St Vincent & the Grenadines

Introducing St Vincent & the Grenadines

Just the name St Vincent and the Grenadines evokes an emotive response with visions of exotic, idyllic island life. And the fantasy rings true. Imagine an island chain buried deep within the Caribbean Sea, uncluttered by tourist exploitation; white sand beaches on deserted islands, sky-blue water gently lapping the shore and barely a soul around. Thirty-two islands dot the seascape, all vying to one-up each other in terms of tranquility. St Vincent is the largest in the group, home to the capital, Kingstown. This lively town is a throwback to colonial times with cobblestone streets and locals rushing about.

Once you get off the big island and into the Grenadines, everything changes. Gone is the traffic, the hustle and the pavement. All you’re left with is a smattering of tiny islands waiting to be explored. In Bequia, beaches stretch out before you, the pace of life slows to a crawl and the desire to go home vanishes. You’ll find unassuming budget hideaways, where you can escape from the world and (almost) live like a king on the income of a pauper. Or you can spend time on the island of Mustique where renting a house for the week will cost more than buying a luxury car.

These islands have enchanted sailors for centuries, and continue to do so. Whether you have your own vessel or are happy to hitch a ride, the island-hopping opportunities are irresistible. These islands were once the realm of real pirates but now they are the stomping grounds of the Pirates of the Caribbean. St Vincent and the Grenadines have jumped into the limelight thanks to Hollywood and they’re not looking back.

Last updated: Oct 20, 2009