While we visited the islands while on a St.Vincent and the Grenadines kiteboarding cruise, there are other reasons to travel to this Caribbean paradise. Learning about the history and culture, enjoying awesome Caribbean cuisine, going hiking, scuba-diving, or simply chilling on a sandy beach, there are plenty of cool activities for everyone! So here are our suggestions for the top things to do on St. Vincent and the Grenadines!
And if you are looking for kiteboarding spots, check out our kiteboarding the Grenadines post!
Things to Do on St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Here are some things you can see and do while visiting Saint Vincent and the Grenadines:
Kingstown & St Vincent Island
Visit the capital city, Kingstown. Kingstown is the largest city on the island of Saint Vincent and is home to many historical and cultural attractions that give the town its unique Caribbean charm. Some of the top places to visit in the city include Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Museum, which contains exhibits on the island’s history and culture, and the beautiful 19th-century Cathedral of the Assumption, the 1820 Georgian-style St. George’s Anglican Cathedral, the St. Vincent Botanical Gardens, and the Fort Charlotte.
You can also head to the Wallilabou Heritage Park, featuring a small waterfall, lush plants, and several birds species, the Owia Salt Pond where the Black Caribs, the country’s indigenous people, used to live, and the Dark View Falls.
Beach Time
Explore the island’s stunning beaches. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are home to many beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters and white sand. Some of the best beaches to visit include Indian Bay Beach, famous for swimming and water sports, and Wallilabou Beach, known for its secluded location and calm waters.
Mayreau Island is popular for its beautiful Saltwhistle Bay.
On Union Island, Richmond Bay and Belmont Bay are the best beaches. If you are close to Union Island, you can also check the white-sand beaches of Palm Island.
Go Snorkeling or Scuba-Diving
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are home to abundant marine life, making it an excellent place for snorkeling and diving. You can rent equipment or join a guided tour to explore the island’s reefs and see colorful fish, coral, and other marine life.
Make sure to head to the Tobago Cays Marine Park, where you can see turtles, stingrays, and schools of reef fish.
Some of the best dive sites are, Devils Table, Boulders, and the Stratmann Wreck.
Bequia is also a great diving destination. With over 30 sites, dive and explore from colorful reefs to caves, walls, and even wrecks.
Try SUP Paddling
The Turquoise waters are definitely tempting! Make sure the equipment is in good standing – no broken leash for example.
Watch for the wind that might picked up in the afternoon, which might make the water a bit rough and paddling back to your point of departure tricky.
Board a Sailboat or Catamaran
A boat is the perfect way to explore the Grenadines. Island-hopping is magical, so join a cruise for a day or several!
Go Hiking
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is home to many beautiful hiking trails with various terrain to explore. You can take a guided hike or explore the island on your own and enjoy the beautiful surroundings and stunning views.
One of the popular things to do on St. Vincent is to go hiking the crater of La Soufrière volcano. The volcano is still active, its last eruption dating from 1979. There are two main trails: a 7-hour round trip leeward trail and a 4-hour round trip windward trail. You can hike by yourself or join a La Soufrière Volcano Hiking Tour.
Other shorter hikes include the Dark View Falls on St. Vincent Island, hikes from Ashton on Union Island.
If you are on Union Island, Ashton is the village where to start most of the hikes.
Kiteboarding
The Grenadines are famous for their kiteboarding spots! So even if you don’t join a catamaran cruise, you can still kite (or learn to kite) for the day. Union Island is a popular spot for learning right from the marina!
Visit a Plantation
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have a long history of sugar production, and there are several old sugar plantations on the islands that have been converted into museums and visitor centers. These plantations offer a unique look at the island’s history and provide insight into the lives of the people who worked on them.
On Bequia, consider visiting the Firefly Plantation, where you can also taste some tropical fruits like guava, breadfruit, and coconut, or see the remains of a 280-year-old sugar mill.
Wandering Around & Shopping
On Union Island, visit the small town of Clifton Harbor, where you can check the beautiful, colorful houses. Taste some of the fresh fruits. Shop for a sarong.
Go Horseback Riding
Several stables on the islands offer horseback riding tours, which can be a great way to explore Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ countryside and beaches. You can choose from guided rides through the jungle or along the beach or opt for a more leisurely ride through the countryside.
Explore Remote Bays
With some many bays, you are bound to find one you want to stay and chill! A place like Cumberland Bay is also a great option – far away but yet with a restaurant for a quick drink or yummy dinner.
Try Local Caribbean Cuisine.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have a rich culinary tradition and many delicious local dishes to try. Some of the islands’ specialties include “oil down,” a traditional dish made with salted meat, vegetables, and dumplings, and fried jackfish, a popular snack.
Roasted breadfruit and fried jackfish is one of the most popular dish in St Vincent and the Grenadines, so make sure to try it! Breadfruit is the country’s national fruit, so the roasted breadfruit and fried jackfish is considered by many as the country’s national dish!
You can also find a variety of seafood, like the excellent BBQ lobsters at Alphonso’s Lobster BBQ on Petit Rameau Island in the Tobago Cays.
Bars and restaurants are also available at Salt Whistle Bay on Mayreau Island.
How to Travel to St Vincent and the Grenadines
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are located in the Lesser Antilles, in the West Indies of the Caribbean Sea. The country is nestled between Saint Lucia in the north, Barbados in the east, and Grenada to the south.
The main island is Saint Vincent in the northern part of the country, and in the southern region, the 32 islands that compose the Grenadines. Most of the actual kiting occur around Union Island, one of the southern islands. So options can be to either fly there and do your cruise from Union Island or board your cruise from another island and sail from there to Union Island, stopping at other kiteboarding spots along the sailing trip.
This map of the nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines can help you get situated:
You can access the Caribbean Islands in different ways:
Fly into St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Via Grenada, St. Lucia, or even via Martinique, then directly into Union Island
- Directly into Kingston on St Vincent, then by ferry or plane into Union Island
- Kingston Airport is Argyle International Airport (IATA: SVD, ICAO: TVSA), which opened in 2017 and replaced the old E.T. Joshua Airport.
Getting around St. Vincent & The Grenadines
Taxis are the best way to move around, as they are easy to find and usually with reasonable fares.
You can also rent a car for more flexibility, but some roads can be tricky.
Ferries between islands are also available.
Flying is another option, as small airports exist on Union Island (UNI), Bequia (BQU), Canouan (CIW), and even Mustique (MQS) island.
Grenadines Travel Guide
When to Travel to St. Vincent
The best time to travel to St. Vincent and the Grenadines is off-season: May to June and November.
During the peak season from December to April, the European crowd means higher prices and busier places.
Avoid July to October, which is hurricane season.
Currency & Money Exchange
The official currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$), and you can get money from ATMs across the island.
Otherwise, the US dollar and Euros are widely accepted.
What to Wear in St Vincent & The Grenadines
Given the hot and sunny weather, keep with light and loose fabrics. Of course, swimsuits, flip-flops, sunhat, and sunglasses are a must! For ideas on what to bring, check out our hot-weather clothing suggestions.
Independent Travel or Organized Tours?
You can definitely travel independently on the islands with time and organization.
However, if you are short on time, many tour companies offer guided tours of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, which can be a great way to learn more about the island’s history and culture. In addition, you can choose from various tour options, such as sightseeing tours, nature walks, and cultural experiences.
Have you been on a kiteboarding cruise Grenadines? What’s your experience? Please share with us in the Comments section! Looking for another kitesurfing winter destination, check out our other kiteboarding blog posts below:
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