Caribbean

Guadeloupe is an archipelago in itself with the butterfly-shaped main island surrounded by even more miniature versions of this tropical paradise. The main island is divided in two by the Salee River, with jungle swamps and connected only by a few bridges. Scattered across the islands you will find beautiful long stretches of beach, sugar cane fields and the Parc National de la Guadeloupe. A mountainous and jungle-like national park with the cascading waterfalls of Carbet and the volcano La Grande Soufrière. With an abundance of bays and coves, you also have no shortage of picturesque anchorages and swimming opportunities here.

Shaped by volcanic history, the island of Dominica is home to mountainous rainforest reserves full of wonderful wildlife spotting opportunities. In the national park, you will find the volcanically heated, steam-covered Boiling Lake, hot springs and the 65-metre-high Trafalgar Falls - don't forget your swimwear! Wander the pretty streets of Dominica's capital, Roseau, visit the beautiful botanical gardens and immerse yourself in relaxed Caribbean culture.

The island of Martinique is a wonderful cultural mix of French and West Indian influences and a great place to extend your Caribbean sailing holiday. Christopher Columbus landed on the island in 1502, christening it Martinica after a 21-day passage through the trade winds. The north of the island is mountainous with an abundance of dense rainforest; home to the active volcano Mont Pelée, which offers numerous hiking trails. Beaches in the north are silver-grey thanks to precipitation from historic volcanic ash, while beaches in the south still have that typically soft white Caribbean sand the islands are known for. The south has steep hills with quaint winding streets lined with colourful houses. The gardens of La Savane are well worth a visit, and the main town of Fort-de-France has many lovely cafés and boutiques to explore.

The volcanic spires of the island of St Lucia are a spectacular landmark in the Windward Islands and offer a breathtaking anchorage in Piton Bay. The villages along the coastline are mainly traditional Caribbean fishing towns with volcanic beaches and great snorkelling and diving opportunities. In the inland of the island, you will find dense rainforest with different levels of hiking trails if you feel like hiking to get a dramatic viewpoint over the bay!

An intriguing island covered in dense jungle, rolling hills and fringed by black volcanic sand beaches. Discover the set used for the film Pirates of the Caribbean and explore the waterfalls just a short walk from the beach. Spend some time here snorkelling, swimming and kayaking along the coastline full of natural rock formations and arches.

Tobago Cays is a true underwater paradise. Wade into crystal-clear waters and you will be rewarded with colourful schools of fish and fascinating coral reefs. You can spend days kayaking and exploring here. There is a turtle sanctuary nearby, so swimming with turtles and stingrays is almost guaranteed. Get a line off the boat to catch a Red Snapper or two and take it ashore for a BBQ on the beach, where stargazing as night falls is a real treat for the eyes!

The island of Carriacou belongs to Grenada but lies within the island chain Grenadines. There are so many small uninhabited islands around Carriacou with miles of white sandy beaches and coral reefs that you will have no shortage of anchorages and places to relax away from the big cruise ships! Lean back with a fresh coconut drink as you enjoy the sunset while watching pelicans dive into the water for their supper.

The island of Bequia (pronounced beck-way) literally means "island of clouds". It is one of the most beautiful islands in the Grenadines and you will certainly see why it tops the list of anchorages. The island seems untouched by mass tourism and has retained its authentic Caribbean charm with friendly locals and a truly relaxed way of life.