One of the major British Windward Islands, sleepy St. Vincent is just beginning
to awaken to tourism. Sailors and the yachting set have long known of St.
Vincent and the Grenadines, and until recently it was a well-kept vacation
secret.
Situated about one hundred miles west of Barbados, and nestled between St Lucia to the north and Grenada to the south, the string of islands known collectively as St Vincent and the Grenadines may be physically close together, but vary enormously in character, terrain and appeal.
The overall economy of the St. Vincent & The Grenadines revolves around agriculture, with bananas and coconut palms the major cash crops. Tourism is a growing business (especially on St. Vincent), but on the outer islands, smaller crowds, isolated beaches and quiet days are the norm.
The main centre of activity is St Vincent , the largest and northernmost of the islands. As well as exploring St Vincent's two distinct coastlines - the rugged windward side and the gentle leeward side - and lush, interior hiking trails, don't miss the opportunity to spend time on the tiny isle of Bequia (Bek-way), just a short ferry ride away, a yachters' haven that also boasts shimmering beaches and a fascinating seafaring history. The less developed and less populated islands of Canouan, Mayreau and Union are all easily reachable by ferry and offer a taste of the unspoiled Caribbean, while Mustique , an island hideaway of the rich and famous, makes for an affordable day trip of swimming and snorkelling, though don't expect to find a cheap place to stay.
The uninhabited national park of the Tobago Cays , a cluster of islets which
form the eastern point of a triangle between Union Island and Mayreau, are
surrounded by coral reefs and unbelievably aquamarine waters and make an excellent
excursion from nearby islands.
Getting There
Flights touch down on St Vincent at E.T. Joshua Airport in Arnos Vale, roughly
1.5 miles southeast of the capital of Kingstown. The airport does not receive
international flights from outside the Caribbean, so you'll need to fly first
to Barbados, Grenada, Martinique, St Lucia, Puerto Rico or Trinidad and make
a connection there. British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Air
Canada, Air France, BWIA and Air Jamaica provide service to the islands listed
above, while American Eagle, BWIA Express, Caribbean Star, Caribbean Sun,
LIAT, SVG Airways and Mustique Airways fly from those gateways.
Flight time to St. Vincent is approximately 35 minutes from Barbados; 30 minutes from Grenada; 45 minutes from Martinique; 20 minutes from St. Lucia; 2 hours 20 minutes from Puerto Rico.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines has an information desk in the Arrivals Section of Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados, open daily from approximately 1.00pm until the last flight to St. Vincent departs. Personnel are on hand to assist travellers in making connections to their final destinations.
It's also possible to travel to Union Island from Carriacou (one of Grenada's islands) by boat.
Other Airports