Caribbean: St. Vincent and the Grenadines


St. Vincent and the Grenadines really is ‘the Caribbean you’re looking for’. This multi-island state offers visitors a multi-sensational experience that satisfies a variety of tastes. St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a unique archipelago of 32 exotic Caribbean islands and cays, of which only nine are inhabited - mainland St. Vincent, Young Island, Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, Union Island, Palm Island and Petit St. Vincent.

The sustainable development of tourism has become priority for the government and all efforts are made to ensure that visitors enjoy a welcoming and satisfying experience in these islands. Tourism Information Officers are ready and waiting at the main ports of entry to assist you. Even taxi operators are trained and certified so that our visitors are guaranteed to receive the highest standards of service.

There are five airports in St. Vincent and the Grenadines; St Vincent, Bequia, Mustique, Canouan and Union Island. Connections can be easily made to international airports in neighbouring islands. St. Vincent and the Grenadines is perfectly located a mere 100 nautical miles west of Barbados.

St. Vincent:
Mainland St. Vincent, a volcanic island, is the perfect eco-tourism destination. Visitors can look forward to following nature trails in forest reserves, making the exhilarating climb to the top of a volcano, or discovering the beauty of the many caves and coves in this veritable Garden of Eden.

Step off the beaten path to explore St. Vincent’s rich diversity of flora and fauna in the lush rainforests and rugged mountains, where you can enjoy bird watching or bathe in breathtaking waterfalls. Take a bicycle tour, bus tour, walk or rent a car –. Just outside Kingstown, the City of Arches, are the historic Botanic Gardens – the oldest botanic gardens in the western hemisphere! A visit to Fort Charlotte is another must, just a few minutes’ drive from the city - don’t miss its captivating view of Kingstown Bay.

You can enjoy sailing trips along the Leeward Coast, visit the famous “Pirates of the Caribbean” film site at Wallilabou, go kayaking, grab an exciting sport fishing charter or experience the excitement of dolphin watching. Six types of dolphin are found in Vincentian waters, including spinner, spotted, fraser and bottlenose. Whales, such as Orcas and pilot, can also be observed.


The Grenadines:
The Grenadines are a string of coral islands with powdery, pristine white sand beaches. The islands are all quickly and easily accessible and island-hopping trips can be arranged through the tour operators. A visit to Bequia, the yachtsman’s Mecca, is a must. Bequia has a rich sea-faring history and strong affiliation to all things marine.

Take a day trip to Mustique, the privately owned playground of the rich and famous; explore some of the 23 uninhabited islands and cays; see Petit Nevis where one of the last whaling stations is still in use… there is so much in these islands to discover.

Visit Mayreau – a tiny island with only one village and one of the most beautiful bays you will ever see; Canouan – the resort island with a casino, spa and an 18-hole golf course designed by the renowned Jim Fabio; Union Island – the conch capital of the Grenadines, Palm Island, Petit St.Vincent and the world-famous Tobago Cays which have been declared a government Wildlife Reserve. See Mopion for yourself – the dollop of brilliantly white sand that seems to float magically in clear turquoise sea, with nothing more on it than a singular thatched umbrella for shade.

St Vincent & The Grenadines is as diverse below the water as it is on land, sailing, swimming, diving and snorkelling are all favourite pastimes of both visitors and locals here. The waters are clean and safe, and the area has been designated a protected conservation area, to ensure that it remains as unspoilt as it always has been.

The diversity and natural beauty of the islands really does ensure that St. Vincent & The Grenadines is ‘the Caribbean you’re looking for’ .

ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
2008

JANUARY
1st New Year’s Day *
23 – Feb 06 Mustique Blues
Contact: Basil’s Bar, Tel: 784 488 8407
24 - 27 Bequia Music Festival
Contact: Bequia Tourism Association, Tel: 784 458 3286

FEBRUARY
Primary School Performing Arts Festival, a month long festival of song, dance, drama and poetry featuring the children of St. Vincent and the Grenadines


MARCH
NATIONAL HEROES AND HERITAGE MONTH
7 – 9 SVG Blues and Rhythms Festival
Contact: Ministry of Tourism, Youth and Sports, Tel: 784 457 1502
14 National Heroes Day *
21 Good Friday *
24 Easter Monday*
20 – 24 27th Bequia Easter Regatta
Contact: Bequia Sailing Club, Tel: 784 457 3649
20 – 24 32nd Easterval, Union Island
Contact: Union Island Tourist Board, Tel: 784 458 8350
Weekend Festivals- Boat races, sports & games, calypso competition, beauty pageant

APRIL
GOSPEL FEST MONTH – Zonal showcases in music, song, dance, poetry and comedy also weekend concerts featuring international artistes.
Contact: Ministry of Culture, Tel: 784 451 2180

MAY
SVG Squash Association, hosting the Senior OECS Individual and Team Championships
Labour Day*
1 Regional Cycling Classic
1 – 4 SVG Rugby Tournament: participating teams – Barbados, BVI, Martinique, St. Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago
Maroon Festivities, Union Island – Ministry of Tourism, Youth and Sports, Tel: 784 457 1502
8 – 12 Canouan Regatta
Contact: Mr. Carlos Mc Laurean – Commador – Canouan Sailing Club, Tel: 784 458 8197
Weekend Festivals- Boat races, sports & games, calypso competition, beauty pageant
11 – 12 International Cycling Classic
12 Whit Monday *

JUNE
27 – July 08 Vincy Mas – 31st Anniversary of post lent Carnival
Carnival/Vincy Mas festivities include King & Queen of the bands, Junior Carnival,
Miss Carival Show, steel band & Calypso Competitions, Street Parades

JULY
6 The 13th Annual Fisherman’s Day Competition in Bequia
Contact: Bequia Rotary Club, Tel: 784 458 3248
7 Carnival Monday *
J’ouvert – An early morning street jump-up with a satirical twist In the afternoon & into the evening, T-shirt bands participate in a great Caribbean street party
8 Carnival Tuesday*
Mardi Gras – Mas bands parade on stage at Carnival City (Victoria Park) competing for the Band of the Year Award, and then on to the streets of Kingstown
Contact: Carnival Development Corporation Office, Tel: 784 457 2580
24 – August 1 Canouan Carnival
Contact: Mr. Carlos Mc Laurean – Commador – Canouan Sailing Club, Tel: 784 458 8197


AUGUST
EMANCIPATION MONTH
1 Emancipation Day *
Events to commemorate the abolition of Slavery
1 – 31 Breadfruit Festival
Contact: Ministry of Culture, Tel: 784 451 2180

SEPTEMBER
DANCE FESTIVAL MONTH
Contact: Ministry of Culture, Tel: 784 451 2180
8th Fashion Caribbean

OCTOBER
Independence Day*
26 – 27 Independence Cycling Classic

NOVEMBER
NATIONAL TOURISM MONTH CELEBRATION

THEATRE ARTS FESTIVAL 2007 – Formerly Community Drama Festival
Drama production, song, poetry, music, creative writing, dance and body building
Contact: Ministry of Culture, Tel: 784 451 2180




DECEMBER
NATIONAL CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL
16 – 24 Nine Morning Celebrations
A pre-Christmas tradition. Early morning street activities-bicycle races, carol, singing & other cultural presentations, local food & drinks
Contact: Ministry of Culture, Tel: 784 451 2180
Christmas Day *
26 Boxing Day *
New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve (Old Year’s Day) is celebrated in a big way in the islands. Church services, fire works displays, public and private dinners and parties which will spill over into the next day.


* Denotes Public Holidays


Information and pictures provided by St Vincent & The Grenadines Tourist Office

The Travel-Informed Team

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