St Vincent and the Grenadines

The nation of St Vincent and the Grenadines is comprised of eight inhabited islands and about two dozen other islands and cays.  These islands are at the lower end of the Lesser Antilles and the Windward Islands.  Scattered across the populated islands are guesthouses, hotels, and all-inclusive resorts, some with their own islands.  Other remote and untouched islands in this area have retained their natural beauty, and remain private spots accessible by boat.  This area has some of the best yachting in the Caribbean.

Mayreau Beach in the Grenadines

Early residents on these islands were the Carib and Arawak Indians.  At one point, these Indians rescued some shipwrecked slaves and intermarriage produced Black Caribs.  The British came in 1722 and established sugar plantations.  Many of the plantations were later destroyed by a hurricane, as well as by a volcanic eruption.  As a result of these types of disasters, St Vincent and the Grenadines have taken longer to develop their tourist trade.

St Vincent, the largest populated island in the group, features a rain forest, cultivated valleys, and an active volcano.  Kingstown is the capital city of St Vincent and the Grenadines, and its tourist attractions include a cruise ship terminal as well as the Botanic Gardens, which were established in 1765.  Outside Kingston, the Montreal Estate Gardens grow in the Mesopotamia region, and Hadley Blooms, an anthurium nursery, produces beautiful flowers.  Saint Vincent also hosts a volcano, La Soufrière, and a waterfall, the Falls of Baleine.  For a day trip, consider a cruise aboard the Friendship Rose, a traditional, hand-built Caribbean schooner.

The Grenadines offer small hotels, simple food, and secluded, white sand beaches.  The coves around these islands are among the finest snorkeling locales on Earth.  Some of the Grenadine islands have airstrips that service a cluster of smaller islands.  Boatbuilders and fishermen are common sights, and most communities on these islands are linked by boat service.

St Vincent and the Grenadines Map

Click map to enlarge.

St Vincent and the Grenadines Links

• Frommers > St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Frommers > The Grenadines
• Lonely Planet > Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• U.S. Dept of State > St Vincent and the Grenadines

• Bequia

  Just an hour south of Kingston by ferry, Bequia has plenty of unique opportunities for tourists.  Shops, restaurants, Spring on Bequia (a hotel, working studio, and art gallery), the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary, and a whaling museum are among the attractions vying for your time.

  • Bequia Tourism Association
  • Bequia Island Holiday Guide
  • Frommers > Bequia

• Canouan

  The "island of turtles" is a great place to study sea turtles in June.

  • Canouan Island, Heart of the Grenadines
  • Frommers > Canouan

• Carriacou

  This island is part of Grenada.

• Mayreau

  Mayreau's beaches at Saltwhistle Bay are popular with windsurfers and kiteboarders.

  • Frommers > Mayreau

• Mustique

  Rent a private villa on this popular celebrity hideaway, and enjoy the secluded setting and numerous white sand beaches.

  • Mustique
  • Frommers > Mustique

• Palm Island

  A miniscule island with a private resort.

  • Elite Island Resorts
  • Frommers > Palm Island

• Petit Martinique

  This island is part of Grenada.

• Petit St Vincent

  For a private and luxurious vacation, rent a cottage on Petit St. Vincent.

  • Welcome to Petit St. Vincent
  • Frommers > Petit St Vincent

• Tobago Cays

  These uninhabited bits of land attract snorkelers, divers, and sailors.

  • Tobago Cays

• Union Island

  Visit Mount Parnassus or head on to Tobago Cays from Union Island.

  • Frommers > Union Island

• Young Island

  A tiny tropical island with a resort.

  • Young Island Resort - St Vincent

St Vincent and the Grenadines