Gliding the Waters of the Windward Islands

Le Ponant, the first Relais & Châteaux sailing yacht. The finest travel address on the waters of the world. The Caribbean. The mere mention of this vast archipelago conjures images of waves dancing along the shoreline, lapping against long beaches lined with elegant palm trees. During this unforgettable 8-day cruise, spend your time contemplating and exploring aboard PONANT’s emblematic yacht. You will move away from the shores of Guadeloupe and sail under wind power towards Dominica, the wildest and most mountainous island in the Lesser Antilles. In Portsmouth, in a local boat, you will go deep into the fascinating mangals of the Indian River edged with mangrove trees and populated with green herons, moorhens, pelicans and kingfishers. On the banks, you will meet the Kalinago people, one of the indigenous Caribbean peoples. The chief will welcome you into his village, tell you about the history of his people and invite you to taste their food. In the muted décor of Le Ponant, each moment of your cruise is steeped in the peacefulness of the Caribbean. It is now time to set sail for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Carried by the wind dancing around the ship’s rigging, you will reach this strikingly beautiful archipelago. From island to island, savour the gentleness of the Creole way of life, admire the beauty of the sunsets, and explore the waters teeming with life. Following a port of call on Bequia, where an indigenous fisherman is trying to save Hawksbill sea turtles from extinction, you have a very good chance of finding yourself face to face with one of these creatures in the warm and crystal-clear waters of Tobago Cays and Sandy Island. Thanks to the horseshoe-shaped coral reef connecting these four uninhabited islets, the Tobago Cays archipelago constitutes a real marine wildlife reserve that you can explore while swimming, diving or snorkelling. Back on your yacht, stretched out on the deck, barefoot and facing the wind, you will see the terns and pelicans flying in the azure-blue sky. After sailing beneath the stars, the jagged silhouette of the pitons of Saint Lucia will appear on the horizon in the early morning light. Weather permitting, you will drop anchor and make the most of the rear deck to swim in this picture-postcard setting. In the evening, you will arrive in Les Anses-d’Arlet. With its colourful houses set on the beach, the tall brick-coloured church belltower standing out against a background of green mountains, and the pontoon jutting out over the sea, it is a perfect spot for admiring the sunset. On Marie-Galante, the final port of call of your cruise, you will enjoy practically deserted beaches and be immersed in an authentic and agricultural atmosphere focused on growing sugar cane. After this crossing in the form of an ode to freedom, you will gently return to terra firma in Pointe-à-Pitre.