A place that mixes an authentic charm with miles of dreamy scenery and a few upscale resorts thrown in, the Southern Caribbean nation is made up of its main island St Vincent and a series of smaller islands.
The gorgeous country is known for its volcanic landscapes, yacht-filled harbors, white sandy beaches, stunning reefs, being the setting for Pirates of the Caribbean, its Royal connections (Princess Margaret was given land on Mustique as a wedding present in 1960), and ‘Liming’ which the locals say is ‘the art of doing nothing.’
So if you want to relax and recharge the Caribbean way, here are the best and most beautiful places to visit in St. Vincent and the Grenadines…
1. Tobago Cays – one of the most stunning spots to explore in St Vincent
Located in the southern Grenadines islands, the Tobago Cays is an archipelago comprising five small uninhabited islands: Petit Rameau, Petit Bateau, Baradal, Petit Tobac, and Jamesby.
These islands offer various fun activities and allow their visitors to have unlimited fun all through the day.
Tobago Cays is famous for snorkeling and scuba diving.
Besides the natural habitat of several birds and other wildlife species, tourists love to get hands-on binoculars to observe the beauty of the nesting seabirds.
Moreover, to give the beach’s authentic feel, you can enjoy fully prepared barbecue dinners on the beach.
2. Sapphire Beach – one of the most beautiful beaches in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, being the island nation, has several charming beaches for you.
However, the beauty and calmness of this beach are unparalleled and will make you forget about the tiring day you might be having or the work stress.
All you need is your favorite beach suit and enjoy the perfect sunbathing with the tranquilizing sound of the shore waves.
3. Bequia – the second-largest island in the Grenadines
Bequia is the second-largest island in the Grenadines. The ambiance of this place will not let you leave. The welcoming locals and the carefree environment attract tourists from across the globe. Bequia is one of the last vestiges of the old-school Caribbean, just as casual and beachy as you’d imagined.
Besides the fun at the beach, you can take a stroll along the waterfront Belmont Walkway to Princess Margaret Beach, one of the most scenic walks you’ll ever have.
Don’t miss the capital of Grenadines Parish, Port Elizabeth. Plus, it’s a great place to get pretty souvenirs and shop for unique jewelry from this place.
4. Kingstown – the capital of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
The capital and chief port of the island, Kingstown, is a well-known port of entry for tourists. It attracts tourists not only because it is the capital but also because of the picturesque sights that it has to offer.
The most visited and adored place is St. Vincent Botanic Gardens, located on the northern outskirts of Kingstown.
Another prominent tourist attraction is Fort Charlotte; build on a hill overlooking the harbor of Kingstown. Explore the historic Georgian-style St. George’s Cathedral with colorful stained-glass windows and take a peek into the colonial history.
Additionally, visitors can shop from the Cruise Ship Terminal shops with eclectic boutiques, handicrafts, and restaurants.
5. Montreal Gardens – a popular attraction to explore on the islands
What better place to be than when you can enjoy the exotic species of plants and flowers and spend a gala time under the view of a picturesque environment?
Montreal Gardens are though smaller than Botanical Gardens, but the variety of plants they offer is innumerable.
Nestled in the tropical rainforest, the view of the place, fragrance, and soothing sound is indescribable. You’ll be surprised to see the colors and shapes you’ll see here.
Besides, the lush green trees in the garden add to the ambiance of the place.
6. Dark View Falls – a natural beauty spot to visit
Cascading down a sheer cliff one above the other, Dark View Fall has two spectacular waterfalls in St. Vincent. The waterfall rises from a tributary of the Richmond River at the southern foot of the La Soufrière volcano.
Easily one of the best places to visit in St Vincent it’s a must-see attraction.
If you love to hike, you can divert to long trails, but, people who wish to experience the site’s beauty yet cannot take long hikes can opt for a shorter one.
The pathway to the lower waterfall is both picturesque and exciting, with a rickety bamboo bridge over the river leading to a pretty bamboo grove within the forest. A steeper path leads to the upper waterfall, where you will find a large swimming pool.
7. Mopion Beach – a gorgeous and unique beach with beautiful views
It is with no doubt that St. Vincent and The Grenadine have some of the best beaches in the world. If you feel that you cannot live/ survive alone, you have to meet and greet the iconic umbrella at Mopian Beach.
Yes! This umbrella has seen it all but has never wavered which is inspirational indeed.
A pure sandy beach surrounded by a lovely underwater reef, Mopion is a quiet gem in the middle of turquoise waters. You can reach there by boat and can sit under the iconic umbrella for a while.
8. Union Island – a scenic island paradise
It is a small island yet has much to offer. It is famous for the southern gateway to the Grenadines, especially the Tobago Islands. Tourists fly in from other islands in the West Indies to enjoy water adventures in the Grenadines for a day or two.
Union Island has excellent beaches, the best of which is the Big Sand Beach.
Most beach lovers also love Chatham Bay on the west coast, Bloody Bay on the northwest coast, and Richmond Bay on the north coast. Besides, it offers the best options for people who love snorkeling as they will find good conditions on Lagoon Reef.
9. Barrouallie – a historic town with beautiful beaches
The former capital of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Barrouallie was established by French settlers in 1719. Approx an hour’s drive from the capital city of Kingstown, Barrouallie, is an excellent example of what a ‘small town’ island flavor is all about.
The place derives its picturesque beauty from the surrounding mountains, which have also protected the town from volcanic eruptions over time.
The soothing bay, black-sand beaches, charming pastel-colored houses and a rich history offers you a lot to explore. Archaeology lovers can visit the Layou Petro glyph Park and learn about the life of Carib Indians.
10. Salt Whistle Bay – one of the best places to visit on St Vincent and the Grenadines
The exceptional Salt Whistle Bay has received many awards throughout the years. It was voted amongst the top 50 Best Beaches of the world and listed in the Paradise Found section of “Top 50 Places of a Lifetime” by National Geographic Traveler Special Edition.
That said, Salt Whistle Bay is a World Class beach and has one of the most protected anchorages in the Caribbean. Hence, pack all the necessary items and rush to this beach early.
Grab a nice, comfy place for yourself before the crowd starts pouring in!
11. Palm Island – a small and beautiful island which can be reached by boat
As the name suggests, Palm Island has nearly 2,000 palm trees scattered over the private island. You can reach Palm Island by a short, 10 minutes boat ride from Union Island.
Besides snorkeling and lying in the beach water, you can also explore, meet and greet a variety of iguanas, hummingbirds, and hermit crabs.
Moreover, land turtles have been recently introduced to the island from nearby Union Island and thrive in the new environment. You can also stroll around and reach the small peak from where you can experience the spectacular views across the Grenadine Archipelago.
12. Chatham Bay – a lovely and peaceful place to visit in St Vincent and the Grenadines
As mentioned earlier, there is no shortage of pleasant beaches and views in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Chatham Bay is another place where you can spend your entire day without getting bored.
It is a popular anchorage for yachters. Besides, Chatham Bay is a lovely thin crescent of white sand backed by steep, forest-covered hills on the island’s western side.
The calm turquoise waters are ideal for snorkeling lovers and the place has some good bars and restaurants to give you authentic and regional delicacies.
And most importantly, to get here, you can hike down (20 minutes) from the main road or take a water taxi that can drop you right on the sand!
13. Wallilabou – the setting for The Pirates of The Caribbean
The Wallilabou River in the northwest of Saint Vincent is a pleasant place to be in the lap of nature. You can observe the surroundings for a while or go snorkeling.
Besides, the small bay also consists of a black sand beach, a small hotel, two small boat docks, and sheltered moorings.
If you wish to stay here and spend a night beside the river, you need to take the permission of the customs officer.
Plus, it is an excellent opportunity for the fans of Caribbean films to visit the Wallilabou Anchorage Hotel that has a restaurant open to the public with a selection of authentic local dishes, props, and souvenirs from the sets of Pirates of the Caribbean film.
14. Petit St. Vincent – a secluded private island on the southern tip of the Grenadines
Vincent is located in the southern part of the Grenadines island chain, north of Carriacou and Petite Martinique and south of Palm Islands and Union Island.
It is yet another attractive place in the tiny island nation. It is privately owned and has recently gone under a massive renovation yet has retained much of its natural essence.
Besides, if you wish to experience rural life away from the city and gadgets, then this is a must-go place for you. You can relax and spend as much time as you like in the resort and on the beach.
15. Mustique – a premier getaway famous for its royal connections
Mustique is another small private island famous for its impressive view. Besides, it has nine magnificent beaches, out of which Macaroni Beach, an isolated strip on the eastern side of the island, tops the list.
It’s also the place where Princess Margaret (the Queen of England’s younger sister) was given some land and famously made it her playground during the 1960s and 1970s.
Besides the beach view and experience, Mustique offers various other activities to indulge in, from swimming, scuba diving to sailing and snorkeling with the turtles at nearby Tobago Cays; you can spend most of your time on this small island.
16. Mayreau – the smallest inhabited island of the Grenadines
Accessible only by boat, this is the smallest inhabited island of the Grenadines but it’s also one of the most stunning spots to explore as well with gorgeous pristine palm-fringed sandy beaches and turquoise waters.
It’s home to a very small community located on a hilltop in the south-west of the island.
There is accommodation on the island, no roads but also a favorite spot for stopping on a boat and also offers water sports and hiking,
17. La Soufrière – a top attraction on St. Vincent’s main island that offers scenic views
La Soufrière is a volcano located in St. Vincent and is the highest peak on the island. If you are a fan of exploring nature, this is a great option to go for a hike.
You have the option to book a tour in advance where you will be guided and get the best tips, or you could simply go on your own as the trail is easy to follow. Be warned that you will witness one of the most majestic views in the world!
Make sure to have the appropriate clothes and plenty of water as this is a great activity for a whole day.
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Gary is an award winning full time professional photographer and videographer with too much wanderlust for his own good. Fuelled by strong coffee, you’ll often find him wandering well off hiking trails in search of interesting photographic subjects or scenery to video. Self taught and with the use of pioneering digital techniques, he quickly built up a strong client base and has worked with many prestigious organisations, including GQ, BBC, London Fashion Week, Grazia, Sky, Metro, Vogue Italia. He specialising in evocative images of people, places and cinematic videography and his goal is to make the viewer look twice and engage. As well as a penchant for good design, the ketogenic diet and Hungarian Vizslas, he also has a huge affection for Chicago, Bucharest, Scandinavia, Croatia and absolutely everywhere in Italy. Find him on Instagram @garynansome, Twitter @garynansome and his website https://garynunn.co.uk/