St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is an independent nation of about 110,000 people spread over 32 islands and cays in the southern Windward Islands, between St Lucia and Grenada. It gained independence from Britain in 1979 and remains a Commonwealth realm; English is the official language, and Vincentian Creole is what you hear on the street.
It is, above all, varied. In a single trip you can climb an active volcano, swim under a rainforest waterfall, drink rum punch in a harbour full of yachts and snorkel with turtles on a reef that looks like a screensaver.
How long do you need?
- A cruise day — one island tour: Wallilabou and Fort Charlotte, or Dark View Falls.
- Five days — two nights on St Vincent, three on Bequia with a day trip south.
- Ten days — St Vincent, Bequia and a southern island (Union, Canouan or a private-island resort) with the Tobago Cays.
- Two weeks — all of the above at a relaxed pace, or a week’s yacht charter plus a few nights ashore.
The islands in brief
The Southern Grenadines Tobago Cays
Turtles, reef and five empty islands
Five uninhabited cays inside a horseshoe of reef, protected as a marine park since 1997. Swim with green turtles over the seagrass off Baradal, snorkel Horseshoe Reef and eat grilled lobster on the beach — the single image most people have of the Grenadines.
The Northern Grenadines 
St Vincent island La Soufrière
Climb an active volcano
At 1,234 metres the volcano that fills the north of St Vincent is the country’s highest point — and very much alive: it erupted in 1902, 1979 and, spectacularly, in April 2021. The climb from the windward side is a hard but walkable half-day through rainforest to the crater rim.
St Vincent island Dark View Falls
Twin waterfalls in the rainforest
Two cascades tumbling down a forested cliff near Chateaubelair, reached across a bamboo bridge. The pools at the base are cold, clear and perfect after the drive up the leeward coast — the most popular natural sight on St Vincent.
See every island and sight, with directions and tours, in our islands & sights guide.
What it costs
SVG is mid-priced by Caribbean standards on St Vincent and Bequia, and very expensive on Mustique, Canouan and the private islands. Indicative prices:
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Minibus ride on St Vincent | A few EC dollars |
| Ferry Kingstown–Bequia, one way | Roughly US$10–15 |
| Local lunch (roti, fish, rice and peas) | US$10–20 |
| Half-day island tour | From about €45 per person |
| Mid-range hotel double on St Vincent | From about US$110–160 |
| Private-island resort | Often US$1,000+ per night |
Prices change — treat these as a rough guide and check current rates.
Money
The currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$), pegged at about EC$2.70 to US$1 and shared with seven other Eastern Caribbean states. US dollars are accepted almost everywhere tourists go, though change may come in EC$. There are ATMs in Kingstown, at Argyle, on Bequia and on Union and Canouan, but carry cash for taxis, markets, water taxis and the smaller islands.
Food and drink
The national dish is roasted breadfruit and fried jackfish — breadfruit arrived here with Captain Bligh in 1793. Look out too for callaloo soup, buljol (salt-fish salad), goat water, fresh lobster in season (typically October to April), rotis and the local cocoa tea. Wash it down with Hairoun, the local lager, or with Sunset rum — including a notoriously strong overproof.
Festivals
- Vincy Mas — carnival, climaxing in late June and early July in Kingstown.
- Bequia Easter Regatta — traditional boat racing and parties over Easter weekend.
- Nine Mornings — a uniquely Vincentian pre-dawn Christmas festival in the nine days before Christmas.
- National Heroes Day (14 March) — honouring the Garifuna leader Joseph Chatoyer.
Practical details
- Language: English, plus Vincentian Creole.
- Driving: on the left; a temporary local permit is required. Roads are narrow, steep and winding.
- Electricity: 230 V; British-style three-pin sockets are common — bring an adapter.
- Time zone: Atlantic Standard Time (UTC−4), no daylight saving.
- Tipping: many restaurants add a service charge; otherwise around 10–15% is appreciated.
- Dress: beachwear is for the beach — cover up in town and in shops.
Safety
SVG is generally safe for visitors, and people are famously friendly. Take normal precautions: do not leave valuables on the beach, avoid walking alone in unlit areas at night, use licensed taxis, and hike La Soufrière and remote trails with a guide. Respect the sea: currents on the Atlantic side can be strong.
Common mistakes
- Skipping St Vincent for the Grenadines — or the Grenadines for St Vincent. Do both.
- Underestimating travel times. A 30 km drive on St Vincent can take an hour.
- Planning a same-day ferry and international flight. Leave a buffer.
- Not checking which southern Grenadines businesses have reopened after Hurricane Beryl.