Saint Lucia

A self-launched take on G Adventures' 8-day Windward Islands sailing loop from Rodney Bay back to Rodney Bay. Instead of a private catamaran charter with skipper and cook, you island-hop the Grenadines using the local ferry network (St Lucia → Martinique → St Vincent → Bequia → Mustique/Tobago Cays), plus shared water taxis and day-sail/boat-trip operators for the snorkelling and beach stops that are only reachable by water. You'll sleep in guesthouses and hostels, eat Creole food at local spots, and book snorkel/kayak/paddleboard trips independently via Klook, GetYourGuide or by walking up at the beach. Costs are rough estimates for a budget backpacker travelling in the dry season — book ferries and Tobago Cays boat trips in advance as they fill up.

Travel Crew

~£520

An 8-day self-launched island-hopping sail through St Lucia and the Grenadines (Rodney Bay to Rodney Bay), recreating G Adventures' catamaran itinerary without the group tour markup. Instead of a crewed 47ft catamaran charter, you'll use a mix of passenger ferries, water taxis and shared day sails between Rodney Bay, Soufrière, Bequia, the Tobago Cays and St Vincent — booking snorkelling, kite-surf and catamaran day trips directly. You get the same crystal-water snorkelling, Pitons hikes, Creole food and hidden coves, but stitch the route together yourself, sleeping in budget guesthouses and hostels ashore. Costs are approximate backpacker rates in GBP and will vary by season — the Grenadines peak season (Dec–Apr) is pricier, and travel between islands requires some flexibility as schedules are weather-dependent.

Travel Crew

~£980