7 Reasons to Visit St Vincent and the Grenadines [2024]

View from the top of Fort Charlotte, Kingstown

Having visited many Caribbean countries, I can wholeheartedly say that the small nation of St Vincent and the Grenadines captured my heart. This stunning Caribbean archipelago is a hidden gem just waiting to be discovered. Offering visitors pristine beaches, stunning clear waters and lush greenery, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a tropical haven that offers something for everyone.

Wondering if visiting St Vincent and the Grenadines is Worth it? Here are 7 Reasons Why You Should Visit.

1. Breathtakingly Blue Beaches

Volcanic Beach of Buccament Bay

If you’re visiting the Caribbeans, chances are you’re looking for some great beaches. Well, you’re in luck as St Vincent and the Grenadines have an array of stunning beaches. From immaculate white-sand beaches like Princess Margaret Beach and Friendship Beach, to the black volcanic sands at Buccament Bay - a relaxing beach vacation will always be on the cards at St Vincent and the Grenadines.

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2. Let’s Go Chasing Waterfalls

Dark View Falls, St Vincent and the Grenadines

My visit to the wonderful St Vincent and the Grenadines was punctuated with a trip to the Dark View Falls. Although its name suggests otherwise, these waterfalls were anything but dark! In fact, visiting the magnificent falls was the sunshine highlight to my day.

The Dark View Falls consists of two cascades, with the larger one measuring almost 19m in height! I visited in the morning and was able to have the waterfall all to myself. It was such a surreal experience being able to stand underneath the strong waterfall stream and withstanding its strength! You should definitely try this if you get the chance, it felt like a soul-cleansing moment.

Ralph at Dark View Falls

Apart from the Dark View Falls, St Vincent and the Grenadines is also home to other gorgeous waterfalls such as the Falls of Baleine and Trinity Falls.

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3. Hidden Gems Galore

Fort Charlotte, Kingstown

With only around 250,000 visitors welcomed into St Vincent and the Grenadines every year, this small nation is sadly not one of the most visited countries in the Caribbean. But with few visitors, you’ll get to feel like you have the islands to yourself.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is truly filled with hidden gems.

At times, the country feels so untouched that even its main tourist attractions such as Soufriere Volcano, Fort Charlotte and Wallilabou Bay still seem like hidden gems. If you’re keen to explore further into the off-the-beaten track, check out attractions such as Happy Island, Montreal Gardens and the Chateaubelair Rock Carvings.

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4. Warm Caribbean Culture

From this perspective, you can appreciate the lively colours of Saint Vincent.

One stroll through Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ capital, and you’ll feel the buzzing Caribbean energy of the country immediately. With lively markets such as Kingstown Market and striking religious buildings like St Mary’s Cathedral woven into hustle and bustle of the atmosphere, it’s here that you’ll get to witness the friendly spirit of Vincentians as they live their day-to-day lives.

From lively festivals celebrating music, dance and local traditions to the friendly locals who warmly welcome visitors, it’s not hard to see why those who visit in the country fall in love with it pretty quickly.

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5. Sail Between the Islands

SVG is an island nation of 32 different islands and cays.

A proud island nation comprising of 32 separate islands and cays, visiting St Vincent and the Grenadines presents the perfect opportunity to go island hopping. Explore the full extent of SVG’s beauty by sailing between its lesser-known islands such as Mayreau, Union Island and the Tobago Cays.

St Vincent and the Grenadines is rightfully recognised as a sailing and yachting paradise and is presents a suitable venue for your Robinson Crusoe travel fantasies.

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6. Luxury Worthy of The World’s Richest

Another look at the lush greenery of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Home to some of the world’s most opulent resorts, St Vincent and the Grenadines’ lavish qualities are enough to keep some of the world’s richest celebrities coming back, time after time.

Incredible resorts such as the Petit St Vincent Resort, Cotton House and Palm Island Resort are known for their private beaches, gourmet culinary experiences, personalized service and sophisticated interior design. Celebrities like Bryan Adams, Sir Richard Branson and Mick Jagger are just some of the celebrities who have visited the country on multiple occasions. Want to go celebrity spotting? Who needs Hollywood? Head on over to St Vincent and the Grenadines!

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7. Hike to Your Heart’s Content

Hiking in St Vincent and the Grenadines is a popular activity among travellers.

Featuring lush greenery and spellbinding hills, St Vincent and the Grenadines offers hikers a treasure trove of trails to sink their teeth into.

The La Soufrier Volcano Hike is perhaps the most famous. This challenging hike takes trekkers through to the summit of La Soufriere – an active volcano – by passing lush rainforests and volcanic rock formations.

Other worthwhile hikes include the Mount Pleasant Nature Trail, Mount Royal Hike, Vermont Nature Trail and Union Island Coastal Trail.

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Bonus – It’s Where ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl’ Was Shot

Ralph at Wallilabou Bay, one of the locations in the movie 'Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl’.

If you're a fan of the 'Pirates' franchise, make sure to visit Wallilabou Bay. This stunning location served as the backdrop for several scenes in the movie 'Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl', portraying the fictional port of 'Port Royal.' Today, Wallilabou Bay has transformed into a museum-like exhibition, showcasing remnants from the film, including props, cast autographs, and costumes.

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How to get to St Vincent and the Grenadines

As St Vincent and the Grenadines is an island nation, the best way is to fly to the capital, Kingstown.Otherwise, you can visit on a cruise or sailing excursion.

The most popular originating airports flying directly into Kingstown Airport are Bridgetown (Barbados), Grenada, Miami, Saint Lucia, Port of Spain (Trinidad) and New York City.

We use Skyscanner to check flight prices, as it’s the internet’s most comprehensive flight aggregator and allows us to book the cheapest fare available. You can use this handy widget below to check flight routes.

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How to get around St Vincent and the Grenadines

Dark View Falls – reachable by taxi, car or tour.

You can get around the country by taxi for the most part, as they are pretty commonly found in touristy places. Please note that taxis are not metred, so negotiate a fare before getting in the vehicle.

Otherwise, hiring a car and driving yourself is a popular way to get to the country’s hidden gems.

There are also ferries to get from island to island, such as the Bequia Express.

St Vincent does offer a public bus, but I’m not sure I would recommend this as it’s not particularly known for departing on time and could result in significant confusion.

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Where to stay in St Vincent and the Grenadines

From budget backpacker accommodation to 5-star resort luxury, St Vincent and the Grenadines has a wide range of accommodation options for you. Here are our top picks!

Budget: Layou Guest House

A comfy guest house punctuated by friendly family service, this incredibly affordable accommodation offers guests an entire 3-bedroom apartment.

Layou Guest House

Layou Guest House

Layou Guest House

You can take a closer look at Layou Guest House by clicking here.

Mid-Range: Blue Lagoon Hotel and Marina

The Blue Lagoon Hotel and Marina boasts a stunning beachfront location and scenic swimming pool. Guests particularly love the friendly service, comfort and location.

Blue Lagoon Hotel and Marina

Blue Lagoon Hotel and Marina

Blue Lagoon Hotel and Marina

You can take a closer look at Blue Lagoon Hotel and Marina by clicking here.

Luxury: The Liming Bequia

The Liming Bequia

The Liming Bequia

The Liming Bequia

Located on the pristine island of Bequia, The Liming Bequia is popular with guests for its unadulterated luxurious interior design, beautiful pools and spacious villas.

You can take a closer look at The Liming Bequia by clicking here.

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Tours of St Vincent and the Grenadines

We’ve handpicked the best Saint Vincent and the Grenadines tours for you.

If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of getting around St Vincent and the Grenadines by yourself, then going on a guided tour is definitely the way to go. That’s what we did, and don’t regret it at all! On our tour, we got to visit the following places:

• Dark View Falls

• Fort Charlotte

• Fishing Town of Layou and Barrouallie

• Pirates of the Caribbean Movie set at Wallilabou Bay

• Buccamet Beach

👉  We did this specific tour run by Fraser Taxi & Tours and loved it. Our guide was super friendly and helpful, and timed the tour so that we were the only visitors in each place! On my trip around the Caribbeans, I have to say this was one of the best-run tours that I went on.

We would recommend these other highly-rated tours to make the most of your stay in St Vincent and the Grenadines:

• Soufrier Volcano Hike Guided Tour – Hike this iconic volcano in one day! Lunch, snacks, bottled water and soda are included.

• Crystal Kayaking in St Vincent – Experience the crystal clear waters of St Vincent and the Grenadines as you kayak from Mainland St. Vincent to Fort Duvernette, where you can hike to the top of the historic fort. This is a truly beautiful day out.

• Vermont Nature Trail Tour – Remember when we talked about this trail as one of the highlights of the country? Here’s your chance to do it! Take in the trail’s lush greenery, tropical flora, beautiful scenery and the famous St Vincent Parrot here.

• Owia Salt Pond Tour – Amazing hidden gem alert! The Owia Salt Pond is one of the country’s prettiest attractions, and we’re so sad we didn’t get to see it on our trip! This is definitely something I would like to see next time.

One last look at the Dark View Falls.

St Vincent and the Grenadines offer a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and opulent experiences. Whether you're a beach lover, an adventure seeker, or simply looking for a serene getaway, this Caribbean paradise has something for everyone. So, pack your bags, leave your worries behind, and embark on a memorable journey to St Vincent and the Grenadines.