St Vincent & The Grenadines: Sailing Paradise and Secluded Luxury
Why Go
Sprinkled like emerald gems across the southern Caribbean, St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) comprise 32 islands and cays where sailors, snorkellers and solitude seekers find their bliss. The main island of St Vincent is lush and mountainous with black‑sand beaches, waterfalls and a smoking volcano, while the smaller Grenadines — Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, Union, Palm Island and Petit St Vincent — offer pristine white‑sand bays and some of the Caribbean’s most exclusive resorts. This is a place for island‑hopping on a catamaran, spotting sea turtles gliding in crystal‑clear shallows and feeling far removed from the bustle of the modern world. With warm, welcoming people and a strong seafaring heritage, SVG pairs off‑the‑grid relaxation with world‑class service.
How to Get There
International flights land at Argyle International Airport (SVD) on St Vincent, with connections via Barbados, St Lucia, Grenada and the USA. Smaller airstrips on Bequia (BQU), Canouan (CIW) and Union Island (UNI) handle inter‑island propeller flights and private jets. Ferries link St Vincent to Bequia, Canouan, Mayreau and Union, making it easy to island‑hop if you’re not arriving by yacht. Cruise ships dock at Kingstown, the capital, and sailboats anchor at marinas in Admiralty Bay (Bequia) or Glossy Bay (Canouan). Many visitors charter catamarans or join day cruises to explore the Grenadines’ scattering of uninhabited cays. Once ashore, taxis and open‑backed trucks provide transport around the larger islands, while walking, bikes and golf carts suffice on tiny cays.
Where to Stay
Mandarin Oriental, Canouan – Occupying half of Canouan’s 1,200‑acre estate, this ultra‑luxury hideaway features sumptuous suites and villas with butler service, a Jim Fazio–designed championship golf course and an over‑the‑water spa. Enjoy four restaurants, a superyacht marina and powdery beaches lapped by turquoise waters.
Petit St Vincent Resort – On its own 115‑acre private island, this all‑inclusive resort invites guests to disconnect. Cottages and villas are scattered along the shoreline and hillsides, each with a flagpole for “room service” signalling. There are no televisions; instead, fill your days with sailing, yoga, spa treatments and barefoot dining under the stars.
Bequia Beach Hotel – A stylish, family‑owned boutique on Friendship Beach. Rooms and suites evoke vintage West Indies charm, with rattan furnishings and sea‑view balconies. Lounge beside two pools, dine at Bagatelle on the beach or Blue Tropic on a hillside and stroll into charming Port Elizabeth.
Top Activities
Sail the Tobago Cays Marine Park – This protected archipelago of five uninhabited islands is SVG’s crown jewel. Join a day sail or charter your own boat to swim with sea turtles over Horseshoe Reef, snorkel among coral gardens and picnic on powder‑white beaches. At night, gaze up at a sky full of stars unobscured by light pollution.
Hike La Soufrière volcano – On St Vincent, a challenging but rewarding trek leads through rainforest and cloud forest to the rim of the still‑smouldering crater. From the summit you can peer into the volcanic dome and take in sweeping views across the island and out to sea.
Explore Kingstown – The nation’s capital features colourful markets, colonial churches and one of the oldest botanical gardens in the Western Hemisphere. Visit 18th‑century Fort Charlotte for panoramic views and historical insight.
Visit Bequia’s beaches and villages – Bequia combines laid‑back charm with great amenities. Relax on Princess Margaret Beach and Lower Bay, browse boutiques along Belmont Walkway, tour the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary or take a taxi to Mount Pleasant for island panoramas.
Discover Mustique & Canouan – Spot celebrity villas and pristine beaches on Mustique, perhaps stopping for a drink at Basil’s Bar. On Canouan, lounge on Godahl Beach, snorkel at the Grenadines’ largest barrier reef and indulge in spa treatments at the Mandarin Oriental.
Go island‑hopping – Hop on local ferries or arrange a private charter to tiny Mayreau for the picture‑perfect crescent of Saltwhistle Bay; to Union Island for kiteboarding and bars in Clifton; or to Palm Island and Petit St Vincent for complete escapism.
Can’t‑Miss Spots & Beaches
Tobago Cays – A snorkeller’s paradise of shallow reefs, turtle‑filled lagoons and uninhabited islets that feels like a nature documentary come to life.
Saltwhistle Bay, Mayreau – A palm‑lined, crescent‑shaped beach with calm aquamarine water, a few rustic bars and a view of neighbouring palm‑studied cays.
Princess Margaret Beach & Lower Bay (Bequia) – Twin stretches of soft sand separated by a rocky headland; both offer calm swimming and a handful of beach bars.
Macaroni Beach, Mustique – This wild Atlantic‑facing beach boasts powdery sand, turquoise surf and villas hidden in the hills. Bring a picnic as facilities are minimal.
Dark View Falls – On St Vincent’s northwest coast, twin waterfalls tumble into lush pools reached via a bamboo bridge; combine with a visit to the Wallilabou Heritage Park, a film set for Pirates of the Caribbean.
Falls of Baleine – Accessible only by boat on St Vincent’s leeward coast, this 60‑foot waterfall cascades into a rock basin perfect for a secluded swim.
