Holidays in St. Vincent & the Grenadines

• Island hop between its diverse islands
• Feel like a modern-day Robinson Crusoe
• Revel in the A-lister glamour of Mustique
• Kick back among the languid lifestyle of Bequia

Slung like a cluster of jade pebbles floating in a bath of Caribbean Sea blue, the islands of St. Vincent & the Grenadines are often referred to as the ‘jewels of the Caribbean’. With only nine of the 32 gems inhabited, there’s a real Robinson Crusoe desert island feel here.

Escapism is king in St. Vincent & the Grenadines. It’s a luxury holiday where you can get away from it all on its perfectly formed sandy crescents, safe in the knowledge that with barely a soul around, you’ll be undisturbed.

With so many islands to pick from, hopping between them offers a flavour of each isle’s subtle charms. Take in the eye-popping snorkelling and diving found off the coast of Tobago Cays, the lush wilds of St. Vincent, the old-world charisma of Bequia or the celebrity glitz of Mustique. Or sail between a handful for a watery adventure of your own.

Your stay doesn’t have to be 100% ‘R & R’. Plenty of the islands offer walking trails that wind through lush, rolling hills and tropical forest, not least the ascent of St. Vincent’s volcano, La Soufrière. It’s a challenging hike but one that rewards with a panoramic view of those fine Caribbean jewels.

The wonderful thing about St. Vincent & the Grenadines is that each of its islands offers an atmosphere completely different to the next. Here, stay at more than one island is highly recommended! There's emerald-wrapped St. Vincent, Bequia's slow pace of life, the glitz and glamour of Mustique or the exclusivity of the private island of Petit St. Vincent.

Due to the wide-ranging nature of its many islands, the climate can vary from isle to isle. However, as a general rule, the more southerly isles (including Tobago Cays) are slightly drier and warmer than those towards the northern tip of the chain (the likes of St. Vincent and Bequia).

Temperatures across the archipelago tend to drift between 27-30°C throughout the year.

December to May is the driest time of year to visit and with such a good spread of weather right across all the islands, this makes it an ideal time for a sailing holiday. This half of the year is also peak season for St. Vincent & the Grenadines, although we’d use the term ‘peak’ very loosely with the small amount of footfall the country attracts!

June to November is considered the islands’ rainy period, falling within the Caribbean’s official hurricane season. However, the chances of experiencing one are small, as they usually pass to the north of the islands. Short, sharp showers are a more likely feature. Sunshine hours are still in plentiful supply, though, and the rain you do encounter ensures the vegetation stays lush and green.