St. Vincent & Grenadines Guide

Steep mountains covered in a tangle of lush vegetation, cool waterfalls, black and white sand beaches, colorful bougainvillea, and turquoise water - this is St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Trailing along in the southern Caribbean, St. Vincent lies 24 miles south of St. Lucia and 100 miles west of Barbados. St. Vincent called “the mainland” by locals and the Grenadines, well over 30 smaller islands and cays (keys) resemble a large kite (St. Vincent) and a tail of islands stretching nearly 45 miles to the southwest. Some of the more popular Grenadine islands include Young Island, Bequia (Beck-way), Mustique (Mus-teek), Canouan (Can-nu-wan), Mayreau (My-ro), Union Island, Palm Island, and Petit (petty) St. Vincent. Part of the Windward Island chain, these tropical gems are just being discovered by travelers worldwide.

The islands welcome visitors with open arms, eager to show you the pristine natural beauty of countless coves and cays with soft sandy beaches and clear sapphire to emerald green water, ideal for snorkeling, diving, and sailing. This island group offers some of the finest sailing in the world; you can charter a yacht and plot your own course through paradise.

St. Vincent’s volcanic ridges, valleys and waterfalls make this verdant island of frequent rain and rich soil a major producer of fruits, vegetables and spices. The interior flatlands and valleys are thickly planted with coconuts, bananas, breadfruit, nutmeg, and arrowroot. Rent a car, hire a taxi, or jump on a local bus (private vans wildly painted, music blaring) to see this extraordinary island.

Charter a boat or take the ferry to see the neighboring islands. Nearest is Bequia, 9 miles from St. Vincent. It is a sleepy little island of less than 5,000. Waterside restaurants, bars, quaint shops, and an occasional small hotel are strung together by a tiny path that threads its way along the water’s edge.

Next comes Mustique, 17 miles from St. Vincent and known for its famous guests that hang out at Basil’s Bar, including Mick Jagger, David Bowie, and British royalty (a sort of Caribbean Beverly Hills) where rock stars and royalty can relax together far from the media and crowds. This small, impressive island with 1400 acres of rolling hills surrounded by sparkling clear water has more than its share of long white sand beaches. Mustique is privately owned and has only a tiny village with a few quaint shops, the Firefly Inn and restaurant, the luxurious Cotton House resort, and 51 secluded villas. These private, palatial homes can be rented for a week or more by those desiring a perfect Caribbean luxury escape.

On down the kite tail you find Canouan, Mayreau, Union Island, Palm Island, and Petit St. Vincent. These islands are populated with just a few folks to a few hundred, some have airports, most have small hotels, and all have facilities for cruising sailors. One of the nice things about the Grenadines is that you need very little to stay entertained. Snorkel, swim, or dive off shore, walk the miles of deserted beaches, sail, watch the passing boats, read a book in the shade of a palm tree. Nightlife usually takes the form of a jump-up with a local band and scrumptious island cuisine.

The islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines are a beautiful and vibrant nation located in the eastern Caribbean Sea. The history of these islands is rich and diverse, shaped by a blend of indigenous culture, colonialism, and independence movements.

The original inhabitants of St. Vincent and the Grenadines were the indigenous Carib and Arawak peoples. The Caribs arrived around 100 AD and were known for their fierce resistance against European colonization. However, by the 16th century, the islands had been claimed by the Spanish, who introduced sugarcane and enslaved Africans to work on the plantations.

In the 18th century, the islands came under British control, and the sugar industry became the main economic driver. The enslaved Africans rebelled against their oppressors, with the most famous uprising being the Black Carib War in 1795. Led by a Garifuna chief named Joseph Chatoyer, the Black Caribs fought against the British for several years before being defeated in 1796.

After the abolition of slavery in 1834, St. Vincent and the Grenadines became a British colony. The islands remained a major producer of sugarcane, but other crops such as cotton, indigo, and coffee were also grown. The economy suffered from the decline of the sugar industry and the devastating effects of natural disasters, including hurricanes and volcanic eruptions.

In the early 20th century, the islands saw the rise of a movement for self-governance and independence. In 1951, St. Vincent and the Grenadines became a member of the West Indies Federation, a short-lived political union of several Caribbean islands. However, the federation was dissolved in 1962, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines became a self-governing state within the British Commonwealth.

In 1979, after years of political struggle, St. Vincent and the Grenadines gained full independence from Britain. The country’s first prime minister was Robert Milton Cato, who oversaw the transition to independence and implemented social and economic reforms. Since then, the country has had a stable democratic government, with regular elections and peaceful transitions of power.

Today, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a popular tourist destination, known for its stunning beaches, lush rainforests, and vibrant culture. The country has also diversified its economy, with industries such as tourism, agriculture, and offshore banking contributing to its growth. Despite challenges such as natural disasters and economic fluctuations, the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines continue to proudly celebrate their rich history and cultural heritage.