Cruising the Caribbean’s Windward Islands

Highlights

• Experience Dominica, the Caribbean’s “Nature

Island,” on a hike to spectacular viewpoints, a boat ride on the Indian River, or a tour and tasting at a family-owned chocolate factory. • Go island-hopping in the mostly uninhabited

French archipelago of Les Saintes, watching for wildlife and swimming and snorkeling. • Take a jeep tour of Bequia in St. Vincent and the

Grenadines, or sail a catamaran around neighboring islands. • Swim and snorkel or dive off the tiny island of

Mayreau and in Tobago Cays Marine Park.

GUADELOUPE

Les Saintes

Caribbean Sea Portsmouth DOMINICA

The Pitons, St. Lucia SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES

Port Elizabeth, Bequia Mayreau Tobago Cays

GRENADA SAINT LUCIA VIEUX FORT BRIDGETOWN BARBADOS

Aboard the 184-guest Le Dumont-d’Urville 9 days from $4,690* / Feb. 25–Mar. 5, 2023

Sail across the spectacular Windward Islands, exploring rain forests, snorkeling reefs, and encountering history and culture from Dominica to St. Vincent and the Grenadines to Barbados and beyond.

Itinerary

Day 1 — Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia: Arrive in St. Lucia and board the ship in Vieux Fort. Day 2 — Portsmouth, Dominica: Explore the Caribbean’s “Nature Island” on a variety of excursions. Hike the Syndicate Nature Trail, visit the cacao farms on the northeastern coast and enjoy a tour and tasting at a sustainable chocolate factory, or watch for wildlife as you cruise among the mangroves of enchanting Indian River. Day 3 — Les Saintes, Guadeloupe: Go sailing on a local boat amid the French islands known as Les Saintes, and stop to swim and snorkel. Alternatively, take a guided tour of Fort Napoléon and Marigot Bay, or paddle a glass-bottomed kayak to the stunning Baie des Saintes.

Day 4 — Bequia Island, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines:

Discover Bequia on a jeep tour, exploring picturesque Port Elizabeth, the ruins of 18th-century Hamilton Fort, and the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary. Or set off on a catamaran and drop anchor off a tiny island to snorkel and swim. During a day on tiny Mayreau, swim, stroll the beach, snorkel, or dive among the reefs; and enjoy a beach barbecue lunch. Discover the “Spice Isle” of Grenada, visiting a nutmeg cooperative and a rum distillery, and exploring Grand Etang National Park. Continue to Tobago Cays Marine Park for snorkeling and swimming among vibrant marine life within its fringing reef. Days 8 & 9 — Bridgetown, Barbados: Arrive in Bridgetown, the World Heritage-listed capital of Barbados, known for its colonial architecture. Go snorkeling and swimming among sea turtles, tour the plantation home of Clifton Hall and Codrington College, or take a historical tour of the island. Toast your Caribbean adventure with a glass of the island’s famous rum. Disembark the next morning and transfer to the airport for your flight home. Add a two-night extension in St. Lucia. *Pricing reflects a savings bonus ranging from 5% to 30%, based on the number of staterooms available at the time of printing. See our website for current pricing. Book early for higher savings.

Smithsonian Journeys Experts

Each cruise will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. See our website for the experts on this departure.