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Twenty miles southeast of St. Lucia is
ST.VINCENT:
An excellent embarkation point is the young island cut on the south shore of St. Vincent. It is only a five-minute taxi ride from the airport.
The larger island of the Grenadines, St-Vincent is a hilly volcanic land with high mountains, valleys with rivers, waterfalls and the vegetation growing right down to the water. The west coast is perfectly calm with dozens of little coves with black volcanic sand beaches. To find a white sandy beach, you can go to Young Island.
What to See in St-Vincent:
The nature trail through the rainforest that leads to the volcanic crater of La Soufriere 3,000-foot volcano last erupted in 1979.
The site where 'Pirates of the Caribbean' was filmed.
The Falls of Baleine, a waterfall coming directly off the volcano, down to the sea.
A short sail takes you to Bequia,
BEQUIA:
An eight-mile sail south brings you to Admiralty Bay, the most secure anchorages of the Grenadines and nicest little Caribbean villages is becoming the yachting centre of the Grenadines. A horseshoe of calm water ideal for water sports. Known for its history of boatbuilding and whaling.
The waterfront promenade offers nice restaurant and café’s. The pace of Bequia is relaxed and easy-going.
To See in Bequia:
The long beach in Port Elizabeth,
The vegetable market, handled by the Rastafarian on the rhythm of reggae music
OldHegg Turtle Sanctuary
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| Pirates of the Caribbean |
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| Admiralty Bay |
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| Moonhole |
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At the exit of the bay have a look at the architecture of moonhole…
On your way to Mustique, pits stop to Petite Nevis…
PETIT NEVIS:
Petite Nevis is a tiny island in the Grenadines, off the coast of Bequia. The island is uninhabited, but has been used by whalers to flense their catches as late as the 1960s.
MUSTIQUE:
1 1/4 hours sailing to the exclusive VIP island, Mustique is a company owned island that is set up to provide homes for the rich and famous. A number of celebrities can be seen; Rachel Welch, Princess Margaret, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Tommy Hilfiger.
The Yacht will anchor in Britannia Bay.
To See in Mustique:
The Blues Festival January 23 till February 6 2008 at the famous 'Basil's bar'
The wreck dive on a coral shoal, this one makes a good night dive also
Horseback ride for a ride on the beach.
Rent a golf cart or a motorbike and visit the Island. (Cotton House Resort, French patisserie, little shop near basil’s Bar)
CANOUAN:
After Mustique, the sailing is off the wind and fast. Sailing south, Canouan is about 12 miles away and is a nice place for a lunch stop. Canouan used to be a quiet untouched island until it hosts a large Raffles Resort, the Tamarind Beach Hotel and Yacht Club, the Villa Monte Carlo Casino, the Amrita Spa and the Trump International Golf Club. Perfect place for an afternoon on the golf course or evening at the casino!
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| Petit Nevis |
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| Mustique |
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| Canouan Golf |
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TOBAGO CAYS:
A Jewel of the Grenadines, The Tobago Cays is a National Marine park .It is formed by a group of small and deserted islands, surrounded by fine white sand and crystal water.
Anchor in the middle of a horseshoe coral reef, a natural aquarium. Great snorkeling and diving all around there, especially on the outside of the reef. Each of the islands have their own white sand beach complete with palm trees.
Every morning, the “bread man” will come around to your boat offering bread and ice.
You will recognize some scene of “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Dead Man’s Chest”.
PALM ISLAND:
A private resort beach island, covered by over eight thousands palm trees and surrounded by an incredibly white beach. You can stop there for lunch, have a swim break, and continue sailing to the next Island.
PETIT ST. VINCENT:
Petit St-Vincent is another resort island, fine sand and transparent waters. Just a minute or so away in the dinghy is the island of Mopion, this is literally a sand atoll on a beautiful coral reef.
The resort’s bar and restaurant will accept a few yachting guests each night. The only way to get a place at the bar and a table is to reserve well in advance.
UNION ISLAND:
The island is approximately 3 miles long and 1 mile wide. Clifton is Good place for provisioning, open-air fruit and vegetable market in the main square and a number of mini-grocery stores and one gourmet store.
Chatham Bay, on the West side, is a protected bay. Look for “Shark attack” he will arrange a beach barbeque for you. Try his grilled lobster in addition to his musical entertainment!
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| Tobago Cays |
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| Palm Island |
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| Mopion |
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To See in Union:
From the mount Parnassus take pictures of the entire group of islands.
Nightlife in union is quite interesting…
MAYREAU:
Sail in the morning to Mayreau, Salt Whistle Bay to get the best spot. There is a trail from Salt whistle Bay to the village. Look for Dennis Hideway, (restaurant) Hosted by charming west Indian man who doubles as the Islands Law Officer.
Just around the corner, in the shelter of the island, is the wreck of a gunboat. This is a nice easy dive; it is only about 30' deep and rarely suffers any current.
GRENEDA:
The last Islands in the Grenadines Chain. Grenada “island of spice” is renowned for its spices. Walk in the cool rainforests, waterfalls, beautiful white sand beaches and find friendly happy people.
Ideal for the “sail one way” to Grenada to finishing the route.
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| Union Market |
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Country: St-Vincent and the Grenadines
Total area: 150 sq mi (389 sq km)
Capital : Kingstown
Languages: English, French patois
Religions: Anglican 47%, Methodist 28%, Roman Catholic 13%, Hindu, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Protestant
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When to go
As in much of the Caribbean the best time to visit St Vincent and the Grenadines is during the winter - roughly January to May - when the tropical heat is tempered by cooling trade winds and rainfall is minimal. Between August and October is hurricane season, also the island's rainy season. It is also a very nice time to visit as the lands are green and the fruits are ripe.
Money
The currency of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$). Notes are issued in denominations of $100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2. Coins are issued in denominations of $1 and 25,10, 5 and 1 cents. The exchange rate is tied to the US dollar at a rate of $2.68.
Population (2006 est.): 117,848 (growth rate: 0.3%); birth rate: 16.2/1000; infant mortality rate: 14.4/1000; life expectancy: 73.8; density per sq mi: 900
Electricity
St. Vincent and the Grenadines has a reliable supply of electricity. Electricity is generally 220/240 volt, 50 cycles, except for Petit St. Vincent, which has 110 volt, 60 cycles. Most hotels have 110-volt shaver outlets. The standard electrical plug has 3 rectangular pins so remember to pack an adapter.
Water
St. Vincent and the Grenadines has an abundant supply of potable water, as the level of rainfall is high.
Communications
St Vincent and the Grenadines has a state of the art fibre optic digital telephone system. Internet, Boatphone, Cellular service, telex, telegraph and facsimile access are also available. The international area code is 1-784 followed by the local seven-digit number. Phone cards are available through Outlets Island wide as are Phone card booths. International Direct Dialing (IDD) service is available to most destinations in the world and International calls can be made using your credit card (MasterCard, Visa, Discover, AT & T and Bell are accepted) by dialing the operator.
If you want to use a mobile telephone Cable & Wireless, AT&T and Device have a digital and GSM mobile network. Visitors from North America can roam in all the islands.
People
Most Vincentia’s are the descendants of African slaves brought to the island to work on plantations. There also are a few white descendants of English colonists, as well as some East Indians, Carib Indians, and a sizable minority of mixed race. The country's official language is English, but a French patois may be heard on some of the Grenadine Islands. St. Vincent has a high rate of emigration along with high unemployment and under-employment.
History
Carib Indians aggressively prevented European settlement on St. Vincent until the 18th century. African slaves--whether shipwrecked or escaped from St. Lucia and Grenada and seeking refuge in St. Vincent--intermarried with the Caribs and became known as "black Caribs." Beginning in 1719, French settlers cultivated coffee, tobacco, indigo, cotton, and sugar on plantations worked by African slaves. In 1763, St. Vincent was ceded to Britain. Restored to French rule in 1779, St. Vincent was regained by the British under the Treaty of Versailles in 1783. Conflict between the British and the black Caribs continued until 1796, when General Abercrombie crushed a revolt fomented by the French radical Victor Hugues. More than 5,000 black Caribs were eventually deported to Roatan, an island off the coast of Honduras.
Slavery was abolished in 1834; the resulting labour shortages on the plantations attracted Portuguese immigrants in the 1840s and east Indians in the 1860s. Conditions remained harsh for both former slaves and immigrant agricultural workers, as depressed world sugar prices kept the economy stagnant until the turn of the century.
How to get to St. Vincent & the Grenadines
St Vincent (E.T. Joshua Airport) and Canouan have modern airstrips with night landing equipment. There are also airstrips on Bequia (J. F Mitchel Airport), Mustique and Union Island. Same day connecting flights with international airlines, Air France, Air Canada, American Airlines, Air Jamaica, BWIA, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are available in Barbados, St Lucia, Martinique, Trinidad and Grenada.
There is a St Vincent & the Grenadines Information Desk in the Arrivals Section of the Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados. This desk is open daily to assist people traveling to St Vincent & the Grenadines.
Caribbean Star Airlines and LIAT provide scheduled services to other islands in the Caribbean. American Eagle has a scheduled service between San Juan, Puerto Rico and Canouan Island in the Grenadines.
Caribbean Sun offers scheduled services between San Juan Puerto Rico and St Vincent.
Mustique Airways and SVG Air are available for charter.
Mustique Airways: www.mustique.com
SVG Air: www.svgair.com
Caribbean Star/Sun: www.flycaribbeanstar.com
A departure tax of $35 EC is charged to all passengers leaving the country. Set aside some EC$’s stuffed into your ticket for this purpose otherwise you may be caught short of appropriate cash!
Taxis are available outside of the arrivals hall and taxi fares are set by government to various areas. Agree the appropriate fare with the taxi driver before setting out on your journey. When leaving any of the islands allow plenty of time to get to the airport.
Airline booking tips:
Most bookings are between November and March and consequently airfares and room rates are at their highest. Book as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Outside of this period, airfares are generally lower but watch out for the important Carnival festival that runs through June-July; many Vincentians return for this festival and bookings go up. Again, if you are planning to visit at this time of year, book as early as possible otherwise you may miss an amazing month of festivities.
Entry Requirements:
All visitors must have valid passport including nationals of the United Kingdom, the USA and Canada. A return or on-going ticket is required. Immigration visas are required from nationals of the following countries: Dominican Republic, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, The People's Republic of China, Iraq, Iran and Nigeria.
Certain immunizations required to enter St Vincent & the Grenadines
Yellow fever and cholera vaccinations are only required if coming from an infected area as designated by the health organization. St Vincent & the Grenadines is free from malaria and other major tropical diseases that are epidemic to most tropical countries.
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SCUBA DIVING & SNORKELING
St. Vincent and the Grenadine are deserted cays, rocks, sand bars and lagoons teeming with sea life and alive with colour. Divers and snorkelers find what they are looking for and then some along this chain of islands.There is no shore diving in the Grenadines.
There are numerous dive sites to visited in St. Vincent. It has become very well known for its amazing collection of known and unknown fish and critters underwater.
Bequia, offers a wonderful sloping reefs, ideal for the novice or intermediate diver. The sea-life ranges from Hawksbill turtles to black-tip sharks to tarpon six feet in length, seahorses and more.
Tobago Cays Snorkelling is an experience not to be missed. This marine protected area offers spectacular coral reefs and walls. Reached only by boat, the crystal waters and pure white sand are a background to the rich aquatic life.
The underwater scenery of the Grenadines are complete with pristine corals, is simply amazing to explore.
Many Crewed Charter Yachts offers Diving and provide equipment. Yacht with instructor can upgrade your diving certification or offer resort course for non-divers.
Charter Yacht that do not have this option, will introduce the “Rendez-vous” Diving. Where a dive company will meet you at your yacht and guide you to a dive. For non- diver we suggest to do all the class at home and finish your certification here.
Dive Company in The Grenadines that offers “Rendez-vous” diving:
Glenroy Adams' Grenadines Dive (Union Island)
http://www.grenadinesdive.com
Dive Bequia (Bequia )
http://bequiadive.com/index.html
Bequia Dive Adventures
http://www.bequiadiveadventures.com/
Bill Tewes' Dive St. Vincent
http://www.divestvincent.com
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East Yachts is an approved member of the Amazon Associates Program.
See below the Destination and Diving Book Recommended
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Contact us we can assist you to Discover the beauty of The Grenadines on a charter yacht.
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