St Vincent and the Grenadines was named Hairouna by its native people, meaning ‘Land of the Blessed’. With its awe-inspiring beauty spread out on land and sea over a chain of 32 islands in the Caribbean Sea, the name can still claim truth today. Over 60,000 tourists visit the islands every year, some arriving on their own boats, taking advantage of the trade winds that sweep the islands to set sail into the sunset for this truly exotic destination.

Amazing clear blue seas and marine life are a major feature of St Vincent and the Grenadines. Activities such as scuba diving are extremely popular and accessible here, as are sailing and boating. With 32 islands separated by short channels, many visitors take the opportunity to go ‘island hopping’ in the Caribbean Sea. Some of the Grenadine isles are tiny and remain largely untouched, making independent exploration of these islands an unforgettable experience.

There are several resort-style accommodations located on the larger islands of St Vincent and the Grenadines, such as Bequia, Canouan, Mayreau, Mustique, and Union Island. The largest island, St Vincent, also offers high standard accommodation at luxurious beach locations. On some of the smaller islands in the Grenadines there are also affordable lodgings where you will be able to stay on a budget, and some islands are extremely exclusive. Wherever you go, you will always be greeted affectionately with a warm Caribbean smile. The locals are used to receiving and catering for tourists as they themselves know how attractive their country and lifestyle is.

The Tobago Cays provide a wonderful diving experience. Now a protected marine park, these five uninhabited islands are accessible only by boat. Many visitors choose to make the journey in their own boat, and you can charter a yacht in order to reach the Cays, or other options are available. On land the 3,950-foot peak of the Soufriere volcano and its surrounding rainforest presents a pleasurable experience for birders and nature hikers.

When visiting St. Vincent and the Grenadines you can look forward to two distinct seasons: the wet season and the dry season. Because of the tropical climate of the region, temperatures never get too cold around the islands - although at the heightr of the rainy season (in July) the temperature get's a little warmer. During the drier seasons, the Trade Winds keep the islands from getting blisteringly hot, maintaining the air temperature at a comfortable level. It is for this reason that the height of dry season (April) is preferred by tourists.

The main airport of St Vincent and the Grenadines is located in the nation’s capital, Kingstown, on St Vincent Island. From here it is possible to get around the island by taxi or rental car. To get to the other islands there are four airports on the larger islands of the Grenadines, where you can connect with a 30-minute maximum flight. But many people choose to take advantage of the proximity between all the islands by chartering their own yacht for the leisurely pursuit of ‘island hopping’. Otherwise there are ferry and water taxi services connecting all of the inhabited islands.

Highlights

  • Take a dive in the enticing warm tropical waters of the Caribbean Sea
  • Go island-hopping across 32 islands by chartering a yacht
  • Take advantage of the northwesterly trade winds that sweep the islands by going windsurfing
  • Explore the inland tropical rainforests on a jungle tour
  • Witness Leatherback turtles swimming in the surrounding waters of the Grenadines isles
  • Spot an array of amazingly colorful endemic species in this bird-lovers paradise
  • Go whale-watching in what is considered to be one of the finest spots in the world
  • Romance in the air? St Vincent and the Grenadines provide an unforgettable location to get married

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