2-week sailing itinerary in the Grenadines from Le Marin

In November 2025, Franklin and Alix, Filovent advisors, set off on a memorable catamaran cruise in the Grenadines islands, right at the beginning of the Caribbean high season. With their friends Léon, Mia, Paola, Émile, Mathilde, and Max, our 8 friends explored everything this idyllic region has to offer. "It's a destination I've been dreaming about for a while, and none of my expectations were disappointed!" says Franklin, who was also counting on this trip to refine his expertise of the sailing area.

In this article, I present the itinerary of our two advisors, co-skippers of the boat, during their 2 weeks of sailing in the fabulous Grenadines islands, between authentic moments, relaxation, and kitesurfing!

A cruise on the Excess 14

It was on a magnificent catamaran, the Excess 14, that our friends embarked at the port of Le Marin. More than 13 meters long and almost 8 meters wide, with interior and exterior spaces entirely designed for comfort, the boat has everything to bring people together for moments of conviviality. "Everything is really designed to bring people together. Simple example, but the table extension was really perfect for eating with 8 people! It's this kind of detail that makes the difference", says Alix. And it must be said that between the comfortable benches in the saloon, the fully equipped kitchen, and the barbecue, spending quality time together has never been easier!

But what won over Franklin and Alix even more was the privacy you can find on the catamaran: "4 cabins, 4 bathrooms, lots of space and storage, it's really royal when you're 8" explains Franklin. In short, each crew member was able to enjoy moments of tranquility, without ever feeling like they were stepping on each other's toes. A perfect balance between comfort and sharing.

15-day itinerary departing from Le Marin

Day 1: Le Marin

The adventure begins at Le Marin marina, an essential starting point when you rent a boat in the Caribbean. Thanks to the concierge service, a driver was waiting for our friends upon their arrival at the airport, sign in hand, a welcome comfort after a long flight. The crew enthusiastically discovers their new floating domain, the Excess 14. It's also an opportunity for them to explore the marina, one of the largest in the Caribbean. This true nautical village offers a cosmopolitan atmosphere where sailors from all over the world, locals and passing travelers meet. For our eight crew members, some of whom didn't know each other before boarding, it's time to get acquainted and settle into their new floating home.

Day 2: Le Marin → Sainte-Anne (3 nautical miles for 30 minutes of sailing)

Heading to Sainte-Anne by taking the Le Marin channel, dotted with numerous reefs: to be avoided carefully! 

The afternoon is devoted to the meticulous preparation of the catamaran before the big descent to the Grenadines: inventory of equipment, familiarization with the equipment and sail adjustments. An unexpected event spices up this day: a broken hose on the dinghy requires intervention from the charter company Star Voyage, who proves responsive by changing the engine around 5:00 PM.

With the problem solved, the team sets course for Bequia for their first night sailing.

Day 3: Sainte-Anne → Admiralty Bay (92 nautical miles for 15 hours and 30 minutes of sailing)

After a night marked by two squalls, those large clouds characteristic of the Caribbean loaded with rain and wind, the catamaran drops anchor around 9:00 AM in Bequia bay. The 18 km² island is the second largest of the Grenadines and constitutes the port of entry to the archipelago. This anchorage offers good holding and allows our crew to recover from their night crossing.

In the afternoon, appointment in Port Elizabeth for clearance formalities at the customs office, a mandatory step to officially enter the waters of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. For an 11-day trip like our friends', count €137. Return to the anchorage for a wing session in Admiralty Bay. Between yachts and green hills, it is renowned as one of the most picturesque anchorages in the Caribbean.

Day 4: Admiralty Bay → Salt Whistle Bay (25 nautical miles for 4 hours and 15 minutes of sailing)

For their fourth day, the crew sets course for Mayreau, the smallest inhabited island of the Grenadines: 4 km² and about 300 inhabitants. The Excess 14 anchors in the mythical Salt Whistle Bay, regularly ranked among the most beautiful beaches in the world. This bay in a double crescent of white sand, bordered by coconut trees and separated by a thin isthmus, seems straight out of a postcard.

In the afternoon, it's a kitesurfing session on the windward beach for our 8 friends, as Mayreau is renowned for its kite spots with ideal conditions! The crew picks up a mooring buoy for $60 (also plan on $20 to $30 for a tip). It's here that our friends meet Tupac, a colorful local character who embodies Caribbean hospitality all by himself.

At sunset, the evening continues in the small beach bars where locals and passing crews share rum, punch and sailing stories.

Day 5: Salt Whistle Bay → Petit Rameau (3 nautical miles for 30 minutes of sailing)

After a new morning kite session in Mayreau, the catamaran covers the 30 minutes of sailing that separate it from the Tobago Cays. The arrival around 2:00 PM in this marine sanctuary is a magical moment: "It's a reserve, it's magnificent, there are turtles everywhere, including land turtles" says Franklin.

The Tobago Cays constitute the beating heart of the marine park of the same name, created in 1997. If you dream of renting a catamaran in the Grenadines islands, this is undoubtedly where you will experience the most magical moments of your cruise. Five uninhabited islets (Petit Rameau, Petit Bateau, Baradal, Jamesby and Petit Tabac) are protected by the famous Horseshoe Reef, the fourth largest coral reef in the world, shaped like a horseshoe. Its crystal-clear waters are teeming with exceptional marine life where you can find green turtles, hawksbills, rays and multicolored fish of all kinds. The crew pays the park entrance fee of $120 and treats themselves to a lobster feast for dinner, before spending the night at anchor between the two islands of Petit Rameau and Petit Bateau.

Day 6: Petit Rameau → Baradal (1 nautical mile for 5 minutes of sailing)

This sixth day is entirely dedicated to water activities in this postcard setting. Kitesurfing session on the program, although the crew learns the hard way that certain areas in the south are prohibited (a small altercation with the rangers reminds them of the importance of respecting the limits of the marine reserve). Also on the program: wing session, to take advantage of the constant trade winds, these easterly winds blowing all year round over the archipelago. The night is spent in Baradal, one of the five islets in the park, in restful tranquility.

Day 7: Baradal → Clifton (5 nautical miles for 45 minutes of sailing)

Departure to Union Island, the largest island in the southern Grenadines. First stop at Happy Island, this tiny island-bar floating in the middle of Clifton harbor and built entirely from conch shells: a unique curiosity in the world, ideal for sipping a cocktail with your feet almost in the water. Clifton lagoon is also renowned as one of the most beautiful kitesurfing spots in the Caribbean, an opportunity the crew didn't miss. With its kite schools on site, flat waters and constant wind, Clifton is a true paradise for gliding enthusiasts.

Our friends' walk on the main island reveals a more contrasted reality: the traces of Hurricane Beryl, which devastated the region in July 2024, are still visible. Between superb landscapes and signs of reconstruction, one feels that local life follows its rhythm, and that certain areas are gradually recovering from this significant episode.

Day 8: Clifton → Petit-Saint-Vincent (5 nautical miles for 45 minutes of sailing)

Franklin, Alix and their friends set course for Petit Saint Vincent on this eighth day, a private luxury island home to one of the most exclusive resorts in the Caribbean. But it's at sea that the crew experiences its most intense moments: fishing trip in the dinghy which sees the equipment break on a combative barracuda, before managing to bring up nice jacks. In the evening, it's on the barbecue that the crew enjoys these freshly caught jacks... nothing beats fish of the day grilled at sunset!

From the anchorage, you can see the twinkling lights of Petite Martinique, a dependency of nearby Grenada. The night will be rough: several squalls come to sweep the anchorage point, rocking the catamaran to the rhythm of tropical showers.

Day 9: Petit-Saint-Vincent → Frigate Island → Chatham Bay (8 nautical miles for 1 hour and 15 minutes of sailing)

Return to Union Island to explore its different facets more deeply. The crew enjoys small beaches with ideal conditions for our kite enthusiasts: 25 established knots, the wind comes in perfectly. A buoy is taken for the afternoon, time for a memorable kite session, while the catamaran remains at anchor in the bay, alongside a superb Lagoon 65. Some wing moments as well before reaching Chatham Bay around 4:30 PM to spend the night there. This anchorage on the west coast of Union Island is "a really magnificent spot" according to Franklin. Indeed, the bay is huge, deep green and completely virgin of construction, a striking contrast with the rest of the island.

Cocktails shared with French people met on site extend the evening. For many, these chance encounters are what makes cruises special. 

Day 10: Chatham Bay → Saline Bay → Salt Whistle Bay (6 nautical miles for 1 hour of sailing)

Course for Mayreau again, but the headwind requires motoring. Anchorage at Saline Bay for our friends, to discover another beach on the island. Tupac, their local friend they meet again on this tenth day, has kept a buoy for them for the night at Salt Whistle Bay.

The day is crowned by an exceptional catch: a rainbow jack (rainbow fish), which Tupac confirms to be one of the best fish in the region. For 30 Caribbean dollars per person, he cooks this true marine treasure for our friends. The evening ends up turning into a party with Tupac and his companions: Caribbean authenticity in all its splendor!

Only downside of this memorable day: a shoulder injury for one of the crew members, which will require care in the following days.

Day 11: Salt Whistle Bay → Mustique (19 nautical miles for 3 hours of sailing)

Course for Mustique: the most exclusive private island in the Caribbean, refuge of the international jet set since Princess Margaret had her residence there. The navigation proves longer than expected: 6 hours instead of 3, tacking against the wind. For an anchorage of one to three days, count 320 Caribbean dollars... Welcome to Mustique!

On the way, our crew catches a barracuda. It is presented to the guards for size verification because certain (large) fish are contaminated by ciguatoxins, which can cause ciguatera in humans, a food poisoning. But fortunately, everything is in order: it's a small barracuda for the region! 

Day 12: Mustique

Forced rest day for Franklin to treat his shoulder. One of the advantages of Mustique is having a state-of-the-art private clinic. The chief physician, Dr. Michael Bunbury, was very friendly and reassuring: after the X-ray, the diagnosis reveals a simple subluxation, rest and no more sports for a few days, but nothing serious.

Meanwhile, the rest of the crew takes advantage to run around the island, discovering its spectacular villas and lush vegetation. After enjoying their grilled barracuda on the barbecue, in the evening, it's the famous Wednesday Night at Basil's Bar for our friends, an institution for almost 50 years. "It's the upscale bar, everyone in white shirts" Franklin describes to us. The Wednesday evening Jump Up brings together locals, visitors or even celebrities around a dinner and a live performance by the Splash band. One can easily imagine where to spend New Year's in the sun in such an atmosphere! The after-party continues at the Cotton House, the most prestigious hotel in the Caribbean, Franklin informs us. Nighttime buggy ride on the roads of this island where each villa is worth several million dollars: a luxury interlude in this already exceptional cruise!

Day 13: Mustique → Cumberland → Les Anses-d'Arlet (102 nautical miles for 17 hours of sailing)

Alix takes the helm for the northward climb on this thirteenth morning. Stop at Cumberland Bay on the west coast of Saint Vincent, an anchorage renowned for its exotic setting and good protection against the trade winds. After lunch on board, it's swimming and drone session to immortalize this spectacular volcanic landscape.

At the end of the day, departure for a new night sailing under sail, heading for Les Anses d'Arlet in Martinique. The passage in the lee of Saint Lucia offers calmer conditions, but an incident spices up our friends' crossing: a floating trap caught in the propeller requires a dive by Léon to cut the net. It's therefore a well-deserved anchorage and rest that our friends enjoy, then wake up between 9 and 10 o'clock.

Day 14: Les Anses-d'Arlet → Le Marin (17 nautical miles for 2 hours and 45 minutes of sailing)

Morning walks in the charming village of Les Anses d'Arlet, one of the most beautiful in Martinique, then tasting a local sandwich for lunch before resuming sailing to Le Marin, starting point for an optimal Grenadines sailing itinerary.

The return to the marina allows to refuel (about €260) and take time to settle the last formalities. The day ends with a night at the port of Le Marin, in the lively atmosphere of the marina.

Day 15: Le Marin

After an evening the night before at the Kokoarum Bar, an essential place where our crew enjoyed, as on the way there, good burgers as a last meal on land, it's already the last day of this magnificent trip for our 8 friends. "The Kokoarum, it's really THE bar in Le Marin for me. The atmosphere, the fishing competition, the rums and all the sailors coming back or leaving on cruises...!" Franklin confides with nostalgia. 

These last moments are devoted to cleaning the boat and discussions with the charter company teams. Franklin, a professional in the sector, takes advantage to check some boats. Then it's around a picnic that the crew says goodbye before getting into a taxi heading to the airport at 2:30 PM.

Return to Paris for the crew, heads full of memories, and for some... heading to the traditional Filovent seminar in Marrakech the following Monday!

Some unforgettable memories

• The afternoons and evenings at Salt Whistle Bay, Mayreau: a festive and authentic atmosphere in the heart of the Grenadines
• The meeting with Tupac: an essential figure of Mayreau, improvised guide and companion of memorable evenings
• The kite sessions on the turquoise waters under the gaze of pelicans flying over the bay
• The many fishing trips, and in particular the one of a rainbow jack, cooked on site: an unforgettable moment of sharing

Acknowledgments

I would like to warmly thank Franklin for the time he devoted to our exchange, as well as Alix and the rest of the crew for the magnificent photographs transmitted!