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Somewhat unfairly, St Vincent is often overlooked in favour of its little brothers and sisters – the neighbouring Grenadines. But those who do stop here are in for a treat. Deserted beaches and untouched forest stretch for miles, interrupted only by the occasional cobbled town or dormant volcano. Kingstown is the main hub, its arched stone doors and covered walkways giving a nod to days gone by.
• Head over to the island of Bequia where you can alternate shopping with sunbathing. This tiny uncrowded island is just 15 kilometres from Kingstown, and the best way to reach it is on the sun-drenched decks of a catamaran.
• Take a trip around Fort Charlotte in Kingstown. This British Garrison was built in 1806 and it’s now home to a selection of local paintings and handicrafts. Later, head north and take in the oldest botanical gardens in the western hemisphere. Among all the trees, shrubs and flowers, you’re likely to spot the island’s multi-coloured national bird – the St Vincent Parrot.
• Follow in the footsteps of Johnny Depp and Kiera Knightly with a visit to Wallilabou Bay where Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed.
• Hop on a boat in search of dolphins. Eleven species of the mammal live off St Vincent’s coasts, so you’ve got a good chance of seeing a pod in action.
SHORE EXCURSIONS► View all EXCURSIONS
Caribbean Pirates Sailaway►
Step onboard a handmade Schooner for a cruise along the leeward coast of St Vincent. This little island’s volcanic beginnings have left it a legacy to be proud of – rich, fertile soil, lush valleys and shimmering black sand beaches. You’ll start this tour with a scenic trip on the traditional West Indian boat along the coast, before dropping anchor, Here, you’ll have a chance to take a dip and enjoy the underwater theatrics first-hand. Or, if you’d prefer, you can laze on the beach and soak up the scenery from dry land. Then it’s back on the waves for a visit to the hideaway cove. where the Pirates of the Caribbean movie was filmed. In fact, the schooner you’ll be travelling on was used in the filming of the first movie. With a drink in hand and music playing in the background, it’s the perfect way to explore the coast.
St Vincent Island Highlights►
This one lets you tick off all the island’s best bits. Your trip starts with a scenic uphill drive to Fort Charlotte – a former British Garrison built back in 1806. Nowadays, it’s taken on more of a cultural identity and houses a collection of local paintings depicting the history of the Carib Indians. Artwork aside, the sweeping views of the Northern Grenadines and the capital of Kingstown from up here are worth the trip alone. When you’ve had your fill of scenery, it’s on to the Botanical Gardens. Opened in 1765 and home to a breadfruit tree brought over from Tahiti, this place is a green-fingered history fest. Next on the agenda is the leafy Mesopotamia Valley. Nicknamed ‘the food basket’ because of its rich soil, it’s a lush labyrinth of fruit trees, banana plantations and vegetable crops. Once again, the views are fantastic, so don’t forget your camera.
Bequia by Catamaran►
Beaches, boutiques, and breathtaking scenery – that’s what this tour promises. Leaving from Kingstown Harbour, you’ll climb aboard your catamaran and head out over the waves to the Bequia Channel. The first stop is Moonhole, a Flintstone-esque community of houses carved into rugged rocks. Then it's off to Port Elizabeth on the island of Bequia. This pretty waterfront town is freckled with one-off shops, flower-lined pathways and dinky restaurant terraces. When you’ve had a good look around, you’ll sail to Princess Margaret Beach where you can either swim or relax on the beach watching the world go by.
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