Official Name: St. Vincent Capital: Flag: Population: 120,000 Language: English Currency: East Caribbean dollar (XCD) Government Website: www.gov.vc Chamber of Commerce: www.svg-cic.org Emergency Info:

About St. Vincent Island

Covering 150 square miles of the secluded south corner of the Caribbean, the serene nation of 30 islands is luxurious in atmosphere and dripping with allure. St. Vincent is the largest of the 9 major islands in the kite-shaped nation. The other eight major islands are Young Island, Bequia, Canouan, Mustique, Mayreau, Union Island, Palm Island, and Petit St. Vincent.

Bequia, the largest of the Grenadines (7 square miles) lies closest to St. Vincent, only 9 miles to its south. The islands history is reflected in the still apparent traditions of fishing, whaling, and boat building. Canouan is the second largest at 5 square miles, and is set in the center of the Grenadine archipelago. Mustique lies only 3 miles long and 1.5 miles at its widest point and is well loved for its pure white sand beaches, picturesque valleys and tall dramatic forests. The smallest of the inhabited Grenadines at only 1.5 square miles is Mayreau. The lush island is bordered by a coast that provides magnificent sailing conditions. Palm Island is a resort islands located only a mile off Union Island which is set between St. Vincent and Grenada. Accessed by taking the resort’s private boat from Union Island, the palm covered resort island is luxurious in every sense of the word. A very different stay is on Petit St. Vincent where scattered private cottages replace the large scale resort. Trading amenities for uninterrupted tranquility, the small island is an unspoiled getaway from the ordinary.

St. Vincent boasts an impressive list of must sees including fascinating historical sites, architectural gems, and gorgeous nature stops. The town of Kingstown exudes a West Indian Charm, filled with the buzz of produce vendors and craft stands. The cobblestone streets are lined with aged colonial buildings, but the most impressive structures of the city are the churches.

St. George’s Anglican Cathedral, built in the early 1800’s, is a fantastic display of Georgian architecture and flaunts magnificent original stained glass windows. The Kingstown Methodist Church, also of Georgian-style architecture, houses an amazingly elaborate pipe organ in its choir balcony. Built in 1823, St. Mary’s Catholic Church is made of dark colored volcanic sand bricks and carries a unique blend of architectural styles including Georgian, Moorish, and Romanesque.

The St. Vincent Botanical Gardens boasts an impressive array of rare flowers, plant and trees. Founded in 1762, the Botanical Gardens are the oldest in the West Indies. In addition to the gardens there is also an aviary where visitors can get a great look at the brightly colored national bird, the St. Vincent Parrot. Tours are available for only $2 or $3 USD.

Situated over 600 feet above the bay, atop Berkshire Hill, is Fort Charlotte. Besides its stunning panoramic views, an interesting museum is housed in one of the forts old barracks whose walls are covered in historical paintings of the history of Black Caribs.

St. Vincent has a variety of fantastic beaches, accommodating to all types of beach goers. Chateaubetair on the Leeward Coast is surrounded by a 40 foot deep reef that is chock full of tropical fish and perfect for snorkeling. On the southeast coast, Blue Lagoon is a sunny beach with postcard-like qualities. Two white sand beaches, Villa Beach and Indian Bay, are both good for snorkeling and general swimming and have excellent views of Young Island. Beautiful black sand beaches include Argyle, Black Point, and Brighton Beach.

Diving in St. Vincent & the Grenadines is suitable for a wide range of experiences. It’s as easy to find a laid back beginner dive site as it is to find a thrilling dive challenge. There is no shore diving, which aids in preserving the sites marvelous condition. Most of the more casual dive sites are only a short trip, but the more adventures ones often require a longer boat ride. Thanks to its resident volcano, St. Vincent has an amazing amount of breathtaking wall diving sites as well.

St. Vincent Island Map