Guadeloupe to Saint Lucia 4-Island Ferry Itinerary
Connect Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, and Saint Lucia from north to south by inter-island express ferry.
Head south along the Lesser Antilles island chain, spending three to five nights on each island. Volcanic hikes, rainforest waterfalls, volcanic ruins, and the Pitons unfold one after another. Car rental is the primary way to get around on the islands. Since ferries do not run daily, you must plan your itinerary backward based on their schedules. This route involves a lot of international sea travel, making it ideal for return visitors with plenty of time. To keep the pace manageable, Grande-Terre and the southern beaches of Martinique have been omitted.
In June, September, and January, ferry maintenance leads to reduced schedules. Mountain roads and hiking trails are also easily affected during the rainy season.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Guadeloupe and Head to Deshaies
Guadeloupe (Basse-Terre & Deshaies)（Grande Anse, Deshaies）
Pick up your rental car at the airport and drive along the northwest coast of Basse-Terre to Deshaies (about 1 hour). Head to the beach in the evening to watch the sunset.
Stay: Deshaies
Day 2 · Botanical Garden & Cousteau Reserve
Guadeloupe (Basse-Terre & Deshaies)（Jardin Botanique de Deshaies、Plage de Malendure、Réserve Cousteau, Îlets Pigeon）
Explore the Deshaies Botanical Garden in the morning, then drive south to Malendure (about 30 minutes). Return to Deshaies along the same route in the evening.
Stay: Deshaies
Day 3 · Cross-Island Highway to the Southeast Coast
Guadeloupe (Basse-Terre & Deshaies)（Route de la Traversée & Maison de la Forêt、Cascade aux Écrevisses、Chutes du Carbet）
Take the Route de la Traversée through the heart of the island, then head south along the east coast to Trois-Rivières. Total driving time for the day is about 2 to 3 hours.
Some trails at the Carbet Falls are closed due to landslides; visits are currently focused on the Second Fall. Check trail status before setting out.
Stay: Trois-Rivières
Day 4 · Day Trip to Terre-de-Haut, Les Saintes
Guadeloupe (Basse-Terre & Deshaies)（Terre-de-Haut, Les Saintes、Fort Napoléon des Saintes）
Take the ferry from Trois-Rivières pier to Terre-de-Haut and back. Leave your car at the pier and explore the island on foot or by renting an electric scooter.
Stay: Trois-Rivières
Day 5 · Climb La Soufrière Volcano
Guadeloupe (Basse-Terre & Deshaies)（La Grande Soufrière、Allée Dumanoir）
Drive to the Bains Jaunes trailhead early in the morning. After descending, head north via the east coast to Pointe-à-Pitre (about 1.5 hours' drive).
Starting in 2026, access to the volcano summit will be managed under provincial regulations. Mountain weather is highly unpredictable; check trail conditions beforehand.
Stay: Pointe-à-Pitre
Day 6 · Ferry to Roseau, Dominica
Dominica Island（Roseau Old Town & Old Market、Roseau Botanic Gardens）
Take the express ferry from Pointe-à-Pitre directly to Roseau (about 2.5 hours). Upon arrival, take a taxi or rent a car to head into the Roseau Valley.
Ferries do not run daily. Plan your entire trip backward based on the official ferry schedule, and be sure to check in early before departure.
Stay: Roseau Valley and Wotten Waven
Day 7 · Roseau Valley Waterfalls & Hot Springs
Dominica Island（Trafalgar Falls、Titou Gorge、Wotten Waven Sulphur Springs）
Enjoy activities within the Roseau Valley. Driving times between sites are all under 30 minutes; alternatively, you can hire a driver for a half-day tour.
Stay: Roseau Valley and Wotten Waven
Day 8 · Full-Day Hike to Boiling Lake
Dominica Island（Boiling Lake & Valley of Desolation）
Start early in the morning from the trailhead near Laudat. The round-trip hike takes about 6 to 8 hours and requires a guide.
Rivers may become impassable after rain and trails can be very slippery. Reserve a backup day or switch to an easier trail if needed.
Stay: Roseau Valley and Wotten Waven
Day 9 · Ferry to Fort-de-France, Martinique
Martinique (Fort-de-France)（Grand Marché de Fort-de-France、Bibliothèque Schœlcher、La Savane）
Take the express ferry from Roseau to Fort-de-France (about 2 hours and 15 minutes). Walk or take a taxi to the city center after disembarking.
Stay: Fort-de-France
Day 10 · Route de la Trace to Saint-Pierre
Martinique (Fort-de-France)（Sacré-Cœur de Balata、Jardin de Balata、Saint-Pierre、Habitation Depaz）
Pick up your rental car and drive north through the rainforest along the Route de la Trace, passing Balata to reach Saint-Pierre. Return along the coast in the evening (about 2 hours total).
Stay: Fort-de-France
Day 11 · Snorkeling with Sea Turtles in the Southern Bays
Martinique (Fort-de-France)（Anse Dufour、Anse Noire、Les Anses-d'Arlet）
Drive south from Fort-de-France around the bay (about 1 hour). Return along the same route in the afternoon.
Stay: Fort-de-France
Day 12 · Ferry to Northern Saint Lucia
Martinique (Fort-de-France)（Fort Saint-Louis） → Castries（Reduit Beach）
Return your rental car in the morning, then take the afternoon express ferry to Saint Lucia (about 1.5 hours). Take a taxi to Rodney Bay.
Some ferry crossings arrive late in the evening. If so, postpone your visit to Reduit Beach to the following day.
Stay: Rodney Bay
Day 13 · Pigeon Island & Rodney Bay
Castries（Pigeon Island National Landmark、Rodney Bay Marina & Village）
Pigeon Island and the marina are both located around Rodney Bay, reachable within a 10-minute taxi ride or on foot.
On Friday night, you can attend the Gros Islet Street Party. It is accessible on foot or via a short taxi ride.
Stay: Rodney Bay
Day 14 · Southbound along the West Coast to the Pitons
Castries（Marigot Bay） → Soufrière, Saint Lucia（Diamond Botanical Gardens、Sulphur Springs、Tet Paul Nature Trail）
Hire a driver or rent a car to drive south along the winding west coast (about 1.5 hours), making stops along the way.
To avoid cruise ship crowds at Sulphur Springs, visit early in the morning or close to closing time.
Stay: The Pitons and Sugar Beach
Day 15 · Farewell Swim at Sugar Beach & Departure
Soufrière, Saint Lucia（Sugar Beach）
Swim at Sugar Beach in the morning, then drive via the southeast coast highway to Hewanorra International Airport (about 1 hour).