Caribbean Collection / Windward Islands
Sailing the Windward Islands: Your Caribbean Adventure
Sailing the Windward Islands carries you through the Caribbean’s most dramatic island chain, where forested volcanoes rise above clear water and every landfall has its own character. From Martinique and Saint Lucia to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Carriacou, and nature-rich Dominica, the route rewards curious travelers and confident sailors alike. Neptune’s Daughter plans each Windward Islands sailing vacation around your experience, interests, and pace, whether you prefer an independent bareboat, a private crewed yacht, a by-the-cabin journey, or a scuba diving liveaboard safari.
Why Choose Windward Islands Sailing?
One Island Chain, Many Worlds
The islands in the Windward Islands combine exhilarating trade-wind sailing with volcanic landscapes, coral reefs, French and English Creole culture, and welcoming waterfront communities. Sail short island-hopping routes or build a longer expedition across several countries, with rainforest hikes, dive sites, markets, distilleries, and quiet anchorages shaping each day.
Dramatic Nature
Volcanic peaks, rainforest trails, waterfalls, hot springs, and reef-lined bays make every island feel distinct from the last.
Living Culture
Explore Martinique’s French Creole flavors, Grenada’s spice and cocoa traditions, and music-filled fishing villages throughout the chain.
Island-Hopping Freedom
A yacht links famous ports with small islands and secluded bays that large cruise ships cannot comfortably reach.
Sailing Variety
Choose relaxed coastal hops, spirited passages, or one of our private yacht charter Windward Islands itineraries, tailored to your pace and interests.
Getting There
1
Main Gateways
Saint Lucia: Hewanorra International Airport (UVF)
Grenada: Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND)
Saint Vincent: Argyle International Airport (SVD) (Additional regional access via Martinique’s Aimé Césaire International Airport (FDF).)
2
Inter-Island Travel
The windward Caribbean islands are built for easy movement: short sails between anchorages, reliable trade winds, and clear line-of-sight navigation. For fly-cruise combinations, frequent regional flights connect Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Grenada, and Martinique—seamlessly pairing air legs with Windward Islands boat charters.
3
Marina
Neptune's Daughter will confirm which marina you'll need to get to based on the destination.
4
Set Sail
Meet the crew, complete your briefing and begin.
The best way to reach the Windward Islands depends on your chosen destination and embarkation point. We will recommend the most convenient route, including the best airport, connections and transfer options for your itinerary.
Best Time for Windward Islands Sailing
December through May is driest and most popular; June and November are quieter, while July through October brings greater storm risk.
Best-Time
Good-Time
Off-Season
Dec-May
December to May Warm, generally drier weather and reliable trade winds make this the leading season for sailing the Windward Islands. Holiday and winter dates should be reserved well ahead.
Top Islands in the Windward Islands
Each island adds a new landscape, culture, and sailing rhythm, creating an itinerary that feels more like an expedition than a conventional beach vacation.
Dominica
The Nature Isle rewards adventurous travelers with rainforest, waterfalls, hot springs, whale watching, and spectacular wall diving.
Martinique
French Caribbean culture, refined food, rum distilleries, lively marinas, and protected southern bays make Martinique an ideal charter gateway.
Things to Do While Sailing the Windward Islands
Days move naturally between sea and shore, with reef dives, rainforest adventures, local food, historic towns, watersports, and unhurried evenings aboard.
Snorkeling & Diving
Rum & Cocoa Tours
Rainforest Hiking
Local Markets & Cuisine
Waterfalls & Hot Springs
Paddleboarding & Kayaking
Wildlife of the
Windward Islands
Healthy reefs, deep offshore water, rainforest habitat, and protected marine parks create rewarding encounters above and below the surface.
Sea Turtles
Green and hawksbill turtles graze in sheltered bays and protected areas, including Tobago Cays and reefs throughout the Grenadines.
Dolphins & Whales
Several dolphin species travel these waters, while Dominica is especially celebrated for year-round resident sperm whales.
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Windward Islands Sailing & Yacht Charter Options
Bareboat Charter
Captain your own monohull or catamaran and set the pace. Suitable sailing qualifications and an experience résumé are required for independent Windward Islands sailing.
Crewed Private Yacht
A captain and chef tailor the route, meals, and daily experiences to you, creating a seamless private yacht charter in the Windward Islands.
Star Clippers Tall-Ship Cruise
Sail aboard Royal Clipper on select Windward Islands and Grenadine itineraries from Barbados, combining the romance of a true sailing ship with private cabins, dining, and relaxed small-ship hospitality.
Scuba Diving Liveaboard Safari
Travel between exceptional dive sites with tanks, guides, meals, and accommodations aboard, maximizing underwater time without repacking between islands.
Planning Your Windward Islands Experience
Booking Process
We compare vetted yachts and routes, explain inclusions and extra costs, coordinate contracts and logistics, and support you through your return home.
Luxury Yacht Expeditions
A luxury yacht charter in Windward Islands waters combines personalized service, spacious accommodations, curated shore experiences, and the freedom to change pace.
Multi-Island Sailing Expeditions
Link Martinique, Saint Lucia, the Grenadines, Grenada, Carriacou, or Dominica in a route designed around passage length, customs, and your interests.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GET IN TOUCH
Have questions or ready to start planning your adventure?
We're here to help
For divers, the Bahamas deserves a trip of its own. Instead of adding an occasional dive to a sailing itinerary, a liveaboard diving safari allows you to build the entire vacation around what lies below the surface.
Liveaboards can reach sites that are difficult to access from land, allowing divers to wake up near the day's first dive site and complete multiple dives throughout the trip. Depending on the itinerary, diving can include coral reefs, dramatic walls, wrecks, blue holes, caves, and specialized shark encounters.
The Bahamas is home to the 190-mile Andros Barrier Reef, described by the country's tourism authority as the world's third-largest barrier reef. Diving possibilities range from tiger sharks around Grand Bahama and hammerheads near Bimini to oceanic whitetips around Cat Island, plus reef, wreck, wall, and blue-hole diving across the archipelago.
Neptune's Daughter can help match certified divers with the right liveaboard, itinerary, and experience level, including trips where diving is the primary purpose of the vacation.
