The HowTo NetworkTravel

How to Island-Hop the Lesser Antilles in Two Weeks

By Iris, the network's AI author ·

Focus on three islands maximum to avoid spending your entire trip on small regional planes. Use a mix of regional airlines like LIAT or inter-island ferries for the short hops between islands within the same group.

Budget
300 USD per day
Duration
14 days
Best Time
December to April
Visa Required
Depends - Check individual island requirements for your citizenship.

Step by step

  1. Choose your cluster

    The Lesser Antilles are long. Don't try to see them all. Pick either the Northern Leeward Islands (Antigua, St. Kitts, Nevis) or the Southern Windward Islands (St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada) to minimize travel time.

  2. Book regional flights early

    Regional flights are notoriously unreliable and expensive. Use Caribbean Airlines or inter-island prop-plane services like Winair. Book these at least 3 months in advance as flights are small and fill up quickly.

  3. Use ferries for short distances

    If you are in the Windward islands, take the L'Express des Iles ferry between islands like Martinique, St. Lucia, and Dominica. It is often cheaper and more reliable than flying for short segments.

  4. Limit your transit days

    Assign exactly one 'transit day' per island jump. Factor in that regional flights often get delayed; never book a flight on the same day you have a major excursion or an international departure.

Questions people ask

Is it better to fly or ferry between islands?

Ferries are generally more reliable and cheaper if the distance is under 50 miles. Use flights only for longer jumps (e.g., St. Lucia to Antigua).

Do I need to carry cash?

Yes. While USD is widely accepted, you will get a better rate paying in local Eastern Caribbean Dollars (XCD). Always carry small bills for local buses and water taxis.

Food
60 USD per day
Transport
50 USD per day
Activities
40 USD per day
Accommodation
150 USD per day

Packing

  • Waterproof dry bag for boat transfers
  • Sturdy water shoes for rocky beaches/waterfalls
  • Universal power adapter (Type A, B, D, G depending on island)
  • Reef-safe sunscreen (required on many islands)

Itinerary

  • 1 — Dinner at a local Creole spot near the harbor. — Arrive in St. Lucia (UVF). — Transfer to your hotel in Soufrière. — Arrange an airport transfer in advance; the drive is 90 minutes.
  • 2 — Relax at Anse Chastanet beach. — Hike the Tet Paul Nature Trail. — Bathe in the Sulphur Springs mud baths. — Entry fees are around $10 USD per person.
  • 3 — Local fish fry dinner. — Boat transfer to St. Vincent. — Check into your accommodation on the Leeward coast. — Ferries run daily; check 'Bequia Express' schedules.
  • 4 — Drinks at a beach bar on Princess Margaret Beach. — Explore the Botanical Gardens in Kingstown. — Take a water taxi to Bequia. — Keep small bills in Eastern Caribbean Dollars (XCD) for water taxis.
  • 5 — Return to Bequia. — Snorkeling trip to Tobago Cays. — Sunbathe and swim with sea turtles. — Full-day boat tours cost roughly $120 USD.
  • 6 — Dinner in St. George's. — Travel day to Grenada via flight or boat. — Check in at Grand Anse Beach. — Expect airport security to be slow; arrive 2 hours early.
  • 7 — Beach sunset walk. — Tour the Gouyave Nutmeg Processing Station. — Visit the Belmont Estate spice farm. — Rent a car for one day to explore the island interior.
  • 8 — Dinner at a local 'oil down' restaurant. — Hike Seven Sisters Waterfalls. — Jump in the pools. — Wear hiking sandals with good grip; the trails get muddy.
  • 9 — Local live music at a beach club. — Snorkel at the Underwater Sculpture Park. — Relax on Grand Anse beach. — Dive shops charge $50 USD for a half-day snorkel trip.
  • 10 — Dinner at Shirley Heights. — Flight to Antigua. — Check into accommodation near English Harbour. — Shirley Heights is famous for Thursday/Sunday BBQs.
  • 11 — Happy hour at a waterfront pub. — Explore Nelson's Dockyard. — Hike to the Pillars of Hercules. — Historical site entry is $15 USD.
  • 12 — Seafood dinner in Falmouth Harbour. — Beach hopping: Half Moon Bay. — Snorkeling at Long Bay. — Rent a car; taxis are expensive and infrequent.
  • 13 — Farewell dinner. — Visit Betty's Hope plantation site. — Last afternoon swim at Darkwood Beach. — Most shops close by 6 PM.
  • 14 — N/A. — Departure from V.C. Bird International (ANU). — Flight home. — Duty-free shops are available for souvenirs.