Grenadines

Introduction

The Grenadines are a chain of small islands that lie on a line between the larger islands of Saint Vincent and Grenada in the Lesser Antilles. The northern two-thirds of the chain, including about 32 islands and cays, are part of the country of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Nine are inhabited, including the mainland Saint Vincent and the Grenadines islands: Young Island, Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Union Island, Mayreau, Petit St Vincent, and Palm Island. The southern third of the chain belongs to the country of Grenada.

Geography and Islands

The Grenadines are divided between the island nations of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada. They lie between the islands of Saint Vincent in the north and Grenada in the south. Neither Saint Vincent nor Grenada are Grenadine islands. The islands north of the Martinique Channel belong to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the islands south of the channel belong to Grenada.

Major islands, roughly north to south:

• Bequia - famous for its yachting heritage.
• Mustique - playground of the ultra-wealthy.
• Canouan - the Caribbean in transition.
• Mayreau - the Caribbean as it was.
• Tobago Cays - world-renowned yachting destination.
• Union Island - raw and authentic.

Sights and Activities

Meet celebraties

The Caribbean islands are favorite among famous people and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines might just be number one on the list. So if you want to bump into people like Mick Jagger and David Bowie, this is your chance. Sarah Jessica Parker is said to have bought some property as well here. Especially the island of Mustique has a high density regarding VIPs but staying on the island yourself will come at a cost. Still, daytrips do some of the beaches and beachbars are possible...you never know who you are going to meet.

Island Hopping

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines consist of dozens of uninhabited islands but also the main islands like Union Island, Saint Vincent and Mustique are well worth a visit. There is wide choice and you can either hop from one island to another by public ferries or take an organised tour, for example with a sailing yacht to the Tobago Cays in the south of the archipelago. A must see is the Tobago Cays Marine Park, an area of stunning natural beauty, with crystal clear turquoise waters. Swim with turtles or relax on an uninhabited island.

Events and Festivals

Mustique Blues Festival

This St Vincent festival is the brainchild of London blues singer Dana Gillespie, and has been running since 1996. It is held over two weeks in January and February on the island of Mustique, although it does visit the island of Bequia for one night in the middle of festival. Since its inception it has been growing in popularity, and is a great place to hear some blues and roots music.

Bequia Easter Regatta

This five-day boat race takes place over Easter on the island of Bequia. It attracts many international professional and amateur sailors who compete in the Caribbean Sea surrounding the island. It is quite a spectacle to watch, and the final day sees huge celebrations going into the night.

Vincy Mas

This is a typical Caribbean festival filled with parades and pageants, and dancing and music at street parties. It is held over two weeks at the end of June, and the beginning of July annually, and is St Vincent’s most well-known festival.

Independence Day

This is held on October 27 every year to celebrate the formation of St Vincent and the Grenadines as a sovereign nation in 1979. Many people are proud of this and use the public holiday to celebrate in public at community events.

Nine Days Festival

As the name may suggest, this festival is held over nine mornings, in the run-up to Christmas Day. It reflects an indigenous culture mixed with Christianity, and is unique to St Vincent and the Grenadines. You will be reminded exactly of where you are as you are woken to the uplifting sounds of traditional steel pan music played at pre-dawn street concerts. Later in the day fêtes and fairs are held in towns and villages around the islands.

Weather

The Grenadines have a hot and humid tropical climate with average daytime temperatures between 28 °C and 30 °C and average nights around 23 °C. Most rain falls between June and October with a chance of hurricanes from August onwards. Therefore, the drier (and slightly cooler) December to April period is the best time to visit weatherwise. Unfortunately prices rise sharply during this period and the months of November and May still have good weather. So budgetwise these latter months may be a good option as well.

Getting There

By Plane

Some of the islands have international connections, including charters. The easiest way to get to the Grenadines by air is through international flights from Barbados, Martinique or St. Lucia.

Mustique Airways and SVG Air both have flights between the main island Saint Vincent and the smaller islands of the Grenadines. Mustique Airways flies between Saint Vincent and Mustique while SVG Air flies between Saint Vincent and the islands of Mustique, Canouan, Bequia, Mayreau, Petit Saint Vincent, Palm Island and Union Island. Most of them are scheduled flights, although the smaller islands like Palm Island and Petit Saint Vincent are mainly served by charter flights.

By Boat

There is an Inter Island ferry between several of the main islands of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Four ferries operates between the islands of Saint Vincent, Bequia, Canouan, Mayreau and Union Island. The exact schedule can be found on this page.
Admiralty Transport (phone 784 458 3348) and Bequia Express (phone 784 458 3472) have 4 boats togethere, travelling between the island of Bequia and Kingstown on Saint Vincent. There are 7 sailings on weekdays, 5 on Saturdays and 2 on Sundays.

Getting Around

By Plane

See above.

By Car

Options are limited on the islands, where taxis are a better way to get around privately. Remember that driving is on the left hand side of the road and that you need to buy a special temporary driving permit as well, which can be bought at the offices of the car rental agencies most times.

By Bus

Buses on Bequia are good, but are more of the shared taxi type. On most routes you can just flag down a bus anywhere or get off anywhere you like as well. On the other islands, some shared taxis are available as well, otherwise you need to get a private taxi.

By Boat

See above.

Sleep

Many tourists arrive in the Grenadines, stay at a resort, and never get the opportunity to interact with the citizens. If you want to get a taste of the true culture, consider a guest house or apartment.

External Links