If your ideal vacations include sailing into shallow emerald bays, visiting uninhabited islands brimming with natural appeal, swimming in crystal-clear waters and sunbathing on secluded, pure white-sand beaches, then St. Vincent and The Grenadines will certainly fit the bill. And, with more than 30 cays and islands to explore, rest assured that your ventures here will include so much more than swimming and sunbathing! Here are a few ideas of exciting things to do in St. Vincent & The Grenadines!
Go Sailing With a Luxury Catamaran or Yacht
St. Vincent & The Grenadines’ islands are majestic, as is the archipelago that encompasses them. So, a sailing adventure aboard an elegant catamaran, schooner, or yacht is one of the best ways to explore all the magnificence that awaits.
You could join a private or shared crewed yacht and enjoy delicious tastes from local cuisine (could also include international flavours) or, why not, get hands-on sailing experience!
Some of the most preferred sailing itineraries include Bequia, Mustique, Union Island, and the other islands in the south of Saint Vincent, or northern destinations (if starting from the Grenadines) such as Petite Martinique, Carriacou, and the likes, with stops at iconic landmarks along the way (i.e., the Tobago Cays). Besides nature-watching and swimming with the dolphins, you will also see turtles greeting you as you sip your cocktail and the wind blows in your hair.
Opt for a Snorkelling and/or Diving Endeavour
As expected, the aquatic world of St. Vincent & The Grenadines is equally impressive as the natural wonders of its lands. One of the most popular dive sites in the entire Caribbean (among both advanced and beginner divers alike) is Mayreau Gardens, an exceptional spot for drift dives with an expansive coral reef formation home to flamingo tongues, garden eels, crinoids, and many more. A bit further off the site is the 1918 wreck of a British gunship (namely Puruni) that has found its last resting place some 12 metres (around 40 feet) deep.
Another great dive site in the region is Anchor Reef, considered one of the best in the world. Particularly appealing to wall diving enthusiasts, Anchor Reef offers a spectacular experience also featuring lovely coral reef formations! And, if you would love to see sharks, then Mopion Reef is where you need to be (on Petit St. Vincent island).
As for those that prefer the thrill of snorkelling, we suggest heading to Tobago Cays (a series of 5 small, picturesque, uninhabited islands), where you can snorkel with sea turtles in a marine protected area that is enveloped by finger corals and sea fans that form a shallow barrier reef. And, speaking of turtles, the island of Beguia is home to a wonderful nursery for endangered turtles (hawksbill) called Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary, where you can learn tons of information about conservation.
That aside, an equally beautiful snorkelling paradise is Bat Cave on Saint Vincent island, south of Buccament Bay, where you can snorkel through a narrow 9-metre-long (around 30 feet) tunnel accompanied by the sound of hundreds of bats chirping and clicking around you!
Admire Local Fauna and Flora at the Botanic & Marvel Gardens
The Botanic Gardens is one of the most famous landmarks in Saint Vincent and one of the oldest in the entire Western hemisphere, welcoming visitors with an astounding collection of trees, flowers, and plants. The 20-acre natural marvel opened in 1765 and has since been greeting people from all over the world with Saint Vincent Parrot, the country's national bird, breadfruit, and much more local and indigenous flora and fauna (free of charge up to the moment of this writing).
As for the Montreal Gardens, although not as colossal as the Botanic Gardens, it is a location high in the mountains covered with umbrella-like plants, patches of land where waxy ginger lilies are the protagonists, as are bromeliads, ferns, lizards, orchids, towering palms, and pathways with lush vegetation and views over the fertile Mesopotamia Valley.
Hike Through Fantastic Scenery
Hiking the Pinnacle on Union Island is, hands down, one of the most satisfying things to do in St. Vincent & The Grenadines. The 3-hour (return) trip will reward you with stunning 360-degree views of the island, the fantastic archipelago, and the Tobago Cays that dot it. Expect a straightforward walk for the most part, except for the final ascent, which becomes quite challenging as the elevation increases significantly. Not for the faint-hearted ones, for sure!
Now, if you would rather opt for something more “doable” for beginners and rookie hikers, then the trek to Dark View Falls is a perfect alternative. It is a 15-minute walk to one of the most idyllic and accessible waterfalls in Saint Vincent. Although not merely as difficult a hike as Pinnacle, Dark View Falls has a decent difficulty level since you will have to cross a river over a bamboo pole-made bridge before you can see the cascading falls and the two charming pools they form (these are also fabulous to bathe in).
Other Must-do Activities in Saint Vincent & The Grenadines
- Visit Happy Island on the outskirts of Union Island for a sip of rum punch. The iconic bar has been built with discarded conch shells offering delicious cocktails and sweeping seascapes. You may also come here to kitesurf or windsurf.
- Celebrate Vincy Mass at the end of June and join the festivities that include lots of music, carnival shows, steel band competitions, calypso competitions, and many more.
- Treat your palate to fresh grilled lobster in the Tobago Cays and Petit Bateau for an unforgettable dining experience.
- Plan a picnic for two on the deserted Mopion sand bar atop a coral reef and pamper your soul with a romantic setting featuring turquoise waters and a sugary shore.
- Stroll the Bequia boardwalk, a prime yachting destination in the country, with lots of restaurants and palm trees lining the waterfront, mind-blowing sandy shores, and a rocky, bougainvillea-filled wall.
If your ideal vacations include sailing into shallow emerald bays, visiting uninhabited islands brimming with natural appeal, swimming in crystal-clear waters and sunbathing on secluded, pure white-sand beaches, then St. Vincent and The Grenadines will certainly fit the bill. And, with more than 30 cays and islands to explore, rest assured that your ventures here will include so much more than swimming and sunbathing! Here are a few ideas of exciting things to do in St. Vincent & The Grenadines!
Go Sailing With a Luxury Catamaran or Yacht
St. Vincent & The Grenadines’ islands are majestic, as is the archipelago that encompasses them. So, a sailing adventure aboard an elegant catamaran, schooner, or yacht is one of the best ways to explore all the magnificence that awaits.
You could join a private or shared crewed yacht and enjoy delicious tastes from local cuisine (could also include international flavours) or, why not, get hands-on sailing experience!
Some of the most preferred sailing itineraries include Bequia, Mustique, Union Island, and the other islands in the south of Saint Vincent, or northern destinations (if starting from the Grenadines) such as Petite Martinique, Carriacou, and the likes, with stops at iconic landmarks along the way (i.e., the Tobago Cays). Besides nature-watching and swimming with the dolphins, you will also see turtles greeting you as you sip your cocktail and the wind blows in your hair.
Opt for a Snorkelling and/or Diving Endeavour
As expected, the aquatic world of St. Vincent & The Grenadines is equally impressive as the natural wonders of its lands. One of the most popular dive sites in the entire Caribbean (among both advanced and beginner divers alike) is Mayreau Gardens, an exceptional spot for drift dives with an expansive coral reef formation home to flamingo tongues, garden eels, crinoids, and many more. A bit further off the site is the 1918 wreck of a British gunship (namely Puruni) that has found its last resting place some 12 metres (around 40 feet) deep.
Another great dive site in the region is Anchor Reef, considered one of the best in the world. Particularly appealing to wall diving enthusiasts, Anchor Reef offers a spectacular experience also featuring lovely coral reef formations! And, if you would love to see sharks, then Mopion Reef is where you need to be (on Petit St. Vincent island).
As for those that prefer the thrill of snorkelling, we suggest heading to Tobago Cays (a series of 5 small, picturesque, uninhabited islands), where you can snorkel with sea turtles in a marine protected area that is enveloped by finger corals and sea fans that form a shallow barrier reef. And, speaking of turtles, the island of Beguia is home to a wonderful nursery for endangered turtles (hawksbill) called Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary, where you can learn tons of information about conservation.
That aside, an equally beautiful snorkelling paradise is Bat Cave on Saint Vincent island, south of Buccament Bay, where you can snorkel through a narrow 9-metre-long (around 30 feet) tunnel accompanied by the sound of hundreds of bats chirping and clicking around you!
Admire Local Fauna and Flora at the Botanic & Marvel Gardens
The Botanic Gardens is one of the most famous landmarks in Saint Vincent and one of the oldest in the entire Western hemisphere, welcoming visitors with an astounding collection of trees, flowers, and plants. The 20-acre natural marvel opened in 1765 and has since been greeting people from all over the world with Saint Vincent Parrot, the country's national bird, breadfruit, and much more local and indigenous flora and fauna (free of charge up to the moment of this writing).
As for the Montreal Gardens, although not as colossal as the Botanic Gardens, it is a location high in the mountains covered with umbrella-like plants, patches of land where waxy ginger lilies are the protagonists, as are bromeliads, ferns, lizards, orchids, towering palms, and pathways with lush vegetation and views over the fertile Mesopotamia Valley.
Hike Through Fantastic Scenery
Hiking the Pinnacle on Union Island is, hands down, one of the most satisfying things to do in St. Vincent & The Grenadines. The 3-hour (return) trip will reward you with stunning 360-degree views of the island, the fantastic archipelago, and the Tobago Cays that dot it. Expect a straightforward walk for the most part, except for the final ascent, which becomes quite challenging as the elevation increases significantly. Not for the faint-hearted ones, for sure!
Now, if you would rather opt for something more “doable” for beginners and rookie hikers, then the trek to Dark View Falls is a perfect alternative. It is a 15-minute walk to one of the most idyllic and accessible waterfalls in Saint Vincent. Although not merely as difficult a hike as Pinnacle, Dark View Falls has a decent difficulty level since you will have to cross a river over a bamboo pole-made bridge before you can see the cascading falls and the two charming pools they form (these are also fabulous to bathe in).
Other Must-do Activities in Saint Vincent & The Grenadines
- Visit Happy Island on the outskirts of Union Island for a sip of rum punch. The iconic bar has been built with discarded conch shells offering delicious cocktails and sweeping seascapes. You may also come here to kitesurf or windsurf.
- Celebrate Vincy Mass at the end of June and join the festivities that include lots of music, carnival shows, steel band competitions, calypso competitions, and many more.
- Treat your palate to fresh grilled lobster in the Tobago Cays and Petit Bateau for an unforgettable dining experience.
- Plan a picnic for two on the deserted Mopion sand bar atop a coral reef and pamper your soul with a romantic setting featuring turquoise waters and a sugary shore.
- Stroll the Bequia boardwalk, a prime yachting destination in the country, with lots of restaurants and palm trees lining the waterfront, mind-blowing sandy shores, and a rocky, bougainvillea-filled wall.