Cruising the Caribbean's Windward Islands – with Smithsonian Journeys

Vieux Fort is the principal deep-water seaport and southern maritime gateway of Saint Lucia, located on the islands southern coast facing the Caribbean Sea. The port supports cargo handling, fuel imports, bulk shipments and regional maritime trade while serving as an important transportation, logistics and tourism hub for the country. Read more about Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia

Portsmouth is a sea port and the second largest town of Dominica, an island in the Lesser Antilles region of the Caribbean Sea. It lies on the Indian River in the north of the island, and importantly, is close to Cabrits National Park. The town is a staging point for bird-watching, hikes and safari tours across Dominica to the mountains, waterfalls, lakes and tropical rainforests. Read more about Portsmouth, Dominica

Îles des Saintes is an archipelago in the French Antilles, a dependency of Guadeloupe, which in turn is an overseas department of France. The large island of Guadeloupe lies 12km to the north. Les Saintes consists of two very mountainous volcanic inhabited islands, Terre-de-Haut Island and Terre-de-Bas Island, with seven other uninhabited islets. Read more about Les Saintes, Guadeloupe

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a country of 32 beautiful Caribbean islands in the idyllic Caribbean, stretching south from Saint Vincent Island to Grenada. Proud of its French and British colonial history, it is now part of the Commonwealth of Nations and the Caribbean Community of 15 nations. Bequia (pronounced "Beck-way”) is blessed with white sandy beaches, coral reefs, and friendly people. Read more about Bequia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Mayreau is the smallest inhabited island of the Grenadines, in the far SE of the Caribbean Sea. It has a population of about 300, centred at the Old Wall village, with its small school, a telecommunications building, and the Mayreau Catholic Church located on a hilltop in the SW of the island. With its picture-postcard beaches, it truly is a secret treasure of peace and tranquillity. Read more about Mayreau, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Read more about Tobago Cays, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

The city of Bridgetown is the capital and largest city of the island country of Barbados, a major tourist destination in the West Indies. The city has numerous attractions, landmarks, monuments, museums, and art galleries of an international standard. It is also a starting point for visiting many other popular cities on the island. Read more about Bridgetown, Barbados

Vieux Fort is the principal deep-water seaport and southern maritime gateway of Saint Lucia, located on the islands southern coast facing the Caribbean Sea. The port supports cargo handling, fuel imports, bulk shipments and regional maritime trade while serving as an important transportation, logistics and tourism hub for the country. Read more about Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia