TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums Southern Caribbean First time in St Vincent and Grenadines

We have traveled many times and chartered a cat in the BVI, but this will be our first visit to St Vincent and the Grenadines. Staying a few days on Bequia at Bequia Beach, Cat for 6 days through the Grenadines, and last couple days on Granada at Mount Cinnamon. Any ideas on what not to miss? Enjoy light hiking/exploring, beach bars, live music, local flare. Thanks in advance.

Keep you wits about you and your head on a swivel and your dinghy locked as crime on some of the islands is out of control. That said the seas, beaches and islands are very beautiful.
My favorite island it the area is Bequia. Drink at the Whaleboner bar, drinks and service are not very good but where else can you drink from a whale rib bar while sitting on whale vertebra barstools? Walk the waterfront and dine at the Plantation Hotel.
Don't miss a stop in Mustique for a drink at Basils Bar and a fine dinner at the Cotton House. If open, the Firefly Hotel has a wonderful bar with a spectacular view.
The bay on the north end of Mayreau is very nice. Here and everywhere you go ignore the boat "boys" that come out to "assist" and anchor where you feel is best.
In the Grenadines you can and should visit Petit Tabac, it's where Johnny Dep had his rum set ablaze. Take your dinghy through the poorly marked cut in the reef to reach it.
The beach bbq in the Grenadines is fun and picturesque but expect massive amounts of mediocre food.
Just a bit further south is Mopion Island, Petite St. Vincent (whole island seems to be a resort and they charge to land), and Petite Martinique. Petite Martinique is unique as the locals, while dark skinned often consider themselves Scottish. I recommend the Palm Restaurant and Bar, the family that runs it are beyond nice.
Sandy Island off the west coast of Carriacou is a wonderful anchorage with amazing snorkeling.
I really don't care for Union Island but it's a must to clear in and out. Anchor near Happy Island and enjoy it before taking the dinghy into the cool dinghy dock in Clifton Harbor. The "Boat Boys" here are awful.
As someone who has sailed the BVI over a dozen times and really loves it I find the Grenadines more beautiful, more interesting, and more even more fun than the BVI.

Have a great trip! I'll be there on my boat this fall.

LittleBird:

I too have an SVG charter planned this year. It'll be my 4th time, but last trip was 2007. What islands specifically have you experienced crime? Need to know as my guests this trip are 1st timers and don't want to scare them from venturing ashore.

We have been to this area a total of 7 times covering from Blue Lagoon down to Grenada. Taking reasonable precautions (locking dinghy, locking boat) we have had zero issues with crime. I am not crazy about Union and pretty much only stop there to reprovision.

The boat boys, especially in Mayreau/Tobago Cays can be quite helpful as well as amusing and is it is worth giving them a few dollars (for a service), chatting them up, and offering a beer or water.. In Bequia they can be a bit shady, but I believe that down island they are regulated.

Thanks, tothedogs.

I've never been put off by the boat boys with the possible exception of Walilabou Bay on western shore of St. Vincent ion 2007. For the most part, I've found then courteous and helpful when treated respectfully. Anyone know if Walter Bob is still around in Tobago Cays/Union Island. I recall his wife owned a bakery in Clifton.

Walter Bob passed away several years ago. He was a good person and we always looked forward to his wifes banana bread fresh from the oven in the morning.

Most charter companies will suggest you go no further north on the west side than Keartons Bay. A great local restaurant there, the Rock Side Cafe run by Orlando and Rosie. If you call them they will send a few people out to help you tie off to one of their moorings. Do not use the clowns from Wallilabou who will see you approaching from offshore.

Sad to learn about Walter Bob. He was always good to us.

Thanks.

Only crime I've personally experienced while boating was at anchor off Mayreau. Many years ago, someone came aboard our charter boat while we we ashore in the evening. They didn't get much but it was distressing. We thought it was probably someone from a tatty liveaboard boat that had been at anchor but was gone by the time we discovered the theft.