Must See

Bequia

The largest of the Grenadine Islands, Bequia lies 14 km (9 miles) south of St Vincent, and is home to 5,000 people. The island is 8.3 km (5 mi) long, and almost 1 km (0.5 mi) wide, and its seclusion has ensured it retained its age-old traditions of boat building and fishing. Situated on the migration path of the humpback whale, the island was formerly a centre of whaling. These days its natural harbour, Admiralty Bay, attracts yachtsmen from around the world, together with those happy to chill out on its many fine gold-sand beaches.

The quaint waterfront of Port Elizabeth is lined with restaurants, bars and craft shops. Much of the nightlife on the island centres on the beachside and hotel barbecues, invariably accompanied by a steel band. Lodgings vary from small, simple West Indian inns to luxurious resort cottages.

Canouan

Canouan extends over 11 sq km (7.9 sq miles) and is known for its long stretches of beautiful white sand beaches and snorkelling areas. It is home to about 2,000 people, most of who live in the island's only village, Retreat Village.

Mustique

Mustique is a privately owned island with verdant hills, glorious white sandy beaches and beautiful turquoise water. Just 5 km (3 mi) long and 1.6 km (1 mi) wide, this tiny island has long been a hiding place for the rich and famous, including members of the British Royal Family.

The island's only resort is a sprawling 18th-century plantation house; elegant accommodation is available in several stone houses, widely separated for seclusion. The public rooms of the Main House are sumptuously decorated with antiques, and afternoon tea is served daily on the veranda. In addition to horse riding, tennis and watersports, there is a hilltop swimming pool with a magnificent panorama. There are several beaches and snorkelling areas around the island.

Palm Island

Palm Island is a tiny island (110 acres) that has acquired its name from the 8,000 graceful coconut palms that line its five white sand beaches. This private island has been turned into a resort, the Palm Island Beach Club, made up of 20 beachfront stone cottages, where guests may dine in the open air and participate in the may watersports available off the wide, white shores. The island has a small airport and is also only a short boat ride from Union Island.

St Vincent

St Vincent is the largest island in the chain, stretching 30 km (18 mi) from end to end, and approximately 18 km (11 mi) wide. Home to 90% of the country's population, the island has a lush and mountainous interior, with La Soufrière, an active volcano, forming its highest point. The Atlantic coast has a rugged landscape of rocky shores, cliffs and pounding waves, which stands in contrast to the beaches, valleys and tranquil waters of the leeward side of the island.

Falls of Baleine

The Falls of Baleine, at the northern tip of St Vincent is an 18 m (59 ft) freshwater waterfall with a series of shallow pools at the base. As there are no roads to this area, access to the falls is possible only by boat.

Kingstown

This lively port and harbour town sits on the southern coast of St Vincent. The capital of St Vincent, Kingstown's energy is focused on the busy dock area, with fishermen hauling in their catch for sale at the fish market. On Saturday mornings, another market sees islanders shopping among stalls of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Cobblestone streets, colonial buildings and arcades are found throughout the city centre. Other attractions include St Mary's Roman Catholic Cathedral, a graceful grey-stone combination of several European architectural styles displaying Gothic spires, Romanesque arches and Moorish ornamentation. The oldest Botanical Gardens in the Western hemisphere are to the north of Kingstown and contain a display of tropical plants, trees and blossoms, including a breadfruit tree descended from the original one brought to the island by Captain Bligh in 1765.

The ruins of Fort Charlotte may be found on a 180 m (590 ft) ridge north of town and offer a splendid southward view of the Grenadines.

La Soufriere

La Soufrière is the highest peak on the island at 1,234 m (3,949 ft). It is also an active volcano; in 1902, an eruption killed 2,000 people, and a second eruption in 1979 caused extensive crop damage and the evacuation of 20,000 people from the northern villages.

The mountain has given St Vincent its black beaches of volcanic sand. A five-hour hike to the summit leads through banana plantations, fertile rainforest and along volcanic ridges. The view from the summit is well worth the effort.

Tobago Cays

The Tobago Cays are comprised of five small, uninhabited islands situated south of Canouan. The numerous islets are surrounded by a spectacular horseshoe-shaped coral reef and are noted for their beautiful beaches. The area is a designated wildlife reserve and, as such, is only reachable by chartered yacht. However, if you can make it there, the calm clear waters ensure some excellent snorkelling and diving.

Union Island

At the southern end of the Grenadines is Union Island, the southern port of entry for St Vincent and the Grenadines. The 2,100 acre mountainous island has two main villages (Clifton and Ashton) and is fringed by some superb beaches - in particular Richmond Bay and Belmont Bay on the north side of the island. Its most famous feature is Mount Parnassus, which soars 275 m (900 ft) from the sea.