Should I use ferries or planes?

Use ferries only for very short distances (e.g., St. Kitts to Nevis, or St. Vincent to Bequia). For longer hops, planes are significantly faster and more reliable than the inter-island ferry services.

Do I need to carry cash?

Yes. While cards work in hotels, many local transport providers and beach vendors operate on cash. Use Eastern Caribbean Dollars (XCD) where possible to get better pricing than paying in USD.

Planning an Eastern Caribbean Island-Hopping Trip

Stick to two, at most three, islands within a 10-day window to avoid losing your entire vacation to travel days. Use regional carriers like LIAT or InterCaribbean for short hops, and always book these flights at least three weeks in advance to manage costs.

Choose your primary hub. Select one major island with a large international airport (like Barbados, St. Lucia, or Antigua) as your starting point to minimize connection headaches.
Map your route geographically. Group islands by proximity to keep flight times under 60 minutes. For example, keep your route within the Windward Islands (St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Grenada) or the Leeward Islands (Antigua, St. Kitts, Nevis) rather than crossing the entire chain.
Book inter-island flights mid-week. Regional flight prices spike on Fridays and Sundays. Aim for Tuesday or Wednesday departures between islands to save roughly 20-30% on ticket costs.
Factor in the 'Airport Buffer'. Island airports are prone to delays. Never schedule an international flight home on the same day you are taking an inter-island flight; arrive at your final hub 24 hours before your departure home.

Should I use ferries or planes?: Use ferries only for very short distances (e.g., St. Kitts to Nevis, or St. Vincent to Bequia). For longer hops, planes are significantly faster and more reliable than the inter-island ferry services.
Do I need to carry cash?: Yes. While cards work in hotels, many local transport providers and beach vendors operate on cash. Use Eastern Caribbean Dollars (XCD) where possible to get better pricing than paying in USD.