Best of the Big & Small Islands

4 Nights – Barbados or St Lucia
4 Nights – St Martin/Maarten
3 Nights – Anguilla
3 Nights – Nevis
3 Nights – St Kitts
4 Nights – Antigua

UK – Barbados or St Lucia (4 nights): Your Caribbean adventure will begin in your choice of either Barbados or St Lucia, both offering the ideal introduction to island life. While it may be best known for its idyllic beaches (there are over 70 miles of them), it’s the variety that sets Barbados apart. Head west for calm waters and coral reefs at Paynes Bay, Gibbes Beach, Mullins Beach and the exclusive Sandy Lane, or venture east for rugged beauty, excellent surfing conditions and pretty botanical gardens. Bridgetown offers historic charm, duty-free shopping and easy access to Carlisle Bay, where you can snorkel over shipwrecks or take a catamaran cruise to swim with turtles. Also don’t miss the Mount Gay Distillery for a taste of the island’s iconic rum. For a more nature-focused experience,  St Lucia is a great choice with its iconic twin Pitons and lush landscapes. Walk through rainforest trails, explore the mud baths and steaming vents of Sulphur Springs and take in the lovely towns of Soufrière and Rodney Bay, where you’ll find colourful markets, cafés, and stunning coastal views.

 Barbados – St Martin/St Maarten (4 nights): A short flight north will bring you to the dual island nation of St Martin/St Maarten.  The flight across offers stunning aerial views, giving you a beautiful preview of what’s to come. Once you land, it’s up to you which side of the island you call home for the next 4 nights. The French side, St Martin, has a laid-back, sophisticated charm, with boutique hotels, cafés, patisseries, and some of the Caribbean’s finest cuisine. You’ll find stylish beach clubs on Orient Bay, quiet coves such as Happy Bay, and the relaxed town of Grand Case. The Dutch side, St Maarten, offers a livelier vibe. It’s home to duty-free shopping, buzzing beach bars, and the famous low-flying planes over Maho Beach. Philipsburg, the capital, has a pretty waterfront and promenade lined with restaurants and markets.

🚢 St Martin – Anguilla (3 nights): The ferry from St Martin to Anguilla is quick and easy, and before long, you’ll find yourself on one of the Caribbean’s most exclusive islands. Anguilla is all about understated luxury, with soft white-sand beaches, crystal-clear water, boutique hotels, and intimate fine dining. Even the beach shacks serve up lobster and fresh fish that would rival any gourmet dining experience. When it comes to beaches, Shoal Bay and Meads Bay are two of the island’s most stunning, with fabulous sunsets. There aren’t many big resorts or crowds here but that’s all part of the charm. If your trip coincides with the island’s boat racing season, try to catch a race.  It’s the national sport and a great way to experience local culture.

 Anguilla – Nevis (3 nights): Arriving in Nevis, you’ll feel like you’re stepping back in time. Nevis isn’t flashy, and that’s exactly why people love it.  The landscape is dominated by a volcanic peak and fringed with pristine, quiet beaches.  With its small size and unhurried pace, it’s easy to slip into its laid-back rhythm. The island is the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton and a colonial legacy can be found in the island’s old plantation inns, where you can sip rum punches surrounded by tropical gardens.  Beyond the beach, you’ll find natural hot springs, walking trails, and green monkeys swinging through the trees.

🚢 Nevis – St Kitts (3 nights) The quick ferry ride to St Kitts will bring you to Nevis’s more developed sister island. (Although ‘developed’ is relative in this beautifully quiet part of the Caribbean!) The scenic railway that circles the island offers a great way to view the sights and landscapes as it follows the route of the old sugar train along the coastline and past abandoned plantation ruins.  Brimstone Hill Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers great views and fascinating history. The capital, Basseterre, has an authentic Caribbean town atmosphere where local life continues largely untouched by tourism. The beaches on the southeast peninsula are particularly beautiful, while the island’s central mountain range offers great walking opportunities.

  St Kitts – Antigua (4 nights): Your final stop, Antigua, is the perfect end to your island-hopping adventure. Famous for having 365 beaches (one for every day of the year) it’s the ideal place to combine relaxation with a bit of exploration.  English Harbour has a beautifully preserved Georgian naval dockyard while nearby Shirley Heights is a great spot to watch the sunset views over the harbour.  There is a strong sailing culture especially during Sailing Week. For a lovely day trip, nip over to Barbuda to experience the pink sand beaches or the rainforest canopy tours.  Or simply kick back on one of Antigua’s beautiful beaches for the final few days of your island-hopping adventure.

 Antigua – UK: Time to conclude your Caribbean holiday and head back to the UK.