Activities in St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Hiking, sailing and marine life
Hiking
The pulse of St. Vincent & The Grenadines beats at a walking pace, and this is the best way to discover the islands. You can see much of the islands by foot and each corner can bring a new view of their stunning convoluted coastline and countryside.
The people you pass will greet you and then conversations flow easily.
Away from the villages and their interconnecting roads, much of the terrain of all the islands is hilly and densely forested with many paths winding through the countryside. The best way to explore is with a guide. They not only know the best routes, but will also teach you about the birdlife, flora and fauna.
Diving
Under the water, St. Vincent & The Grenadines is just as beautiful as above. The reefs are healthy, the visibility is good and the waters warm. There are several reputable dive operators on St. Vincent, Bequia and Union islands. The emphasis is on quality diving and just as on the land, there are no crowds jostling to see the best sights.
There is an abundance and diversity of species both large and small; sharks, rays, turtles, reef fish and delicate small creatures. St. Vincent is particularly good for unique small creature safari dives and the Grenadines best for the bigger stuff.
Snorkelling
The sea-life that surrounds all of the islands in St. Vincent & The Grenadines is stunning. Not all of it requires diving equipment to see; the snorkelling is world class. The Tobago Cays and Bequia offer some of the best snorkelling anywhere in the Caribbean, while all the other islands have their hot spots too.
Bequia's best beaches for snorkelling are Friendship Bay, the incongruously named Industry Bay (it's deserted apart from swaying palms, but this part of the island was once the site of the sugar industry), Lower Bay and L'An Chemise.
"When I am not cooking I go snorkelling. The waters are clear and blue. The reefs are some of the best reefs around. The fishes are so beautiful and colourful. It's another world!"
Owen Belmar, Chef
Sailing
Sailing is the best way to see these islands and these islands are some of the best places to sail anywhere in the world. The whole archipelago is easily accessible in a short space of time as all the islands are close together. Secluded bays or vibrant local harbours, wherever you choose to drop anchor depends simply on your mood.
Bareboat charter, skippered yachts or day sailing; all are available so even those spending their first time under sail can enjoy the pleasure of a yacht moving over calm tropical waters.
Friendship Rose on Bequia
Everyone living on Bequia knows the Friendship Rose. Three brothers built her by hand from local wood on Friendship Bay between 1963 and 1967 and she was used as a mail boat, a cargo boat and then a ferry.
Her fate was uncertain until she was renovated and restyled as a pleasure cruiser, running day trips for visitors around The Grenadines. She is still sailed completely by hand and still skippered by the octogenarian Captain Lewis.
Easter Regatta on Bequia
"The regatta's a beautiful sight. To see fifty or sixty old double ender fishing boats out there competing, racing. It is beautiful."
Nollie Simmonds
Bequia's Easter Regatta is a four-day festival of sail. All types of sailing boats can compete in the races and do, from old schooners to sleek racers, but the highlight of the event is reserved for traditional Bequia style dinghies.
Grenadines Christmas sailing holiday
Caribbean sailing holiday: St Lucia and the Grenadines
From
£1399
12 Days
ex flights
Caribbean birdwatching holiday
Unique birding adventure on six idyllic Caribbean islands
From
£5195
15 Days
inc UK flights