The Best of the Lesser Antilles

Nestled in the glittering Caribbean Sea, the Lesser Antilles archipelago is a chain of largely submerged mountains. The outer arc from Anguilla to Barbados comprises largely flat limestone islands, the inner arc a series of dramatic volcanic cones from Saba to Grenada. This holiday takes us to the lush, heavily forested, volcanic islands of St. Lucia, Dominica and Guadaloupe, each home to a diverse range of terrestrial and aquatic wildlife with high endemism.

We start and end this holiday on the beautiful island of St. Lucia, enjoying our first three nights on a secluded 60-acre site with lush, tropical gardens and private beach. Even at breakfast, on the large open-air verandah, we can enjoy nesting Antillean Crested Hummingbirds, Bananaquits and Mangrove Cuckoos. Birding the sprawling Des Cartiers Rainforest, coastal woodlands, and dry broad-leaved forests, species will range from the magnificent St. Lucia Parrot, minuscule Lesser Antillean Euphonia, bemusing Grey Trembler and inquisitive Scaly-breasted Thrasher. At the island's highest point we find Red-billed Tropicbirds! We also take a boat trip to St. Lucia’s two small island neighbours - Maria Major and Maria Minor, home to two of the rarest reptiles on the planet: St. Lucia Whiptail Lizard and St. Lucia Racer! Another privately chartered catamaran cruise allows us to snorkel in the calm, azure waters, home to Hawksbill and Green Turtles as well as a staggering variety of tropical fish.

Leaving St. Lucia, we take a short flight to the stunning, forest-clad, rugged island of Dominica for four nights. Here we  Within the lush rainforests of towering Mt. Soufriere we aim to observe a range of species from the critically endangered Whistling Warbler to the majestic Imperial Amazon with migrant North American warblers such as American Redstart, Prothonotary and Black-and-White Warbler. Again, we shall take to the waters to observe mighty Sperm Whales at close quarters along with other cetaceans and a range of special seabirds.

We then enjoy 2 nights on Guadaloupe. We will spend a relaxed morning birding in Parc National de la Guadeloupe. In the north of the island we visit a large wetland which, given the timing of our tour, should prove a reliable site for a selection of overwintering North American waders and waterfowl. These tiny island gems are a true naturalist’s delight. Those wishing to extend the holiday to snorkel with Sperm Whales can do so or the tour combines with our popular Trinidad and Tobago holiday.