St. Vincent and the Grenadines is an archipelago of 32 islands and cays located in the eastern Caribbean between St. Lucia 24 miles north and Grenada 75 miles to the south. St.Vincent, Young Island Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, Union Island, Palm Island and Petit St. Vincent are the only inhabited islands and range in size from .2 sq miles to 133 sq miles. The Tobago Cays, a group of five uninhabited islands surrounded by a horseshoe reef, is a protected marine park and home to an abundance of sea turtles.
English is the official language in St.Vincent and the Grenadines and the average daytime temperatures range from 24°C/75°F to 30°C/87°F. The local currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$) which is pegged to the US dollar at a cash rate of $2.67 for 1$ US. A democratically elected government and Prime Minister have obtained since the attainment of Independence from Great Britain on October 27th, 1979.
The main island St.Vincent is a volcanic one with mainly black sand beaches on both the Atlantic and Caribbean coasts, while the southern tip of the islands offers golden sandy beaches. Young Island, 200 yards off St.Vincent, and the Grenadine islands all boast white sand beaches making St. Vincent and the Grenadines a unique destination.
Mainland St.Vincent has a mountainous topography with La Soufriere volcano rising 4,048ft at the Northern end of the island and is home to the oldest Botanical Gardens in the Western hemisphere. Several waterfalls, rivers and hiking trails, dense forests and colourful wildlife make St.Vincent a true haven for the nature and eco friendly visitors. The smaller islands of the Grenadines are diverse in topography and each having different aspects of culture.
EAT
• The national dish of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is Fried Jackfish and Roasted Breadfruit.
• Caribbean and International cuisine is generally offered at hotels and restaurants.
• Fresh fish and lobster and locally grown fruits and vegetables are common.
The unique multi-island culture has shaped the cuisine of St. Vincent and the Grenadines into a style of its own, and hotel and restaurant chefs have taken local fare to such sublime heights of flavor, that visitors refer to the food as part of the package of memories they savor from the St. Vincent and the Grenadines experience. As a country which is blessed with fertile soils and a vibrant fishing industry, visitors can be assured that they will dine on the freshest produce.
PLAY
• Hike one of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’s nature trails.
• Scuba dive in the pristine waters and discover a whole new world.
• Kite surf in the southern Grenadines
• Sail through our 32 islands.
• Visit during the Bequia Musical festival or the Mustique Blues Festival.
St.Vincent and the Grenadines is a haven for the adventurous sailor who is seeking that perfect sailing paradise. The Tobago Cays, a protected marine park consisting of 5 uninhabited islands surrounded by a horseshoe reef, is the perfect spot to drop anchor and swim with the turtles or picnic where Captain Jack Sparrow built his bonfire.
La Soufriere volcano is the perfect hike for the athletic visitor; or the Vermont Nature Trail for those looking for a less strenuous outing, and a sighting of the St.Vincent parrot (Amazona Guildingii). For a panoramic view of St.Vincent and the Grenadines, Fort Charlotte overlooking capital Kingstown and the Grenadines islands commands views inland also.
In Bequia the Whale Museum and Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary awaits; visit during Vincy Mas in June/July or during Nine Mornings Festival in December and immerse yourself in Vincentian culture at its best. Nine Mornings is a unique Vincentian festivity which takes place on the nine mornings before Christmas. People awake in the early hours of the morning and partake in activities like sea bathing, dances, bicycle riding, concerts, and other fun competitions.
CHILL
• Stroll through the oldest Botanical Gardens in the Western hemisphere.
• Take a scenic drive on the Windward or Leeward coast or the majestic Mesopotamia valley.
• Absorb the serenity at one of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’s waterfalls.
Kingstown the capital is home to the Botanic Gardens where a sucker from the first breadfruit tree brought to the island by Captain Bligh of the Bounty fame grows. A leisurely stroll or guided tour through the gardens will calm the soul while observing exotic plants and the Vincentian parrot. Alternatively, travel to Canouan Island and golf the day away at the 18 hole Jim Fazio designed course set on dramatic sloping hills and along the oceans edge at the Canouan Estate.
STAY
• Several small island resorts in the Grenadines offer superb accommodation.
• Intimate boutique properties will cater to your every need.
• Villas and apartments are also options on several of our islands.
The ultimate in island hospitality awaits you in this multi island destination. No high rise chain hotels exist, but the destination offers something for every taste and budget, whether you are vacationing with the family, honeymooning or on a business trip. The coastal southern tip of St.Vincent is a popular tourist area with several beachside hotels and self-catering apartments.
The largest Grenadine island Bequia, is abound with hillside villas, beachfront hotels and quaint apartments. In Mustique, two small hotels exist amidst a bevy of idyllic villas. Young Island, Palm Island and Petit St.Vincent are all boutique resorts with accommodation carefully placed to give privacy. The new Pink Sands Club, Canouan Estate Villas and Tamarind Beach Hotel in Canouan are all exquisite choices. Union Island is abuzz with yachting activity, but several unique properties cater to your every desire.
St. Vincent and the Grenadine’s high season runs from December to March, shoulder season from April to July, with August to November representing the low season. New hotel developments in St.Vincent and the Grenadines are on the horizon as the country’s new Argyle International Airport will open in early 2017.
TIPS
• Always remember of bring suitable shoes and clothing for hiking (if that is on your list).
• It is illegal to wear camouflage clothing in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
• Make plans in advance if you would like to island hop in the Grenadines.
• Mini vans are a cheap way to travel but taxis or tour companies are better for sightseeing.
• Please remember to drive on the left side of the road.
• Illegal drugs, spear fishing equipment and arms and ammunition are prohibited by customs.
• A departure tax of EC$50 is included on all airline tickets.
• The eastern Caribbean dollar is the local currency – Exchange rate US$1= EC$2.67.
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines’s voltage is 220 volts – 50 cycles. Most hotels have 110 volts or adaptors.