The Grenadines: The Ultimate 10-Day Sailing Itinerary from Martinique

The Grenadines. The mere mention of this name is enough to conjure images of turquoise lagoons, immaculate white sand beaches, and steady trade winds. For any sailor, whether a novice cruiser or a seasoned skipper, completing a 10-day Grenadines sailing itinerary starting from Martinique is the holy grail of Caribbean navigation.

However, sailing to this paradisiacal archipelago requires careful preparation. Indeed, the distances can be significant, and the channels between the islands are sometimes sporty. Therefore, we have designed this day-by-day logbook. Furthermore, this article will provide you not only with precise sailing times but also with the essential anchorages to ensure the success of your 10-day Grenadines sailing itinerary.

Prepare to cast off for an unforgettable adventure.

Preparation and Boat Choice for Your 10-Day Grenadines Sailing Itinerary

Before plotting your course on the chart, choosing the right vessel is crucial. Furthermore, understanding the specifics of the sailing area is essential for the crew’s comfort.

Catamaran or Monohull: Which to Choose for This Itinerary?

For a 10-day Grenadines sailing itinerary, the catamaran is often favored. Firstly, its shallow draft allows access to the shallow anchorages of the Tobago Cays. Secondly, its stability at anchor is an undeniable asset for comfort. However, purists will appreciate the sailing sensations of a monohull in the breezy channels.

Here is a comparative table to help you decide:

Check-in at Le Marin: The Starting Point of Your 10-Day Grenadines Sailing Itinerary

Your adventure begins at the marina in Le Marin, Martinique. This is one of the largest nautical bases in the Caribbean. Consequently, provisioning is easy thanks to supermarkets accessible by dinghy.

NauticInfo Expert Tip: During the boat handover, scrupulously check the windlass, the dinghy, and the outboard motor. Indeed, these are the elements most stressed during this 10-day Grenadines sailing itinerary.

Day 1: The Grand Departure to St. Lucia

Route: Le Marin (Martinique) → Rodney Bay (St. Lucia)

Distance: 22 Nautical Miles (NM)

Sailing Time: 3h30 to 4h

As soon as provisions are loaded, it’s time to depart. First, exiting Le Marin bay requires vigilance due to traffic. Next, you will set a course of 180° towards the south.

Crossing the St. Lucia Channel

This is your first “real” sail. The channel can be choppy. However, the trade winds generally blowing from the East allow for a fast crossing on a beam reach or broad reach. Thus, you will quickly spot the mountainous outlines of St. Lucia.

The Evening Anchorage: Rodney Bay

For this first stop on your 10-day Grenadines sailing itinerary, Rodney Bay is ideal.

• Vibe: Lively and festive.
• Anchorage: Excellent holding in sand, well-protected from the wind.
• Formalities: You can do your inbound clearance here or at Marigot Bay the next day.

Day 2: Along the “Green Dragon”

Route: Rodney Bay → The Pitons (Soufrière)

Distance: 15 NM

Sailing Time: 2h30

After a first night aboard, weigh anchor early. Indeed, sailing in the lee of St. Lucia is a visual spectacle, although the wind can be fickle due to the terrain.

Technical Stop at Marigot Bay

Before reaching Soufrière, a stop at Marigot Bay is recommended. It is a true natural “hurricane hole.” Moreover, it is one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Caribbean.

Arrival at The Pitons

This is the postcard image. Anchoring between the two Pitons (a UNESCO World Heritage site) is magical.

• Attention: The water is deep (130ft+). It is therefore mandatory to take a mooring ball (payable, around $20-$30 USD). The local “Boat Boys” will come to assist you with mooring.

Day 3: The Big Crossing to St. Vincent & Bequia

Route: St. Lucia → Bequia (Admiralty Bay)

Distance: 55 NM

Sailing Time: 8h to 9h

This is the sportiest leg of your 10-day Grenadines sailing itinerary. Consequently, a dawn departure (06:00 AM) is imperative.

Managing the Crossing During Your 10-Day Grenadines Sailing Itinerary

You are going to sail along the windward coast of St. Vincent or pass to leeward (longer but calmer). The majority of boaters choose to pass to the leeward side to avoid heavy swells. Nevertheless, prepare for gusts coming down from the mountains.

Welcome to the Grenadines: Bequia

In the late afternoon, you will arrive in Bequia (pronounced “Bek-way”). Admiralty Bay is vast and welcoming. The atmosphere is resolutely focused on the sea.

• Formalities: Inbound Clearance mandatory for St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
• To Do: Have dinner at “Frangipani” and enjoy the local vibe.

Day 4: Course for the Chic of Mustique

Route: Bequia → Mustique

Distance: 15 NM

Sailing Time: 2h30

After yesterday’s effort, it’s time for relaxation. First, enjoy the market in Port Elizabeth, Bequia, to buy fresh fruit. Then, head South-East.

Sailing to Billionaire’s Island

The navigation is often close-hauled. Mustique is a private island, but visiting sailors are tolerated at the Britannia Bay anchorage.

• Specifics: Mandatory mooring buoy (very expensive, around $80 USD for up to 3 nights, even if you stay just one night).
• The Experience: Go for a drink at the famous Basil’s Bar. Furthermore, you can rent a “Mule” (golf cart) to tour the island and admire the celebrity villas.

Day 5: Approaching Paradise

Route: Mustique → Mayreau (Salt Whistle Bay)

Distance: 20 NM

Sailing Time: 3h

Let’s continue our 10-day Grenadines sailing itinerary southward. The target is Mayreau, the gateway to the Tobago Cays.

Salt Whistle Bay: The Iconic Anchorage

It’s a perfect half-moon beach, lined with coconut palms.

• Sailing Tip: Arrive early (before 2:00 PM) because the anchorage is small and very popular.
• Activity: Hike up to the village (a 20-minute walk, it’s steep!) to see the small Catholic church. From up there, the view over the Tobago Cays is breathtaking. It is the ideal moment for panoramic photos.

Day 6: The Heart of the Tobago Cays Lagoon

Route: Mayreau → Tobago Cays

Distance: 3 NM

Sailing Time: 45 min

This is the highlight of your trip. The journey is very short.

Navigating the Highlight of Your 10-Day Grenadines Sailing Itinerary

Entering the Tobago Cays requires caution. Use electronic charting and visual navigation (eyeball navigation). The water shifts from deep blue to electric turquoise.

A Full Day in Paradise

This is where time stops.

1. Swim with the turtles: Around the islet of Baradal, green turtles graze on the seagrass beds by the dozen. Respect them; do not touch them.
2. Snorkeling on the reef: Take the dinghy and tie up to the dinghy buoys near the coral reef (Horseshoe Reef). Fish and rays are everywhere.
3. Beach BBQ: In the evening, local “boat boys” organize grilled lobster dinners on the beach of Petit Bateau island. This is a must-do on any 10-day Grenadines sailing itinerary.

Day 7: Southernmost Point and Turning Back

Route: Tobago Cays → Union Island (Clifton) → Chatham Bay

Distance: 5 NM + 4 NM

Before starting the return journey, a stop at Union Island is necessary to refill water and buy ice.

Clifton Harbour and Happy Island

The Clifton anchorage is protected by a coral reef. In the middle of the lagoon sits “Happy Island,” an island-bar built entirely from conch shells. Going there for a rum punch is a tradition.

A Quiet Night at Chatham Bay

For the night, sail around the island to the West to reach Chatham Bay. It is a huge, wild bay, very calm, contrasting with the hustle of Clifton. The sunset there is often spectacular.

Day 8: Heading North on Your 10-Day Grenadines Sailing Itinerary

Route: Union Island → St. Vincent (Cumberland Bay)

Distance: 40 NM

Sailing Time: 6h to 7h

We must now think about the return. The wind will likely be “on the nose” or on the beam.

Authentic Stop in St. Vincent

Rather than returning to Bequia, stop at Cumberland Bay on the west coast of St. Vincent.

• Mooring Technique: Here, you moor “Tahitian style” (anchor off the bow, stern line tied to a coconut tree ashore). Locals will come to help you for a few dollars.
• Vibe: Very local, lush, at the foot of the rainforest. It’s a different face of the Grenadines, wilder.

Day 9: Return Towards St. Lucia

Route: St. Vincent → St. Lucia (Marigot Bay)

Distance: 35 NM

Sailing Time: 5h to 6h

Another big day of sailing to go back up the St. Vincent channel.

Sailing Strategy

Depart early to take advantage of winds that are often more manageable in the morning. Consequently, you will arrive in St. Lucia in the early afternoon. Return to Marigot Bay for your final “stopover” evening. Take the opportunity to have a nice dinner in one of the restaurants by the mangroves.

Day 10: The Final Crossing

Route: St. Lucia → Le Marin (Martinique)

Distance: 25 NM

Sailing Time: 4h

This is the end of your 10-day Grenadines sailing itinerary. The crossing of the St. Lucia channel towards Martinique is generally done close-hauled, which can be a bit bumpy.

Arrival at Le Marin

Aim for Diamond Rock to align yourself, then enter the bay of Le Marin.

1. Refuel with diesel (there is often a line on Friday/Saturday afternoons).
2. Return to your marina slip.
3. Disembarkation and return inventory.

Practical Tips for Optimizing Your 10-Day Grenadines Sailing Itinerary

To ensure this trip remains a pleasure, here are some logistical and safety tips.

1. Customs and Immigration (Clearance)

Border crossings are strict.

• Exiting Martinique: On a computer at the Le Marin harbormaster’s office or via terminals in local shops.
• Entering St. Vincent (at Bequia or Union): The skipper must go ashore alone with the passports of the entire crew and the boat’s papers.
• Cost: Have cash ready (ECD or USD). Overtime is charged on weekends and public holidays.

2. Weather

The best period extends from December to May (dry season).

• Trade Winds: Easterly sector, 15 to 20 knots on average.
• Squalls: Always possible, but short. Watch out for dark clouds.

3. Water and Electricity

Even with a watermaker, be economical.

• If you rent a boat without a watermaker, you will need to refill water at Bequia or Union (delivery by barge is possible).
• For electricity, most boats have solar panels, but avoid leaving the fridge open!

Summary Table of the Best Anchorages

To conclude the navigation section, here is a summary to help you choose your spots during this 10-day Grenadines sailing itinerary.

Conclusion

Completing this 10-day Grenadines sailing itinerary departing from Martinique is a transformative experience. Not only will you discover some of the most beautiful marine landscapes in the world, but you will also live to the rhythm of the sun and the wind.

Although navigation requires vigilance, particularly in the channels, the reward upon arrival in the Tobago Cays erases all fatigue. Ultimately, the hardest part of this voyage is not the sailing; it is having to step back onto the dock to go home on the last day.