St. Vincent and the Grenadines
St. Vincent & The Grenadines is a country of 32 beautiful unspoiled islands in the Southern Caribbean. From St. Vincent's lush tropical rainforest to the idyllic beaches, coral reefs and turquoise lagoons of The Grenadines, SVG is a tropical paradise for some of the best sailing in the world, scuba diving, hiking, and relaxing in luxurious hideways on its many islands.
Watch where the ball travels to in St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Calliaqua, St. Vincent
The big island of St. Vincent boasts rugged terrain borne of ancient volcanic activity, and it combines forested jungles, beaches and the picturesque port city of Kingstown. Fairly dripping with vegetation in some areas, and dominated by a 4,000-foot volcanic peak, St. Vincent is ringed by white- and black-sand beaches, with thundering surf on the rugged Atlantic coast, and placid shores on the Caribbean coast.
Calliaqua is a small town in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It is located in the far south of the main island of Saint Vincent, close to the island's southernmost point on the outskirts of Kingstown. Still a fishing village it is a small community with quaint houses and the beautiful 19th century church of St Paul on the hill.
Vermont Nature Trail
Located in St. Vincent’s southern interior, the Vermont Nature Trail offers great hiking for all ages and abilities. In this 10,870-acre reserve, you can enjoy 2 miles of clearly marked hiking trails through a variety of forest habitats including rainforest and plantation forest. Informative signs describe the fauna and flora you may encounter as you make your way through lush woodlands to the St. Vincent Parrot Look-Out on the far side of the reserve. Sightings of the rare St. Vincent Parrot are practically guaranteed. Listen for their unmistakable calls and then look out from the viewpoint as they fly above the forest canopy in front of you. This is also the habitat for the Whistling Warbler, Black Hawk, Cocoa Thrush, the Crested Hummingbird, Redcapped Green Tanager, Green Heron and several other interesting species. Located just 9 miles from Kingstown, driving time is approximately half an hour.
Dark View Falls
As is evident in the name of towns and villages (Petit Bordel and Chateaubelair), the flavor of the French is still here as a reminder of historic times. Home of Dark View Falls, Chateaubelair lies at the southern foot of the volcano. The hike to Dark View Falls is very short - just 10 to 15 minutes from the parking area - but it requires a very exhilarating river crossing on a bridge made of long bamboo poles. Dark View Falls is a unique attraction because of its 2 waterfall and not yet fully explored. The geology and hydrology giving existence to the falls and the vegetation are also part of the site’s heritage. Lava flow produced the rock formations that sustain the cascading waters of the falls. There are two trails to both the upper falls and the lower falls. The lower falls is a shower falls, very refreshing to sit under. The trail from the lower falls to the upper falls is 520 ft long with a little more hiking. This one is very dramatic with the feeling of a lost jungle world.
Kingstown market
Kingstown market is a feast for the senses: busy, noisy, colorful and full of Caribbean life. And at the heart of Kingstown between Hillsborough Street and Bedford Street are the markets: wonderful, vibrant places selling an amazing variety of fish, vegetables, fruit and other local food. The best days to go are on Fridays and Saturdays when hucksters and vendors from all over the island bring fresh fruits, vegetables and ground provisions to sell. Along Bay Street, next to the main bus terminal, is the fish market. Definitely worth a visit, seasonal catches include mahi mahi, bonito and tuna. Watch vendors chop fish into steaks with large machetes, and deftly scale and clean them.
Georgetown
Georgetown is St. Vincent's second-largest city (and former capital), halfway up the island's Atlantic coast, surrounded by acres and acres of coconut groves. It is also the site of the now-defunct Mount Bentinck sugar factory. Once thriving, due to the sugar, sea cotton and arrowroot business, it is now a tiny, quiet town—with an impressive 19th century church, small shops, a couple of restaurants. it is a good stop-over for travelers going up the coast to hike the volcano.
Bequia
Bequia is a relaxed and friendly Caribbean island with an international flair, tailor-made for sailing enthusiasts and beach lovers. Its capital Port Elizabeth is a haven for boats crossing the Grenadines and gathering in Admiralty Bay. This seafaring island boasts about 6,000 residents and a rich history as a traders' hideaway. Boatbuilding and seafaring are in Bequia's blood. Its boat building tradition is kept alive by Marvin, a colorful boat model maker. It was once a whaling port and it still has a small whale Museum on Friendship Bay. It has several spectacular white sand beaches including Princess Margaret near Port Elizabeth, several quaint old hotels, sheltered bays, turquoise seas and great diving.
Salt Whistle Bay, Mayreau
Mayreau is the Caribbean’s great escape. On a map, the island looks a bit like a frog that's about to jump, but when you arrive, you'll find a lovely, paradisiacal place with just 254 residents. On Mayreau, you'll that find miles of scenic, palm-fringed beaches surrounding this gem, which is accessible only by boat. Salt-whistle Bay is a picture-postcard beach it has, a friendly village with a quaint old church, and Mayreau Gardens a dive site with the most diverse and colorful coral of the Grenadines. If you can bear to pry yourself away from the sugar-white sand, excellent snorkeling and warm ocean waters, hike up to the top the hill for spectacular island views of the Tobago Cays. Mayreau's waters are protected under the aegis of nearby Tobago Cays Marine Park.
Baradal, Tobago Cays
The Tobago Cays are an intimate cluster of five uninhabited cays, heavenly lagoons full of green turtles, coral reefs, colorful fishes and crystal clear waters. This collection of five tiny, uninhabited islets (Petit Rameau, Petit Bateau, Baradal, Petit Tabac and Jamesby) are actually part of a larger national park and wildlife preserve run by the St.Vincent and the Grenadines government. The entire park, roughly 1,400 acres, extends beyond the tight confines of the islets to also include the entire sand-bottom lagoon they reside in and the 4km Horseshoe Reef. An idyllic yachting anchorage, a dream for scuba divers, a paradise for beachcombers, and a film location for Pirates of the Caribbean. On Petit Bateau fishermen bring lobsters ashore and grill them to perfection on the beach. The Tobago Cays and the Tobago Cays Marine Park is one of the world’s most awe-inspiring island destinations and on the list of the World Heritage Sites. Baradal the smallest of them is an iguana paradise with hundreds of them scampering around at all times.
Palm Island
Palm Island is a private island resort in the southern tip of the Grenadines near Union. This 135-acre island hideaway with 43 guest rooms is accessible only by boat. Bike paths circle the island, which can be seen in no time. With powder white sand beaches, turquoise seas, swaying coconut palms and unsurpassed beauty and seclusion with an emphasis on tranquility, privacy and luxury, Palm Island is an esoteric refuge for those seeking an exclusive Caribbean escape. A dive boat will come upon appointment from Canouan’s Dive Center to take residents on various snorkeling and diving trips around the island. It has ranked for a few consecutive years among Top Caribbean Resorts in Conde’ Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice Awards.
Union Island
Union Island is one of the undiscovered treasures of St. Vincent & The Grenadines. Unsophisticated, relaxed and friendly, Union is still off the beaten track. A charming destination and a great base to pick up a mooring and explore the natural beauty of this region, Union is a paradise for yachting enthusiasts, scuba divers, hikers and sun worshipers. Union Island is a popular day trip from Palm Island for island tours and kite surfing lessons. In the town of Clifton, you can shop for everything from handicrafts to fine jewelry, linens or designer clothing. You can also spend the day either hiking or cycling through miles of roads and designated hiking trails. Fort Hill is a popular stop for panoramic views, as are The Pinnacle and Mount Tobaoi, at 1,000 feet. After you've conquered the island, return to the beach for a swim, or sample the fresh seafood in the French restaurant on the marina.