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The
Caribbean Islands - St. Vincent/The GrenadinesThe largest of 32 islands that make up the Grenadines, St. Vincent’s terrestrial beauty encompasses cloud-shrouded volcanic peaks, fertile valleys, rushing rivers and waterfalls, and stunning beaches.
The setting of intense blue seas, dotted with white sails and framed with the lush greenery of tropical islands, is awesome to behold. Throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines, you’ll have unlimited opportunities for outdoor activity, both on land and sea. St. Vincent is an island of vibrant colors. Even the capital, Kingstown, which serves as the nation’s primary commercial port, blends in with the tropical surroundings. Both the countryside and the capital are well worth exploring.
Kingstown is a bustling center for inter-island sea traffic, and its harbor and waterfront hum with activity. You’ll see island schooners and transatlantic freighters moving their cargo—everything from bananas to imported goods. The city itself dates back to the late 18th century, and its arched cobblestone walkways and Georgian townhouses are full of historic charm. St. George’s Cathedral, built in the early 1800s, is a notable example of the Georgian style; the Anglican church’s most prized possession is its lovely set of stained-glass windows.
Another most intriguing building is St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral, which was built in 1823 and redesigned in the 1930s by a Flemish monk. The church is a curious mélange of architectural styles—Moorish, Romanesque and Georgian. Black volcanic-sand bricks add to its distinct look. Kingstown is home to the oldest botanical gardens in the Western Hemisphere. Founded in 1763, St. Vincent’s Botanical Gardens once served as a commercial breeding ground for plants brought from other parts of the world. As a result, you can see ancient trees and their descendants, including a breadfruit tree grown from seedlings brought to St. Vincent from Tahiti by Captain Bligh on the Bounty in 1793. Located on the grounds is the St. Vincent Museum, filled with pre-Columbian artifacts, stones and pottery, as well as old maps of the islands. The 20-acre gardens are also home to an aviary containing endangered parrots, including the St. Vincent parrot, Amazona guildingii.
On the outskirts of Kingstown sits Fort Charlotte, which was constructed by the British in 1806 to defend against French invasions. It offers magnificent views of Kingstown and the Grenadines from the 600-foot-high ridge on which it sits. The old barracks contain a pictorial museum. Just a short walk from central Kingstown is the St. Vincent Craftsmen’s Centre. Here, you can stroll through a wide and colorful variety of island-made objects crafted from straw, clay, coconut, wood, bamboo and metals. St. Vincent craftsmen are particularly known for their lovely handmade West Indian dolls.
Outside Kingstown, there is vast beautiful countryside to explore. Mountain ranges run through the island from north to south. The southern range is dominated by Grand Bonhomme and Petit Bonhomme. The peaks reach 3,000 feet and form the heads of two richly cultivated valleys: the Buccament River Valley on the west and the Mesopotamia Valley on the east. St. Vincent’s super-fertile volcanic soil produces a wealth of fruits and spices; there are fields and fields of bananas, plantains and coconuts.
You may wish to explore the Vermont Nature Trails, an extraordinary network of well-marked paths that wind through evergreen forests before reaching a tropical rain forest. Hardwood trees form a thick canopy overhead, and the forest floor is carpeted with huge ferns. The St. Vincent parrot, the black hawk, the cocoa thrush, the crested hummingbird and the red-capped green tanager are just some of the indigenous birds that make their home here.
The northern third
of St. Vincent is covered by the Soufrière Mountains—home
of La Soufrière, a massive 4,000-foot-high volcano which
last erupted in 1979. A foot trail up to the top of
La Soufrière leads along steep volcanic ridges verdant
with bamboo and other tropical trees. From the rim of
the volcano is a breathtaking view right into the crater.
On the northwestern tip of the island is the Falls of
Baleine, which can be reached only by boat. Cool waters
cascade 70 feet over lava rocks and through dense tropical
foliage into a large, deep rockbound pool near the sea.
Located here is a natural bath that you can swim in.
Trinity Falls is accessible by land, and while swimming
in the pools of swirling water is a delightful experience,
it is a challenge recommended only for strong swimmers.
Beaches:
St. Vincent has some superb beaches; in fact,
you can choose from white-, gold- or black-sand shores.
The best beaches are on the west and south coasts. Among
sparkling white stretches, Villa Beach and Indian Bay
Beach are the favorites. Questelles Bay, Buccament Bay,
Mt. Wynne and Richmond are popular black-sand beaches.
Throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines, you’ll
have unlimited opportunities for outdoor activity, both
on land and sea.
There
is an array of water sports and hiking adventures. Constant
trade winds provide ideal conditions for windsurfing,
while water visibility of up to 80 feet makes for great,
uncrowded dives among the numerous reefs teeming with
marine life. The waters off the Tobago Cays provide
some of the world’s best snorkeling. You may want
to do some leisurely sailing, especially since St. Vincent
and the Grenadines has such renowned sailing waters.
Activities:
Hiking, whether it’s through St. Vincent’s
forests or up to La Soufrière, is a major attraction,
and it can be a full-day affair. Nature lovers will
want to explore the Vermont Nature Trails, where the
St. Vincent parrot, which roosts high in the canopy,
can often be spotted. And you’ll find plenty of
hiking trails throughout the Soufrière Mountains—home
of La Soufrière.
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