St Vincent and the Grenadines in brief
- More than 30 islands in the southern Caribbean, between St Lucia and Grenada.
- St Vincent for rainforest, waterfalls and La Soufrière; the Grenadines for beaches and sailing.
- Don’t miss Bequia, Mustique and the turtles of the Tobago Cays.
- Best from December to May; fly via Barbados or St Lucia.
St Vincent and the Grenadines is a chain of more than 30 islands and cays in the southern Caribbean, and one of the best places in the world to sail. At the top is St Vincent, a green, volcanic island of rainforest, waterfalls and black-sand bays. Stretching south from it are the Grenadines: Bequia, with its yacht harbour and boat builders; private, exclusive Mustique; Canouan, with its reef-sheltered lagoon; tiny Mayreau and Union Island; and the uninhabited Tobago Cays, where turtles graze in a turquoise lagoon. Few big hotels, no crowds and a lot of sea. This guide covers where St Vincent is, each of the main islands, what to do, the best time to go, how to get there from the UK and how to plan an island-hopping trip.
Where is St Vincent?
St Vincent and the Grenadines is in the eastern Caribbean, in the Windward Islands. St Vincent lies about 40 km south of St Lucia and about 170 km west of Barbados; the Grenadines run for about 60 km south-west from it, towards Grenada, whose own Grenadine islands, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, continue the chain.
The country has 32 islands and cays, of which about nine are inhabited. St Vincent, about 29 km long and 18 km wide, has most of the population and the capital, Kingstown. The volcano La Soufrière, at about 1,230 m, fills its northern end.
The islands were among the last in the Caribbean to be colonised, as the Kalinago and Garifuna people held out against European settlers until the late 18th century. They became independent from Britain in 1979 and are part of the Commonwealth. People call themselves Vincentians, or Vincies.
St Vincent island
Most visitors pass straight through St Vincent on the way to the Grenadines, but it’s worth a few days for its wild, green interior.
Kingstown
A busy, untouristy port town of stone arcades and churches. The Botanical Gardens, founded in 1765, are among the oldest in the Americas; they have a breadfruit tree grown from one brought by Captain Bligh in 1793, and an aviary breeding the rare St Vincent parrot.
Above the town, Fort Charlotte has views over the Grenadines on a clear day. Saturday morning is the busiest time at the market.
The leeward coast
The road north from Kingstown winds past fishing villages and black-sand bays. Highlights are the twin falls at Dark View, reached over a bamboo bridge; Wallilabou Bay, where some of the sets from the first Pirates of the Caribbean film remain; and the Falls of Baleine at the northern tip, reached only by boat.
La Soufrière and the rainforest
The volcano last erupted in April 2021. The windward trail up its eastern side reopened in December 2024: a steep climb of several hours through forest to the crater rim, best started at dawn with a certified guide, and only in clear weather.
Gentler options include the Vermont Nature Trail in the rainforest, where you may see St Vincent parrots, and river and waterfall walks.
The south coast
St Vincent’s best swimming and most of its places to stay are around Villa and Indian Bay, just south of Kingstown, looking out to the islet of Fort Duvernette. Boats leave from here for day sails to Bequia, Mustique and the Tobago Cays.
The Grenadines, island by island
Bequia
The largest of the Grenadines and the easiest to reach, an hour from Kingstown by ferry. Port Elizabeth sits on Admiralty Bay, one of the Caribbean’s great anchorages, full of yachts, with a waterfront path to the beaches. Princess Margaret Beach and Lower Bay are the best for swimming; Friendship Bay on the south coast is quieter. Bequia has a long seafaring tradition: watch craftsmen make model boats by hand, visit the turtle sanctuary that rears hawksbill hatchlings, and come at Easter for the regatta. It has a relaxed, sociable feel, with small guesthouses, villas and a few hotels.
Mustique
A small, privately owned island of about 6 km2, famous for its villas and well-known visitors since the 1960s, when Princess Margaret was given land here. Most people stay in a private villa with its own staff; there are only a couple of places to stay that aren’t villas. It’s green and quiet, with a string of beaches; the best known is Macaroni Beach on the Atlantic side. You arrive by small plane, or on a yacht in Britannia Bay; day visits by boat are possible.
Canouan
A crescent-shaped island with some of the whitest beaches in the Grenadines and a long barrier reef protecting a lagoon on its east coast. Much of the north is given over to a large luxury resort and golf course, and the airport takes small jets, so it’s the easiest of the southern Grenadines to fly to. The south of the island is still small villages and quiet bays.
The Tobago Cays
Five small, uninhabited islands inside the Horseshoe Reef, protected as a marine park, with water in every shade of blue. It’s the highlight of most trips. Snorkel with green turtles in the turtle-watching area off Baradal, look for rays and reef fish, and walk up Petit Tabac or Jamesby for the view.
There’s nowhere to stay: you come by yacht and anchor overnight, or on a day trip by boat from Union, Mayreau or Canouan, or by catamaran from St Vincent or Bequia (a long day). A small park fee is charged.
Mayreau
A tiny island with one hilltop village and no airport, best known for Salt Whistle Bay, a perfect curve of sand and palms between two seas. It’s the closest inhabited island to the Tobago Cays. Hurricane Beryl badly damaged Mayreau in July 2024; we check what’s open before suggesting a stay.
Union Island
The southern gateway to the Grenadines, with a small airport, the harbour town of Clifton and steep, dry hills. It’s a base for sailors and kitesurfers, who use the reef-sheltered water off Clifton, and the jumping-off point for the Tobago Cays and for Carriacou in Grenada. Union was hit hardest by Hurricane Beryl in 2024 and is still rebuilding, so check before you plan to stay.
The private islands: Palm Island and Petit St Vincent, at the southern end of the chain, are each given over to a single secluded resort. Both were affected by Beryl; ask us for the latest.
Things to do
Sailing: short distances, steady trade winds and sheltered anchorages make the Grenadines one of the world’s best cruising grounds. Charter a crewed yacht or catamaran for a week, with a skipper and cook, or join a day sail.
Snorkelling and diving: the Tobago Cays are the classic, but there are good reefs and walls off Bequia, Canouan and the leeward coast of St Vincent, with turtles, rays and seahorses.
Island-hopping: combine two or three islands by ferry or small plane: Bequia for its harbour life, Mustique or Canouan for beaches and luxury, and a day in the Tobago Cays.
Hiking: La Soufrière, the Vermont rainforest trails and the waterfalls on St Vincent; gentler hill walks on Bequia and Union.
Kitesurfing on Union and Canouan, whale and dolphin watching off St Vincent, and fishing trips.
Food and festivals
The national dish is roasted breadfruit and fried jackfish: breadfruit cooked whole on charcoal, with crisp fried fish. Try callaloo soup, fresh lobster and conch (lambi) in the Grenadines, fish cakes, rotis, plantain and arrowroot, which St Vincent once supplied to the world. Rum is the local drink, and the islands make their own; fruit juices such as soursop and passion fruit are everywhere.
Festivals: Vincy Mas, the carnival, fills Kingstown from late June to early July. The Bequia Easter Regatta brings sailing races and parties to Admiralty Bay. In the run-up to Christmas, Nine Mornings (16 to 24 December) has early-morning street parties, concerts and lights, a tradition unique to St Vincent.
Best time to visit St Vincent and the Grenadines
The islands are warm all year, with highs of about 26 to 29°C. The dry season, from December to May, is the best time to visit and the best time to sail, with steady trade winds and sunshine; the Grenadines are drier than St Vincent, whose mountains catch more rain. The wet season, from June to November, brings heavier showers and more humidity, and the Atlantic hurricane season runs over the same months, with the highest risk from August to October. Christmas, New Year and Easter are the busiest times, especially for yachts and villas.
| Month | Kingstown | Bequia | Union Island |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27°C / 23°C · 50 mm | 26°C / 24°C · 30 mm | 26°C / 25°C · 40 mm |
| Feb | 27°C / 23°C · 40 mm | 26°C / 24°C · 20 mm | 26°C / 24°C · 25 mm |
| Mar | 27°C / 23°C · 40 mm | 26°C / 24°C · 20 mm | 26°C / 25°C · 25 mm |
| Apr | 28°C / 24°C · 35 mm | 26°C / 25°C · 20 mm | 26°C / 25°C · 25 mm |
| May | 28°C / 25°C · 45 mm | 27°C / 25°C · 25 mm | 27°C / 26°C · 35 mm |
| Jun | 28°C / 25°C · 90 mm | 27°C / 26°C · 75 mm | 27°C / 26°C · 90 mm |
| Jul | 28°C / 25°C · 110 mm | 27°C / 26°C · 95 mm | 27°C / 26°C · 135 mm |
| Aug | 28°C / 25°C · 125 mm | 28°C / 26°C · 120 mm | 28°C / 26°C · 135 mm |
| Sep | 29°C / 25°C · 115 mm | 28°C / 26°C · 110 mm | 28°C / 26°C · 115 mm |
| Oct | 29°C / 25°C · 115 mm | 28°C / 26°C · 110 mm | 28°C / 26°C · 135 mm |
| Nov | 28°C / 25°C · 135 mm | 27°C / 26°C · 115 mm | 28°C / 26°C · 145 mm |
| Dec | 27°C / 24°C · 55 mm | 27°C / 25°C · 35 mm | 27°C / 25°C · 55 mm |
Average daily high / low and monthly rain, 10-year ERA5 data. The model smooths out local downpours, so St Vincent’s mountains are wetter than shown.
Getting there from the UK
- Flights: there are no regular non-stop flights from the UK. The usual route is a flight from London to Barbados or St Lucia (about nine hours), then a short regional flight of under an hour to Argyle International Airport on St Vincent’s east coast. Allow a night on the way if the connection is tight.
- Straight to the Grenadines: small planes fly from Barbados and St Vincent to Bequia, Mustique, Canouan and Union Island, so you can skip St Vincent altogether.
- Entry: British citizens don’t need a visa for a holiday. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after you arrive.
Getting around and island-hopping
- Ferries: several ferries a day link Kingstown and Bequia, taking about an hour. A slower ferry continues south to Canouan, Mayreau and Union a few times a week.
- Small planes: short scheduled and charter flights connect St Vincent with Bequia, Mustique, Canouan and Union.
- By yacht: the best way to see the Grenadines, stopping in a different bay every night.
- On land: taxis and colourful local minibuses on St Vincent; taxis and open-backed pick-ups on Bequia. You can hire a car with a local permit (driving on the left), but the roads are steep and narrow.
Where to stay
- St Vincent’s south coast (Villa and Indian Bay): small hotels and guesthouses close to Kingstown and the boats; good for a night or two either side of the Grenadines.
- Bequia: the widest choice in the Grenadines, from guesthouses to boutique hotels and villas, many above Admiralty Bay or Friendship Bay.
- Mustique: mostly private villas with staff, for privacy and luxury.
- Canouan and the private islands: large and small luxury resorts with beaches and reefs on the doorstep.
- On a yacht: a crewed charter for a week, which is really a floating hotel.
Tell us the kind of stay you want and we’ll match the right island and hotel, villa or yacht, and check what’s fully open on the islands still recovering from Hurricane Beryl.
Sample trips
St Vincent and Bequia
- St Vincent south coast (3 nights)
- Bequia (7)
Rainforest, waterfalls and La Soufrière, then a relaxed island with a day sail to Mustique or the Tobago Cays.
Grenadines by yacht
- Fly to St Vincent (1 night)
- Crewed yacht: Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Tobago Cays, Union (7)
- Bequia (2)
The classic sailing week, with a night in the Tobago Cays.
St Lucia and the Grenadines
- St Lucia (7 nights)
- Bequia or Mustique (7)
A livelier island first, then a quieter one, linked by a short flight.
Planning a wider Caribbean trip? See our St Lucia holiday guide, Grenada holiday guide and Barbados holiday guide.
Practical tips
- Entry: no visa for British citizens on holiday; passports must be valid for at least six months from arrival. Check the FCDO St Vincent and the Grenadines travel advice before you book and again before you travel. Tourist services on Mayreau, Union and some smaller islands are still recovering from Hurricane Beryl.
- Safety: most visits are trouble-free, but there is violent crime on St Vincent. Use licensed taxis, keep valuables out of sight, avoid isolated areas and beaches after dark, and lock up if you’re on a yacht.
- Money: the currency is the East Caribbean dollar, fixed to the US dollar. US dollars and cards are widely accepted, but carry cash for taxis, ferries and small islands.
- Food rules: you need a licence to bring food into the country, so don’t pack meat or dairy.
- Sea and sun: some beaches have strong currents and no lifeguard; follow local advice, use reef-safe sun cream and don’t touch the coral.
- Health: use insect repellent, as dengue occurs. Ask your GP or a travel clinic about vaccinations.
Frequently asked questions
Where is St Vincent and the Grenadines?
In the eastern Caribbean, in the Windward Islands, between St Lucia to the north and Grenada to the south, and about 170 km west of Barbados. The capital is Kingstown, on St Vincent.
How many islands are in St Vincent and the Grenadines?
There are 32 islands and cays, of which about nine are inhabited. The main ones are St Vincent, Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau and Union Island; the Tobago Cays are uninhabited.
How do you get to St Vincent from the UK?
There are no regular non-stop flights. Fly from London to Barbados or St Lucia, about nine hours, then take a short regional flight to Argyle International Airport on St Vincent, or a small plane straight to one of the Grenadines.
What is the best time to visit St Vincent and the Grenadines?
December to May, the dry season, with sunny weather and steady winds for sailing. June to November is wetter and is the hurricane season.
Can you visit Mustique?
Yes. Most visitors stay in a private villa, and there are a couple of other places to stay. You can also visit for the day by boat or on a yacht.
What are the Tobago Cays?
Five small uninhabited islands inside a horseshoe-shaped reef in the southern Grenadines, protected as a marine park. They are famous for snorkelling with green turtles and are reached by boat.
What currency is used in St Vincent?
The East Caribbean dollar, which is fixed to the US dollar. US dollars and cards are widely accepted.
Do I need a visa for St Vincent and the Grenadines?
No. British citizens can visit for a holiday without a visa. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after you arrive.
Keep planning
- St Lucia holiday guide
- St Lucia holidays
- Grenada holiday guide
- Barbados holiday guide
- North America and Caribbean holidays
- Caribbean holiday offers
- Caribbean cruises
- Tailor-made holidays
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