32 Islands and Cays, Countless Possibilities

Transcription

Photo: Maxim Browne
32 Islands and Cays, Countless Possibilities
All you need to know
to enjoy St. Vincent
and the Grenadines
Beaches, Diving, Watersports, Hiking, Bird Watching, Eco Adventures,
Cruising, Yachting, Tours, Festivals, Cultural Events, Weddings,
Honeymoons, Business, Investment, Accommodation, Restaurants
All you need to
know to enjoy
St. Vincent and
the Grenadines
32 Islands and
Cay s, Countle ss
Possibilities
d to know
All you nee
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to enjoy St.
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Cultural Even
Diving, Wate
Festivals,
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Honeymoons
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All you nee y
know to enjo
and
St. Vincent
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3
A Very
Vincy
Vacation
The Caribbean’s best kept
secret is out! Thanks to
this year’s unprecedented
series of awards and highly
complimentary articles, now
everyone knows that the 32
islands and cays which make up
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
are the perfect destination for a
variety of reasons – including its
reputation as the ultra-romantic
honeymoon spot, impeccable
beaches, spectacular diving,
sailing, eco-adventures, cultural
festivals and so much more!
This annual publication is the
ultimate guide to everything
SVG – where to go, how to get
there, what to do and how to
make our islands your home
away from home.
What is a “Vincy” vacation? With
32 uniquely beautiful islands –
it is anything you want it to be!
5
Contents
A Destination
in Transition
Message from the Minister
8
SVG Fast Facts
St.Vincent & the Grenadines
10-18
CALENDAR of Events
January – December 2012
20-25
TOUR Operators
26-39
ISLAND Accommodation 40-48
Where To Stay
ABOUT Our Islands
50-79
– 32 Islands, Countless Adventures
Contents
FERRY Schedules
80-87
VINCY Vibe
15 Sites to Savour
88-92
ECO Guide
94-107
Bird Watching
BEACHES, Diving &
108-123
Watersports
– A Perfect Beach in Easy Reach
– The Azure Allure
– Into the Deep
– “Sea-ing” is Believing
MIND, Body & Spirit
– A Feast for the Senses
124-135
WEDDINGS &
Honeymoons
– Saying “I Do” the Island Way
136-145
CRUISING &
Yachting
– Smooth Sailing
– The Ports of SVG
– Ship Agents
146-161
ON the Menu
162-170
FESTIVALS & Events
172-183
BUSINESS & Investment 184-187
SVG Top Awards
188-190
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MESSAGE From the Minister
A Destination in Transition
Discover SVG’s aim is to give you all the
information you need for a sublime island
experience and we do so by immersing you in
the character, culture and flavour of our places
and people.
Saboto Caesar
Guests to our shores can either look forward
to or already enjoy the Argyle International
Airport (scheduled to open in early 2013),
the luxurious Buccament Bay Resort (phase
one opened this year), the major upgrade of
Raffles (to be renamed the Canouan Resort)
and the opening of 15 of our prime tourist sites
through a European Union project.
This is a truly exciting time for us and it is
our sincerest wish that you come and enjoy
the new SVG.You may have already seen our
new logo, combining the national colours, the
“Vincy” V and the wings of the seagull.
This is a signal of our fresh start – 32 islandsworth of paradise awaiting you. Enjoy our
magazine. We hope to see you soon.
Saboto Caesar,
Minister of Tourism
and Industry
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10
SVG Fast Facts
St. Vincent and
the Grenadines
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Location
St.Vincent and the Grenadines
is located between St Lucia, 24
miles to the north, and Grenada,
75 miles to the south. Barbados
is 100 miles to the east. The
island of St.Vincent is situated
at 13° 15’ N Latitude and 60°
56’ W Longitude and is 18 miles
long and 11 miles wide.
Population
St.Vincent and
the Grenadines
2001 Census
2005 Estimates
St.Vincent
Bequia
Mustique Canouan
Mayreau
Union Island,
Palm Island &
Petit St.Vincent
106,253
100,747
97,638
4,861
552
1,165
254
1,935
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SVG Fast Facts
Area & Distance
From St.Vincent
St.Vincent
133 sq miles
Bequia
7 sq miles
9 miles away
Mustique
2 sq miles
17 miles away
Canouan
Mayreau
Union Island
Saint Vincent
Young Is.
Bequia
Isle-à-quatre
3.2 sq miles
29 miles away
Palm Island
0.2 sq miles
41 miles away
Petit St.Vincent
0.2 sq miles
44 miles away
Language
English is the official language.
Climate
Average daytime temperatures
range from 24° C/75° F to 30°
C/87° F.
Dry season is January to April.
Rainy season is July to October.
Average annual rainfall is 80
inches on the coast, 150 inches
inland.
Baliceaux
Battowia
The Pillories
Mustique
Rabbit Island
Little Mustique
1 sq mile
35 miles away
3 sq miles
36 miles away
Little Nevis
Little Canouan
Savan Island
Savan Rock
Canouan
Catholic Island
Mayreau
Union Island
Frigate Island
Tobago cays
Palm Island
Petit St. Vincent
Clothing
Light informal clothes.Visitors
should not wear bathing suits
or micro/mini shorts in the
streets or stores. In St.Vincent
and the Grenadines it is illegal
to wear or import camouflage
clothing. Bring long pants and
hiking shoes if you intend to
hike.
Credit Cards
Hotels, restaurants, shops and
car rental companies generally
accept major credit cards.
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Currency
The Eastern Caribbean dollar
(EC$), the local currency, is
pegged to the US dollar. The
banks give EC$2.67 for US$1
cash and EC$2.68 for US$1
travellers cheques. Shops and
restaurants exchange US$1 at
approximately EC$2.60.
Taxes
There is a 10 per cent
Government Tax at hotels and a
VAT of 15%.
Time
is in the Atlantic Standard Time
Zone, one hour ahead of Eastern
Standard Time and four hours
behind GMT.
Water
The water is safe to drink.
Bottled water is also available.
Getting Around
On Land: In St.Vincent, take an
organised tour or hire a car and
drive yourself. Please remember
to drive on the left. In Bequia
and the other Grenadine Islands
you can walk and discover the
whole island or take a taxi tour.
By Sea: There are ferryboats
between the various islands,
also boat-chartering companies
(for both bareboat and crewed
yachts) and organised boat trips.
See pages 80-87.
By Air: There are several airlines,
both scheduled and charter,
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SVG Fast Facts
to take you on day trips to
surrounding islands.
Driver’s Licence
A local driver’s licence must
be obtained if you do not hold
an OECS or International
licence. It can be obtained on
production of your current
driver’s licence at the Police
Station on Bay Street, the
Licensing Authority on Halifax
Street or at E.T. Joshua Airport.
A temporary licence is valid for
six months. Fees are as follows:
EC$65 – temporary licence;
EC$75 – local licence; EC$100 –
international licence.
Electricity
Voltage is 220 volts – 50 cycles.
Appliances rated at 110 volts
(US standard) normally work
satisfactorily with a transformer.
Most hotels provide dual voltage
shaver units.
Government
On October 27, 1979,
gained independence from Great
Britain. It has a democratically
elected government and Prime
Minister. The current Prime
Minister is the Honourable
Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.The Governor
General, His Excellency,
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Dr. Frederick Ballantyne, is
appointed by and represents
Her Majesty the Queen.
Dangers
Sea Urchins
Swimmers beware – the spines of
these creatures are very sharp and
break off on contact. Once in the
skin they are almost impossible
to remove but they will eventually
disolve. Applying warm lime juice
helps.
Manchineel Trees
These pretty trees grow
abundantly on some beaches
and provide welcome shade.
Their fruit, leaves and wood are
toxic. Do not stand under them
in the rain, eat the apples or
touch the leaves.
Pet Regulations
No pets from North and South
America, Europe, Africa and
Asia are allowed into St.Vincent
and the Grenadines unless
they have been in quarantine
for six months. They can come
aboard yachts, but must
remain on board at all times.
Pets are allowed from the UK,
New Zealand and Australia
on condition that a health
certificate is presented.
Contact the Government
Veterinary Officer at:
animalhealthsvg@hotmail.com.
Residency Permits
The Office of the Prime Minister
issues residency permits.
Work Permits
The Prime Minister’s Office,
Administrative Centre, Bay
Street, Kingstown issues work
permits.
Radio/Television
There are currently two
television broadcasters (one
local, one providing cable) and
10 radio stations:
NBC Radio – AM 705 kHz
16
SVG Fast Facts
FM 89.7, 90.7, 107.5
HITZ FM 103.7/91.5
NICE FM 96.3
WE FM 99.9
Cross Country FM 104.3
Praise FM 105.5
HOT97 FM 97.1
Total FM 100.5
Star Radio FM 98.7
Garifuna Radio 89.1
Customs Regulations
Duty Free Items: The
following items are duty free but
must be fully declared: baggage
and household effects, including
wine or spirits not exceeding
one quart in all; tobacco, not
over half a pound, or cigars, not
over 50 in number, or cigarettes,
not over 200 in number, used
implements, instruments and
tools of profession, trade,
occupation or employment.
Personal Effects: Jewelry,
binoculars, cameras, sports
requisites, laptops, toys,
medicines and toiletries for
personal use only.
Telecommunications
has a modern and reliable
telecommunications system. It
is easy to find public phones in
most communities. Hotels offer
International Direct Dialling and
there are three major mobile
service providers on the island.
The island’s area code is (784).
Digicel SVG Ltd. (784) 453-3000
Karib Cable
(784) 457-1600
LIME
(784) 457-1901
Restricted Items: Drugs,
spear fishing equipment,
arms and ammunition.
Firearms: Licensed firearms
must be declared and are subject
to immigration and police
regulations. An application must
be made to the Commissioner
of Police for a local licence. The
authorities will seize undeclared
and unlicensed firearms.
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Transportation &
Connections
St.Vincent has a modern airport
operating both day and night.
The Canouan airport has been
upgraded and renamed as the
Canouan Jetport. There are also
airstrips on Bequia, Mustique
and Union Island. Connections
with Air France, Air Canada,
American Airlines, British
Airways, Caribbean Airlines,
Continental, Delta, Jet Blue,
US Airways and Virgin Atlantic
are available in Barbados, St.
Lucia, Martinique, Trinidad
and Grenada. There is a St.
Vincent and the Grenadines
Information Desk in the
Arrivals Section of the Grantley
Adams International Airport
in Barbados. This desk is open
daily between the hours of
1pm and 8pm to assist people
travelling to St.Vincent and the
Grenadines.
LIAT provides scheduled
services to other islands in the
Caribbean including Canouan.
Mustique Airways, SVG Air and
Grenadine Airways are available
for charter. These airlines
operate scheduled services
between the Grenadine Islands.
Remember to confirm your
return or onward bookings at
least 72 hours before departure.
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SVG Fast Facts
Air Services
E.T. Joshua Airport
(784) 458-4841
American Eagle
(784) 456-5555
Grenadine Airways
(784) 456-6793
LIAT: Kingstown
(784) 457-1821
Mustique Airways
(784) 458-4380
SVG Air
(784) 457-5124
Airport Tax
There is a departure tax of
EC$40
Immigration
All visitors must have a valid
passport, except nationals of
the Organisation of Eastern
Caribbean States (OECS)
who may visit with proof of
citizenship (driver’s licence
and voter’s registration).Visas
are required from nationals of
the following countries: China,
Dominican Republic, Nigeria,
Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Syria and
Jordan. A return or ongoing
ticket is required for all visitors.
AD
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2012 CALENDAR of Events
January
1
New Year’s Day
25-Feb 8 Mustique Blues Festival
Contact Basil’s Bar.
Tel: (784) 488-8407
26-29
Bequia Music Festival
Contact: Bequia
Tourism Association.
Tel: (784) 458-3286
February
Primary School
Performing Arts
Festival – a monthlong festival of song,
dance, drama and poetry
featuring the children
of St.Vincent and the
Grenadines.
March
TBA
14
National Heroes and
Heritage Month
SVG Blues and
Rhythms Festival
Contact:
SVG Tourism Authority
Tel: (784) 456-6222
National Heroes Day*
21
April
1-9
5-9
6
9
May
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
Easterval, Union Island.
Weekend festivals, boat races,
sports and games, calypso
competition, beauty pageant.
Contact Union Island Tourist Board
Tel: (784) 458-8350
Bequia Easter Regatta
Contact: Bequia Sailing Club.
Tel: (784) 457-3649
Good Friday*
Easter Monday*
1
Labour Day*
24-28
Canouan Regatta
Contact: Commodore
Canouan Sailing Club
Tel: (784) 458-8197
Whit Monday*
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22
CALENDAR of Events
June-July
Jun 29Jul 10
Jul 14
Jul 26Aug 1
Vincy Mas
(Carnival Vincy Mas festivities
include King and Queen of the
Bands, Junior Carnival, Miss
Carival Show, Steelband,
Calypso and Soca competitions
and street parades.
Carnival Monday
J’ouvert – an early morning
street jump-up with a satirical
twist. In the afternoon and into
the evening, tee-shirt bands
participate in a great Caribbean
street party.
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.
Bequia Annual Fisherman’s Day
Competition in Bequia.
Contact: Bequia Rotary Club
Tel: (784) 458-3248
Canouan Carnival
Contact: Commodore
Canouan Sailing Club
Tel: (784) 458-8197
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CALENDAR of Events
August
1
1-31
TBA
Emancipation Month
Emancipation Day*
Events to commemorate the
abolition of slavery
Breadfruit Festival
Contact: Ministry of Culture
Tel: (784) 451-2180
Fashion Caribbean
Contact: Monique Tash
Tel: (784) 456-2555/493-0793
September
Dance Festival Month
October
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26-27
Independence Day*
Independence Cycling
Classic
November
TBA
National Tourism Week
Celebration
Contact: Ministry of Tourism
Tel: (784) 457-1502
Theatre Arts Festival 2012
Drama production, song,
poetry, music, creative
writing, dance and body
building.
Contact: Ministry of Culture
Tel: (784) 451-2180
25
December
16-24
25
26
31
National Christmas
Festival
Nine Mornings
Celebrations
A pre-Christmas
tradition. Early morning
street activities include
bicycle races, carol
singing and other
cultural presentations,
local food and drinks.
Contact:
Ministry of Culture
Tel: (784) 451-2180
Christmas Day*
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, fireworks
displays, public and private
dinners and parties which
spill over into the next day.
*Denotes public holidays
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TOUR Operators
Guided Tours
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Inbound (Ground)
Tour Operators
Baleine Tours
This operator offers tours mainly
along the leeward (western) coast
to the Falls of Baleine. Sail on lovely
catamarans and enjoy the marine
scenery. Baleine Tours also offers tours
to the Pirates of the Caribbean film
site, island charters, dolphin watching,
snorkelling trips, island drop-offs and
sport fishing. All attractions include full
safety packages, insurance, hotel pickup and mobile communications.
Tel: (784) 457-4089
Email: prosec@vincysurf.com
Contact: Wayne or
Debbie Halbich
Barefoot Holidays
Located at the Blue Lagoon, Barefoot
Holidays mainly caters to yacht
visitors, offering permanent dockage
and storm moorings. There is a
waterfront restaurant and bar, gourmet
provisioning services, workshop and
repair facilities, hotel and guest house
booking service, inter-island travel,
jeep rentals, island tours, air charter
services, ice and water, boutique, PADI
dive shop and on-site apartments.
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TOUR Operators
Tel: (784) 456-9334
Fax: (784) 456-9238
Email: barebum@vincysurf.com
Contact: Mary Barnard
Corea and Co. Ltd
Corea is well established and
well respected, being the most
experienced and leading shipping
agency and shore excursion
operators in St.Vincent and
the Grenadines. We have been
in business since cruise lines
chose the Caribbean as a cruise
destination.
Tel: (784) 456-2158
Fax: (784) 456-2204
Email: noll_patterson@goddent.com
Contact: Ms Noll Patterson
Captain Yannis Sail
Located on Union Island, Captain
Yannis Sail offers charters to and
around the entire Grenadines. Their
refurbished vessel will sail you to
unspoilt beaches with pristine white
sand. Enjoy tours to the Tobago
Cays Marine Park and snorkel and
dive in magnificent waters.
Telephone: (784) 458-8513
Email: yannis@vincysurf.com
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TOUR Operators
31
Crystal Blue Tours
Explore the marine environment
with experienced guides. Crystal
Blue Tours offers sea tours to the
coast and the Grenadines. They
specialise in deep sea fishing.
Learn to fish. Crystal Blue Tours
offers a range of power boats.
Tel: (784) 457-4532
Fax: (784) 456-2232
Email: wefishin@vincysurf.com
Fantasea Tours
Cruise the islands with Captain
Earl Halbich. With over 20 years’
experience, the fleet of luxury
power boats includes a 60ft party
catamaran, a 42ft cruiser and 38ft
and 28ft Bowens. Cruise to the Falls
of Baleine and the Grenadines.
Enjoy sunset cruises, dolphin and
whale watching tours, scuba diving,
land tours, private charters and
celebration cruises. Unlimited drinks
and snorkelling equipment are
available.
Tel: (784) 457-4477
Fax: (784) 457-5577
Email: fantasea@vincysurf.com
Contact: Earl or Kim Halbich
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TOUR Operators
Grenadines Tours
Let us help you discover the best of
St.Vincent and the Grenadines with
one of our tours
Tel: (784) 458-3795
Fax: (784) 456-4586
Email: gtvl14@hotmail.com
Contact: Mrs. Marnie Palmer
HazEco Tours
HazEco Tours offers personalised
quality eco-tours to all natural and
historical sites. You can drive in luxury
air conditioned vans or ride jeeps,
or power boats and catamarans. Take
guided tours of waterfalls, rainforests,
the volcano and forts. See flora, fauna
and petroglyphs. Go bird watching and
explore the islands via out-of-the-way
hiking excursions.
Tel/Fax: (784) 457-8634
Email: hazeco@vincysurf.com
Contact: Clint or Millie Hazel
Indigo Tours
Indigo Tours offers a diverse
selection of land tours.
Tel: (784) 493-9494
Email: info@indigodive.com
Contact: Kay Deborah Wilson
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34
TOUR Operators
35
Multi-Day Adventure
Offers tours, kayaking and
snorkelling,VIP transportation
and transfers, hotel
accommodation, bicycle tours.
Tel: (784) 456-6452
(784) 527-8191
Email:
info@svgmultidayadventure.com
Contact: Kevin Bailey
Sailors Wilderness Tours
Enjoy panoramic views. Hike or bike
through a rich and fertile multi-river
valley thickly planted with bananas
and ground crops. Experience the
double treat of a tropical rain forest
and challenging mountain ridges.
Sailors offers cruises and sea tours.
They are the premier biking operator
for the athletic visitor.
Tel: (784) 457-1712
(784) 457-1274
Fax: (784) 456-2821
Email: sailortours@hotmail.com
Contact: Trevor Bailey
36
TOUR Operators
Sea Breeze Nature Tours
Sea Breeze offers coastline cruises.
See marine entertainment from
leaping dolphins to whale diving.
Listen to these mammals chattering
on a hydrophone, glimpse turtles,
flying fish, the (no-fin) dolphin and
the omnipresent aviary.Visit the
Pirates of the Caribbean film set with
beach snorkelling. Fishing charters
are available.
Tel: (784) 458-4969
Email: seabreezetours@vincysurf.com
Contact: Hal Daize
Sam’s Taxi Tours
Sam’s offers tours to the leeward
and windward sides of St.Vincent.
With over 15 years’ experience, their
tours include hiking the nature trails,
visiting exquisite botanical gardens,
swimming in mountain rivers and
waterfalls, climbing the volcano
and generally exploring the verdant
landscape of St.Vincent. Sam’s
Taxi Tours also offers islandwide
taxi service, airport transfers, car
rentals, Internet, fax and telephone
services. It also caters to yachtsmen,
offering mooring and customs and
immigration clearance services.
Tel: (784) 456-4338
Fax: (784) 456-4233
Email: sam-taxi-tours@vincysurf.com
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38
TOUR Operators
39
Treasure Tours
Tel: (784) 456-6432
Fax: (784) 456-6436
Email: treasturetours@vincysurf.com
Vincy Aviation Services Ltd
Caribbean Fun Travel and Tours is
our IATA-approved travel agency
and tour operation that provides
reservations and ticketing services to
and from regional and international
destinations aboard all scheduled
airlines. Our services are all-inclusive
and can be customised to fit your travel
requirements.
Vincy Aviation Services Ltd is a
multifaceted holding company
located in St.Vincent and the
Grenadines. They provide One-StopShopping for all vacation travel and
aviation services, including Caribbean
vacation packages and tours, FBO,
fixed-base aircraft handling.
Tel: (784) 456-5600
Fax(784) 456-5300
Email: jelliot@vincyaviation.com
Contact: Ms. Jo Elliott
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ISLAND Accommodation
Where
to Stay
41
ST.VINCENT
Bay Hill Apartments
Cane Garden
T: (784) 456-5419/4480
F: (784) 456-1301
E: contact@bayhill-apartments.com
www.bayhill-apartments.com
Beachcombers Hotel
Villa Beach
T: (784) 458-4283
F: (784) 458-4385
E: beachcombers@cariaccess.com
www.beachcombershotel.com
Blue Lagoon Marina Hotel
Blue Lagoon
T: (784) 458-4308
F: (784) 456-8928
E: sunsailsvg@vincysurf.com
www.lagoonmarina.com
Breezeville Apartments
Indian Bay
T: (784) 458-4641
F: (784) 457-4468
E: frontdesk@villalodge.com
www.villalodge.com
Cobblestone Inn
Kingstown
T: (784) 456-1937
F: (784) 456-1938
E: cobblestone@vincysurf.com
www.thecobblestoneinn.com
42
Grand View Beach Hotel
Villa Point
T: (784) 458-4811
F: (784) 457-4174
E: grandview@vincysurf.com
www.grandviewhotel.com
Crystal Heights
Guest House
Cane Garden
T: (784) 456-4386
F: (784) 456-6389
E: crystalheights@vincysurf.com
http://crystalheights.net
Fairview Guest House
New Montrose
T: (784) 453-1538/432-1411
E: caribbean.sun@hotmail.com
www.caribbeansunenterprises.net
Fitness Apt./Hotel
& Gym Villa
T: (784) 457-5898
F: (784) 457-5922
E: fitnessquestsvg@gmail.com
www.fitnessquestsvg.com
Fort View Apartments
Edinboro
T: (784) 451-2005
E: fortview97@yahoo.com
Grenadine House
Kingstown Park
T: (784) 458-1800
F: (784) 458-1333
E: stay@grenadinehouse.com
www.grenadinehouse.com
Haddon Hotel
Kingstown
T: (784) 456-1897
F: (784) 456-2027
E: info@newhaddonhotel.com
www.newhaddonhotel.com
Heron Heritage Hotel
Kingstown
T: (784) 457-1631
F: (784) 457-1631
E: innsvg@vincysurf.com
www.svghotels.com
Hillside Apartments
Villa
T: (784) 457-5134
F: (784) 457-4678
E: hillside@vincysurf.com
www.svghillsideapartments.com
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this accommodation guide,
some information is subject to change without notice. Please check with the individual property or the SVG
Hotel & Tourism Association (Tel: (784) 458-4379, or visit their website at www.svghotels.com) for up-to-date
information.
43
Hotel Alexandrina
Prospect
T: (784) 456-9788
F: (784) 456-9799
E: hotelalexandrina@aol.com
www.hotelalexandrina.com
James Apartments
Lowmans Hill
T: (784) 457-8147/7157
Kings Inn
Villa
T: (784) 457-4086
E: kingba@aol.com
www.kingsinn-svg.com
Mariners Hotel
Villa Beach
T: (784) 457-4000
F: (784) 457-4333
E: marinershotel@vincysurf.com
www.marinershotel.com
New Montrose Hotel
T: (784) 457-0172
F: (784) 457-0213
E: newmontrosehotel@vincysurf.com
www.newmontrosehotel.com
Oasis Argyle Resort
Argyle
T: (784) 458-0180
E: oasis@oasisretreatsvg.com
www.oasisretreatsvg.com
OD’s Apartments
Harmony Hall
T: (784) 457-5651
F: (784) 457-5651
E: services@ods-apt.com
www.ods-apts.com
Paradise Beach Hotel
Villa Beach
T: (784) 457-4795
F: (784) 457-4221
E: info@paradisesvg.com
www.paradisesvg.com
Petit Byahaut
Petit Byahaut
E: petitbyahaut@vincysurf.com
www.petitbyahaut.com
Phoenix Apartments
Holiday Home
New Montrose
T: (784) 457-9481
F: (784) 456-7677
E: phoenixapt@vincysurf.com
www.phoenixholapt.com
44
Sunset Shores Beach
Hotel Villa
T: (784) 458-4411
F: (784) 457-4800
E: sunshore@vincysurf.com
www.sunsetshores.com
Lunch at Young Island Beach
Ridgeview Terrace Apartments
Ratho Mill
T: (784) 458-4605
F: (784) 457-5959
E: rojen@vincysurf.com
www.ridgeviewterrace.com
Rosewood Apartment
Hotel Villa
T: (784) 457-5051
F: (784) 457-5141
E: rosewood@vincysurf.com
www.rosewoodsvg.com
Sea Breeze Guest House
Arnos Vale
T: (784) 458-4969
E: seabreezetours@vincysurf.com
www.vincy.com/seabreeze
Sky Blue Beach Apartments
Indian Bay
T: (784) 457-4394
F: (784) 457-5232
E: skyblue@vincysurf.com
www.skybluebeach.com
Tranquillity Beach Apartments
Indian Bay
T: (784) 458-4021
E: lucelle@tranquillityhotel.com
www.tranquillityhotel.com
Tropic Breeze Hotel
Queens Drive
T: (784) 458-4618
F: (784) 456-4592
E: tropbrez@vincysurf.com
www.tropicbreezesvg.com
Villa Lodge Hotel
Indian Bay
T: (784) 458-4641
F: (784) 457-4468
E: frontdesk@villalodge.com
www.villalodge.com
Young Island Resort
Young Island
T: (784) 458-4826
F: (784) 457-4567
E: youngisland@vincysurf.com
www.youngisland.com
45
BEqUIA
Bequia Beach Hotel/
Blue Tropic
Friendship Bay
T: (784) 458-1600/454-8111
F: (784) 458-1700
E: info@bequiabeach.com
www.bequiabeach.com
Bequia Beachfront Villas
Friendship Bay
T: (784) 457-3423 284-495-4036
E: bequia@fortrecovery.com
www.bequiabeachfrontvillas.com
De Reef Apartments
Lower Bay
T: (784) 458-3412/3484
F: (784) 457-3103
E: dereef@vincysurf.com
Firefly
Bequia Spring
T: (784) 458-3414
E: stan@fireflybequia.com
www.fireflybequia.com
Frangipani Hotel
Admiralty Bay
T: (784) 458-3255
F: (784) 458-3824
E: reservations@frangipanibequia.com
www.frangipanibequia.com
Gingerbread Hotel
Gingerbread Hotel
Admiralty Bay
T: (784) 458-3800
F: (784) 458-3907
E: ginger@vincysurf.com
www.gingerbreadhotel.com
Hibiscus Apartments
Port Elizabeth
T: (784) 458-3316
F: (784) 458-3889
E: hibiscusapts@vincysurf.com
Island Inn Apartments
Friendship Bay
T: (784) 457-3433
F: (784) 457-3431
E: islandinn@vincysurf.com
www.islandinnsvg.com
Kingsville Apartments
Lower Bay
T: (784) 458-3932
F: (784) 458-3000
E: kingsville@vincysurf.com
www.kingsvilleapartments.net
46
Sugarapple Inn
Friendship Bay
T: (784) 457-3148
F: (784) 458-3985
E: sugarapple@vincysurf.com www.
sugarappleinn.com
Lime House Villas
Spring Plantation
T: (784) 457-3092
E: (784) 457-3092
E: limehouse@bequiavilla.com www.
bequiavilla.com
Ocean Breeze
Villa Spring
T: (784) 457-3092
F: (784) 457-3092
E: limehouse@bequiavilla.com www.
bequiaholiday.com
Sea Shells
Belmont
T: (784) 458-3656
F: (784) 458-3656
E: seashellsbq@vincysurf.com www.
seashellsbequia.com
Spring House
Bequia Spring
T: (784) 483-0381
E: info@springhousebequia.com
www.springhousebequia.com
The Nest and Treetop
Belmont
T: (784) 458-3667
E: treehouse@vincysurf.com
www.thenestbequia.com
The Old Fort
Mount Pleasant
T: (784) 458-3440
F: (784) 457-3340
E: info@theoldfort.com
www.theoldfort.com
The Village
Belmont
T: (784) 457-3026/458-3885
F: (784) 458-3883
E: tvabqsvg@vincysurf.com or
villageapartments@grenadines.net
MUSTIqUE
Cotton House Hotel
Mustique
T: (784) 456-4777
F: (784) 456-5887
E: reservations@cottonhouse.net
www.cottonhouse.net
47
Firefly Hotel
Mustique
T: (784) 488-8414
F: (784) 488-8514
E: stan@fireflymustique.com
www.fireflymustique.com
The Mustique Company
Mustique
T: (784) 488-8409
F: (784) 488-9000
E: villarentals@mustique.vc
www.mustique-island.com
CANOUAN
Raffles Resort
Canouan
T: (784) 458-8000
F: (784) 458-8885
E: canouan@raffles.com
www.raffles.com
Canouan
MAYREAU
Saltwhistle Bay Club
Mayreau
T: (784) 458-8444
F: (784) 458-8944
E: swbinfo@gmx.net
www.saltwhistlebay.com
UNION ISLAND
Tamarind Beach Hotel
Canouan
T: (784) 458-8044
F: (784) 458-8851
E: info@tamarind.us
www.tamarindbeachhotel.com
Anchorage Yacht Club
Union Island
T: (784) 458-8821
F: (784) 458-8365
E: aycunion@vincysurf.com
www.anchorage-union.com
Raffles Resort
Canouan
T: (784) 458-8000
F: (784) 458-8885
E: canouan@raffles.com
www.raffles.com
Big Sand Hotel
Union Island
T: (784) 485-8447
F: (784) 485-8448
E: info@bigsandhotel.com
www.bigsandhotel.com
48
Palm Island Pool
Bougainvilla
Clifton Bay
T: (784) 458-8678/787
F: (784) 458-8311
E: windandsea@vincysurf.com
www.grenadines-bougainvilla.com
Clifton Beach Hotel
Clifton
T: (784) 458-8235
F: (784) 458-8313
E: clifbeachhotel@vincysurf.com
www.cliftonbeachhotel.org
Kings Landing
Clifton
T: (784) 485-8823
E: info@kingslandinghotel.com
www.kingslandinghotel.com
PALM ISLAND
Palm Island Resort
Palm Island
T: (784) 458-8824
F: (784) 458-8804
E: palm@vincysurf.com
www.eliteislandresorts.com
PETIT ST.VINCENT
Petit St.Vincent Resort
PSV Island
T: (784) 458-8801
F: (784) 458-8428
E: info@psvresort.com
www.psvresort.com
50
ABOUT Our Islands
32 Islands,
Countless Adventures
e
Comnantawana
Bay
Owia Salt Pond
Dr
y
ireb
aque R.
ive
Ow
ia Big R
Goat Point
Point
Village
ao
rH
Falls of
Baleine
Owia Bay
Owia
ive
r
r
ive
er
Riv
yR
r
De Volet Point
Passa
g
Porter Point
c
Fan
Ravine
shie
R
Fancy
s Bay
arle
Ch
Qua
Baleine
Bay
We
st Po
int
Cape
Roll
nt
ince
nt V
Sai
Joh
n Bu
ll Po
int
51
m
Kra
v
Ri
Acayou
Tucker Bay
Cayo River
1234
Soufrière
Mountains
ra
Sandy Bay
er
Chibarabu Point
Sion Hill
yR
Ag
Trois Loups Bay
r
ive
Karo Point
ba
New
Sandy Bay
Village
Larikai Bay
London
Robin Rock Point
r
Pit
ive
t Cl
in or Agrika R
Noel Rive
r
Overland
ueen River
Village
eQ
Carib
Settlement
Morne Ronde Point
Tourama Point
God Save Th
Rab a
ver
ama Ri
Tour
cca
La Soufrière
Volcano Trails
Riv
e
r
Wallibou Beach
gg
er
Riv
Rabacca
Langley Park
gle
Lan
Fitz Hughes
Sharpe’s
Chapmans
Bequia
hm
d R i ve r
Caratal R
.
elr R
Riv
ordel
on
iver
sR
Chateaub
hg
e
970
Mt Brisbane
er
Westwood
y Park R.
iver
Grand Sable
Rose Hall
Cumberland
Cum
Chester Cottage
rl
be
Bye
and R.
Mangaroo
ST. PATRICK
Black Point
Mangrove
Hermitage
ay
ard Highw
Windw
Hydro
Project
Grove
Kearton’s
South
Rivers
R
ie
Park Hill
Hydro
Project
Col
o
CHARLOTTE
Three Acres
Colonarie
r
ive
na
r
Gabriel
Princes Bay
aqua River
rab
Ya
Friendly
Belle Vue
Mt Greenan
Diamond
Vermont
Nature Trails
Mt. Wynne Bay
Golden
Grove
Richland
Park
Carriere
Camel
.
dR
woo
Cane
R.
den
Cam
Lowmans Bay
Adelphi
Grant’s Bay
Biabou Bay
Wa
rro
Green Hill
Belmont
Belair
C
org
Cartes
G
Whim
r
ve
Choppins
Calder
Rawacou
Mt. Pleasant Beach
Windward Hwy.
Glen
Greathead
Bay
Villa
Stubbs Bay
Glebe
Lands
Brighton
Village
Prospect
Indian Bay
Villa Beach
Young Island
Calliaqua Bay
Argyle Beach
Argyle
Victoria
Village
King Hill
Forest Reserve
Ri b
ish
i
Ri
Vigie
Upper Villa
Southwood
la
m
al
lia
que
R
iver
Arnos
Vale
an R
.
Rockies
Cane
Garden
Mesopotamia
Evesham
Akers
Evesham Vale
Welcome
LaCroix
Ashburton
Mineral
Springs
Grove
Peruvian
Vale
Dumbarton
Riley
Meek
Redemption
Sharpe
Sion
Hill
ver
Z
Edinboro
Kingstown
North Union Bay
Irwin’s Cliff
Hopewell
Gardens
Lowmans
North
Union
Macariacaw
Biabou
Compulsion
735
Fort Charlotte
Lower
Lowmans
South Union
Bridgetown
Dubois
Bow
R.
r
Questelles
Wood stown
Rive
ork
ng
Ki
Camden Y
Botanical
Park
Camden Park Bay
n River
South Union Bay
r
Chauncey
w
rro
wa
Questelles Point
Greiggs
Penniston
Pembroke
Rilliand
Hill
Clare
Valley
Questelles Bay
Francois
Retreat
iver
tR
Carib
Settlement
Montreal
Gardens
Mineral
Springs
en
ga
Ri
Buc
ca
n
me
Mesopotamia
Valley
e
R iv
Buccament
Layou Bay
Vermont
it
vo
Te
Layou
970
Grand Bonhomme
ST. ANDREW
Palmiste Park
Layou
Petroglyphs
Site
of
(Du new Inte
e for
com rnationa
plet
ion l Airport
in 201
4)
Ferret
Leveth
Sans Souci
New
Ground
Unio
Peter's
Hope
Buccament
Bay Beach
r
Gordon Village
Gordon
Yardi
Boarding
Station
Peter’s Hope
Bay
e
ra Riv
Black Point Tunnel
Spring Village
Coco
Wallilabou
Wallilabou Bay
Georgetown
Belmont
Cumberland Bay
Keartons Bay
Caratal
Village
Chilli
Village
Ric
Dark
View Petit
Bordel
Troumaca Petit B
1074
Richmond Peak
u
-H
Fitz
Rose Bank
Coulls Bay
Waterloo
Hell’s Gate
Falls
Richmond
Vale
Chateaubelair
Troumaca Bay
ib o u R ive r
Gro
Richmond
Wa
ri b
ish
a ll
W
Chateaubelair
Bay
Chateaubelair
Customs
Islet
Port of Entry
Orange Hill
Camariabou River
r
ive
iR
Richmond Beach
Calliaqua
Ribishi Point
Brighton Bay
Brighton Beach
Milligan Cay
Gunn Point
Johnson
Point
ST. VINCENT is the largest island and centre of government for
SVG. Centuries of volcanic activity (including majestic La Soufrière)
have fashioned the island into a unique paradise of dense forests,
mountain trails, waterfalls and colourful wildlife that include
several bird species. St.Vincent was once homeland and a capital
of the Carib peoples and its exciting history of native, European
and African settlement is visible in its forts, agricultural houses and
even pre-Columbian rock carvings.
52
ABOUT Our Islands
CAPITAL
Kingstown, located on the
southwest coast of St.Vincent,
is the seat of government and
the main commercial centre.
ST.VINCENT AND THE
GRENADINES TOURISM
AUTHORITY
2nd Floor, NIS Building
Upper Bay Street, Kingstown
(784) 456-6222
E.T. Joshua Airport
Information Desk
(784) 458-4685
Desk at Grantley Adams
International Airport, Barbados
(246) 428-0961
St
Web
b
W
ils
o
yS
t
St
Kingstown
Park
sS
t
Cy
ru
Hig
hw
ay
rve
Ga
New
Montrose
St
n
Coutts
St
McIn
to
sh
53
Gille
s St
hm
on
dH
Rd
iver
th R
Paul’s
Lot
No r
St. George’s
Cathedral
St James
Place
rd
t
Up
La
rB
ay
St
ing
Up
Sall
pe
r
Frenches
nby
t
es S
Jam
yS
Gra
Port Area
Heritage
Square
Murray Rd
th
S ou
St
Deep Water
Wharf
Public
Library
Post
Office
ne
pe
Kingstown Bay
St
pr
g
Fish Market
ax
d
lif
Eg
m
on
tS
t
Hi
Ha
Lo
n
Ri
ve
rR
St
Beachmont
lls
ay
Bed
ford
S
Me
lvill
Low
er B
McKie’s Hill
Court
House
ay
hw
Low
er
bo
ro
St
Hig
H ig
e
Rd
rray
nvil
le
a
Windw
Gre
Lan
Mu
Lon
g
e St
l St
gin
son
St
Qu
e en
s St
St. Mary’s
Catholic
Cathedral
Tyrr
e
Richmond
Hill
Murray
Village
R ic
Level
Garden
Victoria
Park
Battery
Hill
ill R
d
Nee
hall
St
Cox
St
St
Leewar
d
Cemetery
Hill
Cyru
s
t
ne S
Sha
stown Hill
harf
ine W
nad
Gre
King
Cruise Ship
Wharf & Terminal
ST. VINCENT
& THE GRENADINES
TOURISM AUTHORITY
St. Vincent
Craft Centre
Casson Hill
Sion Hill
London
KEY
Hospital
Information
Post Office
Church
Customs
Market/Craft
Police Station
Cemetery
Anchorage
Gas Station
Bus Terminal
Library
Rd
Rd
54
ABOUT Our Islands
AMERICAN EXPRESS
The local representative is
Going Places Travel on
Granby Street, Kingstown
(784) 457-1841
ART GALLERIES /
MUSEUMS
The Bounty Art Gallery
Egmont Street
(784) 456-1776
The Little Art Gallery,
located at Grand View Grill
on Indian Bay, featuring original
work by Vincentian and
Caribbean artists.
(784) 457-5487 or
(784) 458-4811
National Trust
Carnegie Building Heritage
Heritage Square
(784) 451-2921
55
Fort Charlotte
Edinboro
BANKS
First Caribbean
International Bank
Halifax Street, Kingstown
(784) 456-1706
First St.Vincent Bank
Granby Street, Kingstown
(784) 456-1873
The Bank of St.Vincent
and the Grenadines
Bedford Street, Kingstown
(784) 457-1844
(784) 457-1622
Georgetown
(784) 458-6352
RBTT
South River Road, Kingstown
(784) 456-1501
Scotiabank
(784) 457-1601
The St.Vincent
Co-operative Bank
Bay Street, Kingstown
(784) 456-1894
GENERAL HOURS OF
OPENING
Banks:
Monday to Thursday
8am – 1/3pm
Friday 8am – 3/5pm
At E.T. Joshua Airport
Monday to Friday 7am – 5pm
Extended hours at Christmas,
Easter and Carnival
Customs & Excise:
Saturday 8.30am – 12pm.
Government Offices:
Monday to Friday 8am – 4.15pm
Government Treasury
Department:
Saturday 9 – 12pm
Inland Revenue:
& Licensing Office:
Registry:
Monday to Friday 9am – 3 pm
Saturday 9am – 11am
Shops:
Saturday 8am – 12pm
56
ABOUT Our Islands
CHURCHES
Times of Service
Salvation Army
Kingstown: 10am
Roman Catholic
Kingstown: Saturday 7pm
Folk Mass: Sunday 7am, 9am
Children: Mon/Tues/Fri 6.30am;
Wednesday 12 noon;
Thursday 5am
Layou: Sunday 7.30am, 10am
Saturday 7.30pm
Georgetown: Sunday 7am
Seventh-Day Adventist
Kingstown:
Saturday 9.30am – 12pm
Methodist
Kingstown: Sunday 7am, 4.30pm
Arnos Vale: Sunday 9am
Calliaqua: Sunday 7am
Georgetown: Sunday 7am
Jehovah’s Witnesses
Kingstown:
Sunday 9.30am – 11.30am
Tuesday 6.30pm – 7.30pm
Anglican
Kingstown: Daily 6am;
Sunday 5.30am, 7am, 6pm
Calliaqua: Sunday 7am
Streams of Power
Kingstown:
Sunday 7.30am, 6pm
Baha’i Faith
National Baha’i Centre
Inland Transportation
All parts of St.Vincent are
easily accessible with readily
available bus and taxi services.
St.Vincent’s taxi and bus drivers
have earned a reputation for
being helpful and courteous.
57
MEDICAL FACILITIES
Public facilities:
The Milton Cato Memorial
Hospital located on Hospital
Road, Kingstown, is equipped
with an operating theatre, X-ray
department, and dental and eye
clinics. There are smaller hospitals
in Georgetown on the Windward
coast, Chateaubelair on the
Leeward coast. Clinics are situated
throughout St.Vincent.
Milton Cato Memorial Hospital
(784) 456-1185
Private facilities:
Maryfield Hospital, Gunn Hill
(784) 457-8991/1300
Caribbean Medical
Imaging Centre
Stoney Ground
(784) 457-0317
MONEY TRANSFER
MoneyGram, Granby Street
(784) 457-1841
Western Union, Granby Street
(784) 457-1690
PHARMACIES
Dasco Pharmacy, Halifax Street
(784) 457-9431
Gaymes Pharmacy, Grenville St.
(784) 456-1861
Lewis Pharmacy, James Street
(784) 456-2028
Medcare, Arnos Vale
(784) 457-0212
Medix Pharmacy, Grenville St.
(784) 456-2989
People’s Pharmacy, Grenville St.
(784) 456-1170
58
ABOUT Our Islands
Variety Medical Complex,
Arnos Vale
(784) 456-6319
Victoria Pharmacy, Bentick
Square
(784) 451-2668
Post Office
St.Vincent and the
Grenadines Postal
Corporation on Halifax
Street in Kingstown is open
Monday to Friday 8.30am
– 3pm, Saturday 8.30am – 11.30am.
There are sub-post offices in all towns
and most villages.
Shipping
Kingstown has a natural harbour.
There is a regular service between
St.Vincent and major international
ports in North America, Europe
and the Caribbean. The deep‑water
harbour has a wharf to accommodate
two ocean-going ships. There are
container ports at Kingstown
and Campden Park.
59
CONFERENCE FACILITIES
Facility Anglican Pastoral Centre Bay Street Administrative
Centre Grand View Beach Hotel Grenadine House Methodist Church Hall
New Haddon Hotel NIS Building Canouan Resort
Red Cross Headquarters Sunset Shores Beach Hotel Tamarind Beach Hotel The Lagoon Hotel & Marina Villa Lodge/Breezeville Young Island Resort Number
of Persons
60-80
50
40
70
250-300
26
80
90/40/30/50
100
100
45
40
50
40
Camping Facilities
Bay Hill
Sion Hill
(784) 456-5419
Glad Tidings Bible Camp
Cane Hall
(784) 458-4392
Grace and Truth
(784) 458-7442
60
ABOUT Our Islands
Taxi & Auto-Rental Services
Avis Rental Car (784) 456-6861
Ben’s Auto Rental(784) 456-2907
Car Rentals
Taxi & Tours
(784) 526-2621
Cash Money
Investments
(784) 451-2300
David’s Auto
Clinic
(784) 457-1116
D & J Rentals
(784) 456-6548
Greg’s Rental
Services
(784) 457-9814
Lewis Auto
World
(784) 456-2028
Red Fox Taxi
& Rental
(784) 526-2618
Rent and Drive (784) 457-5601
Ricky’s Car
Rental
(784) 457-0736
Sam Taxi &
Tours Ltd
(784) 456-4338
Star Garage
784) 456-1743
Cyndale
Enterprise
(784) 456-4505
Hertz Rent-a-Car(784) 456-1743
P&G Rental
Service
(784) 457-5041
Airport Alliance
Taxi Service
(784) 456-5288
Airport
Authorised Taxi
Airport Taxi
Service
Kingstown
Taxi Stand
SVG Taxi
Association
W&W Taxi
Service
(784) 456-5117
(784) 458-4179
(784) 457-2560
(784) 457-1807
(784) 458-4669
61
Emerald Travel & Tours
(784) 457-1996
Going Places Travel
Granby Street, Kingtown
(784) 457-1841
Grenadine Travel Co. Ltd
Arnos Vale
(784) 458-3795
Irie Travel Services
104 Halifax Street, Kingstown
(784) 451-2003
Travel & Tours
Kingstown
(784) 456-2572
Universal Travel Limited
Bay Street
(784) 457-2779
Bicycle Rentals
Sailors Cycle Centre
(784) 457-1712
Scooter Rental
S&T Enterprises
(784) 456-4564
Travel Agents
Caribbean Fun Travel
Arnos Vale
(784) 456-5600
TAXI & MINIBUS FARES
Taxi and minibus rates are fixed
by the Government. A full list
of fares is available at the SVG
Tourism Authority offices or
from the dispatcher at the
airport and cruise terminal.
The rates are correct at the
time of going to press but they
are subject to official change.
Always check the fare with the
driver before starting
your journey.
62
ABOUT Our Islands
MINIBUSES
Public minibuses service all of
St.Vincent. The central
departure point is the
Kingstown bus terminal.
Bus stops are located
throughout the island. Fares
range from EC$1 to EC$6.
Rates Approved in 2011
To and From
EC$
Kingstown
Fitzhughes and beyond
6.00
Chateaubelair,
Petit Bordel, Rose Hall
5.00
Coulis Hill, Spring Hill
4.50
Wallilabou, Keartons,
Barrouallie
4.00
Rillan 2.00
Layou, Buccament,
Vermont
3.00
Clare Valley
2.00
Chauncey, Questelles,
Campden Park
1.50
Lowmans Hill, Scion Hill 1.00
Cane Hall, Arnos Vale
1.50
Richland Park 4.00
Carriere, Riley Eversham 3.00
Mesopotamia
2.50
Belmont, Fairbain Pasture 2.00
Welcome, Kelburney,
Gomea
2.50
Fancy
7.00
Owia
6.00
Point, Sandy Bay, Overland,
Orange Hill
6.00
Byrea, Colonarie, South Rivers,
63
Park Hill
Georgetown, Dickson
Sans Souci, Diamonds,
New Grounds, North
Union, Lowmans Wd.,
Greiggs, Mount Grenan,
South Union Cedars, Bridgetown,
New Prospect
Peruvian Vale, Spring,
Biabou
Argyle, Mount Pleasant,
Calder, Stubbs
Diamond, Enhams,
Brighton, Glamorgan
5.00
5.50
4.00
3.50
3.50
3.00
2.50
Prospect, Ratho Mill,
Fairhall
2.25
Calliaqua, Glen,Villa
2.00
For any distance
less than a mile 1.00
Rates for School Children
Children 4 to 16 years 50% of the scheduled rate
Children in school uniform
50% of the scheduled rate
Private Taxis can be hired. The
price should be clarified before
embarking on your journey.
64
ABOUT Our Islands
Main Point
Bequia
Head
Longue
Chemin
L’Anse Chemin
East End
Bullet
Bullet Cay
Bullet Bay
Bends Bay
Diable Point
263
Park
Shark Bay
Brute Point
Industry
BEQUIA, the largest of the
Grenadines, is a hub for yachting
and diving. Several undersea
wrecks and shallow caves
provide an engaging landscape
for advanced divers, who can see
beautiful creatures like hawksbill
turtles, lobsters, moray eels and
a host of fish. Every year yachts
converge on Admiralty Bay for
the Bequia Easter Regatta, the
largest regatta in the southern
Caribbean. Bequia has a long
Turtle Sanctuary
Park Bay
Crescent Beach
Industry Bay
Cinnamon
Garden
Spring
Estate
Northwest
Point
Hamilton
Devils Table
Happy
Valley
Fort Hamilton
Rocky Bay
Spring Bay
222
Reform
Pretoria
Maritime
Museum
Marley Bay
Spring
Paradise
Union
Vale
Cemetery
Hill
Port Elizabeth
Admirality Bay
Hill View
Tony
Gibbons
Retreat
Richmond
Lower Bay
Ships Stern
Lower
Bight
Adams Bay
re
er
llivi
lO
ea
Ath
Adams
Friendship
Paget
Farm
Diamond
Derrick
ch
Bea
Lawler
Hill
Belle Point
Upper
Bight
Moon Hole (Tunnel)
James F. Mitchell
Airport
Mount
Pleasant
Ambois
Bay
Hebe
Hope Bay
Mount Pleasant Bay
Rocky Bay
Ravine Bay
269
La Pompe
Anse La Coite
Hope
Belmont
Belmont Beach
Princess Margaret Beach
Friendship
Bay
St. Hilaire Point
Whaling
Museum
Semplers Cay
history as a whaling island and
it is one of the few places in the
world where limited whaling is
still permitted. It is also home to
the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary.
65
Capital
Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth – (784) 458-3937
Emergencies – (784) 457-3785
BequiaTourism Association
bequiatourism@vincysurf.com
www.bequiatourism.com
Pharmacies
Imperial Pharmacy,
Medical Facilities
Emergency – 999
Bequia Casualty Hospital
and Clinic,
Bequia Hospital
Dr.’s Quarters – (784) 458-3213
Dr. Gregory Thomas,
Chiropractor
Postal Information & Hours
The General Post Office,
Port Elizabeth,
Mon – Fri 8.30am–12 noon,
1pm–3pm
Sat 8.30am–11.30am.
Western Union
Agent: GECCU
(upstairs the bookshop)
66
ABOUT Our Islands
Port Elizabeth
Tel: (784) 458-3535
Banks
RBTT; Port Elizabeth
Tel: (784) 458-3845
Mon-Thurs 8-2pm; Fri 8-5pm
Bank of St.Vincent and
the Grenadines
Port Elizabeth
Tel: (784) 458-3700
Mon-Thurs 8-1pm; Fri 8-5pm
Air Transportation &
Connections
Bequia has a modern airstrip.
Mustique Airways, GAA and
SVG Air provide both scheduled
and charter services from
other islands in the Caribbean.
Auto and Moke Rental Services
B & G Jeep Rentals
(784) 458-3760
Challenger Taxi & Rentals
(784) 458-3811
Handy Andy Rentals
(784) 458-3722
Parnell’s Moke Rental
(784) 457-3066
Phil’s Car Rental (784) 458-3304
Sunrise Rentals (784) 457-3086
Bicycle Rentals
Pipe Marine Store
(784) 457-3856 or 495-2272
Ferry Boat Fares/Schedules
There are three ferries that
run between St.Vincent and
Bequia. For fares and schedules
see pages 80-87.
Motor Scooter Rentals
Handy Andy Rentals
(784) 458-3722
Richard Providence
(784) 526-7087
Taxi & Minibus
The Government fixes taxi and
minibus rates. Always check
the fare with the driver before
starting your journey.
Travel Agents
Going Places Travel
(784) 458-3062
Grenadine Travel Co. Ltd
(784) 458-3795
67
Point
Lookout
Honor Bay
North Point
Ramier Bay
L’Ansecoy
Bay
Frenchman’s
Field
Endeavour Bay
Cassava
Piece
Cheltenham
MUSTIQUE is a small private
island that has built a
reputation for being a home
away from home for the stars.
The list of celebrity residents
and guests include – Bill Gates,
Mick Jagger, David Bowie and
even Queen Elizabeth II.
Naturally, entertaining such
famed visitors has led to the
development of excellent
shopping, dining and
entertainment facilities that
Rutland Bay
71
Plantain Bay
Lovell
Village
Brooks Rock
Lime Kiln Bay
Montezuma
Campbell
Hills
Britannia Bay
Macaroni Bay
127
Pasture Bay
Ellis Island
Aberdeen
Valley
Lagoon Bay
Rabbit Island
Black Sand Bay
Gacillaux Bay
Adelphi
Wilks Rock
Deep Bay
Obsidian Bay
Gun
Hill
all visitors can enjoy. In late
January to early February the
Mustique Blues Festival is held.
68
ABOUT Our Islands
arrangements for emergency
evacuation.
Mustique Company
The island of Mustique is owned
and operated by the Mustique
Company (784) 488-8000
Postal Information
Postcards and stamps may be
bought and letters mailed from
the Mustique Company offices.
Capital
Lovell Village
Churches
Mustique Christian Assembly
(Pentecostal), Lovell Village,
(check the Mustique Company
offices for times).
Medical Facilities
The doctor runs a fully
equipped modern clinic and
dispensary, offering full medical
and emergency care, including
Shopping
A cluster of shops and boutiques
can be found at Britannia
Bay, offering everything
from Balinese furniture and
furnishings to tropical and
designer label fashions and
accessories, a bakery, a general
store, a supermarket, gift shop
and fish market.
69
AirTransportation &
Connections
There is an airstrip on
Mustique. Mustique Airways,
GAA and SVG Air provide
scheduled and charter services
to and from other islands in
the Caribbean. The Mustique
Company operates a scheduled
service Monday through
Saturday between Mustique
and St.Vincent and Mustique
and Barbados.
For flight times and reservations
on the Mustique shuttle, contact
the Mustique airport
(784) 488-8336
Taxis
Basil’s Beach Bar (784) 488-8350
Inga’s Taxi (784) 488-8606
Lovell Taxi (784) 488-8872
Michael’s Taxi (784) 488-8448
Auto & Motor Bike Rental
Services
Mustique Mechanical Services
(784) 488-8555
Ferry Boat Schedule
For fares and schedules, please
see the FERRY Schedule section
or call: (784) 488-8575
70
ABOUT Our Islands
Point Jupiter or Jupiter Head
Point Moody
Hyambrook Bay
Mahault Bay
Shendah
Little Mahault
CANOUAN is both a luxurious
and elegant tourist destination
and a simple, natural unspoiled
island. It is home to the worldclass Canouan Resort and the
Trump International Golf Club,
and is blessed with one of the
Caribbean’s longest barrier reefs.
It is a top destination for golfing,
cruising, weddings and relaxation.
Valley
Corbec
Big Mahault
Corbec Bay
Terre
Negresse
L’Anse Guyac Bay
Dry Point
Cloey Hole
L’Anse
Guyac
L’Anse Guyac Point
267
Mount Royal
Little Bay
Whaling Bay
Mysore
Bay
Cato Bay
Carenage Bay
Quarry Point
Godahl Bay
Charles Bay
Charlestown Bay
Grand Bay
Bachelor’s
Hall
Bay
Glossy Hill
Bay
Glossy
North
Bay
Taffia
Glossy
Riley Bay
Charlestown
Happy
Hill
Lukee Point
Barbruce Bay
Montette
Friendship
Bay
L’Islot
Grand Cois
Meek
Dallis
Taffia
Canouan
Baleine
Riley
Hill
Nen’s Bay
South Glossy Bay
Billy Hole
Mysore
Rameau Bay
Friendship Point
Point De Jour
71
The name Canouan comes
from the indigenous Caribbean
word “cannouan”, which means
“turtle” or “turtle island”.
Once a French sugar colony,
the island rose to international
prominence as a tourist
destination when it became
home to Raffles Resorts and
Hotels. The Raffles Resort was
recently purchased by Sandy
Lane, who carried out a US$100
million upgrade to the hotel,
renaming it Canouan Resort.
Money Gram
Agent: Bare Necessities
Mini Store & Gift Shop
Balance Village
Mon-Fri 10-8pm
Tel: (784) 458-8074
Capital
Charlestown
AirTransportation
& Connections
The Canouan Airport has been
upgraded and renamed the
Canouan Jetport. Mustique
Airways, SVG Air and GAA have
scheduled services between the
islands and some are available
for charter.
Medical facilities
Canouan Health Clinic
(784) 458-8305
Postal Office:
Grand Bay
Tel: (784) 482-0006
Mon-Fri 9-4pm
Bank
Bank of St.Vincent and the
Grenadines
Grand Bay
Mon-Wed & Fri 8-2pm; Fri 8-5pm
Tel: (784) 458-8595
Manager: (784) 452-4174
Rental &Taxis
Noel Laidlow: (784) 492-4208
Nigel Laidlow: (784) 496-2430
Donna Morris: (784) 529-6820
David Ollivierre (mule rentals):
(784) 491-1177
Police Station: (784) 458-8100
72
ABOUT Our Islands
Saltwhistle Bay
38 Mount Carbuit
Careenage
Coral Reef
261
MAYREAU lies northwest of
the Tobago Cays and is one of
the smaller Grenadines, just
1.25 square miles and with a
population of approximately
250 people. They mainly reside
at Station Hill, where you will
find friendly bars and local
restaurants. A short walk brings
you to the lovely, aged, quaint
little stone Catholic church,
with panoramic views of the
Lady Rock
Ten Shilling
Station
Hill
Tarzan
Grand Col
Point
Ruin
Jetty
Old Wall
85
Tamarind
L’ Anse Bandeau
La Souciere
Windward Bay
Saline Bay
Salt Pans
Lande-ci
Monkey Point
Tobago Cays. There is also the
one and a half mile “famously
sweeping beach” of Saltwhistle
Bay, where the 22-acre resort of
the same name is nestled.
73
Jetty
PALM ISLAND, not surprisingly,
is named after its hundreds
of swaying palm trees. A
private island resort with a very
tranquil ambience, run by a
top hotel consortium, it offers
an exceptionally all-inclusive
hideaway. Its 130 acres are
Jetty
148’
dotted with beachfront stone
cottages, open-air dining,
swimming pool, nature walks,
and all water sports off wide,
white shores.
74
ABOUT Our Islands
PETIT ST.VINCENT
VINCENT, the
southernmost Grenadine island
within the nation of St.Vincent
and the Grenadines, is a privately
owned 113-acre elegant island
resort set on several rolling
hills. White beaches backed by
manicured landscaped grounds
ring the entire island. After a
30-minute boat ride from Union,
guests can enjoy the ultimate in
Marni
Hill
Telescope Hill
124’
Dock
Jetties
Dock
Cross Point
luxury and seclusion, in 22 private
luxuriously appointed cottages
with private patios and seaside
vistas and a wide range of sporting
and marine activities.
75
Petit Rameau
Baradal
Petit Bateau
THE TOBAGO CAYS are
numerous islets and coves
southwest of Canouan
guarded by some of the most
spectacular coral reefs in the
world. The famed Horseshoe
Reef surrounds the four main
deserted cays, dotted with
the odd palm and vegetation.
You can sail, snorkel and
dive in translucent waters
filled with a kaleidoscope of
coloured fish, or beachcomb
the brilliant coral sands – or
a rare tropical paradise that
can be reached only by boat.
Declared a national park by the
136’
Jamesby
Petit Tabac
government, everyone is urged
to respect and preserve the
environment and waters of this
unique natural resort.
Tobago Cays Marine Park
Office: Clifton, Union Island
Tel: (784) 485-8191
Email: info@tobagocays.org
Website: www.tobagocays.org
76
ABOUT Our Islands
Bloody Head
Bloody Bay
Rapid
Mt.
Olympus
Rapid Point
Richmond Bay
637’
Water Rock
Reserve
Colin Campbell
Jack-A-Dan
Reserve
Miss Irene
Point
Salt Pond
Ruin
Mt Taboi
999’
Mount
Parnassus
Reserve
Colin Campbell
Reserve
Miss Irene
Reserve
Spring
Ruin
Chatham
Estate
Chatham Bay
Miss
Campbell
Ruin
Ruin
Big Sands
Ruin
Eastern
Miss Reserve
Old
Murray
Fort
Estate
399’
Ruin
Donalson
Ruin
Ashton
Clifton
Reserve
Jetty
Belmont Bay
Clifton
Harbour
Sports
Ground
Ashton
Harbour
Red Island
Point Lookout
Jetties
Clifton
Petit
Bay
Miss Irene
Fort Irene
Baisin
Queensberry Point
UNION ISLAND is located
on the southern end of the
Grenadines chain of islands.
Home to some 3,000 inhabitants
and approximately three miles
long, it is the commercial centre
for the southern Grenadines and
an important stop for yachts.
The main centre is the bustling
village of Clifton, where you
will find small hotels, boutiques
and a wonderful open-air,
brightly-coloured, fresh produce
market.The main airport serving
the southern Grenadines is here,
as is the harbour where most
of the day charters pick up and
drop off guests. Union Island is
also renowned for its local rum
concoctions and famous lobster
and conch dishes. Live lobsters
can be purchased from local
vendors at Clifton harbour.
77
Internet Services
Union Island
Erika’s Marine Services:
(784) 485-8335
Internet Café: (784) 485-8082
Union IslandTourist Info
Bureau
Tel: (784) 458-8350
uniontourism@hotmail.com
Opening hours Monday to
Friday 9am-4pm
Customs & Immigration
Located at the airport
and harbour.
Saturday 8.30am – 12 noon.
(excluding harbour).
Driver’s Licence
A local driving licence can be
obtained at the General Post
Office.
Transportation
Most parts of these small
islands are accessible with
readily available minibus and taxi
services.
Medical Facilities
Canouan Clinic: (784) 458-8305
Union Island Health Centre:
(784) 458-8339
Ashton Clinic: (784) 458-8245
MoneyTransfers
Union Island
Western Union, GECCU office:
(784) 485-8214
MoneyGram: (784) 485-8888
Pharmacies
Union Island
Harvey’s Pharmacy:
(784) 458-8596
Postal Information & Hours
The General Post Office in
Union Island is located at the
Revenue Office and is open
Monday to Friday 9am–12 noon,
1pm–3pm and
Saturday 9am–12.00 noon
Tel: (784) 458-8231
78
ABOUT Our Islands
Churches
Seventh-Day Adventist
Jehovah ’s Witnesses
Gospel Assembly
Spiritual Baptist
Pentecostal
Church of Christ
Roman Catholic
Anglican
AirTransportation &
Connections
There is an airstrip on Union
Island. Mustique Airways, SVG
Air and GAA have scheduled
services between the islands and
some are available for charter.
Travel Agents
Union Island
Eagles Travel, Clifton:
(784) 485-8888
Erika’s Marine Service, Clifton:
(784) 485-8335
James Travel, Clifton:
(784) 485-8306
Taxi & Minibus Fares
The government has fixed taxi
and minibus rates. A full list of
fares is available at the Union
Island Tourism Bureau. Always
check the fare with the driver
before starting your journey.
Taxi Service
Union Island
D. Rose Tours & Taxi Service:
(784) 526-4500 or VHF Ch 16
Welcome: (784) 528-7533
Rentals
Union Island
Scooters
Howard Driving School:
(784) 494-1171
Bicycles
Erica’s Marine Services:
(784) 485-8335
Vehicles
Lion Rental: (784) 458-8396
79
YOUNG ISLAND is a private
resort island just off the
southwestern coast of
St.Vincent.Young Island Resort
is a haven for rest and relaxation.
Guests can take part in activities
such as watersports, sailing,
tennis and hiking. If you prefer
extra pampering, you can unwind
at Spa Kalinda.
The island was named after
Sir William Young, a former
governor of St.Vincent and is
still home to the impressive Fort
Duvernette (also known as Rock
Fort), built around 1800 as a
defensive outpost.Young Island
became one of the first private
resort islands in the Caribbean
in 1974.
80
FERRY Schedules
Ferry Boats running between the Grenadines Dock
in Kingstown and Bequia are:
M/V ADMIRAL II
Journey time one hour, one way.
Tel: (784) 458-3348
Email: admiraltrans@vincysurf.com
Website: www.admiraltytransport.com
81
M/V BEqUIA EXPRESS I & II
Tel: (784) 458-3472
Journey time is one hour
Monday to Friday
Depart St.Vincent
Depart Bequia
8am
6pm
6.30am
4.30pm
10.30am 1pm
4pm
8.30am
1pm
8.30am
6.30am
12 noon 6pm
9am
4.30pm
9.30am
Saturday
Depart St.Vincent
Depart Bequia
Sundays and Public Holidays
Depart St.Vincent
Depart Bequia
8.30am
7am
6pm
4.30pm
*Boat fares: EC$20 one way, EC$35 return (with same ferry
company)
If requested in advance Bequia Express will delay departure,
Monday to Friday, of the 6pm ferry, up to half an hour for late
flight arrivals.
INTER-ISLAND FERRY
Ferry boats running between the Grenadines Dock in
Kingstown and other parts in the Grenadines are:
82
FERRY Schedules
M/V BARRACUDA
Tel: (784) 455-9835
Monday & Thursday
Depart
Kingstown
Canouan
Mayreau
Union Island
11.30am
2pm
3pm
Tuesday & Friday
Union Island
Mayreau
Canouan
6.30am
7.30am
8.30am
Mayreau
Canouan
Kingstown
7am
8am
12 noon
Saturday
Kingstown
Canouan
Mayreau
Union Island
11am
1.30pm
2.15pm
4pm
Arrive
1.45pm
2.30pm
3.15pm
1pm
2pm
*Boat fares: Kingstown to Canouan EC$40; Kingstown to
Mayreau EC$45; Kingstown to Union Island EC$50; Canouan
to Mayreau EC$30; Canouan to Union Island EC$40;
Mayreau to Union Island EC$30. Children 6-16 years $20
83
JADEN SUN FAST FERRY
High Season Schedule December-April /July August
Tel: (784) 451-2192
After Hours: (784) 493-7177 or (784) 493-7114
E: jadeninc@vincysurf.com
or jdmarine@vincysurf.com
Days
Route
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Departure
Arrival
Fare
Kingstown – Bequia
Bequia – Canouan
Canouan – Union Hall
4:00 pm
4:35 pm
5:25 pm
4:30 pm
5:20 pm
5:55 pm
EC$30
EC$55
EC$30
Union Island – Canouan
Canouan – Bequia
Bequia – Kingstown
7:00 am
7:45 am
8:45 am
7:30 am
8:30 am
9:15 am
EC$30
EC$55
EC$30
Bequia – Canouan
Canouan – Union Island
3:30 pm
4:15 pm
5:15 pm
4:00 pm
5:00 pm
5:45 pm
EC$50
EC$55
EC$30
7:00 am
7:45 am
8:45 am
7:30 am
8:30 am
9:15 am
EC$30
EC$55
EC$30
9:00 am
Bequia – Canouan
9:45 am
Canouan – Union Island 10.45 am
9:30 am
10:30 am
11.15 am
EC$30
EC$55
EC$30
4:00 pm
5:00 pm
5:45 pm
EC$30
EC$55
EC$30
No Scheduled Operations
Wednesday Union Island – Canouan
Canouan – Bequia
No Afternoon Schedule
Thursday
Canouan – Bequia
3:30 pm
4:15 pm
5:15 pm
84
FERRY Schedules
JADEN SUN (Continued)
High Season Schedule December-April /July August
Days
Route
Departure
Arrival
Fare
Friday
9:00 am
Bequia – Canouan
9:45 am
Canouan – Union Island 10:45 am
9:30 am
10:30 am
11:15 am
EC$30
EC$55
EC$30
3:30 pm
4:15 pm
5:15 pm
4:00 pm
5:00 pm
5:45 pm
EC$30
EC$55
EC$30
Kingstowm – Bequia
9:00 am
Bequia – Canouan
9:45 am
9:30 am
10:30 am
11:15 am
EC$30
EC$55
EC$30
4:00 pm
5:00 pm
5:45 pm
EC$30
EC$55
EC$30
Canouan – Bequia
Saturday
Canouan – Bequia
3:30 pm
4:15 pm
5:15 pm
Public Holidays
Public Holidays on Monday – the ferry will depart Kingstown Monday 4:00 pm instead of
Sunday and operate Tuesdays (Leave Union Island 7:00 am and Leave Kingstown 3:00 pm)
Kingstown – Union Island/Union Island – Kingstown (with stops) (one way) EC$75
Kingstown – Canouan/Canouan – Kingstown (with stops)
(one way) EC$65
Kingstown – Mayreau/Mayreau – Kingstown (on a need basis)
(one way) EC$70
Bequia – Mayreau/Mayreau – Bequia (on a need basis)
Bequia – Union Island/Union Island – Bequia (iwth stops)
Children under 12 years half price for all fares
(one way) EC$60
(one way) EC$65
85
Low Season Schedule – May-June/September-November
Days
Route
Sunday
Bequia – Canouan
Monday
Tuesday
Departure
Arrival
Fare
4:00 pm
4:35 pm
5:25 pm
4:30 pm
5:20 pm
5:55 pm
EC$30
EC$55
EC$30
Canouan – Bequia
7:00 am
7:45 am
8:45 am
7:30 am
8:30 am
9:15 am
EC$30
EC$55
EC$30
Bequia – Canouan
3:30 pm
4:15 pm
5:15 pm
4: 00 pm
5:00 pm
5:45 pm
EC$30
EC$55
EC$30
7:00 am
7:45 am
8:45 am
7:30 am
8:30 am
9:15 am
EC$30
EC$55
EC$30
9:00 am
Bequia – Canouan
9:45 am
9:30 am
10:30 am
11:15 am
EC$30
EC$55
EC$30
4:00 pm
5:00 pm
5:45 pm
EC$30
EC$55
EC$30
No Scheduled Operation
Wednesday Union Island – Canouan
Canouan – Bequia
No Afternoon Schedule
Thursday
Canouan – Bequia
3:30 pm
4:15 pm
5:15 pm
86
FERRY Schedules
Low Season Schedule – May-June/September-November
Days
Route
Departure
Arrival
Fare
Friday
9:00 am
Bequia – Canouan
9:45 am
9:30 am
10:30 am
11:15 am
EC$30
EC$55
EC$30
4:00 pm
5:00 pm
5:45 pm
EC$30
EC$55
EC$30
Canouan – Bequia
Saturday
3:30 pm
4:15 pm
5:15 pm
No Scheduled Operations
Public Holidays
Public Holidays on Monday – the ferry will depart Kingstown Monday
4:00 pm instead of Sunday and operate Tuesdays (Leave Union Island
7:00 am and Leave Kingstown 3:00 pm)
Kingstown – Union Island/Union Island – Kingstown (with stops) (one way) EC$75
Kingstown – Canouan/Canouan – Kingstown (with stops)
(one way) EC$65
Kingstown – Mayreau/Mayreau – Kingstown (on a need basis)
(one way) EC$70
Bequia – Mayreau/Mayreau – Bequia (on a need basis)
Bequia – Union Island/Union Island – Bequia (iwth stops)
Children under 12 years half price for all fares
(one way) EC$60
(one way) EC$65
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M/V GEM STAR
Tel: (784) 457-4157 or (784) 526-1158
Tuesdays & Fridays
Kingstown for Canouan, Mayreau & Union Island 12 noon
Wednesday & Saturdays
Union Island for Mayreau, Canouan & Kingstown 8:30 am
*Boat fares: Kingstown to Canouan EC$40;
Mayreau EC$45; Union Island EC$50
MUSTIqUE FERRY
For information on schedule and fares contact: (784) 488-8575
*All schedules and fares are subject to change and cancellation
without notice due to maintenance and other causes. Re-check
times with the ferry company before travelling.
88
Vincy Vibe
15 sites
in three days
Seeing some of SVG’s top
sites the express way
It was a daunting task –
cover 15 of SVG’s important
visitor sites in two days. Two
reporters were given a writing
assignment on the sites, which
were being developed through
a European Union project to
make the 32-island nation one
of the Caribbean’s premier
tourism destinations. Although
it was an exciting project in
a beautiful country, it was no
easy task to capture the wealth
of experiences that included
hiking La Soufrière, sailing
the Tobago Cays and visiting
some of the region’s grandest
waterfalls in just three days.
SVG is well-known for the
variety of activities it offers but
what isn’t as emphasised is how
fulfilling all of them are. There
were many such experiences
– gathering coral stones and
shells off the beach at Rawacou,
89
gazing down at the vibrant green
Mesopotamia Valley from the
Belmont Lookout, swimming in
the impossibly blue waters of
the Tobago Cays – that were so
mentally enriching and physically
recharging it was nearly
impossible to leave.
The EU project encompassed
sites for every kind of tourist.
There were nature trails,
waterfalls, historic (and even
prehistoric) sites, parks,
beaches, locations for bird and
other animal watching and
even a big budget Hollywood
movie set. Getting to all these
places would require traversing
almost the entire island of
St.Vincent, from north to
south, and then traversing the
Grenadines by power boat.
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Vincy Vibe
This was made even more
challenging by St.Vincent’s
geography. The powerful
presence of La Soufrière in the
northern half of the island,
although blessing the land with
an array of natural wonders
like black sand beaches, makes
traversing it a bit of a task if
your aim is speed. The volcano
effectively splits travel through
St.Vincent in half, separating
it into windward and leeward
sides. Lucky for SVG visitors the
guides are unparalleled.
The sites on the Leeward
side are characterised by cliffs
covered in lush and dense
vegetation and the slow moving
Caribbean Sea. Activities on
Leeward included a brisk (and
taxing) hike into the interior
on the Vermont Nature
Trail; a visit to the Layou
Petroglyph Park, home of an
ancient native carvings on a
massive stone slab; a stop at
Wallibou Bay, location for the
first Pirates of the Caribbean
film; and a tour of the
majestic Botanical Gardens, a
conservation space for rare
plant species since the 18th
Century (and an exquisite
spot for a wedding ceremony).
On the northwestern tip of
the island, accessible only by
boat, are the Falls of Baleine, a
once favourite spot of SVG’s
Carib ancestors.
On the second day was a
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journey up the Windward side
of the island, driving with the
powerful waters of the Atlantic
Ocean splashing against lavaformed beaches. Giant boulders
of petrified lava populate the
beaches. Some have even formed
natural ponds such as the Owia
Salt Pond, a coastal wonder
near to the village of Owia.
From Windward the trail goes
to La Soufriere, a supernatural
landscape of brilliant green
forest that leads all the way to
the tip of the crater. The air is
perpetually moist on the volcano
trail and the trees, fed by the
nutrient rich soil, grow to titanic
heights.
The reporters spend the final
day by power boat, seeing the
many islands that make up the
Grenadines – from Bequia all
the way down to Petit St Vincent
at the border with Grenada.
There was just enough time to
stop and partake of the surreal
majesty of the Tobago Cays –
almost six square kilometres of
paradise.
It’s a trip highly recommended
to every traveller considering a
Caribbean vacation, enjoying the
15 sites and the myriad other
attractions SVG has to offer.
Only thing, give yourself more
than three days.
92
Vincy Vibe
The 15 sites:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Baleine Falls
Belmont Lookout
Black Point Historic &
Recreational Park
Botanical Gardens
Cumberland Beach
Recreation Park
Cumberland Nature Trail
Dark View Falls
Layou Petroglyph Park
Owia Salt Pond
Rawacou Recreational Park
La Soufrière Cross Country
Trail
Vermont Nature Trail
Wallilabou Historic Park
Youroumei Heritage Village
Tobago Cays
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ECO Guide
Nature Like
Never Before
95
You’ve seen forests but
never like this, not this lush
and vibrant.You’ve been
to waterfalls but never so
plentiful or secluded.You’ve
climbed to the mouth of a still
active volcano – wait, it’s more
than likely you haven’t. SVG is
home to La Soufrière and that
means many things for the eco
adventurer. It means a robust
tropical rainforest fuelled
by the most fertile of soils. It
means a landscape shaped into
towering mountains, curving
valleys, unusual outcroppings
and an abundance of waterfalls.
SVG’s trails will test seasoned
hikers. The denizens of its wilds
will excite even seasoned bird
and animal watchers. This is
nature in overdrive.
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ECO Guide
The Green
Scene
97
Baleine Falls
The journey to this secluded
waterfall – one of the most
pristine on the island of
St.Vincent – is as magical
an experience as the falls
themselves. Springing from
the foothills of the Soufrière
Mountains, the Falls are
accessed by water, a boat
ride through a narrow valley
between stark cliffs that tower
over its passengers.
The Baleine Falls themselves
are one of the most majestic
in an island filled with beautiful
waterfalls. Shrouded in lush
mountain forest, its sparkling
waters plunge almost 60 feet
to the rocks below. The waters
stream into a rock-enclosed
freshwater pool, a perfect spot
for swimming.
Vermont Nature Trail
Cutting a path through the
mountain of Grand Bonhomme
in the south of St.Vincent, the
Vermont Nature Trail is an
excellent spot for both hiking and
nature watching. The trail consists
of a network of loops on the
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ECO Guide
mountain’s 1,000ft to 2,000ft levels
that go through both evergreen
and tropical rainforest. The island’s
dense vegetation (including towering
streams) is on full display on the
Vermont Nature Trail and hikers can
spot some of the island’s numerous
bird species, including the St.Vincent
Parrot.
Level: Medium
Duration: 2 hours
*Premier bird-watching site
Cumberland Nature Trail
The Cumberland Nature Trail offers
eco-tourists one of the most scenic
views of St.Vincent. Forest abounds
in St.Vincent and the Cumberland
Trail takes you deep into its heart.
The rainforest is home for much
of the island’s wildlife, including
the rare and exquisite St.Vincent
Parrot (Amazona guildingii), the
national bird. Cumberland is a hub
for bird watching and enthusiasts
will find great opportunity to see
the many species that call the
forest home, either on the trail
itself or the lookout point.
Level: Medium
Duration: 2 hours
Dark View Falls
Situated at the foothills of the
Richmond Peak in the northwest
of St.Vincent’s leeward side,
Dark View Falls contains that
rare wonder of twin waterfalls.
The falls are multi-layered, the
one above feeding below. For
those wishing to relax and swim,
the lower waterfall is perfect. A
concrete pool for swimmers has
been integrated into the natural
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stone-formed pond. The higher
fall is nestled in the mountain
forest above. Situated deep into
the hillside, this waterfall is more
secluded, more tranquil, less
disturbed and more meditative.
Whether you want to swim or
trek, meditate or explore, Dark
View has something for both the
eco and conventional visitor.
Level: Easy
Duration: 15 minutes
La Soufrière
Cross Country Trail
The La Soufriere Trail is one of
the longest and most challenging
trails in St.Vincent. The trail is
most often accessed from the
windward side of the island
through fields of banana and
coconut trees on a winding road
into St.Vincent’s interior. Starting
at Bamboo Range, for almost four
miles hikers will experience both
sloping valleys and steep inclines
as they navigate through forests
of bamboo and tropical trees.
From the crater, adventurous
hikers can trek the nearly 12
miles to the leeward side. Or
they can start from leeward, an
arduous climb.
Level: Hard
Duration: 2 hours (one-way
from the Rabacca trailhead)
Trinity Falls
Named for its three majestic
waterfalls, Trinity Falls is a
secluded reward for the hiker
who enjoys a medium-level
hiking trip. The waterfalls and
beautiful river pools are an
excellent spot for swimming and
relaxing in the bosom of nature.
Level: Medium
Duration: 1/2 hour
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ECO Guide
Canouan’s Windward Coast
More scenic walk than hike, the
trip along Canouan’s windward
coast gives partakers access to
fantastic views of the sea and
some of the Caribbean’s most
tranquil beaches. Follow the
road from the jetport all the way
along the windward coastline to
the Canouan Resort. The uphill
path from Friendship Bay takes
you above the village, giving you
panoramic views of Charlestown
Bay on the leeward coast and
the Tobago Cays off to the south
east. At the top of a small peak
is an area of parkland and the
remains of a cannon battery. The
walk ends at Windward Bay, an
outstanding spot for a picnic or
swim.
Level: Easy
Duration: 2 hours
(airport to Windward Bay)
101
Mayreau’s Saltwhistle Bay
to Saline Bay
The excursion from Saltwhistle
Bay to Saline Bay on the island
of Mayreau is a hike, island
tour, scenic sightseeing and
a day at the beach all in one.
Starting at the gorgeous coastal
gem of Saltwhistle Bay and
concluding with its equally
beautiful counterpart Saline Bay,
in between this hike gives you
some of the most magnificent
views of the Tobago Cays as well
as passes through one of the
quaintest and friendliest villages
of the Southern Grenadines.
With its white sand beach,
tranquil seas and resort hotel,
Saltwhistle Bay is a visitor’s
haven all its own. The hike to
Saline Bay will take you first to
the village with its old Catholic
church (and an excellent view of
the Cays) then down to the Bay
itself, which has both a beach
and a salt pond.
Level: Easy
Duration: 1 hour
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ECO Guide
Union Island’s
Mountains and Bays
What better way to discover
Union Island in all its unique
beauty than on foot? Starting
at Clifton, this coastal hiking
adventure takes you all around
Union Island, passing over
remote mountain ridges and
along side secluded bays and
white sand beaches, where you
can enjoy lovely views and a
secluded communion with the
nature world. The path takes
you to Ashton, then the shallow
lagoon and isthmus of Frigate
Island, the peaceful beach at
Chatham Bay, the rocky ridges of
Union Island’s volcanic interior,
Mount Taboi, the long coastline
of Richmond Bay, the salt pond
at Belmont Bay and finally
back to the heart of Clifton.
At Clifton a hiker’s reward
of excellent island food and
beverages awaits at the town’s
many restaurants and bars.
Level: Medium
Duration: 3 to 4 hours.
103
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ECO Guide
Bird
Watching
Kingstown. For those who’d like
to observe them in the wild,
head into St.Vincent’s lush
forests. There are an estimated
500 parrots living in the interior
of St.Vincent and one of the
very best places to see them is
at the Vermont Nature Trail.
SVG has been blessed with an
abundance of bird species
There’s nothing quite like
seeing parrots in full flight. And
when they are as unique as the
St.Vincent Parrot (Amazona
guildingii), you simply can’t beat
it. Observe hummingbirds,
whistling warblers and a host of
endemic and migratory species.
Come bird watching in
St.Vincent and the Grenadines.
The St.Vincent Parrot
The St.Vincent Parrot is a
beautiful endemic bird that
can be seen at the Botanical
Gardens on the outskirts of
Dusk and dawn are the prime
times to go there, and as you
near the Parrot Lookout on the
far side of the nature trail, listen
for their call before catching
sight of them flying across the
forest canopy in front of you.
Other Endemic Species
Another endemic species of bird
you may hear in the forest is the
whistling warbler (Catharopeza
bishopi), a small, black bird that
flitters around the undergrowth.
Other regionally endemic birds
you may encounter at Vermont
include the Antillean Crested
Hummingbird, the Purplethroated Carib, the Lesser
Antillean Tanager, the Brown
Trembler, and the Rufousthroated Solitaire.
But there are many more!
Along our coasts, ponds and
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ECO Guide
107
mangroves, and hovering high
above the inshore waters of the
Grenadines, look out for the
magnificent frigatebird, the whitetailed tropicbird, terns, egrets,
herons and the occasional glossy
ibis.
Over 170 species of resident
and migratory birds have been
recorded in St.Vincent and the
Grenadines, making our islands
an interesting and beautiful
destination for professional
ornithologists and amateur
birders.
Contact information
Ministry of Agriculture Fosesty
& Fisheries
Campden Park
St.Vincent
Tel: (784) 456-2738
Email: forestrysvg@vincysurf.com
Avian Eyes Birding Group
P.O. Box 193
St.Vincent
Tel: (784) 593-3763
Email: avianeyes@hotmail.com
108
BEACHES, Diving & Watersports
Sometimes the best vacation
is the simplest one – a good
book, an ice cold beverage and a
beautiful day at the beach. With
32 magnificent islands, SVG has
an abundance of beaches. But
apart from the great number of
these coastal cosy spots, what
stands out is their distinctive
character and beauty.
From the black sand beaches
of St.Vincent’s eastern coast
with their enormous volcanic
boulders to the white sands of
spots like Macaroni Beach on
Mustique, our beaches match
visual splendour with variety.
Following are some (but by
no means all) of the beautiful
beaches of SVG.
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A Perfect Beach
in Easy Reach
St.Vincent
Indian Bay and Villa beaches are
popular along the south coast,
as is the lovely white sand beach
of Young Island. These beaches
also have hotels and restaurants
nearby. More secluded black
sand beaches include Richmond
Beach, Buccament Bay, Mt.
Wynne and Petit Byahaut on the
leeward coast. Sandy Bay and
Black Point Beach are fabulous
windward coast beaches.
Bequia
Princess Margaret Beach and
Lower Bay Beach are great
beaches on the leeward coast.
On the windward coast,
Friendship Bay is long and
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very pretty, and Spring Bay and
Industry Bay have secluded,
picturesque beaches.
Mustique
Macaroni Beach is perhaps
Mustique’s most famous stretch
of white sand, though there are
also great beaches at L’Ansecoy
Bay, Lagoon Bay, Endeavour Bay
and Gallicaux Bay.
Canouan
Within the Canouan Resort,
Careenage Beach is picture
perfect. South Glossy Beach,
Friendship Bay Beach and
Windward Bay Beach are also
beautiful Canouan spots.
Mayreau
Saltwhistle Bay is idyllic, though
there are also white sand
beaches at Saline Bay and
Careenage.
Tobago Cays
Pure perfection. All five cays have
lovely white sand beaches. Many
tours visit Petit Bateau. Petit
Tabac was a film location for the
movie Pirates of the Caribbean.
Union Island
Chatham Bay is a wonderfully
secluded beach easily accessible
by boat, otherwise by hiking
trail. More accessible and equally
pretty are the long stretches
of beach at Richmond Bay and
Belmont Bay.
Palm Island
Palm Island is encircled by white
sand beaches so you can enjoy
all of them at your leisure.
111
Petit St.Vincent
Petit St.Vincent is a private
island resort and is almost
entirely encircled by powderwhite sand beaches. Resort
guests can take their time to
enjoy them all.
112
The Azure
Allure
113
On a cool SVG afternoon at sea
it’s easy to be deceived. Lounging
on the shore and staring at the
slow rolling waves or feeling the
gentle bobbing of the waters
from on a boat, you might never
guess that an entire undersea
landscape of vibrant life lies just
beneath you – unless of course
you have experienced diving in
This is a Caribbean diving capital,
populated by flourishing reefs,
caves, sunken ships and the
spectrum of aquatic life – fish,
crabs, lobster, rays and some of
the strangest life forms you will
ever see.
SVG’s shallow water reefs are
a kaleidoscope of life, perfect
for snorkellers. If you prefer to
delve deeper into the majestic
underwater terrain you can go
scuba diving into the famous Bat
Cave, swim to the wrecked ships
or photograph the panoply of
critters that reside in the depths.
The list of sea creatures you can
encounter diving in the waters
of SVG is long indeed. Some
believe the combined currents
of the Atlantic Ocean and
Caribbean Sea make our aquatic
area a teeming and diverse haven
for life.
In addition, with a landscape
that includes walls, rock
formations, coral reefs, sandy
slopes and beds of sea grass,
there are many habitats for a
range of critters. Divers have
come across frogfish, seahorses,
colourful mollusks, crustaceans,
anemones and tunicates.You may
even spot such critters as nurse
sharks, lobsters, octopus, squid,
eagle rays, manta rays and even
barracuda.
114
The volcanic geography of St.
Vincent and the Grenadine
islands means that the water
is exceptionally clear for
most of the year, and even
when the visibility is bad,
it’s good! No matter your
experience level, you will love
the colours of our reefs and
the abundance of life to be
found in the waters around
St.Vincent.
There is such an array of
critters in SVG in fact that
Sport Diver Magazine has
named us the “Critter Capital
of the Caribbean.”
The islands’ dive centres
are staffed by friendly,
experienced and professional
dive masters with an
impeccable knowledge of the
different dive sites.
St.Vincent
The island of St.Vincent’s
leeward coast is full of great
dive sites, all a short boat
ride away from the dive
centres. Some of St.Vincent’s
sites include:
Anchor Reef
Half way up the leeward coast, lies
Anchor Reef, so named as buried
within the reef you’ll see (if you
look closely) an 18th century
anchor. This pretty reef, starts at
30ft and then drops to a 120ft
wall like peninsula, follow this as it
comes back in to shore and find an
underwater maze of large rocks,
caves and swim throughs. Lot’s
of fish, black corals, and even a
seahorse or two make for a great
dive.
115
St. Vincent
Wallilabou
Layou
Kingstown
Young Island
Blue Lagoon
Dive Sites of St.Vincent
116
Dive Sites
Dive sites in order from Blue Lagoon 8. Kingstown Wrecks
location on map (previous page):
9. Castle Bay
10. Steps
1. Fizzy Reef
11. The Point
2. Critter Corner
12. Japanese Garden
3. The Meadow
13. Turtle Bay
4. Sunset Point
14. The Garden
5. Rock Fort
15. The Romark
6. Kingstown South South
16. Back Door Deep
7. Kingstown Wall
17. Back Door Shallow
117
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
New Guinea Wall
New Guinea Reef
Hans Reef
Pinnacle
Once in a Lifetime
Petit Byahaut
Byahaut
Over There
The Bat Cave
Tarpon Run
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
Layou Wall
Emerson’s Point
Bambereaux Wall
Anchor Reef
Indian Gallows
Buccaneer Reef
Sub Rock
Whiskers
Coral Castle
Mystery Reef
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residents above, and see the
silver sparkles of the tiny fish
that shelter from the sun in
the shallow water at the caves
entrance. The cave opens into
an underwater fissure at at
around 45ft, and provides a great
‘starburst’ photo opportunity!
This is one of St.Vincents ‘must
do’ dives, conditions allowing of
course.
The Bat Cave
One of St.Vincents more
challenging sites, the Bat Cave
should only be attempted under
the supervision of a local dive
professional.
Back Door
This location offers a number
of super dives, Back Door Deep
drops down to over 100ft / 18m
over step reef which leads on to
a sheer wall. Whilst Back Door
Shallow provides an amazing
underwater forest of sea-fronds
and gently waving sea-fans.
As you enter the cave you will
hear the shrill squeeks of the
Bequia
Bequia offers divers a host
of gently sloping reefs with
hawksbill turtles and eagle rays.
The shallow waters are home to
seahorses, pipefish and bat fish,
amongst others.
Capital Wrecks
Three wrecks practically lie on
top of each other. The first of the
wrecks to sink was an eighteenth
century French frigate, and you
can see one of her canon on
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display in side the cruiseship
terminal. The other 2 wrecks are
of the Siemanstrand and a tug
boat that collided nearly 30 years
ago. The wrecks lie between
120ft and 60ft, and the dive is
best suited for advanced divers.
Fizzy Reef
An unusual dive, in an unusual
location. Calliaqua Bay is probably
the last place that you would
expect to find geo-thermic
activity! But there it is along side
a profusion of larger pelagics,
huge sea fans and some quite
unusual underwater topography.
Japanese Garden
A ‘zen like’ experience! A very
pretty dive where divers will find
a marine environment that looks
as though it has been tended by
Japanese gardeners. Featuring a
bottom of gently undulating sand,
coral outcrops, sea fans and a
forest of sea fronds plus masses
of fish, this is a dive that will
appeal to all divers.
Layou Wall
Imagine standing on the top of
a 10 storey building, and feeling
the urge to jump off...The Wall
allows you to do just that! At
it’s deepest point it drops off
to over 150ft of vertical wall
dive, and when the conditions
of perfect it is possible to see all
the way to the bottom. At the
end of the dive there is an area
of prestine reef at approximately
25ft where divers can spend
their safety stop enjoying the
brightly coloured reef fish.
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Mayreau
Mayreau Gardens lies in the
waters off its island namesake,
consisting of an expansive coral
reef formation and providing
a great drift dive. Divers
commonly see crinoids, garden
eels and flamingo tongues in the
Gardens. Nearby is the wreck
of the British gunship Puruni,
lying only 40 feet in the water.
The 1918 vessel is an excellent
experience for both beginner
and advanced wreck diving.
Mustique
The sloping reefs and coral
expanse of Mustique gives divers
a chance to see rare spotted
drums and banded coral shrimp
among other fascinating and
secretive critters.
Petit Byahaut
This dive site is one of our
favorites, as it is suitable for
all divers, from beginners to
the ultra experienced, and it
provides a sheltered spot on
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the beach perfect for confined
water training for divers wishing
to brush up their skills. It also
provides a perfect night dive
location. The reef opens with a
wide sweep of club finger coral,
and then drops off to around
100ft / 30m at it’s deepest point.
Teaming with fish, critters and a
wide selection of coral species
we are sure that you will fall in
love with this site too!
Petit St.Vincent
Just off Petit St Vincent is Mopion
Reef, a drift dive with an average
depth of about 50 feet. Near to
the tiny sand island of Mopion,
the reef is shark territory,
including Caribbean reef sharks
and nurse sharks. Mopion Reef
is also an excellent spot to see
enormous lobsters and moray
eels.
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Oblizalo Drift
From time to time St.Vincent
can experience some extreme
currents running North to
South along the leeward coast
of the island.For the most
part it does not interfer with
the day to day diving activities,
however should a current be
running there is no better time
to ‘jump in and go with the
flow’. On the few accasions
that the current is running
there is no better dive in St.
Vincent and the Grenadines,
and divers are able to cover a
large distance in a very short
time! Travel over boulders,
through canyons, over drop
offs and finish in a secluded
bay, a great dive!
The Romark
St.Vincents newest wreck dive,
the 160ft cargo vessel sank in
November 2003. She lies keel down
in approximately 130ft water, with
shallowest part of the dive being at
approximately 45ft. Already she is
home to a large selection of aquatic
life including soft corals, sponges and
larger pelagics. This is an advanced
dive, and well worth a visit!
Over There...
Where, over there! Macro
photographers and muck
diving enthusiasts will enjoy
exploring ‘Over There’. A large
sandy bank lies under a wall
fringed with large boulders.
So many critters to see, and
plenty of time to enjoy them
as the maximum depth is
around 30 ft.
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Rock Fort
Situated on the South coast of
St.Vincent, Rock Fort is one of
the islands primary landmarks.
Underwater it is also an
awesome dive, featuring a variety
of aquatic environments, from
rubble and sand to boulders and
caves to a huge expanse of reef.
Very strong currents mean that
it is usually undertaken as a drift
dive. Divers wishing to under
take this dive without a local
guide should be aware that there
can be a strong rip current, and
caution should be excercised.
Sub Rock
A super dive where advanced
divers will enjoy the current and
surge. Large sea fans, lots of soft
corals and the opportunity to see
bigger pelagics.
Tobago Cays
There is something for every
kind of visitor in the Tobago
Cays, and that includes divers.
The Cays are home to green
turtles, truly wonderful and
friendly creatures whose
protected status has made
them unafraid of interacting
with people. Divers can also
experience Horseshoe Reef on
either the shallow or deep side.
Turtle Bay
Magnificent boulder dive, offering
lots of shady spots for single
bar solder fish, frog fish and the
occasional sea horse, to hide.
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MIND, Body & Spirit
A Feast for
the Senses
Belmont Lookout over
Mesopotamia Valley
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SVG has a host of sites for the
vacationer that finds fulfilment
in the intangible pleasures of
mental and spiritual stimulation.
There are historic forts,
churches and plantation houses
that draw visitors into the
islands’ colonial past; beachside
parks and recreation areas
perfect for fun-filled days with
loved ones; and expansive vistas
that give panoramic views of St.
Vincent and the Grenadines in
all their beauty.
Belmont Lookout and
Mesopotamia Valley
(St.Vincent)
The Belmont Lookout offers
visitors a commanding view of
the majestic Mesopotamia Valley
– breadbasket of the island of
St.Vincent. Once the crater
of a now extinct volcano, the
richness of the soil has blessed
the valley with agricultural
abundance and made it host to
Caribbean wildlife such as agouti,
manicou (opossum), snakes and
near countless bird species.
The Lookout provides a serene
vantage point for this beautiful
slice of nature.
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MIND, Body & Spirit
Cumberland Beach &
Recreation Park (St.Vincent)
Lying about eight miles south of
the northern tip of St.Vincent is
the beautiful Cumberland Beach
and Recreation Park. It provides
a protected anchorage with a
view of palm-lined slopes up
the valley towards Morne Garu
Central Mountain. There is a
restaurant ashore which offers
local dishes and freshly caught
lobsters. Facilities on the other
side of the river’s mouth include
a lighted jetty, a restaurant and
office, washrooms, laundry area
(washer & dryer), showers,
vending kiosks, gazebos, and 24/7
security.
Black Point Historic and
Recreation Park
Cumberland Beach & Recreation Park
Black Point Historic &
Recreation Park (St.Vincent)
Black Point Park is home to the
unique Jasper Rock Tunnel. This
tunnel is about 300ft long and
links Grand Sable with Byera Bay.
The tunnel was ordered built
by the British and constructed
by slave labour around 1815 to
provide an access route for sugar
exports.
The black sand beach area is
thickly vegetated with coconut
trees, and is one of the most
popular recreation sites on
the island. Facilities here include
a children’s play area, vending
booths, gazebos, washrooms,
barbecue pits and playing field.
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Owia Salt Pond
Owia Salt Pond (St.Vincent)
Owia is home to many of
St.Vincent’s Carib people and
among its many attractions is
the Owia Salt Pond. Situated
close to the black sand beach
and formed from the dark
volcanic rock, the Pond is like a
nature-made private sauna that
allows you to enjoy the warm
waters of the Atlantic without
the choppy waves. The drive to
the Owia Salt Pond takes you
along the island’s magnificent
east coast.
Owia Salt Pond
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MIND, Body & Spirit
Arrowroot Mill at Owia
(St.Vincent)
St.Vincent is the world’s largest
supplier of arrowroot. You
can witness the arrowroot
processing first-hand at the
factory in Owia.
Botanical Gardens
Tobago Cays
Tobago Cays (Tobago Cays)
Lying marvellous on crystalline
waters of shifting blues are the
five islands of the Tobago Cays.
These uninhabited islets encircle
one of the most majestic
patches of sea in the Caribbean,
where sailing ships bob gently in
the waters and swimmers wade
next to the turtles. The Tobago
Cays Marine Park is a pristine
zone of aquatic conservation
where man and nature come
together in a soul-recharging
harmony. The Cays are a “must
experience” destination.
Botanic Gardens (St.Vincent)
Located on 20 acres of land on
the outskirts of the Kingstown,
the Botanic Gardens is the
oldest of its kind in the Western
Hemisphere. Among the wide
variety of tropical trees and
shrubs is a breadfruit tree from
the original plant brought by
Captain Bligh (of The Bounty
fame) in 1793. Conservation of
rare species of plants has been
practiced since the Gardens
was founded in 1765. Other
conservation works involve the
national bird, the St.Vincent
Parrot (Amazonia guildingii).
Facilities offered here are
washrooms, a small performance
area, gazebos, refreshment
and craft sales. The Gardens
is a popular spot for wedding
ceremonies.
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Fort Duvernette
(Young Island)
Also known as Rock Fort, this
defensive structure was built
around 1800 to protect the town
of Calliaqua. Approximately 50
yards off Young Island Resort, Fort
Duvernette still has many of its
armaments intact.
Fort Charlotte
Fort Charlotte (St.Vincent)
Nothing speaks of the exciting
and turbulent history of the
Caribbean islands like the
still imposing Fort Charlotte.
Completed in 1806, the fort is
on a ridge 600 feet above the
sea, providing a magnificent view
across Kingstown and down
the Grenadines. The fort is
only a few minutes’ drive from
Kingstown (or approximately 30
minutes walk).
Hamilton Battery (Bequia)
Just outside Port Elizabeth (the
Capital of Bequia) is this late
18th Century fortification that
once guarded Admiralty Bay
from attack. Hamilton Battery
gives visitors great views of the
entire bay and beyond.
Mount Pleasant (Bequia)
Mount Pleasant is a perfect spot
to watch the sunset. This summit
offers panoramic views of Bequia
and beyond.
Brighton Salt Pond
(St.Vincent)
A black sand beach with mangrove
swamp, Brighton Salt Pond is
located on the south-eastern tip of
St.Vincent. Brighton Pond attracts
many visitors and is a popular
recreational and entertainment
spot. Activities include sea bathing,
picnicking, fishing, parties or just
taking in the picturesque views
of the Grenadines. The site was
developed by a group calling itself
the Brighton Beach Roller – a
voluntary community group that
operates a bar, rest house and
other facilities in the area.
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MIND, Body & Spirit
Kingstown Methodist Church
Kingstown Methodist
Church (St.Vincent)
In 1790, the Methodist
missionaries in St.Vincent
purchased an old Roman
Catholic Church. The
congregation of many freed
slaves helped to build the
church that stands today. It was
dedicated in 1841. The belfry
was erected in 1907. In 2007 the
church was renovated (with its
original architecture intact).
St. Mary’s Roman Catholic
Church of the Assumption
(St.Vincent)
The Roman Catholic Cathedral
of St.Vincent was built in 1823,
enlarged in 1877 and 1891,
and then renovated in the
early 1940s by Dom Charles
Verbeke. There are several styles
of architecture involved, the
dominant being Romanesque.
The interior of the cathedral is
richly ornamented.
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Layou Petroglyph Park
(St.Vincent)
The Layout Petroglyph Park is a
cultural landmark that has several
attractions. These include an
indigenous petroglyph, the Rutland
River, and a forested trail. The site
is pre-Columbian in origin of an
unknown age. The Layou petroglyph
most likely dates to between 300AD
and 600AD. Facilities include a
visitor’s centre and gazebos.
Model Boat Building (Bequia)
These wonderful workshops
allow visitors to see craftsmen
maintaining their island culture. The
boat builders craft intricate models
of the traditional double-ended
whalers for which the island is famed.
The craftsmen also make highly
colourful replicas of existing boats by
commission.
Montreal Gardens (St.Vincent)
Located in the mountains above the
Mesopotamia Valley, the Montreal
Gardens estate is blessed with fertile
volcanic soil and frequent rainfall.You
will find an array of exotic flowers,
animals and plants in an environment
which is cool, misty and quiet. The
Gardens are open to the public for a
small entrance fee.
Petroglyph at Layou Petroglyph Park
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MIND, Body & Spirit
Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary
(Bequia)
Based in the rugged, northeastern part of Bequia, the
Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary
has tended the endangered
hawksbill turtle since 1995.
The sanctuary was founded
and is run by Orton G. King, a
retired professional skin diving
fisherman, who gives visitors
lively and entertaining tours.
Rawacou Recreation Park
(St.Vincent)
A major recreational spot,
Rawacou Recreational Park
includes two beaches separated
by a rocky headland with a
man-made pool. A dune system
provides protection at the
shoreline against the waves
of Rawacou Bay. Facilities at
this site include vending units,
events and performance area,
133
Rawacou Recreation Park
parking, gazebos, washrooms
and change rooms. Sea bathing is
not encouraged.Visitors to this
site are asked instead to use the
man-made pool.
Spring Plantation (Bequia)
A trip to this beautiful 200-yearold plantation overlooking
Spring Bay is well worth the
effort. On the property are the
ruins of a 19th century sugar
factory which now house the
Firefly Pottery and Craft Centre.
There you can see pottery
being crafted and purchase
local souvenir items. Delicious
lunches, dinners and other fare
are available at the Firefly Hotel,
Bequia’s restaurant on the
plantation.
Wallilabou Heritage Park
(St.Vincent)
This park is located on the
leeward (west) coast of St.Vincent,
near to Wallilabou Bay and the site
of the film Pirates of the Caribbean.
It is also close to the centre
of Barrouallie, a fishing village
known for its harvesting of black
fish, and Cumberland Bay, one of
the best known anchorages on
the island. Facilities here include
parking, gazebo, benches, visitor
centre, restaurant and bar, and a
pedestrian bridge.
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MIND, Body & Spirit
Whaling Museum (Bequia)
Whaling in Bequia began in the
late 19th century. The museum
documents the history of this
age – old practice. Bequia is one
of the few places in the world
where limited whaling is still
allowed. Four whales are allowed
to be caught each year by
employing traditional technique
of harpooning.
135
Youroumei Heritage Village
(St.Vincent)
The Youroumei Heritage
Village, a site dedicated to the
preservation of St.Vincent’s
plantation past, is located close
to the windward (eastern) main
road of the island. It is made
up of a complex of historical
buildings at Orange Hill Estate.
The building converted into a
museum is called the
Old Sugar Mill.
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WEDDINGS & Honeymoons
137
Saying ‘I do’
the Island Way
The day you say I do is a day
that will be etched in your mind
forever. Wouldn’t it be great if
every time you closed your eyes
to reminisce on that special day
you were instantly transported
to a pristine white sand beach
with crystal clear water lapping
on the shore? Or what about
an exotic garden where the
intoxicating sights and scents of
the local flora make the perfect
backdrop for your festivities.
Wouldn’t it be even better if all
this was hassle-free, coordinated
by expert planners and followed
the most romantic honeymoon
ever? Your dream destination
wedding can become reality in
is widely recognised as one of
the top wedding destinations in
the Caribbean. It was named the
138
139
“2008 Best Honeymoon Island
of the Year” by Caribbean Travel
Awards. It earned Travel Weekly’s
2009 Silver Magellan Award as
the “2009 Best Honeymoon
Destination.” And, in 2010 it
was featured as Bridal Guide’s
consummate wedding location.
With a plethora of breathtaking
locales to suit your tastes, the
32 islands of St.Vincent and
the Grenadines give you the
opportunity to make your
special day idyllic. The islands are
the ideal setting for romance
and with so much choice
you’ll be able to customise
your wedding to be an exact
representation of you and your
loved one.
To truly enjoy the laid back
pace and relaxing ambiance of
St.Vincent and the Grenadines,
you need to free yourself of
the stress typically associated
with planning a wedding.You’ll
be thrilled to know that the
top wedding destination in the
Caribbean comes complete
with a host of specialist
wedding planners who are
easily accessible throughout
the country. They take care
of every detail including, but
not limited to, getting your
marriage licence; finding the
right accommodations for your
guests; selecting the ideal spot
for your ceremony, reception
and honeymoon; menu options;
choosing just the right cake
and flowers; arranging for a
priest and even helping you
create your vows. Of course
we also have talented local
photographers to capture every
precious moment.
140
MARRIAGE
REQUIREMENTS:
What You Need to Know
Here are a few things you need
to know if you’re planning to get
married in St.Vincent and
the Grenadines:
Couples must be residents of
for a minimum of one day
– not including the day of
arrival – before applying for a
marriage licence.
Couples must travel to
St.Vincent to apply for the
marriage licence.
The marriage ceremony must
be performed by an official
marriage officer, priest or
minister registered in St.
Vincent and the Grenadines.
For more details on marriage
licences, certificates, fees and
other legal requirements
contact:
The Attorney General
Email: ag.gov.vc@gmail.com
Tel: (784) 457-2807
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PACKAGES
Please contact the respective
hotels, resorts and providers for
package and pricing information
as details are subject to change.
Young Island Resort
Book at
www.youngisland.com
Lover’s Package
• Seven nights in an ocean-view
cottage
• Daily breakfast, lunch and
dinner (excluding alcoholic
beverages)
• A foot massage per couple
• Roundtrip airport transfer
• Three-minute water taxi
transfer between St.Vincent
and Young Island Resort
• Welcome drink on arrival
• Fresh fruit and flowers in your
room daily
• Windsurfers, kayaks, pedaloes,
small sailboats, snorkels, masks
and flippers
• Tennis day and night
• Basic laundry
• Tax and service charges
Getaway Package
• Five nights in a superior
cottage stocked with a bottle
of wine
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• Daily breakfast, lunch and
dinner (excluding alcoholic
beverages)
• 60-minute massage per person
at the on-site Spa Kalina
• A three-course dinner voucher
for two at French Veranda
Restaurant
• Scuba diving resort course for
two with Dive St.Vincent
• Roundtrip airport transfer
• Three-minute water taxi
transfer between St.Vincent
and Young Island Resort
• Welcome drink on arrival
• Fresh fruit and flowers in your
room daily
• Windsurfers, kayaks, pedaloes,
small sailboats, snorkels, masks
and flippers
• Tennis day and night
• Basic laundry
• Tax and service charge
Mustique
Book at
www.mustique-island.com
Villa Honeymoon Collection
• Complimentary in-villa couples
massage OR dinner for two at
Veranda Restaurant at Cotton
House
• Complimentary flight transfers
between Barbados and
Mustique for minimum
two-week stays
• Each villa comes with a
minimum of three staff
members
• Use of one vehicle
143
Grand View Beach Hotel
Book at
www.grandviewhotel.com
www.acaribbeanwedding.com
4-night Happy Honeymoon
Package
• Airport transfers
• Welcome drink
• Luxury accommodation with
breakfast daily
• One dinner for two at Wilkie’s
Restaurant with champagne
• Two-hour island tour
• Island gift
• Service charge and VAT
• Poolside or beach wedding
can be arranged (at an
additional cost) and includes
licence, priest, flowers, cake,
champagne and still photos
• 50% deposit is required to
confirm.
• 30 days’ cancellation notice to
hotel for refund
(No refund for cancellation
after 30 days or for “no show”)
Wedding and Honeymoon
Package
• One night at Cobblestone Inn
• Meeting with wedding
coordinator Suzanne Gabriel
to obtain wedding licence
• One-hour ferry to Bequia
• Five nights at Gingerbread
Hotel
• A bridal bouquet, grooms
boutonniere, 50 digital photos,
marriage licence and officiant’s
fees.
• Day trip to Mustique OR
the Tobago Cays aboard a
100ft classic island schooner,
including lunch, beverages and
snorkel gear. Trip must be
scheduled prior to arrival on
Bequia.
• Customised packages are
available
A Caribbean Wedding
Book at
The Sweet Retreat Hotel
Book at
www.bequiasweetretreathotel.com
Honeymoon Special
7 nights for the price of 6 nights
144
OR
Complimentary airport transfers
and one lunch at the on-site
restaurant and a bottle of wine
Bequia Beach Hotel
Book at www.bequiabeach.com
5-night Honeymoon Package
• Accommodation in a luxury
beachfront suite
• Continental breakfast for two
• Couples’ massage on the beach
• One complimentary candlelit
dinner with a bottle of wine
at the on-site Blue Tropic
Restaurant
• Lunch picnic basket for the
beach
Palm Island Resort
Book at
Firefly Bequia
Book at www.fireflyhotels.com
7-night Honeymoon Package
• All meals
• Fresh fruit and flowers in the
room
• Welcome bottle of champagne
• Complimentary picnic in the
plantation
• Complimentary use of the Club
Caribbean Lounge in Barbados,
only available for the departure
flight
www.palmislandresortgrenadines.com
The following offers from
Palm Island Resort are add-on
packages based on minimum
seven-night bookings and
do not include rates for
accommodation.
Romance and Private Package
• Romantic champagne sunset
cruise (private cruise can be
arranged at additional cost)
• Private beach picnic lunch with
wine
145
• Candlelit dinner served at the
Heart on the Beach
• Two matching Palm Island logo
shirts
Pampered and Indulged Package
• Champagne in bed
• Soothing one-hour couples’
aromatherapy massage
• A his/hers treatment of choice
(manicure, pedicure or facial)
• Two matching Palm Island
bathrobes
Action and Adventure Package
• Day trip to St.Vincent with
private guided tour of the
historical and cultural island
attractions
• Roundtrip airfare to St.Vincent
• Two matching Palm Island logo
shirts
Wedding planners
Gaylene Collins
E: gailene2006@yahoo.com
Tel (784) 457-1321 or
(784) 457-1766
Elizabeth Charles Frederick
E: basilbarktown@vincysurf.com
w: www.basilsbar.com
Tel (784) 457-2713 or
(784) 432-4123
Suzanne Gabriel
Email:
suzanne@acaribbeanwedding.com
Website:
www.acaribbeanwedding.com
Tel (784) 528-7444 or
(784) 457-3209
SVG Dream Weddings
Deb E Barbour
Email:
debbie@svgdreamweddings.biz
Email: b-happy@hotmail.com
Website:
www.svgdreamweddings.com
Tel: (784) 532-7203
TRENDS Event Management
Services
Email: trendsevents.svg@gmail.com
Tel: (784) 533-2525 or
(784) 593-2525
146
CRUISING & Yachting
Smooth Sailing
Thinking about cruising to
(SVG)? You will need to have
time on your hands. There’s
so much to see and do. Hike
hidden trails through deep
and verdant forests. Bathe at
black sand beaches and coastal
ponds formed from volcanic
rock. Snorkel alongside turtles
in the crystal blue waters of
the Tobago Cays. SVG has
many islands, each with a
wealth of sites and activities
147
for you to explore, bond with
nature and relax.
SVG is the home of La
Soufrière, one of the world’s
most studied volcanoes. And
centuries of volcanic activity
have made the landscape
some of the region’s most
mountainous, forested and
geologically distinct.
Visitors will enjoy dense
forests of towering trees and
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CRUISING & Yachting
an abundance of waterfalls
and natural pools. The islands
are truly an eco-adventurer’s
paradise.
They also offer fabulous
variety. From Bequia with
its long whaling tradition,
to Mustique, home and
playground of the wealthy and
famous – you don’t have to
stay inland to enjoy what SVG
has to offer. Eat breakfast at
one island’s coastal restaurant,
149
lunch at another and have
dinner at a third. Lay on the
beach. Take a power boat ride.
Go scuba diving among the
shallow caves and the myriad
undersea life. Your options are
almost endless.
149
150
CRUISING & Yachting
The Ports of SVG
151
Britannia Bay – Mustique
Location
Latitude –12˚ 8’ 52” N
Longitude – 61˚ 11’ 48” W
Approaches
Take care entering as the
Montezuma Shoal west of the
bay is quite hazardous. There is
a red and black beacon on the
reef; stay at least a quarter mile
away.
Accommodation
Depth is 12 to 18 feet.
Approximately 25 to 30
mooring facilities are available
for a small fee.
Anchorage
A mooring buoy is mandatory,
the best spot is south of the
small cargo dock. It can be a bit
rolly at times.
The other services provided are
similar to those for the other
Grenadines islands.
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CRUISING & Yachting
Charlestown Bay – Canouan
Location
Latitude –12˚ 42’ 15” N
Approach
From the west via passage, a
set of day-beacons marks the
entrance channel.
Accommodation
Depths are 12 to 18 ft with a
sand bottom.
Anchorage
You can drop the hook
wherever clear of harbour traffic
and not swinging into moored
boats.
Moorings are available for a
small fee.
Emergency Number
Port Kingstown will transfer
services to the Canouan
authorities at (784) 456-1830
or Contact Johnny Ollivierre at
(784) 494-9241.
Handling Equipment
This port is not equipped with
heavy equipment. Most handling
is done at Port Kingstown,
then goods are transshipped to
Canouan via ferry service.
Medical Aid
The Charlestown Jetty is located
in close proximity to the Canouan
Clinic.
153
Pilotage
No pilotage is necessary in the
Grenadine islands. The vessels
that anchor at the ports are not
eligible for this service.
Services
The majority of the goods and
services of the island are catered
for on the main island St.Vincent.
Therefore the daily ferries
are responsible for taking the
goods down to the Grenadine
islands. When cruise ships visit
these islands they are required
to anchor some distance from
shore and passengers have to be
shuttled in by smaller boats.
Clifton – Union Island
Location
Latitude –12° 26’ 5” N
Longitude – 61° 25’ 10” W
Approach
There is a range of 327.5°
leading safely to the harbour.
Accommodation
Depths are 16 to 40ft, with a
sand bottom.
Anchorage
There are good anchorages in
most parts of the harbour but
take care to avoid the reefs.
Emergency Number
The Kingstown Port will transfer
services to the Union Island
authorities (784) 456-1830 or
contact Johnny Ollivierre
– (784) 494-9241.
Handling Equipment
The facilities are not equipped
for heavy equipment. Mostly
all the handling is done atPort
Kingstown, then goods are
transshipped to Union Island
via ferry.
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CRUISING & Yachting
Medical Aid
The Clifton Jetty is located in
close proximity to the Union
Island Health Centre.
Pilotage
Grenadine islands. The vessels
that anchor at the ports are not
Services
The majority of the goods and
services of the island are already
being catered for on the main
island of St.Vincent. Therefore
the daily ferries are responsible
for taking the goods down to
the Grenadine islands. When
cruise ships visit these islands
they are required to anchor
some distance from shore and
passengers have to be shuttled
ashore by smaller boats.
Cruise Ship Port –
St.Vincent
Location
Latitude –13˚ 9’ 22” N
Approaches
An open roadstead leads to the
cruise ship berth. The berth is
fitted with fenders designed for
berthing angles of 10 degrees,
and standoff distance of one mile
from the jetty.
Accommodation
There is a deep water berth for
two vessels. The North Berth
can accommodate vessels up
to 100,000GRT and 260 miles
in length. The South Berth can
accommodate vessels up to
45,000GRT and 100 miles in
length. The jetty is 260 miles in
length and 20 miles wide.
155
Anchorage
Anchorage may be taken south
of the quay at the Cruise Ship
Berth.
Facilities
The Cruise Ship Terminal has
300 miles of office space for
cruise and tourism-related
businesses, an area for more
than 50 parking slots plus a
covered pick-up/sit-down area
for tour buses. Services also
include gift shops, snack bars,
Tourist Information Centre,
Customs and Immigration,
telecom rooms, international
telephone services, restaurants
and bars, hair salon and other
related businesses.
The ports in St.Vincent are
operated by a single entity, the
Port Authority. All ports are
subject, therefore, to the same
rules, regulations and services.
Bunkers, Lloyd’s agent,
navigational aids, prohibited
anchorages, pilotage, radio
information, ship repair, tides,
waste & water facilities, weather
and working hours are the same
as for Port Kingstown.
Port Elizabeth – Bequia
Location
Latitude -13˚ 0’ 58” N
Longitude - 61˚ 13’ 48” W
Approaches
Approach is best taken south
of the main jetty.
Accommodation
The jetty is 100ft long and depth
alongside is 12 to 15ft deep.
Anchorage
You can anchor west of
the marina or south of the
commercial wharf. Check the
charts carefully for the shoal
areas extending out from shore.
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CRUISING & Yachting
Pilotage
Grenadines. The vessels that
anchor at the ports are not
Radio Information
VHF Channel 16 and 68 are
used for all communication.
Emergency Number
The Kingstown Port will
transfer services to the Bequia
authorities at (784) 456-1830
or contact Johnny Ollivierre at
(784) 494-9241.
Handling Equipment
The facilities are not equipped
for heavy equipment. Most
of the handling is done at
Port Kingstown. Goods are
transshipped to Bequia via ferry.
Medical Aid
The Port Elizabeth Jetty is
located in close proximity to the
clinic and medical centre in Port
Elizabeth.
Services
The majority of the goods
and services of the island are
already being catered for on
the main island of St.Vincent.
Therefore the daily ferries
are responsible for taking the
goods to the Grenadines. When
cruise ships visit these islands
they are required to anchor
some distance from shore and
passengers have to be shuttled
ashore by smaller boats.
Other (Cargo) Ports
Port Kingstown, and Campden
Park Port.
Other Ports of Entry
(Small Cruise Ships and Yachts)
Young Island Cut, Chateaubelair,
Wallilabou.
157
158
CRUISING & Yachting
Ship Agents
159
Corea Hazells Inc
A member of the Goddard
Group of Companies, Corea
Hazells Inc is a diversified
group with sister companies
throughout the Caribbean and
Central and South America.
It is well established as the
most experienced Cruise Ship
Agent serving over 70% of the
ships that visit St.Vincent and
the Grenadines. The company
provides all the necessary
services to meet cruise ships’
needs. It caters for water
collection, waste disposal and
accommodation while in port,
joining and leaving the ship,
wedding ceremonies, healthcare
and even undertaker services.
The trademark attraction is the
land and marine tours around
the islands. Land tours are
mainly scenic drives to historical,
cultural and horticultural
attractions. Marine tours are
mainly around St.Vincent and to
the Grenadines on catamarans.
Tel: (784) 456-1201
Fax: (784) 456-2204
Email:
garth_williams@goddent.com
Contact: Garth Williams
160
CRUISING & Yachting
Sam’s Taxi Tours
Agent for both cruise ships
and yachts, Sam has been in
the business a long time and
provides professional and
personalised services. This
company caters generally for the
smaller ships. It also offers the
usual agent’s services – including
water provision, garbage
disposal, accommodation,
transportation, transfers and
all the essential needs of the
passengers. Its trademark
attraction is the land tours,
especially hiking.
Tel: (784) 456-4338
Fax: (784) 456-4233
Email:
sam-taxi-tours@vincysurf.com
Contact: Samuel Andrews
West India Development
Company
West India Development
Compay is a small agent
located on St.Vincent, although
it handles ships that visit the
Grenadines on a weekly basis.
The services are not offered in
St.Vincent but are taken care
of in neighbouring Barbados.
161
The tours are mainly marine,
operated by HazEco Tours.
Tel: (784) 456-1867
Fax: (784) 457-9917
Email: widco@vincysurf.com
Wind and Sea
This company is based in Union
Island and Mayreau and serves as
agent for both cruise ships and
yachts. Their vessels go mainly
to Mayreau. The tours offered
are only marine tours offering
trips to other Grenadine islands.
Cruise ships are also small and
most supplies are taken care of
on Union Island.
Tel: (784) 458-8678
Fax: (784) 458-8569
WJ Abbott
Agent for cruise ships, yachts,
cargo carriers and bulk tankers,
this company also caters for
all the needs of the passengers.
Tours are usually outsourced to
the tour operating companies
on the islands.
Tel: (784) 456-1511
or (784) 494-8989
Fax: (784) 453-1479
162
ON the Menu
163
Treats for the
Taste Buds
Have you ever felt the sweet burn and tasted the savoury
flavour of a steaming bowl of callaloo soup? What about
breadfruit? In SVG the preparation of breadfruit has become
such an art that an entire festival is dedicated to it. And
after such a meal what better way to wash it down than
an herb-infused cocktail of rum punch made the “Vincy”
way? In SVG cuisine is not just a part of celebrations, it is a
celebration itself.
If you’ve ever tasted the wonders produced from island pots,
then many of SVG’s dishes will be familiar to you – foods
like salt fish, curried goat, dumplings and pigeon peas. But
the unique multi-island culture has shaped the cuisine into
a style all its own, one so flavour-filled that even the most
versed Caribbean eater will erupt in a smile of culinary
contentment. And as nation still connected closely to the
land through farming and fishing, those who dine in SVG
dine on the freshest produce. It’s a difference you can taste.
164
ON the Menu
Where to Dine
KEY
Local/West Indian/Creole
International
Chinese
Fast Food
Continental
French
Mexican
ST. VINCENT
Airport Restaurant
Et Joshua Airport (456-5796)
Aggie’s Restaurant & Bar
Local / West Indian/Creole
Kingstown (456-2110)
Basil’s Bar & Restaurant
Kingstown: Bay Street (457-2713)
Beach Front Restaurant & Bar
Fitzhughes (458-2853)
Beachcombers Restaurant & Bar
Villa (458-4283)
Bickles
Kingstown: Halifax St. (451-2029)
Grenville St. (451-2049)
Blenz
Kingstown: Halifax St.
(451-1010)
Buccament Bay Resort
Bamboo ( 457 4100)
Bayview
Chillerz
Vigie Highway / Fountain
(4824455)
165
Chung Wua Restaurant & Bar
Kingstown:
Bay St. (457-2566)
Grenville St. (4512288)
Coral Room at Sunset Shores
Cobblestone Inn Roof Top
Cumberland Beach
Recreation Park
Cumberland (495-0791)
Reservations only
Driftwood Restaurant
& Lounge
Ratho Mill (456-8999)
Ferdie’s Footsteps Cuisine
Georgetown (458-6433)
French Veranda at Mariner’s
Hotel – Villa (453-1111)
Flow Wine Bar & Café
Kingstown:
St. James St. (457 0809)
Grand View Grill
Indian Bay (457-5487)
KFC
Kingstown (457-2612/457-2013)
Klara’s Café
-Halifax Street Kngstown
(4579297)
Kye’s Vegetarian Cuisine
-Pauls Avenue (4562467)
Lady J’s Cafeteria
Lagoon Restaurant
& Greenflash Bar
Blue Lagoon (458-4308)
Lime Restaurant & Pub
Villa (458-4227)
Mac’s Snacks
South River Rd. (4572479)
Mareyna
Calliaqua (4575233)
Octagon Restaurant
& Sports Bar
Diamond (456-8902)
Oriental Cuisine
Kingstown: Cruise ship terminal
(530 0267)
166
ON the Menu
Stoplight Restaurant & Bar
Kingstown: Frenches Gate
(456-2859)
Subway
Kingstown: James St.
(456-8900)
Paradise Restaurant
Villa (457-4795)
Sunshine Restaurant & Bar
Kingstown: Grenville St.
(451-2244)
Petit Byahaut
Petit Byahaut (457-7008)
Swallow Entertainment
Centre
Villa (453-1589)
Rainbow Palace
Kingstown:
Grenville St.(456-1763)
Tastebuds restaurant
& sports Bar
Upper middle St. (4561-133)
Ras Ital vegetarian Cuisine
Pauls Avenue (457-2857)
The Bounty Restaurant
Kingstown: Egmont St.
(456-1776)
Riks’ Pizza
Arnos Vale (456-4932)
Rooftop restaurant & bar
Kingstown: Bay St. (453-4745)
Sapodilla Room
@ Grenadine House
Kingstown Park (458-1800)
The June
Kingstown: Crn. South River Rd
(457-1631)
Time out café
Tony’s original Pizza
167
Vee Jay’s Restaurant & Bar
Colombo’s Place
Port Elizabeth (457-3881)
Villa Lodge hotel
-Indian bay (458-4641)
Dawn’s Creole Beach Café
Lower Bay (492-6508)
Wallilabou Anchorage
Wallilabou (458-4811)
De Bistro
Wilkie’s Restaurant & Bar
@ Grand View Beach Hotel
Villa Point (458-4811)
De Reef
Willy’s
North River Road (4561308)
Xcape Restaurant & Bar
Villa (457-4597)
Young Island Resort
Young Island (458-4826)
Yvette’s pork city
-Arnos Vale (456-5055)
BEQUIA
Bagatelle & Blue Tropic Café
Friendship Bay (458-1600)
Coco’s Place
O’Car, Reform (458-3463)
Devil’s Table
Fernando’s Hideaway
Firefly Hotel Restaurant
Spring (458-3414)
Frangipani Hotel Restaurant
Belmont Walkway (458-3255)
Gingerbread Restaurant & Bar
Green Boley
Harbour Café
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ON the Menu
Pizza Hut
The Porthole
Sailor’s Beach Café
Hamilton (593-0517)
Salty Dog
Jack’s Bar & Restaurant
Princess Margaret Beach
(457-3762)
Julie & Isola’s Guest House
Keegan’s
L’Auberge des Grenadines
Hamilton (457-3555)
Mac’s Pizzeria
Belmont (458-3474)
Maranne’s Ice Cream
Maria’s French Terrace
Admiralty Bay (458-3422)
Sugar Hill Restaurant
Mt. Pleasant (458-3773)
Tantie Pearl’s Restaurant
Cemetery Hill (457-3160)
Tommy Cantina
Whaleboner Bar & Restaurant
MUSTIQUE
Basil’s Bar
(488-8350)
Cotton House
(456-4777)
169
Firefly
(488-8414)
CANOUAN
Anchor Inn
(784) 458-8568
Canouan Resort (458-8000)
R & C’s Restaurant & Bar
(458-8264)
Tamarind Beach Hotel
(784) 458-8044
Palapa Restaurant
Pirate Cove
The Beach Bar
J & C Restaurant and Bar
(784) 458-8558
Saltwhistle Beach Club
Bar & Restaurant
(784) 458-8444
PALM ISLAND
Palm Island Resort
(784) 458-8824
UNION ISLAND
Amerindi Hotel
(784) 485-8447
Anchorage Yacht Club Bar
(784) 458-8221
MAYREAU
Clifton Beach Hotel
(784) 458-8235
Dennis’ Hideaway
(784) 458-8594
Gordon’s Bar and Grill
(784) 453-1538
Island Paradise
Restaurant and Bar
(784) 458-8941
Lambi’s Restaurant
(784) 458-8549
L’ Aquarium Restaurant
(784) 458-8311
170
ON the Menu
Olivia’s Family Restaurant Bar
and Entertainment Centre
(784) 458-8319
T&N
(784) 458-8207
The West Indies
Restaurant & Bar
(784) 458-8911
PETIT ST.VINCENT
Petit St.Vincent Resort
(784) 458-8801
172
FESTIVALS & Events
Feeling
Vincy!
173
Every destination is different,
and one of the most important
aspects that make a vacation
spot unique is its cultural
traditions. What better way to
experience the flavour of SVG
than to take part in its cultural
activities and events?
Be thrilled by the excitement of
the Caribbean’s most renowned
boat race. Enjoy the cool evening
breeze and smooth sounds of
jazz, blues and fusion music at
one of our music festivals. Jump,
dance, wave and let go with
the people of SVG for Carnival.
Nothing will make you feel
more at home in our islands
than taking part in our signature
events.
Bequia Music Festival
The Bequia Music Festival is a
four‑day musical celebration
held from January 27 to 30 at
several venues on the island.
Local, regional and international
performers take part in this
annual event. Completing its
8th event in January 2011, the
Bequia Music Festival is headlined
sponsored by Mount Gay Rum
and includes numerous other
174
FESTIVALS & Events
sponsors (both governmental and
private sector).
Bequia Music festival:
Bequia Tourism Association
Tel: (784) 458-3286
Mustique Blues Festival
One of the region’s most
well‑recognised musical events,
the Mustique Blues Festival is a
chance for visitors to enjoy truly
world-class performances on a
gorgeous island. The festival is
held on the last week in January
at Basil’s Bar and is the joint
creation of bar owner Basil
Charles and English blues singer
Dana Gillespie. First held in
1995, the festival has included
numerous local and international
performers.
Basil’s Bar
Tel: (784) 488-4807
E: basils@vincysurf.com
W: www.basilsbar.com
Bequia Easter Regatta
The annual Easter Regatta is
perhaps Bequia’s biggest event
and the region’s most popular
regatta, attracting boat racers
from the US, UK and throughout
the Caribbean. The Easter
Regatta celebrated its 30th year
in 2011 with the largest race ever,
drawing numerous participants
and spectators who enjoyed
not only the event but the full
hospitality of the island. The 31st
Regatta is scheduled for April 5-9,
2012.
Bequia Tourism Association
Tel: (784) 458-3286
Bequia Sailing Club
Tel: (784) 457-3649
E: bsc@vincysurf.com
W: www.begos.com/easterregatta
Easterval (Union Island)
For over 45 years Easterval, a
unique festival infused with the
rich culture of Union Island
175
intermingled with features of
various other cultures, has been
celebrated. The festival has grown
significantly over the years, both in
size and scope. Activities include
Easter parades, concerts, a twoday Regatta, and many more that
highlight the pageantry, culture,
creativity, splendor, drama, fun
and games and the friendliness of
Union Islanders. Easterval 2012
will be held from April 1-9.
Easterval Committee
Tel: (784) 526-6090
E: easterval@gmail.com
W: www.unionislandeasterval.com
Canouan Regatta
The Canouan Regatta is more
than a boat race. It is the island
of Canouan’s ultimate cultural
exposition. Held in late May/
early June, activities include live
music at the nearby resorts and
bars, a calypso competition, a
beauty pageant and games.
Commodore Canouan
Sailing Club
Tel: 784 458-8197
E: cmclaurean@hotmail.com
176
FESTIVALS & Events
Vincy Mas
Carnival is a massive Caribbean
celebration in music, dance and
design. It is a two-month party,
a 24-hour revelry where the
people release their inhibitions
and enjoy a unique release
from the daily stresses of life.
“Vincy Mas”, as it is commonly
known, includes the “Miss SVG”
competition, Parade of the Bands,
Calypso Monarch, the King and
Queen of Carnival competition
and many more activities. It is a
feast for the eyes, ears, heart and
soul.
Carnival Development
corporation
Tel: (784) 457-2580
E: cdcofsvg@vincysurf.com
W: www.carrnivalsvg.com
177
History of Vincy Mass:
The colonization of Saint Vincent
and the Grenadines by France
in the late eighteenth century
brought with it a Prelenten
Festival called Carnival, which
translated, literally means,
“farewell to the flesh.”
The observance of Carnival
continued under the rule of
Great Britain who supplanted
France as colonizer. Until the
abolition of slavery, Carnival
was a celebration of the ruling
class and the privileged who
on the four days preceding Ash
Wednesday held their annual
“Masked Balls” and dances.
With the coming of Freedom,
the ex-slaves took Carnival to
the street and their descendants
were to play the biggest role in
the future development of the
festival. Of African Origin, the
freed people no doubt would
have retained knowledge of
their roots with its festivals
celebrating deities, arts and
customs.
178
FESTIVALS & Events
Apart from the World War
Years (1915-1918) and (19401945) the peoples’ festival was
an annual feature and continued
to grow in popularity. With
the coming of Adult suffrage
in 1951 efforts were made by
the peoples’ representatives to
put resources into the planning
and organization of Carnival.
In 1973, Carnival became the
responsibility of a Carnival
Development Committee
(CDC).
By 1872, the colonial authorities
in pursuance of their policy
aimed at stamping out the
“force and power” of the
people culture decided to
ban the celebration. In 1879,
Vincentians decided that ban
or no ban, Carnival would
be celebrated. Naturally, the
colonial authorities brought out
the armed might of the Empire
to uphold the ban. The people
resisted and the Saint Vincent
Carnival riots of February 11,
1879 were written into the
country’s history.
At a meeting of the CDC held
on 19 November 1976 the
decision was taken to change the
dates of the official celebration
of Carnival. This decision has
proven to be visionary and
a resounding success. The
components of Carnival, (Pan,
Calypso and Mas) have played
a dominant role in the success
of Vincy Mas’ as our Carnival
has become known since the
momentous year, 1977. Today,
our Panists, Calypsonians and
Mas makers continue to build on
the rich traditions established by
their forebears.
179
List of main Carnival
activities:
Official Launching
Miss SVG
Fantastic Friday
Ragga Soca
Junior Carnival
Junior Pan Fest
Junior Calypso/Soca
Fire Fete
Panorama
Miss Carival
Soca Monarch
Dimanche Gras
J’Ouvert
Evening Street party
Mardi Gras
NB: visit www.carnivalsvg.com
for dates.
Miss SVG is the most
anticipated local beauty
pageant. The contestants hail
from villages throughout the
destination and compete at
Carnival city (Victoria Park) in
four main categories: swimwear;
talent; evening wear and
interview. The winner of this
pageant is granted a four years
University scholarship and the
opportunity to represents the
destination at the Miss Carival
show.
Fantastic Friday is a
competition which showcases
the semi-finalists for the Calypso
Monarch.
Ragga Soca is soca fused with
Reggae on a slower rhythm.
This is event is a crowd pleasing
competition which follows
a similar format to the Soca
monarch competition.
Junior Carnival (Mas), Junior
Calypso (Primary and Secondary
Schools) Junior Soca Monarch
and Junior Pan fest are events
which ensure that children are
included in the largest annual
festival.
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FESTIVALS & Events
Fire Fete is a high energy party
which features popular Soca
artiste from around the region.
Patrons are encouraged to
reflect the mood of the event,
which takes place at carnival city,
by wearing red attire.
Panorama is eagerly
anticipated by many music
aficionados as steel pan is deeply
rooted in the Caribbean people
psyche. The event comprises
of steel bands attempting to
outdo each other in a musical
crescendo. Small sections of the
various mas bands also parade
on stage to compete for ‘section
of the band.’
Miss Carival is one of the
region’s premiers Beauty Pageant
which includes contestants from
as far away as the Bahamas and
Venezuela. Similar to the Miss
SVG, contestants compete in
four main categories and the
venue is at Carnival city.
181
Over the last decade Soca
Monarch Competition has
attracted the largest of crowds
to Carnival city,Victoria Park.
Soca artistes are pitted against
one another as they use Stage
craft and other antics fused with
up tempo Soca melodies to whip
the crowd into frenzy while they
try for the top prize.
The Dimanche Gras Show
includes the crowning of the
National Calypso Monarch, King
and Queen of Carnival (featuring
large and elaborate individual
Masqueraders and Costumes
from the Mas bands). The Ragga
Soca, junior calypso, and junior
pan fest victors also perform at
this event.
J’Ouvert is a contraction of the
French term Jour Overt meaning
early morning/dawn break.
Participants usually take one of
the following options… either
creating a satirical costume
which is paraded at will or
purchase an all inclusive ticket
with a large j’ouvert band. The
ticket includes a fete which runs
from midnight to early dawn
after which the band takes to
the streets of Kingstown thus
enabling the revelers to parade
their masterpiece. This event
culminates at mid morning with
lots of water action.
Evening Street Party is also
referred to as the parade of
the T-shirt bands. As the name
suggest revelers are adorned in
T-shirts from their favorite band
and parade through the streets
of Kingstown with excited
merriment.
182
FESTIVALS & Events
Mardi Gras is the parade of the
various mass bands and signals
the culmination of Vinci Mas.
Masquerade Bands compete for
the ‘Band of the Year’ title in a
marvelous spirit of keen rivalry.
Once adorned in the costumes
at their assembly point,
masqueraders journey through
the streets of Kingstown to
display their energy on the Stage
at Carnival city. After this Judging
session they parade the length
of back street where they are
judged a final time. It is during
the parade along the streets
that revelers are encouraged
to unshackle their inhibition
and fuse their bodies with the
rhythm of the Soca songs.
VINCY MAS –
DO’S & DON’TS
• Be aware of pickpockets
• Be modest with your jewellery
• Don’t walk in secluded areas
• For emergency purposes carry
a cell phone or a local phone
card
• Avoid dehydration by drinking
lots of water
• Wear comfortable shoes
• Wear sunscreen, sunshades and
a hat
• Carry a flag (rag/handkerchief)
to wave
• Make plans for transportation
• Check the carnival programme
for activities
• Don’t drink and drive
Do enjoy Vincy Mas
183
Breadfruit Festival
Ministry of Culture
Tel: (784) 451-2180
E: urban@vincysurf.com
Cultural activities like dancing,
drumming and performances by
calypsonians are also part of the
event.
Breadfruit Festival
The Breadfruit Festival is
held annually in the month of
August, and compliments the
Emancipation Month activities.
The fruit was brought to SVG to
feed the slaves, as it was a cheap
source of food. Every weekend
during August, the festival takes
place in different communities
throughout St.Vincent, free to
the public. A variety of dishes,
some extremely inventive, are
made from breadfruit. These
include breadfruit cheese pie,
puffs, pizza, lasagna, breadsticks,
quiche, drinks, and even sweet
and sour candy.
Nine Mornings Festival
Nine Mornings is a unique
Vincentian festivity associated
with the Christmas season.
Nine mornings before
Christmas, the people awake
in the early hours and partake
in activities like sea baths,
dances, bicycle riding and street
concerts. In the rural areas,
the final morning of the festival
usually ends with a steel band
“jump-up”. Nine Mornings is
believed to have developed
from the early morning church
services of the Catholics. All
early risers are welcome to this
special festival that combines
tradition with today.
Nine Mornings festival
Tel: (784) 451-2180
E: urban@vincysurf.com
184
BUSINESS & Investment
Do Business
in SVG!
185
St.Vincent & the Grenadines
(SVG) is one of the last
remaining vestiges of true
Caribbean life. More and more
people are discovering its unique
charms as a holiday retreat;
but many are also discovering
its advantages as an emerging
investment hotspot, making
it a country on the verge of
economic discovery. SVG was
recently ranked 8th for Best FDI
Strategy and 3rd for Best Cost
Effectiveness in fDi Magazine’s
‘Caribbean & Central American
Countries of the Future
2011/12’ Report.
Many opportunities abound
for doing business on our
shores. With 32 islands and
cays from which to choose,
all with a different look, feel
and personality, there is an
abundance of places from which
to select your investment
location: private island and
other resort development,
medical tourism resort facilities,
opportunities in fisheries,
agribusiness, renewable energy
farms... whatever your passion,
it’s possible in our islands.
186
BUSINESS & Investment
Many reputable companies,
such as the Mustique Company,
Harlequin Property and Tribu
International, have already
discovered the charms of doing
business in St.Vincent & the
Grenadines. Real estate in the
form of green field properties or
built developments is currently
available all along our chain of
islands, from St.Vincent in the
north to Union Island in the
south. Opportunities exist for
joint ventures, acquisitions and
other investment solutions.
Our key areas for promotion
and business development are:
• Tourism Development
• Renewable Energy
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Agribusiness
International Financial
Services (IFS)
Information and Communications Technology
(ICT)
Light Manufacturing
The Creative Industries
Real Estate
International Airport
Development
On the verge of completing
its international airport, St.
Vincent & the Grenadines is
a destination that has always
been mostly on the off-thebeaten-track. But now, with its
doors opening, the prospects of
investing here are much more
187
exciting. Other advantages
include tax exemptions, dutyfree concessions, the right to
own property and many others.
clarification, application and
permit processing, marketing
and networking support,
identification of business
opportunities, and many others.
Invest SVG is the investment
promotions agency for St.
Vincent & the Grenadines. At
Invest SVG we promote both
foreign direct investment into
the local economy, as well as
the export development of local
goods and services.
For further information on
doing business in St.Vincent &
the Grenadines, contact Invest
SVG:
enquiries@investsvg.com
www.investsvg.com.
Through Invest SVG, investors
gain access to a range of
support for sustaining profitable
businesses including policy
– SVG – Strong,Vibrant and
Growing!
188
SVG Top Awards
Trending Now:
St. Vincent &
the Grenadines
Here’s a look at what the most
influential travel writers in the world
have to say about the destination…
189
Travel and Leisure
World’s Best 2011
St.Vincent & the Grenadines was
recently ranked in the ‘Top 5
Islands of the Caribbean’
by Travel and Leisure World’s
Best 2011 Awards. Describing
the results, the magazine’s editor
in chief, Nancy Novogrod, noted
that “it’s clear that remote and
exotic destinations – places that
convey a sense of authenticity
and adventure – are ruling the
day once again.”
The travel magazine, one of the
largest and most prestigious in
the world, has been publishing
its list of the ‘World’s Best
Awards’ for the past 16 years.
CNN – Top 24 Honeymoon
Destinations
A honeymoon qualifies as
a once in a lifetime trip, so
for most people it requires
careful thought and planning.
International news network
CNN has ranked Bequia, one
of the islands of St.Vincent and
the Grenadines , number six on
its list of the top 24 romantic
honeymoon destinations in the
world.
190
SVG Top Awards
In fact, CNN.com writer Tim
Patterson of travel media
company Matador placed
Bequia amongst such renowned
destinations as Tahiti, Morocco,
Rome and Hawaii. Describing
the island, Patterson wrote, “…
the slow pace and easygoing
atmosphere is perfect for
honeymooners exhausted by the
stress of hosting their wedding.”
best-beaches-top-beaches.com
– Best Honeymoon
Beach Vacations
The writers at best-beachestop-beaches.com have voted
Macaroni Beach in Mustique
and Friendship Bay Beach in
Bequia (yes, Bequia again!) as
ideal locations for the ‘Best
Honeymoon Beach Vacations.’
Both spots are described as
perfect for sunbathing, swimming,
snorkeling and even light surfing.
divernet.com:
Deserves its ‘Critter Capital
of the Caribbean’ Moniker
In an article on her diving
experience in St.Vincent &
the Grenadines, UK Television
Presenter, Miranda Krestovnikoff
described it as a “joyous
revelation” with a tremendous
amount to see while muckdiving, which involves “looking
underneath, inside, behind
and right down deep in the
sediment for the little gems
that justify this place calling
itself the Critter Capital of the
Caribbean.”
Keep in mind, your dive
experience also offers
remarkable diversity which
includes “relaxing swims over
pretty reefs, exhilarating wall and
drift dives, mysterious caves and
stunning wrecks.
191

32 Islands and Cays, Countless Possibilities

Transcription

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