Where to Go in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

St Vincent
St Vincent is a lush, volcanic island of steep mountain ridges, valleys and waterfalls. The rugged eastern coast is lined with cliffs and rocky shores, while the western coastline dips sharply down to black-sand beaches. To the north, La Soufrière, St Vincent’s volcano, rises to 1219m (4000ft). St Vincent has frequent rains, and rich volcanic soil which produces an abundance of fruit, vegetables and spices. The interior flatlands and valleys are thickly planted with coconuts, bananas, breadfruit, nutmeg and arrowroot.

Kingstown
The capital of St Vincent is a lively port and market town on the southern coast. The town contains 12 small blocks with a variety of shops and a busy dock area, which is the center of commerce for the islands. The Saturday morning market, comprising many stalls piled high with fresh fruit and vegetables, brings everyone to town. In the center of Kingstown, St Mary’s Roman Catholic Cathedral, built of grey stone, is a graceful combination of several European architectural styles displaying Romanesque arches, Gothic spires and Moorish ornamentation. Its architecture has led Kingstown to become known as the City of Arches. The ruins of Fort Charlotte overlook a 180m (590ft) ridge north of town and offer a magnificent southward view of the Grenadines. The oldest Botanical Gardens in the Western hemisphere occupy 8.1 hectares (20 acres) to the north of Kingstown and contain a display of tropical trees, blossoms and plants, including a breadfruit tree descended from the original one brought to the island in 1765 by Captain Bligh.

Elsewhere on St Vincent
The Falls of Baleine, at the northern tip of St Vincent, are accessible only by boat. The 18m (59ft) freshwater falls stream from volcanic slopes and form a series of shallow pools at the base. A challenging hike for the more adventurous is the just over 5km (3 miles) journey up La Soufrière, St Vincent’s northern volcano, which affords a wonderful bird’s-eye view of the crater and its islands, and all of St Vincent.
Strung along the western coast are the fishing villages of Questelles, Layou, Barrouallie and Châteaubelair, all of which have charming pastel-colored cottages and excellent black-sand beaches from which fishermen set out daily in small brightly painted boats.

Young Island
Only 180m (590ft) off St Vincent, Young Island rises from the sea, a 10.1 hectare (25 acre) mountain blanketed with tropical foliage and blossoms. Young Island provides an excellent view of the procession of yachts sailing into the harbor of St Vincent. The entire island comprises one resort called Young Island Resort, which consists of 29 rustic cottages set on the beaches and hillsides. There is a freshwater pool and tennis courts hidden in the hilltop trees. Adjoining Young Island is the 18th-century Fort Duvernette, sculpted from an enormous rock, towering 60m (200ft) above the sea. A ferry, a smaller version of the African Queen, runs regularly between Young Island and St Vincent.

The Grenadines
Bequia
This island lies 14km (9 miles) south of St Vincent and is the largest of the Grenadines, measuring 18 sq km (7 sq miles). Little changed by time, it is an island on which life is completely oriented to the sea. It can be reached by boat, although there is an airport, the JF Mitchell. Its seclusion has ensured it retained its age-old traditions of boat building and fishing. In the marine park, spearfishing, snares and nets are prohibited. The islanders themselves are the world’s last hand-harpooners and their activities do not affect marine stocks, unlike the mechanized fishing of some fleets. The center of the island is hilly and forested, providing a dramatic backdrop to the bays and beaches. Admiralty Bay, the island’s natural harbor, is a favorite anchoring spot for yachtsmen from all over the world, and here visitors can watch men building their boats by hand on the shores. The attractive region around Lower Bay has good opportunities for swimming and other watersports.
The quaint waterfront of Port Elizabeth is lined with bars, restaurants and craft shops. Bequia is encircled by gold-sand beaches, many of which disappear into coves, excellent for sailing, scuba diving and snorkeling. Lodgings vary from luxurious resort cottages to small, simple West Indian inns. Much of the nightlife centers on the hotels and beachside barbecues, invariably accompanied by a steel band.

Mustique
Heading south, the next port of call is Mustique, a gem in the ocean taking up only 4.5 sq km (2 sq miles). Mustique is privately owned, with a landscape as gentle as its lifestyle – verdant hills roll into soft white-sand beaches and turquoise waters. This island has long been a hiding place for the rich and famous, including members of the British Royal Family. A sprawling 18th-century plantation house has been converted into the island’s only resort. Elegant accommodation is available in several stone houses, widely separated for seclusion. The public rooms of the Main House are beautifully decorated with antiques, and afternoon tea is served daily on the veranda. There is a hilltop swimming pool with a magnificent panorama, as well as tennis, horseriding, motorcycling and all watersports.

Canouan
The island claims some of the best beaches in the Caribbean – long stretches of powder-white sands, wide shallows and coral. The island stretches over 11 sq km (7.9 sq miles) and has two hotels: the Canouan Beach Hotel and Tamarind Beach Hotel. There are also three guest houses: the Anchor Inn, Crystal Apartments and Rebecca’s Place. The recently established Carenage Bay resort is a plush 5-star resort boasting two private beaches and excellent sports facilities including its 18-hole golf club, scuba diving, wind-surfing and tennis.

Tobago Cays
South of Canouan are the Tobago Cays, numerous islets and coves guarded by some of the most spectacular coral reefs in the world. Visitors can sail, snorkel and beachcomb in complete seclusion. The only way to get here is by chartered yacht.

Mayreau
East of the Cays is Mayreau, one of the smaller Grenadines, which has few residents. The island has one hotel, Salt Whistle Bay Resort, and can be reached by boat from Union Island. There is one guest house, Dennis’ Hideaway.

Union Island
Mount Parnassus on Union Island soars 275m (900ft) from the sea – guarding the entrance to the southern Grenadines. The 850 hectare (2100 acre) mountainous island is fringed by superb beaches and is the stopping-off point for yachtsmen and visitors heading to some of the smaller Grenadines. Clifton Harbour, the main town, is small and commercial. There are several beachfront inns with a relaxed atmosphere.

Palm Island
The 44.5 hectare (110 acre) flat Palm Island acquired its name from the graceful coconut palms that line the beaches – 8000 in all. This private island has been turned into a resort, the Palm Island Beach Club, made up of 20 beachfront stone cottages. Here it is possible to dine in the open air and all watersports take place off the wide, white shores.

Petit St Vincent
The southernmost Grenadine governed by St Vincent is Petit St Vincent, a 45.7 hectare (113 acre) resort set on beaches. The luxuriant foliage and the 22 villas of Petit St Vincent offer guests the ultimate luxury and seclusion, including private patios and seaside vistas. Visitors gather for meals in beachfront pavilions and the ambience is carefree and festive.


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