saint Vincent, 8 hours away. You can moor in Wallilabou Bay, where they filmed scenes from the Pirates of the Caribbean films and you can visit a waterfall just a 10minute walk away.
Or you can decide to moor further north in Cumberland Bay, with its lush forests and typical Tahitian style of anchorage – you literally tie the catamaran to a coconut palm with some help from the locals so the boat doesn’t turn around. The locals will welcome you in their canoes, from which they sell fruit, vegetables and souvenirs. We also recommend a visit to Trinity Falls, which can be reached after a 2hour hike through the heart of the forest.
Saint Vincent is a green volcanic island between Saint Lucia and Grenada. It used to be called ‘Hairoun’ meaning Blessed Earth. The island is dominated by an active volcano called La Soufrière. A half-day hike up the volcano is one of the most beautiful treks in the Caribbean. The volcano is part of a volcanic mountain range, whose peaks are often hidden by cloud.
Parts of the interior are covered with tropical rainforest and bananas and coconuts are grown in the fertile valleys. The island is also known for growing marijuana - dozens of small fields are hidden in the jungle and yields from the plantations serve well beyond the island itself.
Day 9 – Return to Martinique
The cruise continues along the coast of Saint Lucia in the direction of Martinique, which is a sailing time of 8 or 9 hours. You’ll spend the last night at the entrance to the marina in Sainte-Anne harbour. You can buy your final postcards and souvenirs in the small village and spend the rest of the day swimming and visiting beach bars.
Day 10 – Return home
Just a half-hour sail left to the fuel station in the harbour and then time to disembark in Le Marin with a head full of memories and experiences from your unforgettable sailing trip. Back on dry land in the town of Fort-de-France you can still visit the Fort St. Louis or stroll through the local market. Definitely have a final Ti’ Punch and start making plans for your next charter. Martinique and the Grenadines will have simply captured your heart.
Do you also want to be swept off your feet by the tropical spirit and Creole culture? Snorkel with turtles, swim in crystal-clear waters in lagoons surrounded by coral reef and try fantastic rum? Take a look at our boats available for rent in Martinique, or give us a call. We’ll find the best boat for you.
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