St. Vincent & the Grenadines is an undeniable enchantress in the Caribbean sea, with 32 islands, and only nine inhabited. Seducing visitors with an astounding variety of things to see, from eco-tour-perfect tropical rainforests and fantastic marine parks to magnificent coral reefs, fine-sand beaches, and secluded coves and bays, it is certainly no wonder that St. Vincent and The Grenadines is such as a popular vacation destination. Among the countless things to see while taking much-needed time off from work and the hurried modern lifestyle, here is a definitive guide giving you a quick peek into your available options across all major inhabited islands of the region!
Saint Vincent – A Lively Meeting Point
A crown jewel in the country’s tiara and the largest island in the region that is home to La Soufriere, a volcano that last erupted in 2021. The interior of Saint Vincent island is densely forested and mountainous, providing visitors with landscapes featuring lush vegetation and impressive natural wonders, such as the Vermont Nature Trail that will take you around the island and give you a chance to see more than 500 native parrots and several of the island’s endemic species.
Other scenic locations worth seeing from up close are Fort Charlotte along the coastline, the spectacular Dark View Falls at the foot of La Soufriere, and the Botanic Gardens near the bustling capital, Kingstown, and its amazing architecture. The Botanic Gardens is where you will find tropical and rare native plants spreading over 20 acres of verdant land featuring a gorgeous background and preserving (and conserving) the diverse biodiversity of the country.
Needless to say, while exploring Saint Vincent, you should visit the volcanic-sand beaches of the island, which are an exciting contrast to the other sugary Caribbean beaches.
Bequia – Where Heaven Meets Earth
If you are planning a visit to Bequia island, which got its name from the ancient Arawak people and means “the island of the clouds,” then be prepared for a tropical oasis with a vibrant yachting community in Port Elizabeth, spellbinding coral reefs, powdery shores, and an extremely laid-back and lively vibe.
With lots of fascinating scuba diving spots and a plethora of aquatic and sea-related things to see, including shipwrecks, Bequia is full of pleasant surprises. As for its above-water charms, the second-largest island in the entire region is full of small and quaint restaurants serving tasty local dishes, a private 1960s-founded nature preserve, and a community called Moonhole that sits on the western tip of the island. At first, the house with the massive tree growing through its master bedroom, which occupies a pristine location within the Moonhole preserve, had no electricity and was even built using whale bones, native hardwoods, and various items collected on the shore. If for anything else, Moonhole is worth visiting as a site dedicated to preserving and protecting the local nature and its unique architecture. Plus, for the incredible views of the ocean that can be enjoyed from nearly all rooms and the expansive veranda.
Petit St. Vincent – Luxurious and Diverse
Tucked in the southernmost part of Saint Vincent & The Grenadines region, Petit St. Vincent is now a prime destination for the elite of this world, who fly to the beautiful cay for the high-end amenities and luxury services it provides. Petit St. Vincent is a private exclusive resort from end to end with adorable sandy shores that stretch for miles. As for its interior, it greets visitors with a lush tropical forest, a wonderful network of hiking trails, and green rolling hills. Of course, the allures and natural beauties of the surrounding areas can also be seen through kayaking, boating, snorkelling, cruising, diving, and even fishing!
Canouan – Beautifully Contrasting
The charming island with the idyllic barrier reef protecting it from the harshness of the Atlantic Ocean is particularly famous for its sandy beaches and the stunning landscape enveloping Mount Royal, an imposing figure that dominates the scenery, as well as attractions like Grand Bay, near the main town of the island, Charlestown. Also heart-stopping and worth your time is the lovely south Glossy Bay with the calm and crystal-clear waters, relaxed atmosphere, and mind-blowing vistas of the southern Grenadines. For a total change of scenery, consider heading to Windward Bay and lay eyes on a terrain where volcanic rocks prevail, demonstrating Canouan’s volcanic origins.
Union Island & Happy Island
Union Island is unique, unlike anything else you may have probably seen in your life so far. Nestled off the Grenadines’ coast, it is home to Happy Island, a one-of-a-kind home and bar built entirely with bits of exposed coral rocks and conch shells the owner and builder (also a local artist), Janti Ramage, scavenged from the shores over several years. Coming to Happy Island will instantly make you realise why it has been named like that. And, if you need a little push, take a look at the sweeping seascapes and views offered from the patio as you treat your palate with some of the most delicious drinks, rum punches, and cocktails just before the sun slips behind the horizon.
Mustique – Private and Scenic
The archipelago is dotted with islands like Mustique, a private cay with the picturesque North Point trail that takes visitors through the island’s coastal locations, a few charming villages, around a hundred private villas available to rent, and two stylish hotels. In addition, expect lands home to many native seabirds and bird species and adorable, powdery shores such as Endeavour Bay Beach, Macaroni Beach, and Pasture Bay Beach, from where you can see the coral reefs that encircle the island and its plethoric and diverse marine life. Add the stunning tiny villages with fruit stalls and small shops to all these, and you will be giving the most authentic Caribbean notes to your island ventures.
Mayreau – Delightful and Endearing
Mayreau is the smallest child in the family spanning merely over 3.89 square kilometres (around 1,5 square miles) featuring only a single village perched atop Station Hill that has no name! Come here if you wish to get a taste of genuine Caribbean vibes which will put you in island mode instantly. Take a leisure stroll along the narrow streets and see where they take you. And, if you reach the old Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception, give yourself a moment to soak up the spectacular panoramas of Union Island, Canouan, and Tobago Bays – even Saline Bay and its salt pond!
St. Vincent & the Grenadines is an undeniable enchantress in the Caribbean sea, with 32 islands, and only nine inhabited. Seducing visitors with an astounding variety of things to see, from eco-tour-perfect tropical rainforests and fantastic marine parks to magnificent coral reefs, fine-sand beaches, and secluded coves and bays, it is certainly no wonder that St. Vincent and The Grenadines is such as a popular vacation destination. Among the countless things to see while taking much-needed time off from work and the hurried modern lifestyle, here is a definitive guide giving you a quick peek into your available options across all major inhabited islands of the region!
Saint Vincent – A Lively Meeting Point
A crown jewel in the country’s tiara and the largest island in the region that is home to La Soufriere, a volcano that last erupted in 2021. The interior of Saint Vincent island is densely forested and mountainous, providing visitors with landscapes featuring lush vegetation and impressive natural wonders, such as the Vermont Nature Trail that will take you around the island and give you a chance to see more than 500 native parrots and several of the island’s endemic species.
Other scenic locations worth seeing from up close are Fort Charlotte along the coastline, the spectacular Dark View Falls at the foot of La Soufriere, and the Botanic Gardens near the bustling capital, Kingstown, and its amazing architecture. The Botanic Gardens is where you will find tropical and rare native plants spreading over 20 acres of verdant land featuring a gorgeous background and preserving (and conserving) the diverse biodiversity of the country.
Needless to say, while exploring Saint Vincent, you should visit the volcanic-sand beaches of the island, which are an exciting contrast to the other sugary Caribbean beaches.
Bequia – Where Heaven Meets Earth
If you are planning a visit to Bequia island, which got its name from the ancient Arawak people and means “the island of the clouds,” then be prepared for a tropical oasis with a vibrant yachting community in Port Elizabeth, spellbinding coral reefs, powdery shores, and an extremely laid-back and lively vibe.
With lots of fascinating scuba diving spots and a plethora of aquatic and sea-related things to see, including shipwrecks, Bequia is full of pleasant surprises. As for its above-water charms, the second-largest island in the entire region is full of small and quaint restaurants serving tasty local dishes, a private 1960s-founded nature preserve, and a community called Moonhole that sits on the western tip of the island. At first, the house with the massive tree growing through its master bedroom, which occupies a pristine location within the Moonhole preserve, had no electricity and was even built using whale bones, native hardwoods, and various items collected on the shore. If for anything else, Moonhole is worth visiting as a site dedicated to preserving and protecting the local nature and its unique architecture. Plus, for the incredible views of the ocean that can be enjoyed from nearly all rooms and the expansive veranda.
Petit St. Vincent – Luxurious and Diverse
Tucked in the southernmost part of Saint Vincent & The Grenadines region, Petit St. Vincent is now a prime destination for the elite of this world, who fly to the beautiful cay for the high-end amenities and luxury services it provides. Petit St. Vincent is a private exclusive resort from end to end with adorable sandy shores that stretch for miles. As for its interior, it greets visitors with a lush tropical forest, a wonderful network of hiking trails, and green rolling hills. Of course, the allures and natural beauties of the surrounding areas can also be seen through kayaking, boating, snorkelling, cruising, diving, and even fishing!
Canouan – Beautifully Contrasting
The charming island with the idyllic barrier reef protecting it from the harshness of the Atlantic Ocean is particularly famous for its sandy beaches and the stunning landscape enveloping Mount Royal, an imposing figure that dominates the scenery, as well as attractions like Grand Bay, near the main town of the island, Charlestown. Also heart-stopping and worth your time is the lovely south Glossy Bay with the calm and crystal-clear waters, relaxed atmosphere, and mind-blowing vistas of the southern Grenadines. For a total change of scenery, consider heading to Windward Bay and lay eyes on a terrain where volcanic rocks prevail, demonstrating Canouan’s volcanic origins.
Union Island & Happy Island
Union Island is unique, unlike anything else you may have probably seen in your life so far. Nestled off the Grenadines’ coast, it is home to Happy Island, a one-of-a-kind home and bar built entirely with bits of exposed coral rocks and conch shells the owner and builder (also a local artist), Janti Ramage, scavenged from the shores over several years. Coming to Happy Island will instantly make you realise why it has been named like that. And, if you need a little push, take a look at the sweeping seascapes and views offered from the patio as you treat your palate with some of the most delicious drinks, rum punches, and cocktails just before the sun slips behind the horizon.
Mustique – Private and Scenic
The archipelago is dotted with islands like Mustique, a private cay with the picturesque North Point trail that takes visitors through the island’s coastal locations, a few charming villages, around a hundred private villas available to rent, and two stylish hotels. In addition, expect lands home to many native seabirds and bird species and adorable, powdery shores such as Endeavour Bay Beach, Macaroni Beach, and Pasture Bay Beach, from where you can see the coral reefs that encircle the island and its plethoric and diverse marine life. Add the stunning tiny villages with fruit stalls and small shops to all these, and you will be giving the most authentic Caribbean notes to your island ventures.
Mayreau – Delightful and Endearing
Mayreau is the smallest child in the family spanning merely over 3.89 square kilometres (around 1,5 square miles) featuring only a single village perched atop Station Hill that has no name! Come here if you wish to get a taste of genuine Caribbean vibes which will put you in island mode instantly. Take a leisure stroll along the narrow streets and see where they take you. And, if you reach the old Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception, give yourself a moment to soak up the spectacular panoramas of Union Island, Canouan, and Tobago Bays – even Saline Bay and its salt pond!