Why Go to St. Vincent & The Grenadines
YOUR DESTINATION AT A GLANCE
St. Vincent and the Grenadines is the Caribbean for island-hoppers and sailors. This chain of 32 islands and cays offers emerald hills, quiet harbors, coral reefs, white-sand beaches and boutique hideaways, with a relaxed, uncrowded feel that's increasingly rare in the region.
Start on St. Vincent, the largest island, with its lush rainforest, black-sand beaches, waterfalls and the La Soufriere volcano. Then sail south through the Grenadines. Bequia is charming and laid-back, with a pretty harbor and a strong boat-building heritage. Mustique is an exclusive private island famous with royalty and celebrities. Canouan offers luxury resorts and golf, and the Tobago Cays Marine Park is one of the best places in the Caribbean to snorkel with sea turtles in impossibly clear water. Many scenes from Pirates of the Caribbean were filmed here, too.
Argyle International Airport on St. Vincent has made the islands easier to reach, with connections through Miami and other hubs, and small planes and ferries link the islands. It's a splurge and takes some planning. I'll arrange your flights, island transfers and a crewed yacht or resort stay.
BEST FOR
Sailors, couples, snorkelers and island-hopping travelers
BEST MONTHS
December–May
EXPLORE
Kingstown is the main hub on St. Vincent; Bequia has a yachting harbor; Canouan, Mayreau and Union Island offer distinct beaches and island communities.
SIX18 SIGNATURE DESTINATION GUIDE
St. Vincent & The Grenadines
North America › Eastern Caribbean › St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Emerald islands, quiet coves and Caribbean sailing
Beach & Resort
Sailing
Luxury
Nature
SIX18 INSIDER TIP
Choose either a St. Vincent land itinerary or a Grenadines boat day; transfers make covering both in one day difficult.
Experiences Worth Exploring
THINGS TO DO
Go in the morning and check guided access.
St. Vincent Botanical Gardens
Historic Kingstown gardens preserve tropical plants and island botanical heritage.
Arrange transport uphill and check access.
Fort Charlotte
A hilltop historic fort offers views over Kingstown harbor and the coast.
Bring secure footwear and avoid trails during heavy rain.
Dark View Falls
Twin rainforest waterfalls on St. Vincent’s leeward side reached by a short trail.
Use a qualified guide and verify volcanic and trail alerts before any ascent.
La Soufrière Volcano
The island’s active volcano dominates the northern landscape and is approached on demanding hiking routes.
Bring insect protection and a local naturalist if birdwatching.
Vermont Nature Trail
Forest trail through tropical habitat with chances to hear or spot native birdlife.
A luxury resort on the Grenadine island of Canouan with beach and lagoon views.
Mandarin Oriental, Canouan
Canouan
Beach
A private-island retreat with freestanding cottages and a secluded beachfront atmosphere.
Petit St. Vincent
Petit St. Vincent
Beach · Boutique
An intimate private-island resort popular for quiet beaches and relaxed stays.
Palm Island Resort & Spa
Palm Island
All-Inclusive · Beach
A boutique beachfront hotel on Bequia with easy access to island outings.
Bequia Beach Hotel
Friendship Bay / Bequia
Boutique · Beach
A small island retreat a short boat ride from the main island of St. Vincent.
Young Island Resort
Young Island / near St. Vincent
Boutique · Beach
Sandals' adults-only all-inclusive, opened in 2024, with overwater villas and a 300-foot linear pool.
Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Buccament Bay, St. Vincent
All-Inclusive · Adults-Only · Beach
An elegant, historic hotel on exclusive Mustique.
The Cotton House
Mustique
Boutique · Beach
A tiny hillside hotel with a celebrated bar and views over Britannia Bay.
Firefly Mustique
Mustique
Boutique
Waterfront cottages near Admiralty Bay, with a relaxed island pace.
Bequia Plantation Hotel
Port Elizabeth, Bequia
Boutique · Beach
A simple, good-value beachfront hotel across from Young Island.
Sunset Shores Beach Hotel
Villa Beach, St. Vincent
Value · Beach
Curated Accommodations
WHERE TO STAY
November in St. Vincent & The Grenadines
High 87°F · Low 75°F · Rain 11 in
The sailing season begins as trade winds settle in.
December through May is generally drier; tropical storms and changing seas can affect summer and autumn travel.
Best Times to Visit St. Vincent & The Grenadines
WHEN TO GO
06
Wind and weather-dependent crossings
Build extra flexibility around wind and weather-dependent crossings when visiting St. Vincent & The Grenadines. Verify access, cancellations, road or sea conditions and the return journey before committing to an excursion.
05
Village and beach access
Plan time for village and beach access in St. Vincent & The Grenadines. Check terrain, weather, accessibility and local restrictions; allow an alternate transfer where walking is impractical.
04
Licensed taxis and boat charters
For more flexible journeys, licensed taxis and boat charters may be relevant in St. Vincent & The Grenadines. Use authorized providers, confirm the pickup location and agree on payment arrangements before travel.
03
Ferries between selected islands
Island-to-island travel may require ferries, flights or charter boats with distinct departure locations. Confirm same-day connections and leave buffers for sea conditions.
02
Interisland flights
For travel within St. Vincent & The Grenadines, investigate interisland flights. Verify route coverage, ticket rules, operating dates and the last return service before relying on it for sightseeing.
01
Argyle International Airport
Argyle International Airport (SVD) on St. Vincent's east coast is the main gateway. The Grenadines are reached by short inter-island flights or ferries from Kingstown.
Inter-island ferries, local flights and charter boats connect selected islands. Schedules are weather-dependent; allow buffers between transfers.
Getting Around St. Vincent & The Grenadines