St. Vincent and the Grenadines Journey Information

In a nook of the Caribbean hidden removed from the cruise ship crowds, St. Vincent and the Grenadines has lengthy been difficult to achieve — until you will have a non-public jet, that’s. Studded with ultra-exclusive resorts and opulent non-public villas, islands in the Grenadines like Bequia, Mustique, and Canouan are stated to be the place billionaires go to get away from the millionaires. However what of St. Vincent, the most important of the nation’s 33 islands and cays?

“St. Vincent is called an eco-lover’s dream vacation spot,” says Jamila Soso-Vincent, public relations supervisor on the new Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Right here, coastal cliffs and crags are punctuated by black-sand seashores and wealthy rainforest hides a towering volcanic cone. So abundantly adventurous is St. Vincent that the World Journey Awards designated it the Caribbean’s Main Nature Vacation spot in 2024.

St. Vincent is unspoiled however not unnoticed. A slew of latest direct flights makes it extra accessible, and the decidedly luxurious new Sandals resort makes it extra tempting than ever to stay round. Now could be completely the time to go to — it’s certainly one of Journey + Leisure‘s Greatest Locations to Journey in 2025, in spite of everything.

Greatest Accommodations & Resorts

Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines

It is no exaggeration to say that the brand-new Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines offers discerning vacationers a cause to stay round on St. Vincent relatively than head straight to the Grenadines. Overwater bungalows suspended over turquoise waters are enviable, however even the entry-level rooms and suites impress with non-public balconies and patios. Surrounding mountains and a lovely golden-sand seaside make this an idyllic spot for these trying to keep put or a handy launch pad for these excited to discover the island.

Mandarin Oriental, Canouan

Nestled on essentially the most unique island within the Grenadines, the Mandarin Oriental, Canouan is the definition of an island paradise. This premier property boasts 26 palatial suites, in addition to a handful of exquisitely appointed villas tucked right into a verdant hillside to maximise ocean views. An intimate, guest-only spa options 10 oceanfront remedy villas and two overwater spa bungalows accessible solely by boat.

Petit St. Vincent

Petit St. Vincent (presently closed for post-hurricane repairs) earns a spot on T+L’s checklist of the finest all-inclusive resorts within the Caribbean, however that is nothing just like the traditional all-inclusive expertise you could be picturing. This non-public island property options simply 22 one- and two-bedroom cottages and villas surrounded by sandy shoals and crystal-clear waters. An intimate spa, a dive heart, and beautiful eating spherical out a memorable expertise in what has been referred to as certainly one of essentially the most stunning locations within the Caribbean.

Palm Island Resort & Spa

It’s a journey to get right here, however that’s a part of the attraction of Palm Island Resort & Spa (additionally presently closed for post-hurricane repairs). Pristine sands studded with, you guessed it, coconut palms disguise only a handful of rooms, suites, and villas throughout a stunning 135-acre non-public island. Two eating places and a laundry checklist of facilities and actions imply there shall be no island fever right here, although the resort presents loads of alternatives for excursions, simply in case you do.

Soho Seashore Home Canouan

Soho Seashore Home Canouan is the primary Caribbean outpost of the gathering of high-profile, members-only Soho Home golf equipment that dot the globe, however in Canouan, company can benefit from the unique really feel with out being a member. Every of the property’s 40 rooms incorporates a non-public balcony or patio, making it simple to slide onto the white sands or unwind with uninterrupted ocean views.

Greatest Issues to Do

Summit La Soufrière.

Take the La Soufrière Cross-country Path to the crest of St. Vincent’s towering lively volcano for views that can take your breath away. Guides are required for this 3-4 hour out-and-back journey, thought of reasonably strenuous however supremely rewarding. Or, “take a stroll by means of the Vermont Nature Path for lush vegetation and a glimpse of our nationwide parrot flying overhead,” recommends Soso-Vincent for a neater different.

Snorkel in Tobago Cays Marine Park.

Often known as the “Jewel within the Crown” of the Grenadines, Tobago Cays Marine Park encircles a cluster of 5 picture-perfect islands surrounding a transparent lagoon. Sea turtles nest on these uninhabited islets rimmed with seashores, whereas vibrant reefs make it a snorkeler’s paradise and some of the well-liked day-trip locations from St. Vincent.

Swim below Darkish View Falls.

Bathe beneath a two-tiered waterfall hidden in a vacation spot so deep throughout the rainforest that many locals declare it was solely first found just a few a long time in the past. Tucked away close to the island’s western coast, it is now accessible through a brief stroll from a distant roadside, although it feels no much less magical than it should have ages in the past.

Go to black-sand seashores.

St. Vincent has a handful of golden-sand shores, however this volcanic island is finest recognized for its much more gorgeous black-sand seashores. On the island’s western coast, tranquil Wallilabou Bay presents dramatic sands and accessible snorkeling spots, whereas Mount Wynne has two twin black-sand beachfronts that again as much as the island’s oldest coconut plantation.

Go island-hopping.

Steadiness island adventures on St. Vincent with time spent basking in the great thing about the Grenadines. Guests can plan full-day crusing excursions from the capital metropolis of Kingstown, or take one of many frequent ferries to close by Bequia for a few of the nation’s nicest seashores. Because the Grenadines have emerged as a primary crusing vacation spot, firms like Dream Yacht Worldwide now supply expertly curated multi-day cruise itineraries spent combing the archipelago’s most gorgeous spots.

Greatest Eating places

Buccan

Vincentian fare is cooked in flame fed by strong gas at Buccan, one of many 11 — sure, 11! — eating places positioned inside Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Harkening again to age-old native cooking methods, Buccan is singular on the island and throughout the area, its distinctive strategies elevating farm-fresh delicacies and daring Caribbean flavors.

Vee Jay’s Restaurant and Bar

It does not get extra native than Vee Jay’s Restaurant and Bar, a longtime hang-out in Kingstown recognized for its beneficiant parts of Vincentian favorites like roti and curry. A surge of locals swarms at lunchtime, a testomony that guests ought to account for when planning their itinerary.

Wallibou Anchorage

Pair a seaside day or a go to to Darkish View Falls with a cease for lunch at Wallilabou Anchorage, a tiny resort providing easy fare and scrumptious cocktails in view of catamarans parked within the bay. The eatery leans closely into its nautical pirate theme, however are you able to blame them? It was one of many filming places for Pirates of the Caribbean, in spite of everything.

The Sapodilla Room at Grenadine Home

Eating on the city-center Grenadine Home in Kingstown is informal through the day on a terrace providing ocean views. It takes on a advantageous eating really feel within the night inside The Sapodilla Room, which presents a menu of each continental and Caribbean delicacies.

Younger Island Resort Restaurant

Take a fast five-minute ferry experience from Villa Seashore to the tiny Younger Island, topped by a small resort with an awesome oceanfront eatery. Lunch is à la carte, however the four-course prix-fixe dinner supplied all through the week and the vigorous barbeque buffet on Saturday nights make the restaurant shine.

Areas To Go to

Kingstown

Guests are likely to breeze by means of Kingstown, however do not be so fast to rely out the nation’s capital. Spend half a day getting acquainted with this colourful Caribbean metropolis, grabbing a recent snack on the Kingstown Produce Market earlier than marveling on the charming structure on Bay Avenue. Climb the hillside — or take a taxi — to the hilltop Fort Charlotte for a exceptional style of the island’s historical past with much more spectacular views.

Wallilabou

If Wallilabou appears to be like acquainted, that’s as a result of it in all probability is. This spot on St. Vincent’s western coast featured prominently in a number of of the Pirates of the Caribbean films, its jagged, untouched shores evoking the Caribbean of previous like nowhere else can. Swimming on the black-sand seaside and beneath close by Darkish View Falls shall be memorable, however simply wait till you hear tales from the locals about their brushes with celebrities through the filming course of.

Greatest Time to Go to

Clear skies and calm seas stay as much as each Caribbean vacationer’s dream in St. Vincent between December and April, making it one of the best time to go to the island. Could and June are a perfect shoulder season for vacationers searching for that goldie locks mixture of decrease costs and nice climate earlier than the wet season kicks off in full power. Although hurricane season lasts from June by means of November, most storms happen between late August and mid-October.

Considering a crusing journey to the archipelago? “The very best crusing months are December to Could, with February to April being most well-liked,” says Loïc Bonnet, president of Dream Yacht Worldwide. “The ‘Christmas Winds’ in December and January are usually stronger and might sometimes attain 30 knots for just a few days, which could be too sturdy for good crusing.”

Late June and early July are carnival season in St. Vincent, as Vincy Mas brings a packed calendar of occasions that includes island beats and colourful costumes to Kingstown. Whereas it is not the most important or most well-known carnival celebration within the Caribbean, it may be a singular and memorable cultural expertise for guests who resolve to make it part of their journey.

How one can Get There

Main airways are taking discover of the brand new buzz surrounding St. Vincent and have elevated their flight choices accordingly. Jetblue and American Airways have each launched new seasonal routes into St. Vincent’s Argyle Worldwide Airport (SVD) from New York and Charlotte, respectively. Direct flights from Miami shall be supplied day by day, whereas flights from Toronto will enhance to 2 instances every week. Connections through different Caribbean islands like Puerto Rico and Barbados are much more frequent.

Vacationers planning on sticking round within the Grenadines ought to think about flying into the smaller airports positioned on Canouan, Mustique, Bequia, and Union Island. They’re accessible through industrial flights from St. Vincent and close by islands like Barbados, or by non-public constitution. Tradewind Aviation, a frontrunner in private air journey within the area, presents direct flights into Canouan and Union Island.

How one can Get Round

The twisting mountain roads that crisscross St. Vincent really feel way more treacherous if you’re behind the wheel, which means most guests follow taxi transport whereas exploring the island. These decided to get much more adventurous can hire a automobile from firms like Avis, positioned on the airport. Make certain to stay to the left aspect of the street, and keep in mind to convey a global driver’s license or get your license from residence permitted for native use in Kingstown earlier than you hit the street.