St Vincent and the Grenadines – Exotic Islands but Idyllic Holidays

A string of islands perched deeply on the Caribbean Sea and far neat and tranquil despite tourist activities is what I refer to as the islands of St Vincent and the Grenadines. Panoramic with 32 islands all rivaling each level up for serenity, the archipelago welcomes you with white sands, light blue surf, and colonial evidences, paved lanes, and servicing locals.

If St. Vincent is a hustling land, then in the Grenadines, the look and feel varies due to disappeared traffic, bustling streets, and just unexplored small islands waiting to be explored. You can find your own suitable hideway where you can spend negligible to live in favorable or can drastically give out money by renting a stay for a week in return of the most precious memories you can ever have.

Captivating sailors in past and in present, the islands are famous for hopping via one’s own boat or through a rented ride. Most of the time I spent in exploring its natural treasures and historical wonders.

Prime Attractions

• The Mesopotamia/Marriaqua Valley:
  This is a stretch of lush and evergreen tropical cultivated land where you can almost all crops of tropical region. Located in St. Vincent, the valley provides a comprehensive view of the ‘islands breadbasket’ – a land of bananas, nutmeg, cocoa, breadfruit, coconut, and root crops. The worth watching scenery here is that of the mighty Bonhomme Mountain (318 feet) ruling the edges emerging around the valley and myriad of rivulets and rivers meeting to decide their way from the Yambou Gorge’s rocks in the Mesopotamia (Mespo) town to the east coast.
• Montreal Garden:
  Situated in the mountains over the Mesopotamia Valley, this is worth visiting natural wonder possessing volcanic fertile soil and often rainfall. Here, soak yourself in an assortment of beautiful flowers, spices, and plants shaking hands with verdant vegetation amid calm and cool surroundings. You can visit the gardens in the weekdays from 9 pm to 5 pm from the month of December until August.

• La Soufriere:
  Located in the north of St. Vincent, this is a huge volcano, but an active one. This was the first time I saw an active volcano that ascends itself grandly at more than 4000 feet, whose last eruption was recorded in April 1979. The name is derived from a French word Soufre that means sulphur. Spending full day, I took up a guided tour, which I suggest for you too, to hike uphill that delighted me with the scenic windward coast until the crater, the end point. Further, we headed towards the downward west coast along the Leeward side until the Chateaubelair valley.
• Trinity Falls:
  From the capital of Kingstown, we reached here after two hours along the Leeward coast to Richmond. Situated in a deep volcanic ravine and considered as the most wonderful falls in St. Vincent, it is a 40-foot fall that cascades in three parts into two round pools out of which the second one is suitable for swimming.
• The Botanical Gardens:
  Established in 1768 A.D., this area is holds the oldest botanical gardens in the Western Hemisphere. It is the commercial birth ground of plants belonging to other parts of the world. Take tour of intricate and extinct species of plants, flowers, and trees along with the historical breadfruit tree belonging to a plant of 1793. Do check out for the national flower, The Soufriere Tree (Spachea Perforata) and the National Bird, (Amazona Guildingi).
• Vermont Nature Trail:
  Hike on this route along the tropical rain forest reserves where you can spot many beautiful birds, myriad species of wildlife, cultivated fields, and innumerable plant species.
• Owia Salt Pond:
  Located close to the Carib village of Owia that occupy a part of the north eastern coast of St. Vincent, this holds a big bathing pool circled by rocks and edges along with continuous sea water that reach here due to the strong waves of the Atlantic Ocean. This is a famous picnic spot best for picnics, swimming, and snorkeling.
• Black and White Sand Beaches:
  The white sand beaches can be spot on the cool southeast coast among which the Villa Beach and Indian Bay are the beautiful ones. These two are deal for snorkeling and offer enchanting views of Young Island and a part of the Grenadines. On the other hand, a number of beautiful black sand beaches adorn the Leeward and Windward coasts of St. Vincent. I would suggest to opt the Leeward beaches for recreational reasons. Sadly, swimming is not done along the east coast of the island as the tides are strong and high in this part of the Atlantic Ocean.
• Young Island:
  Located at 180 m off St Vincent, this island from the sea make up a mountain covered with tropical flora and fauna. It is worth visiting for it mesmerizes you with an attractive view of the sailing yachts into the harbor.
• Snorkeling and Diving:
  This is suitable along the Leeward coast of St. Vincent that offers some tactical locations where water is accompanied with deep sea fans, black coral trees, vivid sponges, and bright fishes. So, this is precisely the paradise of any snorkeler and a site for the keen underwater traveler, but I would like to suggest here that take the service of a dive operator that are in number here.
• The Cathedral of the Assumption:
  Constructed in 1823 A.D., this is a remarkable building of Gothic style exhibiting a distinct mix of architectural styles such as Moorish, Romanesque, and Georgian. This fusion was only possible after a lot of expansions and restorations during the late 1800s and early 1940s.
• Black Point Tunnel:
  Built in 1815 A.D. by the British inhabitants, this tunnel is an engineering marvel that is over 300 feet in height connecting the Grand Sable with Byrea Bay.

• Fort Charlotte:
  Built in 1806 A.D. on the Berkshire Hill at 600 feet, this citadel was named after King George III’s wife. Be at this fort for capturing a captivating view of the Kingstown city and the Grenadines. Do also explore a museum in the old barracks that tell you about the vivid past of the Black Caribs. It is precisely this fort that houses the St. Vincent Signal Station providing a 24 hour radio (VHF) monitoring arrangements.

Best Time to Visit

December to April/May

Accommodations

• Palm Island – St. Vincent & the Grenadines Hotel – $600 – $1000
• Young Island Resort, the only resort on Young Island