Consider traveling to St. Vincent and the Grenadines if you’re looking for an unspoiled escape and some of the
best sailing in the world. St. Vincent remains so pristine that its coastline provided an authentic colonial backdrop for filming
“Pirates of the Caribbean.” And hey, if it’s good enough for Rolling Stones front man Mick Jagger, who has a house on
Mustique in the Grenadines, you’ll probably be happy here, too.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Basic Travel Information
Location: Between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Size: 150 square miles total; Saint Vincent is 133 square miles. See Map
Capital: Kingstown
Language: English, French patois
Religions: Anglican, Methodist, and Roman Catholic
Currency: Eastern Caribbean dollar, which is fixed to the U.S. dollar
Area Code: 784
Tipping: 10 to 15 percent
Weather: The average yearly temperature is 81 degrees. Hurricane season is from June to November.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Flag
Airport: E. T. Joshua Airport (Check Flights)
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Activities and Attractions
Many visitors come to St. Vincent for the
superb sailing around the Grenadines, a 40-mile-long string of tiny islands, their white sands punctuating the turquoise blue of the surrounding ocean. Whether you have your own yacht or are just taking the local ferry, you can sail from island to island, alighting on places like
Bequia and there to explore. On St. Vincent, take in the lush natural surroundings while hiking to active volcano La Soufrière, through the rainforest, or to one of the island’s spectacular waterfalls, Trinity Falls and the Falls of Baleine. Kingston’s botanic gardens are also worth a visit.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Beaches
One of the most popular swimming beaches on St. Vincent is Villa Beach, but it can get quite crowded. Beaches such as Argyle and Black Point on the windward, or eastern, side of the island have beautiful black sand, but because of rough water they are better for picnics than for swimming. In the Grenadines, Canouan is ringed by soft, white sand beaches and blue lagoons that are great for diving and snorkeling. On
Bequia, top spots are Friendship Bay, Princess Margaret Beach and Lower Bay. Finally, Mustique is almost as famous for its wonderful white-sand beaches as for its celebrity visitors.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Hotels and Resorts
Other than the
Young Island resort, which occupies a small island off the coast, and the new
Buccament Bay Resort, St. Vincent’s accommodation options are fairly low-key. One well-priced option is the New Montrose Hotel (
Book Now), which has two-bedroom family apartments that come with kitchenettes. If you want luxury, head to the Grenadines, where you’ll find some truly jaw-dropping resorts. Some of these, like
Petit St. Vincent resort and
Palm Island, are the only option on the islands they occupy, while the
Cotton House on Mustique is one of most elegant and exclusive hotels in the Caribbean.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Restaurants and Cuisine
While many visitors to St. Vincent choose to take at least a few of their meals at their hotel, you can seek out some good local spots along the Villa and Indian Bay beach strip. Even if you’re not staying at Young Island, a meal here makes for a supremely romantic evening. On Mustique, try the simple, classic seafood dishes at Basil’s Beach Bar, where there's always a chance of rubbing shoulders with royalty or rock stars.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Culture and History
Resistance by the
Carib Indians prevented the colonization of St. Vincent until 1719. France and the United Kingdom fought over the island until it was ceded to the British in 1783. Autonomy was granted in 1969 and independence in 1979. Music and festivals throughout the Grenadines are informed by Carib and West African culture.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Events and Festivals
Some of the big events on St. Vincent include Fisherman’s Month in May;
Vincy Mas, or Carnival, which goes from the end of June to the beginning of July; and
Bequia’s Easter Regatta, a popular sailing event in April.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Nightlife
Much of the nightlife centers on the bigger resorts, which have barbecues and live music. On St. Vincent, check out the offerings at Young Resort, or try the Iguana nightclub near Villa Beach.
