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A St Lucia cruising itinerary has many possibilities. You could spend the entire week cruising in St Lucia waters using Rodney Bay as your base to enjoy leisurely sails and sojourns ashore to shop, sightsee, and sample gourmet fare in upmarket restaurants. But for most charterers the attraction of the Eastern Caribbean is the chance to combine open-water, down-island trips in fair winds with pleasant days of short passages between islands to swim, snorkel, and experience the culture and ambience of the smaller isles in the magnificent Grenadines just south of St Vincent. The longest passage is between St Lucia and St Vincent, and beyond are myriad islands in a tropical paradise.

Day 1: The Pitons

The twin conical peaks of Petit Piton and Gros Piton are among the most noteworthy landmarks in St Lucia. Cruising the Pitons is certainly magic to the eyes of countless cruisers who visit every year. Just north of Petit Piton is the small town of Soufriére, which shares the name of the nearby dormant volcano, the only one in the world that you can drive a car right inside!

Creole buildings with gingerbread trim give the place an Old World ambience. Enjoy window-shopping and dining out in a variety of shops and restaurants here. Both scenic and accommodating to boaters, the waters around the Pitons are part of the Soufriére Marine Management Area and a highlight of yachting in St Lucia.

Day 2: Bequia
A short sail will take you to anchor in Admiralty Bay, Bequia’s main harbour on the island’s west side and the location of the only settlement, Port Elizabeth. When cruising in Admiralty Bay you’ll see at the head of the harbour small hotels, a variety of shops, boutiques, food markets, a bookshop, and a number of bars and restaurants, many with a nautical theme in keeping with the fishing and boatbuilding tradition that’s alive and well on the island. Artisans build small and large vessels from wood using traditional methods. On Bequia’s south side you can find the gorgeous Friendship Bay with its lovely white sand beach and an anchorage that’s well protected from swells.

Day 3: Tobago Cays
The five deserted isles of the Tobago Cays are the jewels of Tobago Cays Marine Park, which comprises the surrounding waters as well. Horseshoe Reef almost encircles the four main cays, and beyond its protective embrace is Petit Tabac. As one of the premier snorkelling and diving locales within the Grenadines, and the entire Windward chain, for that matter, it’s no surprise that Tobago Cays cruising is the main attraction when exploring these waters.

Day 4: Salt Whistle Bay, Mayreau, Tobago Cays
Salt Whistle Bay, located at the northern tip of Mayreau, is an ideal starting point for reaching the nearby Tobago Cays Marine Park. Pleasant anchorage can be found in the bay where no park fees are charged. The bay lies within the curve of a white-sand beach. Fanned by the balmy trade winds, this is a favourite spot for swimming. The Tobago Cays are known for their pristine waters, with excellent visibility and where snorkelling and diving are the best ways to experience the colourful marine life.

Day 5: Mustique
Sail to the tiny island of Petit Nevis for lunch and more beach time. On to Mustique, the island of royals, the rich and the famous, you can overnight in Britannia Bay. A spine of hills 400 to 600 feet in elevation runs down the midsection of Mustique, providing sweeping views of the sea that make an ideal setting for the palatial estates, about 90 in all, dotting the lush, green slopes extending to the edges of pristine white-sand beaches. Celebrities, business magnates, and royalty have made the island a cherished retreat. Mustique yachting ushers you into this exclusive world.
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Day 6: Kearton's Bay, St. Vincent
Spend your day in the Grenadines exploring the western shores of St. Vincent then drop anchor for the night in Keartons Bay. This anchorage is a secret little hideaway and home to top-rated Rock Side Cafe. Soak up the sun on one of the island’s best black-sand beaches and enjoy your favorite water activities—swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, or floating atop a raft—amidst a picture-perfect and pleasantly uncrowded backdrop.

Day 7: Marigot Bay
Tucked away below the verdant hilltops on the west side of St. Lucia, Marigot Bay is a secluded anchorage for boaters seeking a relaxing quiet harbor during their journey along the coast. Charming homes overlook the seas in a colorful collage of white and red-topped roofs. The nearby Marina Village features a variety of unique stores and boutiques perfect for shopping. Waterfront restaurants offer an array of French, Creole, and Caribbean cuisine with the added benefit of jaw-dropping sunset views.

Marigot Bay is one of the most scenic bays in the Caribbean, full of beautiful greenery and excellent restaurants. As you enter the harbor Marigot Beach Club and Dive Resort will be located on your left, here you can choose one of their dining options. Whether you stop in for just a drink or for a three-course gourmet dinner, they never disappoint.