St Vincent les Grenadines, the archipelago of a thousand jewels!

A true tropical paradise in the Caribbean, set off for an exclusive experience combining unspoilt nature and crystal-clear waters, for unforgettable getaways far from the world...

32 islands at the end of the world...

The Grenadine Islands, an idyllic archipelago, a veritable playground for sailing enthusiasts, offering unforgettable catamaran cruises. Aboard, discover crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches and heavenly landscapes, while exploring islands such as Bequia, Moustique, Canouan and the Tobago Cays, the jewels of St Vincent the Grenadines.

A real change of scenery, these islands will also appeal to the more sporty with their many kitesurfing spots, a sport that's all about freedom. Diving enthusiasts won't be outdone by the presence of protected national parks where you can discover incredible seabeds.

Mayreau Beach, Tobago Cays, Saint Vincent And The Grenadines, West Indies

Information before you leave

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Good to know

The climate

St Vincent les Grenadines enjoys a tropical climate, hot and humid all year round, with temperatures generally varying between 24°C and 30°C. The dry season extends from December to April, offering ideal conditions for outdoor activities and sailing, while the rainy season lasts from May to November, with frequent showers, mainly in the afternoon. Temperatures remain pleasant all year round, and the trade winds, traditional of the tropics, help to soften the heat.

Snorkeling and diving

In St Vincent les Grenadines, the advantage is that the water stays warm most of the year at around 24/30°.

A catamaran trip to the Grenadine Islands is an opportunity to discover incredible swimming and snorkeling spots. For diving enthusiasts, whether you're a beginner or an expert, popular sites include the 5 islands of the Tobago Cays, renowned for their underwater scenery. Part of the Tobago Cays National Park, this archipelago is protected and fascinating for its abundance of sea turtles. You can also escape to the island of Bequia, known for its shipwrecks and vibrant reefs.

tropical fish - St vincent les grenadines

Geography

St Vincent les Grenadines is a skilful blend of lush forests and crystal-clear atoll waters.

The island of Saint-Vincent, which accounts for around 90% of the country's total surface area, is mountainous and volcanic, dominated by the active volcano La Soufrière. It is covered by lush tropical forests, with rivers and waterfalls running through its valleys.

The Grenadines are a group of smaller islands scattered to the south of St. Vincent, including the famous islands of Bequia, Moustique, Union Island and Tobago Cays. These islands are mainly flat, with white sandy beaches, coral reefs and protected lagoons.

Admiralty Bay, Bequia Island, West Indies

Prevailing winds

In the Grenadines, the prevailing winds are trade winds, blowing mainly from northeast to southeast. These regular, moderate to strong winds are characteristic of tropical regions and are particularly favorable for sailing. They blow all year round, although their intensity is most marked during the dry season, from December to April. During the rainy season (May to November), the trade winds are still present, but can be less constant, and phenomena such as tropical storms and cyclones can also influence weather conditions. The trade winds also provide a pleasant climate, reducing heat and humidity between December and April, making them a key factor for sailing, cruising and water sports in the archipelago.

The formalities

For French nationals, for a tourist stay of less than 3 months, all travelers, including minors, must be in possession of a passport or national identity card valid for the entire duration of their stay. For other nationals, please contact the relevant authorities. Please note that proof of identity is required to embark with one of our rental partners.

For a cruise to St Vincent les Grenadines, your point of departure should be the town of Union, but if this is not the case, you will find your charter or cruise departing from Martinique, Guadeloupe or St Lucia. To be able to leave the Marina from these 3 departure points and comply with the regulations, you'll need to complete what's known as an exit clearance, and de facto an entry clearance at Bequia, during your various stops in the islands of St Vincent and the Grenadines. For French nationals, a passport is mandatory.

In St Vincent les Grenadines, we recommend that you exchange for US dollars, rather than the local currency, the East Caribbean dollar (XCD pronounced "here"). The cost of exchange will be lower, but the convenience will be greater, as all the islands accept US dollars, and prices are displayed in US dollars in most tourist locations. You can also exchange your US dollars on your return.

Administrative formalities France Côte d'Azur

What license do I need to sail?

You'll charter your catamaran usually from Martinique or St Lucia (where there's the widest choice of catamarans). Most charter companies will ask you for a sailing CV to prove your sailing ability. In addition, please note that above 6hp, a motorboat license will be required (even for cruising catamaran tenders).

Ports and marinas :

There are several ports on the main island of St Vincent, the largest of which is Kingstown. You can clear customs there, although we recommend Bequia. On the island of St Vincent, you can also stop off at the Port of Blue Lagoon, where you'll find a full range of amenities.

Advice to sailors: We advise against stopping near chateau belair and petit bordel.

On the island of Bequia, we recommend a stopover in Port Elizabeth, where you'll find all the amenities and the possibility of making your entry clearances. Take a stroll through the narrow streets to enjoy the authentic scenery and discover some traditional restaurants.

On the island of Canouan, you'll find the Sandy Lane Yacht Club harbor, which is very pleasant thanks to the marina's very recent infrastructure. Very practical if you want to combine business with pleasure. Note that costs can be high.

On Union Island, on the Clifton side, you can also clear customs. This port also provides access to water and fuel supplies, as well as a number of restaurants.

Navigation

Sailing between the different canals can be lengthy. For example, it can take between 4 and 6 hours between each channel (island), depending on the point of departure and arrival, but also on weather conditions. Trade winds are moderate to strong winds of 15-25 knots. These winds are fairly constant, making for pleasant sailing conditions most of the time. However, it's important to watch out for sudden changes (squalls), which can surprise you with the speed of their arrival. Currents are another factor to take into account when sailing the Grenadine Islands. Currents can become stronger in certain areas, such as around smaller islands or during tides. Note that surface currents in the straits between islands can be more intense, and it's essential to understand the tides to avoid counter-currents.

Here is a list of some of the most popular anchorages in the Grenadines, in addition to the ports and marinas described above:

1. Admiralty Bay (Bequia)

Location: West side of Bequia Island.
Description: A very popular anchorage, well protected and spacious, surrounded by green hills. It offers easy access to the city of Port Elizabeth, with good restaurants, shops and services.

2. Salt Whistle Bay (Mayreau)

Location: On the west coast of Mayreau Island.
Description: A quiet, beautiful anchorage surrounded by white sand and turquoise waters. Perfect for swimming, snorkeling and relaxing.

3. Tobago Cays (Provide regulations for the national park)

Location: A group of islands southeast of Mayreau.
Description: One of the Grenadines' most emblematic anchorages, renowned for its crystal-clear waters, coral reefs and sea turtles. It is protected and offers several anchorages around the islands of Baradal and Petit Bateau.

5. Mustique

Location: North of the Grenadines.
Description: A luxury anchorage, often frequented by private yachts. It offers calm waters, white sandy beaches and upscale island facilities, including exclusive hotels and restaurants.

7. Wallilabou Bay (Saint-Vincent)

Location: West coast of Saint-Vincent island.
Description: This anchorage is known for its picturesque character and its connection with the "Pirates of the Caribbean" film series. It's also a good base for visiting St. Vincent and exploring the surrounding region.

8. Chatham Bay (Union Island)

Location: West coast of Union Island.
Description: A quiet anchorage, further away from the city, perfect for an immersion in nature, with a magnificent beach and good conditions for swimming and diving.

9. Cumberland Bay (Saint-Vincent)

Location: West coast of Saint-Vincent, near the north end.
Description: A protected anchorage, often less crowded, with easy access to volcanic landscapes and the island's wilderness. Ideal for hikers and divers. Ask for the local "Loggy", who will take you to the island's waterfalls and show you the best spots. Our recommendation: Dine at Mojito's restaurant (wifi available), where the sunset is incredible!

10. Bequia (Lower Bay)

Location: At the southern tip of Bequia Island.
Description: A quieter, less crowded anchorage than Admiralty Bay, with shallow waters ideal for swimming and snorkeling. The bay is surrounded by hills and offers a serene setting for a quiet night's sleep.

11. Petit Bateau (Tobago Cays)

Location: One of the islands of the Tobago Cays.
Description: An anchorage surrounded by coral reefs and islets, with crystal-clear waters perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving. It's the ideal place to observe marine life and enjoy the natural beauty of the Grenadines.

13. Canouan (Charlestown Bay)

Location: West side of Canouan Island.
Description: A quieter anchorage with a natural harbor, ideal for yachts looking for peace and quiet. It offers a beautiful view of the mountains and the possibility of enjoying the nearby beaches.

Discover Saint Vincent the Grenadines

Grenadines in pictures

Cumberland Bay, Saint Vincent, West Indies

Saint Vincent Les Grenadines Petit Saint Vincent

The itineraries and anchorages we suggest are given for information only.

They can be adapted to suit your desires, weather and anchorage conditions (crowds, accessibility) and your departure base.

In the case of a skippered charter, the skipper, who is responsible for the smooth running of your cruise, will decide on the best navigation options in exchange with you.

Real-time weather in the Grenadines

Discover our selection of catamarans

Lagoon 42 (2019) - Ulysses

Lagoon 52F (2017) - Qui Cherie

Lagoon 39 (2014) - Willow Dew

Bali 4.1 (2019) - BlueRay

Lagoon 46 (2019) - Hearts Desire

Lagoon 51 (2024) - Bellissima

See all catamarans in Saint Vincent les Grenadines

They talk about us

We discovered the islands of Porquerolles, Lavandou and Port Cros. Incredible anchorages with a multitude of fish for PMT diving enthusiasts. I loved the underwater tour of Port Cros. The catamaran was in good condition and quite comfortable. With 4 people, we weren't cramped on a Lucia 40. A great, well-organized time!

Roger Pallet

A weekend aboard the Windelo 54 Yachting is an opportunity to get together with family and share convivial moments in the practicality of life on board. When the weather's fine and you're at anchor, you open the large aft French window and the space expands right out to sea. All you have to do is dive in - a real treat.

Customer Relations

Aurélie

A top-notch catamaran with plenty of living space. We left on a brand new Bali 4.2. The charter company listened carefully to our course recommendations and we salute Eric's patience in managing and monitoring our file. A great experience that we hope to repeat with the kids this time.

HR Consultant

Karim Khan

We left with friends for the West Indies on a Lagoon 52F. We appreciated the invaluable advice given to us for a serene cruise. We set off with a skipper who knew all the best anchorages and spots to see the turtles. An unforgettable experience!

Graphic designer

Eric Duchand

Used to going out to sea, I was able to discover Sardinia for the first time with Keep Sailing. The catamaran was well maintained and seaworthy (Nautitech open 40). The whole cruise went well, despite the sometimes capricious weather. Thanks to the team, all very professional from start to finish, with a good relationship with the charter company.

Notary

Harold Birkman

We were accompanied by Aurélie, who helped us find the cruise we wanted and, above all, the catamaran that suited us. Superb first sea experience! Thanks to the Keep Sailing team.

Commercial

Aurélien Duchard