St Vincent Honeymoon

Escape the crowds of mass tourism with a honeymoon holiday or romantic getaway to St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Things to do and see
St Vincent’s lush tropical landscape is perfect for hiking and eco tours, while offshore coral gardens, crystalline waters and rainbow-hued fish make diving a real pleasure. Meanwhile, the picture-perfect islands of the Grenadines boast the best sailing grounds in the Caribbean, attracting sailors from around the world, as well as spectacular coral reefs, stunning white-sand beaches and rainforest hiking attractions.

In St Vincent’s small but lively port capital, Kingstown, explore the colourful market, perfect for handicrafts and local spices, and visit the graceful St Mary’s Cathedral, with its mix of gothic spires, Romanesque arches and Moorish decoration. See old cannons and enjoy panoramic island views from the remains of Fort Charlotte, which sits perched on a steep 190m-high headland overlooking the sea.

In the Botanic Gardens – the oldest botanic gardens in the western hemisphere – wander manicured lawns past majestic, centuries-old tropical trees, including a breadfruit tree that is a descendent of the original seedlings brought from Tahiti by Captain Bligh in 1765.

Away from Kingstown, explore by hire car or taxi the scenic Leeward Highway, enjoying panoramic views and stopping off at a series of charming pastel-coloured fishing villages such as Questelles, Layou, Barrouallie and Châteaubelair.

Along the way, see the Carib Rock, one of the finest petroglyphs in the Caribbean, dating from 600 AD. Don’t miss the 18m-high Falls of Baleine, a waterfall that cascades down volcanic slopes into a series of shallow pools; located on the northern tip of the island, the cascade is accessible only by boat from Richmond Beach.

Explore the lush Marriqua Valley, a cultivated landscape of nutmeg, cocoa, breadfruit, coconut and bananas surrounded by mountain ridges. Located just east of Kingstown, the valley is scattered with terraced farms, freshwater streams, winding rivers and dense forests that are perfect for hiking. Don’t miss the natural mineral springs at Montréal, where you can take a refreshing dip.

Alternatively, take the challenging 5km hike up to La Soufrière volcano (1234m) and be rewarded with a bird's-eye view of the crater, its islands and all of St Vincent. Sunbathe and swim from the white-sand beaches at Villa and Indian Bay or unwind on the volcanic black sands of Richmond Beach. Or try swimming at Owia Salt Pond, a surf-protected bathing pool enclosed by lava peaks and ridges.

Accommodation
St Vincent’s offers a range of accommodation options to suit all budgets – just don't expect wild nightlife and high-rise resorts. Instead, be pampered with a lot of personal attention from the local staff.

Try the luxurious and aptly named Grand View Beach Hotel, a 19th century plantation house set in 3ha of manicured gardens just a short stroll from Villa Beach, set on the south coast overlooking the Grenadines.

Or stay at the stylish Young Island Resort, located in a lush tropical setting just 800m off the south coast of St Vincent. A regular 5-minute ferry service links the two islands.

Best time to visit St Vincent and Grenadines?
The best time to visit St Vincent and Grenadines is during the dry season from January to May. The islands experience a tropical climate year round, with an average annual temperature of 25°C and a high of 33˚C during the hottest months from May to September. The rainy season lasts from July to November.

Arrive in late June for St Vincent's week-long Carnival – one of the largest celebrations in the eastern Caribbean, with a range of street parades and steel band and calypso competitions. For more climate info: St Vincent Weather Guide

Location – St Vincent and the Grenadines are part of the Windward Islands in the Caribbean Sea, located 40km south of St Lucia, 120km north of Grenada and 160km west of Barbados.

St Vincent (29km long by 18km wide) is the largest island of the group, followed by Young Island, Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, Union Island, Palm Island and Petit St Vincent.

Getting there – By air, St Vincent receives daily flights via Barbados, Grenada, Martinique, St Lucia and Trinidad, with connections to the Grenadines (including Bequia, Mustique, Union Island and Canouan, which each have small airports). How to get to St Vincent . . .