Most Popular Places to Visit in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Top Attractions

If you’re looking for a Caribbean paradise a little off the beaten track, St Vincent and the Grenadines should top your list. There are a huge range of activities and adventures here to suit any visitor. And, as any Caribbean holiday destination should, it also offers stunning weather and a laid-back atmosphere. A place that mixes an authentic charm with miles of dreamy scenery and a few upscale resorts thrown in, the Southern Caribbean nation is made up of its main island St Vincent and a series of smaller islands. The gorgeous country is known for its volcanic landscapes, yacht-filled harbors, white sandy beaches, stunning reefs, being the setting for Pirates of the Caribbean, its Royal connections. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a beautiful Caribbean country that consists of 32 small and large islands, stretching from Saint Vincent Island to Grenada. Nine of them are inhabited. With a rich French and British colonial history, the country is now part of the Commonwealth of Nations and CARICOM. Saint Vincent and Grenadines is a popular tourist destination, with a combination of lush tropical forests perfect for eco-tours, magnificent coral reefs around Tobago Keys in the Tobago Keys National Marine Park, fine sandy beaches for sun worshipers, and luxury hotels and resorts hidden among lush vegetation. There is even the live volcano Soufrier to make things interesting.

#1- Union Island
The island has two main villages: Ashton and Clifton. Ashton is the launching point for hikes into the hills, while Clifton is home to most of the tourist facilities, with shops, restaurants, a marina, and airport. This is also the place to visit if you're coming to kitesurf or looking for a little nightlife.

#2- Bequia
Popular places to visit on Bequia include Port Elizabeth on Admiralty Bay, the island's main commercial center. A walkway runs along the waterfront on the south side of town, passing restaurants and quaint little shops. Stop by the Bequia Maritime Museum to learn a little about the island's history.

#3- Leeward Highway Scenic Drive
The Leeward Highway Scenic Drive is a rewarding way to do some sightseeing. Carving along cliff tops and scenic coastal stretches, this 40-kilometer road runs from Kingstown to Richmond Beach, along St. Vincent's sheltered west coast. The road passes by local villages, black-sand beaches, coconut plantations, and some worthwhile tourist attractions. Along the way, Carib Rock features a carved face dating from AD 600.

#4- La Soufrière Volcano
A popular way to hike to the summit is on the guided La Soufrière Volcano hike. Along the way, you'll learn about the uniquely adapted plants and animals, and see rainforest, cloud forest, and spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. Once at the top, you'll also have a chance to explore the crater.

#5- Palm Island 
Palm Island is a little patch of paradise. Home to the Palm Island Resort & Spa, one of the best St. Vincent and the Grenadines beach resorts, as well as a sprinkling of holiday villas, the island is named for the abundant coconut palms planted by the resort's former owners. Five white-sand beaches fringe the coast, with excellent snorkeling just offshore in translucent turquoise water. The island has a small airport and is also only a short boat ride from Union Island.

#6- Fort Charlotte
It's easy to see why Fort Charlotte is one of the most popular points of interest in St. Vincent. Set upon a hill near Edinboro, this historic structure was built between the late 1700s and early 1800s. It boasts exceptional views of Kingstown, Mt. St. Andrew, and the Grenadines. Built to protect the area from land attacks, the fort once housed barracks that could hold 600 people and over 30 pieces of artillery. Today, you'll find a few cannons on the grounds, as well as stone walls, murals, and the barracks. We'd suggest hiring the services of a local guide, so you can enjoy a proper tour.

#7- Petit St. Vincent
Petit St. Vincent is a tropical fantasy come true. Also known as PSV, this privately owned island is home to the boutique Petit St. Vincent Resort, where guests are ensconced in secluded ocean-view villas sprinkled around the hillsides and bays. To preserve the island's tranquility, the villas have no phones and televisions. Instead, colored flags convey messages to the attentive staff.

#8- St. Vincent Botanical Gardens
The gardens encompass 20 acres of indigenous and exotic tropical plants and trees, such as hibiscus, cinnamon, nutmeg, mahogany, palms, and a breadfruit tree reputedly grown from a seedling brought to the island by Captain Bligh. Bird lovers can see the endemic St. Vincent parrot in a little aviary on the grounds. Hire a guide here at the entrance for a small fee to truly get the most out of these beautiful gardens.

#9- Montreal Estate Gardens
The grounds stretch across 7.5 acres and are spotted with formal rainforest and colorful gardens bursting with beauty and captivating aromas. A river runs through the multi-level estate, and well-maintained paths make it easy for visitors of all ages and abilities to explore. In the distance, tourists are granted stunning vistas of banana plantations, the coast, dense rainforest, and the Grand Bonhomme mountain.

#10- Tobago Cays
In the southern Grenadines, the Tobago Cays encompass five small, uninhabited islands that are now the key feature of the Tobago Cays Marine Park. Protected by reefs, the beaches offer calm clear waters for swimming and snorkeling, and the surrounding coral gardens are rich in marine life.

#11- Kingstown, St. Vincent
Cobblestone streets and colonial buildings enhance the quaint downtown area, and if you're wondering what to do in Kingstown, St. Vincent, its handsome churches are among the highlights. Beautiful stained-glass windows adorn St. George's Cathedral, an 1820 Georgian-style structure, and the 1823 St. Mary's Catholic Cathedral features Gothic spires and Romanesque columns and arches.

#12- Mustique
Exclusive Mustique is a playground for celebrities, rock stars, and the uber-rich. With its own airport and general store, this five-kilometer-long private island is home to posh private villas and the only luxury hotel.

#13- Canouan
If you're wondering where the best St. Vincent and the Grenadines beaches are, you'll find many of them on Canouan. About 40 kilometers south of St. Vincent, this small island offers dazzling white-sand beaches and excellent snorkeling, thanks to a barrier reef that protects the Atlantic side of the island.

#14- Salt Whistle Bay
Accessible only by boat, Mayreau is a tiny island of only 2.5 square kilometers with one of the Caribbean's prettiest bays, Salt Whistle Bay. The bay is a popular spot for yachts, and its palm-fringed arc of white-sand beach is lovely for sunbathing. A few local vendors sell souvenirs and snacks along the shore. The island's only road leads uphill from the beach to a small village with spectacular views of the Tobago Cays. Most visitors arrive at the dock on Saline Bay.