St Vincent & the Grenadines
St Vincent has some of the most secluded beaches, bays and shallow snorkelling sites. An unforgettable trip is to the Falls of Baleine in the very north of the island. This 35ft waterfall tumbles into a rock-lined pool and is a unique natural attraction. Expansive shallow reef diving, wall diving, drift diving, wreck diving and even cave diving are just some of the opportunities available to both novices and the more experienced divers.
The oldest botanical garden in the Americas is located in its capital, Kingstown. More tropical botany can be enjoyed just outside the town in the Marriaqua Valley where banana, nutmeg, cocoa, coconut, and breadfruit are grown on plantations. For many, a hiking trip to St Vincent would not be complete without a visit to the summit of the awe-inspiring La Soufriere volcano.
Bequia is a one-of-a-kind landscape in a one-of-a-kind place. Sailors were the first to discover the island before travellers happened upon this oasis for weary adventurers to rest and recover. Make a trip to Princess Margaret Beach, which has one of the loveliest stretches of sand on the island. Anyone looking for a view that will leave them breathless must stop at St. Mary's Anglican church, which sits primly by the waterfront.
Mustique had a colourful history before it ended up with the Mustique Company. In the fifteenth century, it was first sighted by Spanish sailors, who named the group of islands containing Mustique: 'Los Pajoros' or 'The Birds.' It was later renamed The Grenadines by pirates in the seventeenth century, who used the sheltered bays to hide their ships and treasure. It has a fantastic selection of beaches, snorkelling, scuba diving sites, and luxury hotels, including the renovated former plantation, 'Cotton House’.
Tobago Cays and the Tobago Cays Marine Park are two of the world's most awe inspiring island destinations. The pure and natural charm of these places looks like something straight off a postcard, which is why it was chosen as one of the backdrops for 'The Pirates of the Caribbean' movie.
A dream descent for scuba divers and snorkellers, and an endless paradise for beachcombers - this intimate cluster of five uninhabited cays offers heavenly lagoons full of green turtles, coral reefs, colourful fish, and crystal clear waters. If the Grenadines archipelago were a necklace, the Tobago Cays would be its jewelled pendant.
Mayreau is a fantastic destination for scuba divers and snorkelers. Hard and soft corals, sponges, sea fans and a myriad of reef fish can all be seen on these formations together with green turtles, nurse sharks and occasional reef sharks. Look out for squadrons of eagle rays and even the occasional manta ray in these waters! The island has several excellent white sand beaches that are great for soaking up the sun, swimming or having a picnic.
*FCY Golf & Yachting favourite is
- Canuan Estate on Canuan island. An exhilarating and challenging 72-Par, 6309m Jim Fazio designed 18-hole golf course is located on dramatic sloping hills skirting the oceans edge. A hundred and fifty undulating acres with breath taking views from every angle, it is truly every world class golfer’s dream.
