Overview
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is an independent nation in the southeastern Caribbean, comprising the main island of St Vincent and a scatter of roughly 32 smaller islands and cays stretching south toward Grenada. The Grenadines — including Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, and Union Island — are celebrated among sailors and those seeking quieter, less-developed Caribbean experiences.
St Vincent itself is dramatically volcanic and mountainous, with lush rainforest covering much of its interior. The island gained wider attention after the April 2021 eruption of La Soufrière, which caused significant displacement; most affected areas have since recovered, though visitors should check current conditions before hiking toward the summit.
Martinique is a French overseas region (département) in the Lesser Antilles, located north of St Lucia. While administratively distinct from SVG, it is a common regional travel hub and reference point for Eastern Caribbean itineraries. This guide focuses primarily on SVG while noting Martinique's role as a nearby regional gateway.
Together, these islands offer a compelling mix of sailing culture, Afro-Caribbean heritage, rainforest hiking, reef diving, and genuinely local food and music — without the mass-tourism infrastructure found on larger Caribbean islands.
Before You Go
Visas and Entry
Entry requirements for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines vary by nationality. For current visa rules, check TravelerPulse's Visas section and the official SVG immigration authority website. For Martinique, which is part of France and therefore the European Union's Schengen Area, verify requirements through the official French government immigration portal.
Health
- Routine vaccinations should be up to date. Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccinations are commonly recommended for the region.
- Mosquito-borne illnesses including dengue fever and chikungunya are present; use repellent and cover up, especially at dawn and dusk.
- Pack prescription medications in original packaging with a doctor's note; pharmacies are limited outside Kingstown and major Grenadine islands.
- Travel health insurance with medical evacuation cover is strongly advised given limited hospital facilities on smaller islands.
What to Pack
- Lightweight, breathable clothing plus a layer for air-conditioned ferries and restaurants
- Reef-safe sunscreen (conventional sunscreens are harmful to coral and may be restricted in some marine parks)
- Sturdy waterproof hiking shoes if you plan to explore St Vincent's interior
- Cash in XCD or USD; card acceptance is limited on smaller Grenadine islands
Volcanic Activity
La Soufrière on St Vincent is an active volcano. Check alerts from the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (UWI-SRC) before and during your visit.
Getting There
Arriving in St Vincent
The main airport is Argyle International Airport (SVD), located on St Vincent's eastern coast. It handles regional jets and some longer-haul routes. Most travelers connect through hubs such as Barbados (BGI), Trinidad (POS), or Antigua (ANU). Verify current routes and airlines directly, as regional aviation schedules change frequently.
Arriving in Martinique
Martinique Aimé Césaire International Airport (FDF) near Fort-de-France receives direct flights from Paris and other European cities, as well as connections from Miami and regional Caribbean airports. Martinique serves as a useful transit point for travelers combining visits to both territories.
Inter-Island Ferry
Regular ferry services connect St Vincent to the Grenadine islands. The main operators run from the Kingstown ferry terminal; schedules and journey times vary by destination and season. Verify timetables locally or with your accommodation before travel.
Private Charter
Charter flights (small aircraft) connect many Grenadine islands — including Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, and Union Island — to SVD and regional airports. This is often the most practical option for reaching smaller islands quickly. Mustique has its own airstrip served by charter services.
Getting Around
St Vincent
Minibuses are the primary public transport on St Vincent, running set routes from Kingstown outward. They are inexpensive and frequent during daylight hours but can be crowded. Taxis are available from the airport and in Kingstown; agree on the fare before departure as meters are not standard. Car rental is available in Kingstown — driving is on the left.
The Grenadines
Boat is the defining mode of transport. Local water taxis, scheduled ferries, and private charters connect the islands. Bequia, the largest of the Grenadines and closest to St Vincent, is well served by regular ferries. More remote islands depend on less frequent services or private arrangements.
Sailing
Chartering a yacht — bareboat or crewed — is by far the most flexible and popular way to explore the Grenadines. Blue Lagoon on St Vincent's southern tip and Bequia are common charter bases. The Tobago Cays Marine Park is a celebrated sailing destination accessible only by boat.
Martinique
Martinique has a network of buses (collective taxis known as taxis collectifs) and a regional ferry service from Fort-de-France to other parts of the island. Car rental is practical for exploring independently; roads are generally good. Driving is on the right.
Things to See & Do
Hiking and Nature — St Vincent
- La Soufrière Volcano: The hike to the summit (approximately 1,234 m) is one of the Eastern Caribbean's great treks. Check volcanic activity alerts from UWI-SRC before attempting; conditions can change. A local guide is strongly recommended.
- Vermont Nature Trail: A well-maintained rainforest trail in St Vincent's interior, known for sightings of the St Vincent parrot (Amazona guildingii), the national bird.
- Falls of Baleine: Accessible only by boat, this waterfall on the island's north coast is a popular day-trip destination.
The Grenadines
- Tobago Cays Marine Park: A protected cluster of uninhabited cays with exceptional snorkelling and turtle nesting beaches. Access is by boat; entrance fees apply (verify current rates locally or with your charter operator).
- Bequia: The largest Grenadine island has a relaxed, yachting-community atmosphere. Admiralty Bay is lined with small restaurants and craft vendors. Princess Margaret Beach is a good swimming spot.
- Mustique: A private island with a distinctive character; day visitors may arrive by ferry or charter flight. Explore its beaches and the village of Lovell.
- Mayreau and Salt Whistle Bay: One of the Caribbean's most photographed bays, best reached by sailing vessel.
- Union Island: A hub for kite-surfing in the southern Grenadines; also a departure point for day trips to Palm Island and Petit St Vincent.
Martinique
- Route de la Trace: A scenic mountain road through rainforest in the island's interior.
- Saint-Pierre: A town destroyed by the 1902 eruption of Mont Pelée; shipwrecks in the bay are popular dive sites.
- Jardin de Balata: A hillside botanical garden north of Fort-de-France (verify opening hours and admission on the official site).
- Distilleries: Martinique is the home of AOC-certified rhum agricole; several distilleries offer tours, typically during the harvest season (February–June).
Food & Drink
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Vincentian cuisine is rooted in African, Caribbean, and Creole traditions. Staples include roasted breadfruit (SVG is sometimes called the 'breadfruit capital of the world'), saltfish, callaloo, and rice and peas. Fresh seafood — lobster, mahi-mahi, snapper — is abundant and best eaten at small beachside spots or local cookshops. Kingstown's market is an ideal place to sample street food and fresh produce.
Roasted breadfruit with fried jackfish is considered a national dish and widely available. Local rum is produced on the island; look for distillery products sold in markets and small shops.
Martinique
Martinique's food culture reflects its French and Creole heritage. Colombo (a curry-spiced stew of meat or fish), accras de morue (salt-cod fritters), and boudin créole (spiced blood sausage) are characteristic dishes. Fort-de-France has a broad restaurant scene ranging from traditional Creole establishments to contemporary French cuisine.
Rhum agricole — distilled from fresh sugar-cane juice rather than molasses — is Martinique's most significant culinary product and has its own AOC designation. Ti' punch (white rum, cane syrup, and lime) is the standard local aperitif.
Practical Information
Money
The Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD) is fixed to the USD at a consistent rate; USD is widely accepted in SVG. In Martinique, the currency is the Euro (EUR). ATMs are available in Kingstown and on larger Grenadine islands, but can be scarce on smaller cays — carry sufficient cash when island-hopping.
Connectivity
Mobile coverage from local providers is available on St Vincent and main Grenadine islands but may be limited or absent on smaller, uninhabited cays. Wi-Fi is available at most hotels and many restaurants in Kingstown and Bequia.
Electricity
SVG uses 220V/50Hz with UK-style three-pin plugs. Martinique uses 220V/50Hz with European two-pin plugs. Check and bring appropriate adapters.
Emergency Contacts
For emergency services in SVG and Martinique, verify the correct local numbers before your trip — emergency numbers differ between territories. Carry your accommodation's contact number and the number for your country's nearest embassy or consulate.
Departure Tax
A departure tax may be levied at SVG airports and ferry terminals. In many cases this is now included in ticket prices; verify at time of booking.
Safety
SVG is generally considered safe for tourists, though petty theft — particularly on beaches and in crowded markets — does occur. Standard precautions apply: avoid displaying expensive equipment in public, do not leave valuables on the beach, and use accommodation safes where available.
Kingstown, like most capital towns, warrants extra vigilance after dark in areas away from the main tourist zone. Seek local advice about which neighbourhoods to avoid at night.
The sea around the Grenadines can produce strong currents and rough conditions, particularly between islands. Heed local advice before swimming in unfamiliar waters, and always wear a life jacket on water taxis and small vessels.
Martinique has its own safety profile as a French overseas department; petty crime occurs in Fort-de-France and tourist areas. Check your home government's current travel advisory for both territories before departure.
Local Culture & Etiquette
SVG has a rich Afro-Caribbean cultural identity shaped by its history of Carib (Kalinago) settlement, British colonialism, and African heritage brought through the transatlantic slave trade. The Black Caribs, known as Garifuna, were a distinct community formed from the mixing of Indigenous Carib and African peoples; many were exiled to Central America by the British in 1797, and their descendants maintain a global diaspora.
Vincy Mas, held in late June and early July, is the national carnival — one of the liveliest in the Eastern Caribbean, featuring soca and calypso competitions, elaborate costumed bands, and street parties. It draws visitors from across the region and beyond.
Martinique's culture is a layered blend of French, African, and Creole influences. Creole language (Antillean Creole) remains widely spoken alongside French. The island produced the poet and politician Aimé Césaire, a foundational figure in the Négritude literary movement, whose legacy is commemorated across Fort-de-France.
In both territories, dress modestly when visiting churches, markets, and inland communities. Vincentians are generally reserved but warm; learning a few courteous phrases in local Creole (in Martinique) is appreciated.
