Martinique and St Lucia are among the most visually dramatic islands in the Caribbean — volcanic peaks, dense tropical forest, and French colonial architecture in Martinique's case, dramatic twin volcanic plugs in St Lucia's. The passage between the two islands (about 25 miles) is a fast trade-wind reach; most crews spend at least three days on each island.
The Pitons, St Lucia
Gros Piton (798m) and Petit Piton (743m) are volcanic plugs rising directly from the sea on the south-west coast of St Lucia near Soufrière — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the defining image of the island. The Pitons Management Area covers both peaks and the marine park between them. Mooring buoys are available in Soufrière Bay and in the narrow anchorage between the two peaks (Jalousie, also called Sugar Beach). The view from the anchorage looking up at the twin peaks is one of the finest in the Caribbean.
Gros Piton can be climbed by fit walkers with a local guide (required by the national park); the ascent takes 3–4 hours return. Petit Piton is a technical rock climb and not generally accessible to visitors. The guided hike up Gros Piton costs around EC$100 (around £30) and leaves from the village of Fond Gens Libres on the eastern side of the peak.
Saint-Pierre, Martinique
Saint-Pierre was the cultural capital of the French Caribbean — the "Paris of the West Indies" — until 8 May 1902, when Mount Pelée erupted and destroyed the entire city in under two minutes. 30,000 people died; the sole survivor was a prisoner in a thick-walled cell. The ruins of the city are still visible along the waterfront and in the hills above — the theatre, the cathedral, the distillery ruins, and the submarine wrecks of 18 ships sunk in the harbour that morning are all accessible. The Musée Volcanologique de Saint-Pierre tells the story with extraordinary objects: clocks stopped at 8:02, deformed glass from the heat, and the cell in which the prisoner survived.
Mooring buoys are available in Saint-Pierre Bay; the town quay has some alongside berths for dinghies. Dive operators run trips to the harbour wrecks — the wrecks are well-preserved and teeming with marine life.
Rum Distilleries, Martinique
Martinique has AOC designation for its rhum agricole — rum made from fresh-pressed sugar cane juice rather than molasses, with a grassy, complex character unlike most Caribbean rum. Several distilleries are accessible from the charter bases at Le Marin and Sainte-Anne. Distillerie Depaz on the slopes of Mount Pelée is the most atmospheric (the estate was rebuilt after the 1902 eruption and overlooks the volcano); Distillerie J.M. near Macouba on the north coast is smaller and more artisanal. Both offer tours and tastings. Depaz has a good restaurant on site.
Pigeon Island National Landmark, St Lucia
A former island (now connected to the northern mainland of St Lucia by a causeway) with well-preserved British fortifications dating from the 18th century. Fort Rodney — named after Admiral Rodney, who used the island as a base before the Battle of the Saintes — has intact powder magazines, barracks, and gun platforms with views across the channel to Martinique. The park museum covers the island's history from Amerindian settlement through the Napoleonic Wars. Entry around EC$30. Sailing access from Rodney Bay Marina, which is immediately adjacent to the Pigeon Island causeway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is it possible to anchor between the Pitons in Jalousie Bay?
A: Mooring buoys are provided in Jalousie (Sugar Beach); anchoring is restricted in the marine park. The mooring charges are significant (around $50–70 per night). The location is extraordinary and worth one night; most crews prefer the more open anchorage in Soufrière Bay for subsequent nights.
Q: Do I need to clear customs between Martinique and St Lucia?
A: Yes — Martinique is French territory (EU); St Lucia is an independent Commonwealth state. You need to clear out of Martinique (at Le Marin or Fort-de-France) and in to St Lucia (at Rodney Bay or Castries). Both clearances are straightforward and can usually be completed in under an hour.