What kind of destination are the Grenadines?
The Grenadines are a roughly 65 km-long chain of about 30 small islands between St. Vincent in the north and Grenada in the south, nine of which are inhabited and accessible to tourists. Rather than a single island, travel here usually means a route with several stops, linked by ferry, small aircraft or sailboat.
The larger islands — Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, Union Island, Palm Island and Petit St Vincent — belong to the state of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, whose main island, St. Vincent itself, lies around 15 km further north. Carriacou and Petite Martinique at the southern end of the chain, by contrast, belong to Grenada and are covered only briefly on this page.
Between the islands lie countless uninhabited reefs and sandbanks, including the Tobago Cays, a marine area protected for decades, home to sea turtles and a fringing reef. For sailors, the Grenadines are considered one of the most beginner-friendly cruising grounds in the Caribbean thanks to short distances and sheltered anchorages.
What does a trip through the Grenadines feel like?
Each island has its own character: Bequia is relaxed and shaped by sailing, Mustique discreet and luxurious, Union Island young and watersports-focused, Mayreau tiny and reachable only by boat. What they all share is a pace far slower than on the larger Caribbean islands.
Bequia, the largest of the group with a good 5,000 residents, feels like a classic Caribbean port town in miniature: boatyards, fishing boats and yachts lie close together in Admiralty Bay off Port Elizabeth.
Mustique, by contrast, is a private, tightly controlled island with a few dozen villas, used for decades as a retreat by celebrities and European aristocracy. Union Island, in turn, attracts mainly kitesurfers and sailors thanks to steady wind, while tiny Mayreau, without its own airport or ferry terminal, is reachable only by boat from the neighbouring islands.
Sources: Wikipedia
Which countries do the Grenadines belong to?
The Grenadines are split between two states: the north, with Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, Union Island, Palm Island and Petit St Vincent, belongs to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, while the south, with Carriacou and Petite Martinique, belongs to Grenada. Both countries administer their part independently, with separate immigration authorities.
For the islands described on this page, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is the relevant state; entry, time zone and national currency therefore fully match those of the overall country, whose details are described on the country page for St. Vincent and the Grenadines. As the southernmost larger island, Union Island has its own official port of entry for yachts and small aircraft.
Anyone wanting to visit Carriacou or Petite Martinique instead formally enters a different country and needs separate, though usually straightforward, border processing, often directly from Union Island or Grenada. Boats moving between the two states must clear in and out with the relevant customs and immigration authority each time.
Sources: Wikipedia · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria
Which islands are worth visiting in the Grenadines?
Bequia is usually the first stop and a good starting point, while the Tobago Cays are the natural highlight of any route. Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, as well as Palm Island and Petit St Vincent, cover the spectrum from discreet luxury to tiny anchorages.
Bequia
The largest Grenadines island still lives off a whaling tradition dating back to the 19th century, which the International Whaling Commission recognises as indigenous subsistence hunting, with a quota of four large whales per year since 2013. Port Elizabeth on Admiralty Bay serves as ferry port, boatyard hub and social centre all at once.
Mustique
The private island belongs to an ownership company and is only partially accessible to day visitors; anyone not staying in one of the few villas usually visits as part of a guided excursion with time set aside for Basil's Bar on Britannia Bay.
Canouan
Noticeably quieter than Mustique, but likewise strongly geared toward upscale tourism, with a large golf resort and some of the cleanest beaches in the island chain.
Union Island and Mayreau
Union Island, with the harbour town of Clifton, is the practical hub of the southern Grenadines: its own airport, ferry connections and the starting point for day tours to the Tobago Cays. Neighbouring, car-free Mayreau is reachable only by boat; Salt Whistle Bay at its northern tip ranks among the most photographed beaches in the Caribbean.
Palm Island and Petit St Vincent
Both islands are fully privately marketed resort islands at the southernmost edge of the country's territory, with their own boat transfer from Union Island. Petit St Vincent, at less than 1 km², even has its own power supply, separate from the rest of the Grenadines, running at 110 instead of 230 volts.
Tobago Cays
The uninhabited Tobago Cays consist of five small cays around a sheltered, sandy-bottomed lagoon, enclosed by the roughly 4 km-long Horseshoe Reef. The marine park is reachable only by boat and known for snorkelling encounters with sea turtles in a specially designated swimming zone.
Sources: Wikipedia · International Whaling Commission · The Tobago Cays · Wikipedia
When is the best time to visit the Grenadines?
The drier months from January to April are considered the most pleasant time to visit, with the least rainfall and steady trade winds for sailing. Hurricane season runs from June to November across the Atlantic, though the southern Grenadines traditionally sit at the edge of the main risk area.
No dedicated weather stations with sufficient data quality exist for the Grenadines themselves; the islands, however, follow the general pattern of the southern Lesser Antilles, with a noticeably wetter second half of the year. The steadiest trade winds for sailing routes between the islands usually blow between December and April, alongside lower humidity.
According to NOAA/NHC, the Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from 1 June to 30 November, with the highest risk between August and October. The southern location near Grenada offers no complete protection, as severe storms in the past have shown; anyone sailing during this period should track weather warnings closely.
For charter boats, the off-season between June and November also means noticeably lower prices and emptier anchorages in the Tobago Cays, a trade-off many experienced sailors deliberately accept, as long as they keep an eye on the weather.
Sources: NOAA National Hurricane Center
What do you need to enter the Grenadines?
The same rules apply to the Grenadines as to the overall state of St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Swiss, German and Austrian nationals do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to six months; a valid passport and a return or onward ticket are enough.
- Visa: not required for Swiss, German and Austrian nationals for stays of up to 6 months; details for other nationalities are on the country page for St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
- Ports of entry within the Grenadines: travelers with their own boat or small aircraft usually clear customs via Union Island, which has its own official border post; those arriving via St. Vincent complete entry formalities already at Argyle International Airport.
- Minors: according to the Federal Foreign Office, should carry an officially certified letter of consent from their legal guardians if travelling without them.
- Other nationalities: some require their own visa; the relevant embassy of the destination country should be consulted before travel.
The official authorities are decisive: FDFA, Federal Foreign Office, BMEIA.
Sources: Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Wikipedia
What vaccinations and health risks exist in the Grenadines?
No vaccination is required for entry, except a yellow fever certificate on arrival from a risk country. healthytravel.ch recommends hepatitis A for everyone and hepatitis B for children, adolescents and at-risk groups; dengue, chikungunya and Zika occur via mosquito bites.
- Hepatitis A and B: recommended by healthytravel.ch and the CDC for all travelers, and for children, adolescents and at-risk groups respectively.
- Yellow fever: required only on arrival from a country with transmission risk, with exceptions for children under one year and transit passengers.
- Mosquito protection: dengue, chikungunya and Zika occur widely; all-day protection against day-biting mosquitoes is considered the most important measure.
- Medical care: very limited on the smaller Grenadines islands; more serious cases are usually transferred to St. Vincent or Barbados.
Given the sometimes long distances to the nearest larger clinic, travel insurance with repatriation cover is recommended for sailing and diving trips through the Grenadines.
Sources: healthytravel.ch (Swiss Society of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine) · CDC Travelers' Health
How safe are the Grenadines?
Neither the Federal Foreign Office nor the BMEIA lists an elevated security level for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, but general caution with valuables is recommended as throughout the Caribbean. The main natural hazards are hurricanes and, on St. Vincent itself, an active volcano.
On the small, tourism-focused Grenadines islands, crime against travelers is rare, though boats and anchorages should still be secured at night. Current situation: FDFA, Federal Foreign Office, BMEIA.
Sources: Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria
How do you get to the Grenadines?
International flights land at Argyle International (SVD) on St. Vincent or at Maurice Bishop International (GND) on Grenada; from there, small aircraft or ferries continue on to the individual islands. Union Island, Canouan and Mustique have their own regional airports for connecting flights.
| From | Destination | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Argyle International (SVD), St. Vincent | Bequia, Canouan, Union Island, Mustique | several times daily with small aircraft from the Grenadine Air Alliance (SVG Air/Mustique Airways) |
| Kingstown (St. Vincent) | Bequia, Canouan, Mayreau, Union Island | public ferries several times a week, the southern route slower than the one to Bequia |
| Union Island | Carriacou, Grenada | short boat trip into the neighbouring country with its own border processing |
There are no nonstop flights from Europe; travelers connect via a North American or Caribbean hub such as Barbados to St. Vincent or Grenada. For sailors, the Grenadines are also reachable via charter bases on St. Vincent, Grenada or in the northern Lesser Antilles.
The most frequent ferries run between St. Vincent and Bequia, sometimes several times a day and in around an hour. The more southerly islands of Canouan, Mayreau and Union Island are served less often, usually six days a week, from Kingstown; those wanting to travel faster instead book a short regional flight.
Sources: Discover SVG (St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority) · Wikipedia · Wikipedia
What does a trip to the Grenadines cost?
The official currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD), pegged to the US dollar. The price range between the islands is unusually wide: Bequia and Union Island are relatively affordable, while Mustique, Canouan and Petit St Vincent rank among the most expensive destinations in the entire Caribbean.
| Island | Price level |
|---|---|
| Bequia, Union Island | moderate, many local guesthouses and restaurants |
| Canouan | upscale, shaped by the large golf resort |
| Mustique, Petit St Vincent, Palm Island | very high, exclusive villa and resort rentals |
| Tobago Cays | separate park fee per person per day for boats and shore visitors |
Cash in Eastern Caribbean dollars is worthwhile for smaller islands and boats without a card terminal; in larger towns such as Port Elizabeth or Clifton, credit cards are increasingly accepted. The US dollar is also accepted in many places as a supplement, usually at a rate less favourable to guests than the official one.
Sources: World Standards
Where do you stay overnight in the Grenadines?
Bequia and Union Island offer the widest range, from simple guesthouses to boutique hotels, while Mustique, Palm Island and Petit St Vincent rent out almost exclusively exclusive villas and all-inclusive resorts. A large share of travelers also stay directly on their own charter boat.
Those planning an island-hopping route usually combine a more affordable base on Bequia or Union Island with one or two nights on one of the more exclusive islands. Despite its small size, Mayreau has a handful of small accommodations above Salt Whistle Bay, though the car-free island remains fundamentally very quiet.
What do you eat in the Grenadines?
Fresh fish and spiny lobster define the cuisine, complemented by Caribbean classics such as rice and beans and callaloo. On Bequia, the traditional whaling culture still occasionally shows up on the menu, though strictly within the annual IWC quota of four animals.
In Port Elizabeth and Clifton, simple, family-run fish restaurants line the waterfront promenades, while the resort islands of Mustique, Canouan and Petit St Vincent tend to serve international cuisine with a Caribbean touch. Rum punch and locally brewed beer are common drinks everywhere.
Sources: International Whaling Commission
What culture shapes the Grenadines?
Bequia has a whaling tradition dating back to the 19th century, still permitted today as indigenous subsistence hunting, along with a long tradition of boat-building, including traditional model boat-making. The highlight of the annual calendar is the Bequia Easter Regatta, with sailing races between the islands.
Bequia's whalers hunt with open rowing boats and hand harpoons using a traditional method, a practice the International Whaling Commission has recognised for decades as a cultural exception within the global whaling ban. The annual quota of four animals has only been fully used once since its introduction in 2013, owing to weather and the demanding traditional technique.
Musically, calypso, soca and steelband sounds dominate, especially during the Easter Regatta and smaller local festivals on the individual islands. The close connection to the sea is also reflected in traditional boat-building, still practised as a craft on Bequia today.
Sources: International Whaling Commission
What can you experience in the Grenadines?
Highlights include snorkelling with sea turtles in the Tobago Cays, sailing between the islands, kitesurfing off Union Island and an evening at Basil's Bar on Mustique. A stroll through the boatyards of Port Elizabeth is also part of the experience for many travelers.
- Tobago Cays Marine Park: snorkelling at five uninhabited cays with sea turtles and a roughly 4 km-long reef, reachable only by boat.
- Sailing and bareboat charter: short distances and sheltered anchorages make the Grenadines one of the most beginner-friendly cruising grounds in the Caribbean.
- Kitesurfing and windsurfing: steady wind off Union Island draws watersports enthusiasts from across the Caribbean.
- Basil's Bar on Mustique: a legendary beach bar on Britannia Bay, a meeting point for guests and islanders for decades.
- Model boat-building in Bequia: traditional workshops build scale replicas of historic sailing ships.
Sources: The Tobago Cays · Wikipedia
How do you travel responsibly in the Grenadines?
In the Tobago Cays, the rule is: snorkel with sea turtles only in the designated swimming zone, don't steer around buoys, and use mooring buoys instead of free anchoring. The park fee for boats and shore visitors flows directly into the upkeep of the marine protected area.
Because many of the smaller islands have hardly any water sources of their own and depend heavily on rainwater and desalination, using fresh water sparingly is especially worthwhile on boats and in smaller accommodations. Booking local guides and boat operators instead of relying purely on self-sufficiency also directly supports the small island communities away from the large resorts.
Sources: The Tobago Cays
What can the Grenadines be combined with?
The most obvious combination is with St. Vincent itself, whose capital Kingstown and the volcano La Soufrière make a good contrast to the small islands. Those travelling further can also link the Grenadines via Union Island with Carriacou and Grenada.
Sailors often extend their route directly to Grenada, though this requires separate clearing in and out with its border authority. Via Barbados as a larger hub, another island in the eastern Caribbean can also be added before continuing on to the Grenadines.
Sources: Wikipedia
Who are the Grenadines suited for, and who less so?
The Grenadines particularly suit sailors, divers and travelers looking for island-hopping away from large resorts, as well as guests wanting exceptional discretion and luxury on Mustique or Petit St Vincent. They are less suited to anyone expecting simple, direct travel or a big nightlife scene.
Both experienced and inexperienced sailors who appreciate the short distances and sheltered anchorages are well served, as are divers and snorkellers because of the Tobago Cays. Anyone instead looking for a single, easily reachable destination without multiple transfers is better served by a larger Caribbean island such as Barbados or St. Lucia.