TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums General Caribbean Suggestions for Trip Itinerary – Antigua to Martinique (One Way)

I am planning on chartering a 50 ft monohull to sail from Antigua to Martinique (One Way) for March either 2021 or 2022. I plan on taking about 12 days for the sail.

I am considering stopping at Montserrat, Guadeloupe & The Saintes & Marie-Galante, Dominica and Martinique.

I am wide open as to suggestions, including leaving entire islands off the itinerary, best places to stop, off the beaten path anchorages, etc.
Interested in hearing the good and the bad including any safety concerns.

Thanks in advance.

There is the Cousteau marine park pn Guadalupe worth a stop. The Saintes are beautiful, you could spend 2 days there just enjoying the culture, food and beautiful beaches. My European friends say it's closer to a small French village than a Caribbean island. We usually spend 3 days on Dominica, but I haven't been there post hurricane. The river tour near Portsmith is fun. Trafalgar Falls is doable by bus from Roseau. We use Sea Cat for moorings and tours in the Roseau area. Victoria Falls is a nice hike as is boiling lake if you're in shape for the arduous hime.

Regarding Dominica it is worth renting a car in Portsmouth and driving to Roseau, then Trafalgar Falls, then on the windward side of the island as there are several stops there and finally back to Portsmouth. The roads are OK and it beats taking a tour bus, especially since those start in Roseau. Another option is to talk to your boat-boy from PAYS and he'll recommend a tour guide for a personalized small-bus tour (4-8 people max). I've done that as well with good results.
The Saintes are wonderful, the first stop from Antigua for clearing into Guadeloupe is the quaint little village of Deshaies. The anchoring can be tough there, unless you get in close you will anchor in 40-50 feet with mediocre holding. Île Pigeon is the marine park, but it is only worth stopping there if you dive - in which case it is wonderful with an underwater bust of Jacques Cousteau (who said it was his favorite place to dive).

The other recommendations are in the other thread you posted on the same subject.

Some charter companies don't allow a stop in Monsterratt. Also allow time at the end to explore Martinque on land.