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 Choose from one of these sailing cruises or small ship cruises that will let you access the best of the Windward Islands' culture, wildlife, and isolated beaches. Additionally, on many of Adventure Life's cruises, you'll have the opportunity to swim, snorkel, eat traditional cuisines, and explore the underwater reefs. Consider taking a small ship cruise on your Caribbean trip in order to be able to access smaller reefs, beaches, and coves.  Contact one of Adventure Life's Caribbean experts if you have any questions about traveling to the Windward Islands or anywhere else in the Caribbean.
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8 Best Windward Islands Small Ship Cruises

Trip NameFromDaysNext DepartureSummary
Grenadine Islands$16608Mar 23, 2024On this 8-day expedition cruise, the Royal Clipper explores the Grenadine Islands. Enjoy blissful, laid-back beach days and appreciate the beauty of …
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Classic Yachtsman Caribbean$17008Nov 30, 2024Royal Clipper offers the ultimate sea-going experience as you travel to the beautiful beaches and landscapes of the Caribbean. This 8-day sailing …
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Sailing the Caribbean$118308Jun 19, 2025Experience the Caribbean in the most authentic way under the 30 white sails of Sea Cloud on this 8-day round trip cruise of Barbados. As you delight …
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Eastbound Atlantic Ocean Crossing$255015Mar 15, 2025Embark on a 15-day Royal Clipper cruise from Bridgetown, Barbados, and experience the contrasts of Barbados and its red-sand beaches. Encounter …
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Pearls of the Caribbean$54309Nov 4, 2024Join the Le Champlain on its 9-day sailing expedition to explore the enchanting islands in the Caribbean Sea visiting Port Elizabeth, Bequia Island …
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Pearls of the Caribbean$58309Mar 21, 2024Join Le Dumont-d'Urville on its 9-day sailing expedition roundtrip from Fort-de-France and explore the enchanting islands in the Caribbean Sea …
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Eastbound Atlantic Ocean Crossing$277017Mar 30, 2024Embark on this 17-day Eastbound Atlantic Ocean Crossing cruise aboard Royal Clipper, starting from the port of Bridgetown. Experience the allure of …
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Enjoy Caribbean Rhythms at the Turn of the Year$1159515Dec 20, 2024Explore the best of the Caribbean on this cruise aboard the Sea Cloud. From the Dutch Colonial port town of Philipsburg, sail to the British Virgin …
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Top 10 Windward Islands Luxury Cruises

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3 Windward Island Cruise Deals for 2024-2025

Trip NameSaveFromDaysNext DepartureSummary
Eastern Caribbean with St. BarthsSavings$88908Mar 23, 2024On an 8-day voyage on the Emerald Azzurra, visit St. Barths and the Eastern Caribbean. Discover the azure waters of Tobago Cay National Park while …
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Island YachtingCustom Label$53999Apr 24, 2024Join a 9-day cruise starting from Barbados and back aboard the World Voyager. Explore the lush rainforests, rugged peaks, & hot springs of Dominica. …
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Mystique of the AzoresCustom Label$699914May 16, 2024Discover the Azores Islands on this 14-day cruise from Barbados to Portugal, exploring rugged coastlines, volcanoes, and the UNESCO Global Geopark. …
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Windward Islands Caribbean Cruise Travel Guide

Windward Islands Wildlife

The 750 sq km Dominica has been called the “Nature Isle of the Caribbean,” home to the rain forest as well as xeric areas on the coast, the world’s second largest boiling lake which results from the geothermal-volcanic activity on the island. Rare plants and animals and bird species. It makes sense that the economy here is dominated by agriculture and tourism. Over 160 avian species exist on the island including nesting of endangered parrot species.

The mountains and forests of the Windward island group facilitate diversity and abundance of flora and fauna. Animals such as crocodiles, iguanas (including the endangered blue iguana), monkeys and ocelot can be seen in parks and on wildlife tours. The warm waters of the Caribbean provide an ideal environment for coral, sea turtles and dolphins. Saint Lucia is known for its rain forest walks which expose visitors to a combination of tropical plants, rare birds and exotic animals.
 
Best time to visit the Windward Islands

St. Lucia:
St. Lucia's best weather comes between December and April but there will be large crowds and rooms can be extremely expensive. Between May and June is the best time to visit as there is still excellent weather, but the crowds and prices will have dropped vastly. Between July and November is hurricane season but there will be lower prices and this is the peak of the festival season.

Grenada: The best time to visit Grenada is between mid-December and April. Although the prices and crowds will be at their high point, you can rely on solid weather. Between May and November prices will drop a ton but during the summer it's extremely rainy in Grenada.
Dominica: Between February and May is widely considered the best time to visit Dominica because the crowds aren't extremely large and the weather is perfect but the hotel rates will be high. Between June and September is the peak of the hurricane season in Dominica and it's highly recommended that you avoid these months because it will be extremely rainy day in and day out; but there will be amazing hotel deals if you can find one that's open. Between October and January lodgings will be cheaper and although there may be some infrequent rain, it shouldn't ruin your trip.

Trinidad & Tobago: Between January and May is widely considered the best time to visit Trinidad and Tobago this is because the Trinidad Carnival is during this time and the weather is ideal but during this time. The only problem with visiting during this time is room rates will be higher, especially between February and March when the Trinidad Carnival begins. Between June and December is also a good time to visit, it's extremely unlikely that a hurricane will appear but the season is still relatively wet. A lot of European travelers come to Tobago during this time for the deals on lodgings so be sure to book something in advance, regardless of what season you're planning on visiting.

Martinique: Between December and April is the best time to visit because, although lodging and activity prices are extremely high, the Martinique Carnival happens annually in this season and the temperatures are perfect, generally in the low 80's degrees Fahrenheit (26.7 degrees Celsius). Between May and early June are also good months to visit Martinique because hotels will have discounted prices and there will be fewer crowds but these months will still have around the same temperatures and little rain. Between June and November is the rainy and hurricane season and Martinique gets very wet. Additionally, lodging rates do get lower (for the few hotels that are still open) but may not be as low as you'd expect.

St. Vincent & the Grenadines: The most popular time to visit St. Vincent and the Grenadines is between mid-November and April as the temperatures are ideal and there are a ton of festivals during this time but you'll have to book your accommodations at least 3 months in advance and the hotel prices will be extremely high. Between May and June is a sweet spot between high tourism season and hurricane season where you can get great deals on hotels and the temperatures are still fantastic, with little rain. Between July and October is hurricane season with the most rain being in July but the threat of tropical storms throughout the season. The benefit of visiting St. Vincent and the Grenadines during this time is you can observe St. Vincent's lush landscape in its prime.
 
Windward Islands Geography

The Caribbean island chain is over two thousand miles long. To the east of the islands is the Atlantic Ocean, to the south is the Caribbean Sea and the north of South America, to the right in the Gulf of Mexico and to the north is mainland America. The Caribbean Islands became known as the West Indies when Columbus arrive there and thought he was seeing the west of the Indian subcontinent.

The Windward Islands are located in the foot of the Caribbean Sea. The islands form part of the easternmost boundary of the Caribbean Sea.
Since there are over seven thousands Caribbean islands islets reefs and cays the diversity among them is pronounced. The Windward Islands are generally mountainous and volcanic in origin. Some islands have active volcanoes such as Mount Pelee on Martinique where gray and black sand beaches are the result of volcanic ash. Saint Lucia actually has a drive in volcano. Saint Vincent is one of the few places which has both white and black sand beaches.

Grenada, sometimes called “Island of Spice” due to being a major exporter of nutmeg and mace is an island country to the southwest of Saint Vincent is the largest island of the Grenadines which are six hundred plus in number.

Windward Islands FAQs


What islands make up the Windward Islands?
The Windward Islands are made up of the larger islands of the Lesser Antilles. These include Dominica, Martinique, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Grenada, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Is Barbados a Windward Island?
Although it may seem like it due to its proximity to the other Windward Islands, it is not. 

Is Dominica a Leeward Island?
No, originally Dominica was a Leeward Island but in the 1940's for political reasons the British changed it to a Windward Island.

Why are the Windward Islands called such?
The Windward Islands are called this because they faced the wind for ships heading to the New World: making it easier to dock.

Which side of the road do they drive on in the Windward Islands?
On the left side of the road. 

Do you need a visa to visit the Windward Islands?
A visa isn't required for citizens of the US, Canada, the EU, and many of the Commonwealth countries.

Should I purchase travel insurance when visiting the Windward Islands?
You should definitely purchase travel insurance, and Adventure Life makes it easy through Travel Guard on our Once You've Booked page.

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