Le Champlain, Pearls of the Caribbean ex Forte-de-France Roundtrip – 21 Mar 2021

7 Night cruise departing roundtrip from Forte-de-France onboard Le Champlain.

PONANT brings you a brand-new itinerary to the heart of the most enchanting islands in the Caribbean Sea. Board Le Champlain for an 8-day cruise combining long white-sand beaches and the easy Creole way of life.

An experienced diving instructor is on board for the entire cruise, enabling you to safely enjoy swimming and scuba diving.

From Fort-de-France, the capital of Martinique, Le Champlain will set sail to Les Saintes, a highly popular anchorage site with crystal-clear waters and fabulous seabed. You will then set sail to Bequia Island, the “whale-hunting island,” and its wild and unspoiled coastline.

During your cruise, Le Champlain will lower her anchor in the Tobago Cays National Park. This rosary of islands bound together by the most beautiful coral reef in the West Indies, will reveal its incredible underwater wildlife and its secret coves.

In the island of Grenada, visit its elegant capital, St. Georges, a particularly picturesque town dotted with pastel-coloured colonial houses nestled in a very pretty bay.

You will then island hop gently towards Saint Lucia and its two majestic rocky peaks soaring straight from the sea, a unique location listed as UNESCO World Heritage site. You will finally reach Fort-de-France. Make sure to visit one of its renowned rum distilleries!

Highlights of this cruise:

Fort-de-France
Located on the western coast of Martinique, Fort-de-France will amaze you by the splendour of its bay, a magnificent cut-out in the coastline, considered as one of the most beautiful in the world. At the harbour mouth, on its strip of land, fort Saint-Louis overlooks the capital city of Martinique. If you climb up to it, you can see some breath-taking views. Saint Louis Cathedral and the Schoelcher library bear witness to a secular history, intimately linked to the island’s story. Why not try some fresh coconut at the colourful Grand Marché. Two really pleasant places you can take a breather in, right in the heart of the city, are the garden of Balata and the Aimé Césaire park.

Les Saintes
During the feast of All Saints in 1493, Christopher Columbus discovered this archipelago of nine islands that he named “The Saints”. Today, only two of them are inhabited. Terre de Haut, in the east, is dominated by the Morne Mire hill; at the summit stands Fort Napoleon, paying homage to the islands’ history. In the heart of the botanical garden, shared by iguanas and cacti, there is an exceptional view of the Baie des Saintes, one of the most beautiful in the world. On Terre-de-Bas, you’ll be charmed by the authenticity of the village of Petites-Anses. Off the coast of the “Saints” archipelago, traditional fishing vessels sail the blue seas of the Caribbean. Don’t turn down a coconut “tourment d’amour”, a sweet treat you’ll be offered when you disembark.

Port Elizabeth, Bequia Island
In the heart of the Caribbean, Bequia is the second-largest of 32 islands that make up the country of St Vincent and the Grenadines. This secluded island, strongly attached to its tradition of whale hunting, is popular with visiting yachties and divers. Port Elizabeth, the island’s main town, has a lively atmosphere and further afield tropical rainforest and white-sand beaches provide a natural setting for peaceful walks.

Tobago Cays
Scattered between St Vincent and Grenada, the Tobago Cays comprises five little islands: Petit Rameau, Petit Bateau, Baradal, Petit Tabac and Jamesby. This rosary of uninhabited cays in the southern West Indies is a marine park that has some outstanding marine fauna in its turquoise lagoons. Girded and united by a coral reef, these secluded islands are a peaceful paradise for divers, swimmers and snorkellers.

Mayreau Island
Among the string of paradisiac islands with their white sandy beaches that form the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines archipelago, Mayreau is the smallest. Its peaceful and idyllic atmosphere, far from the madding crowd, invites you to relax. Onshore, make the most of a shaded and fully equipped beach, from where you’ll be able to set off snorkelling to explore superb coral gardens overflowing with life and colour.

Saint George’s, Grenada
Delicately set against the back of a bay on the west coast of Grenada, Saint George’s attracts newcomers by the beauty of its location and its friendly, festive atmosphere. This “spice island” capital is an excellent base for visiting the surrounding natural sites, but you’ll also want to spend some time here moseying around its narrow streets where colonial houses and lush green gardens coexist. Carenage is Saint George’s lively commercial fishing harbour, high in colour, especially when the boats are being loaded with fruit and vegetables destined for neighbouring islands. 5 kilometres south, the Grand Anse beach is one of the most beautiful in the Caribbean islands.

Pigeon Island Beach
Linked to St Lucia by a sand causeway, Pigeon Island has been a designated National Park since 1979. The tropical vegetation of this wild, protected island is home to abundant birdlife. It is easy to explore on foot; the remains of Fort Rodney offer an insight into the region’s naval history as well as fabulous views. Two beautiful beaches nestle on the southern side of the island, where you can take a scuba dive adventure, an exciting mix of diving and snorkelling.

Soufrière
Nestled in the crook of a breath-taking bay, the former capital of St Lucia is brimming with attractions. Soufrière is famous for The Pitons, volcanic spires that tower over the entrance to the town, and you will fall in love with its authentic Creole charm and warm friendly atmosphere. As well as diving and swimming off exquisite beaches, don’t miss Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens for the mineral baths, one of the natural wonders of the Caribbean.