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Why go? Slightly off the beaten track, St Vincent and the Grenadines are some of the Caribbean's most beautiful, yet unspoilt, islands. The surrounding waters offer terrific sailing, while pristine coral reefs and plentiful rainbow-coloured fish provide superb diving. St Vincent is picturesque, mountainous and incredibly fertile with lush rainforest, coconut groves, banana plantations and fields of arrowroot. The 32 smaller islands and cays which trail 40 miles to the south and make up the Grenadines, are blessed with white sandy beaches (many deserted). The largest of the Grenadines, Bequia, was discovered by yachties some time ago but has remained low-key, sleepy and friendly. By contrast, Mustique, an exclusive private island, has long been the haunt of rock stars and aristocrats. Accommodation includes romantic private island retreats, charming inns and a unique back-to-nature hideaway, only accessible by boat. Any downsides? There are no direct international flights. Connection times, however, are thankfully short so you should arrive the same day. Don't expect wild nightlife or fine dining in local restaurants. Go to St Vincent in the rainy season (Jun-Nov) and you'll realise why it's so verdant. For white-sand beaches, you will need to head for the Grenadines, all but one of St Vincent's are of dark volcanic sand. Watch out for mosquitos. |
Activities * Diving and snorkelling: Excellent visibility, unspoilt coral reefs and an abundance of fish. Petit Byahaut offers exciting wall, wreck and cave dives. * Beaches: Beautiful white-sand beaches can be found on virtually all of the Grenadines. St Vincent's beaches are mainly of dark volcanic sand. The safest swimming is on the leeward beaches. * Sailing: with superb sailing conditions, the Grenadines have long been a favourite with yachtsmen. Bareboat and crewed yachts are available for as long as you require. Charter a boat to see the neighbouring islands - it's the best way to get around. * Hiking: St Vincent's mountains offer several good trails. The intrepid can trek up La Soufrière volcano for a view of the crater. Less demanding marked trails lead through the rainforest to freshwater waterfalls where you can take a dip. * Sightseeing: the Botanical Gardens in Kingstown, St Vincent, are the oldest in the Caribbean - 20 acres of tropical trees and shrubs. Current time/weather: St Vincent:  |
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