Beyond One Island: The Caribbean’s Best Hopping Destinations
Article written by Diane Slawych.
If you like the idea of island hopping, but you’re on limited time – listen up! Even if your vacation is only a week long, it’s possible to visit as many as four or five other islands! That is, if you plan your trip accordingly and select the right destination.
In order to maximize your time, you want to avoid flying and base yourself in one of the countries that offer frequent ferry rides to nearby islands.
Two of the best choices are St. Maarten/St. Martin or St. Vincent & the Grenadines. Few other Caribbean countries offer as many easily accessible island hopping opportunities.
EDITOR’S NOTE: For a complete listing of ferries that travel between the islands, please CLICK HERE.
St. Vincent and The Grenadines
Imagine sailing through the stunning aquamarine waters of The Grenadines. Photo courtesy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority.
With 32 islands and cays – nine of which are inhabited – St. Vincent and The Grenadines has a lot to offer. But before setting off on your island hopping adventure, first take time to enjoy the natural scenic beauty of St. Vincent. Travel the length of the Leeward or Windward Highways (or better yet, both) and see for yourself.
When you’re ready to island hop, there are two possible options. You could join an organized tour that takes you to several islands in one day. Or you can travel by ferries to the islands on your own schedule, which offers more flexibility but involves some advance planning.
For the day tour option, by speedboat or sailboat, a sample itinerary could take you to charming Bequia; the uninhabited Tobago Cays; and laid-back Mayreau Island which has just one short road and a stunning bay. At the destinations there are opportunities to snorkel, swim, enjoy a BBQ lunch on the beach, and, in Bequia, wander the boutique shops.
If you’re the DIY (Do-It-Yourself) type, you’ll need to consider that ferries to some of the islands only run a few times per week, and this is where advance planning comes in.
Make sure Bequia is on your list. The largest of the Grenadines, it is hilly and green, with golden sand beaches, and shopping. Aside from being one of the prettiest and most visited islands, it’s also the easiest to reach, with ferries (from St. Vincent) operating roughly every one to two hours on weekdays, less on weekends. The trip takes only 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the ferry, and in most cases you can just show up and go.
You could use Bequia as your base. But keep in mind, ferries to the other islands are less frequent and may only run one to three times per week, and the travel times are a bit longer (one-and-a-half to four hours) the farther south you go.
If making your own arrangements you can visit the same islands covered on day tours, as well as Union Island (check out one of their festivals), and, when they recover from storm damage, Palm Island and Petit St. Vincent.
If you can’t afford to stay on some of the upscale islands, such as Mustique and Canouan, a day trip is a great option. Both have stunning beaches that are mostly deserted. Mustique, is a private island where many celebrities have villas, so you know it’s got to be gorgeous.
Easiest of all to reach from St. Vincent is Young Island, a three-minute boat ride away. You can get a day-pass to the Young Island Resort, which includes food, drinks and access to a cottage. Enjoy a relaxing day on the beach. If you want to be adventurous, hire a water taxi to take you south to Fort Duvernette Island, a high rocky islet with a centuries-old fort. There’s an expansive view of the Caribbean at the top, but exercise caution on the crumbling and slippery rocks.
Saint Martin / Sint Maarten
The smallest island nation shared by two countries! A little bit French, a little bit Dutch…explore both sides! Photo courtesy of the Tourism Office of Saint Martin; photographer Donovane Trémor
From the dual-nation island of Sint Maarten / Saint Martin, you can visit three other nearby islands relatively easily.
Unlike St. Vincent & the Grenadines, where the most easily accessible islands are within the same country, island hopping by ferry from St. Maarten / Saint Martin takes you outside the country altogether! (Don’t forget your passport).
You can travel by boat to Anguilla, a British overseas territory; St. Eustatius or Saba, both a special municipality within the Kingdom of the Netherlands; or St. Barts, an overseas collectivity of France! How’s that for variety?
And of course you’ll want to explore the half Dutch, half French island of Sint Maarten / Saint Martin, which has something for everyone – beaches, snorkeling, diving, windsurfing, hiking, history, shopping and no shortage of restaurants.
The closest island, Anguilla, is a 20-minute boat ride away with ferries running several times per day. Known for its upscale accommodations and dining, this slender island has no fewer than 33 powdery white beaches, among the best to be found anywhere.
St. Barts, like Anguilla, has many fine restaurants, upscale hotels and lovely beaches. It’s a bit livelier though, and has a distinctive French ambiance. It can also be an expensive destination – making it a good day trip option for the budget-conscious. Crossings, several times a day from Philipsburg and Marigot, take about 45-minutes (from Philipsburg) on high-speed catamaran.
Tip: Try not to visit when a cruise ship is in port, because all the rental cars and taxis will be booked. Though if you’re happy to divide your time here between exploring the capital city Gustavia, and relaxing on pretty little Anse de Grand Galet (Shell Beach), both are within walking distance of the ferry dock, so you won’t need a car.
Ferry service is less frequent to Saba and St. Eustatius (also known as Statia) with only about three to four sailings per week which take around 90 minutes to Saba and 3 hours to Statia (note the crossing can be rough depending on sea conditions). For travellers looking to get off-the-beaten-path, both Statia “the Golden Rock”, and Saba, the “Unspoiled Queen,” will suit. You don’t come to either island for the beaches (though the diving is good in both!), but to appreciate the scenery of these hilly, volcanic islands with a tranquil vibe and friendly people. Marvel at the quaint and picture-perfect homes with their characteristic shutters, go hiking, enjoy the history (Statia) or admire the lace-making tradition (Saba).
Other Island Hopping Destinations
Just a quick water taxi ride away, St. Kitts and Nevis are sister islands. Photo courtesy of the Nevis Tourism Authority.
A few other Caribbean countries, meanwhile, have at least one other neighbouring sister island that can be reached via ferry.
From the spice island of Grenada, you can take a ferry to Carriacou and, from there, Petite Martinique.
The two-island nation of St. Kitts & Nevis is about 45-minutes apart by ferry, or 15-minutes by private water taxi.
There are also regular ferry boats between the two-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, which takes about 90-minutes.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Many of our Caribbean countries are made up of multiple islands (as in the example above whereby St. Vincent and The Grenadines is made up of 32 islands). In addition The British Virgin Islands has 60 islands and cays to explore…either by ferry or by sailing. The main islands of the Guadeloupe Islands are shaped like a butterfly and are made up of two distinct parts, but in addition there are even more islands to visit in this country. The Turks & Caicos Islands are made up of 40 islands and cays, though you can only take a ferry from Providenciales (Provo for short) to a few other islands in the chain including North Caicos. Not to be outdone, The Islands of The Bahamas boasts 16 main islands, but over 700 idyllic islands and cays – only a few of these are connected via ferries, but inter-island flights are plentiful.
For a comprehensive list of where ferries can connect you within the Caribbean, please visit our list of Public Ferry Services in the Caribbean. ALSO: we are adding inter-island carriers. Newly added: St. Barths Executive who fly between Guadeloupe Islands & St. Barths but are also available for charter flights.
Article by Diane Slawych.
Diane Slawych is a radio and print journalist published in 60+ magazines and newspapers, who enjoys festivals, music and uncovering unique stories. She has travelled widely in 100 countries including most islands in the Caribbean, where you can often find her on a beach with a bottle of Tiger Malt!
