St Vincent and the Grenadines

What to do in St Vincent and the Grenadines

La Soufriere

Standing at the rim of St Vincent's volcano, you get what just may be the best panoramic view in the Caribbean. Look inside to see steam rising from the crater, and stroll along the Rabacca Dry River to see the flow of lava from the eruption in the early 20th century.

Beaches

All of St Vincent's beaches are public, and many border hotels where lunch and drinks are available. Some of the beaches have golden sand, while others have the famous volcanic black sand. The area's most popular spot is Villa Beach, about 10 minutes from Kingstown. Tranquil waters allow for safe swimming, and there are many cafés and water-sports. Close by is Indian Bay Beach, with reef-protected calm water ideal for snorkeling. The clean, clear water at Buccament Bay has black sand, as does nearby Questelle's Bay Beach.

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling

St Vincent has more than 30 dive sites along its leeward shore. Snorkelers and divers alike often spot seahorses and frogfish.

Sailing

St Vincent is famous for its sailing. Visitors can rent fully provisioned yachts, or hire a captain and a crew. All the hotels can arrange half-day, full-day or overnight rentals.

Fort Charlotte

These ruins sit atop a steep promontory more than 600 feet above sea level. Cannons used to fight off French troops are still there, as are oil murals depicting the history.

Botanic Gardens

Founded in 1765, these are the oldest in the West Indies. Some of the trees are more than 200 years old, and there are 20 acres of almond, nutmeg, teak, mahogany and cannonball. One of the breadfuit trees was reputedly among the seedlings brought by Captain Bligh in 1793.

Carib Rock

This rates among the most impressive petroglyphs in the Caribbean. Here you can see a human face carving dating from 600AD.

Shopping

The best shopping is in Kingstown, where shoppers can walk from shop to shop. The Kingstown Market, best seen on a Friday or Saturday morning, is festive and colorful and sells everything from clothes to produce. The Craftsmen's Centre features local crafts and at Sprott Brothers visitors can find clothing designed by locals, as well as Caribbean-made furniture.