St Vincent & The Grenadines

 

Like chicks following the mother hen, the Grenadines scramble to form a line behind St. Vincent.
 Part of the Windward chain, St. Vincent and the Grenadines are best known for sailing.
In fact, most of the 32 islets and cays of the Grenadine archipelago can only be reached by boat,
making them perfect for seclusion seekers.
St Vincent has had an explosive past thanks to its Carib history and the 3000ft (950m) Soufrière volcano that dominates the island – but it looks forward to a peaceful future basking quietly in the sun.
This fertile and mountainous island was one of the last in the Caribbean to be colonised by Europeans. When they did move in, the Carib Indian inhabitants put up a fierce struggle to maintain their independence.
 
 
Capital:            Kingstown.

Currency:         Eastern Caribbean Dollar, US$1=EC2.68 US Dollars widely accepted

Population:      112,000.

Area:                St. Vincent, 133 square miles (345 sq km).
The Grenadines have an area of 17 square miles (44 sq km).

Languages:      English.

Economy:         Sugar, tourism,
 
Religions:        Anglican and other Protestant churches.
 
Government:    Independent state within the British Commonwealth.
 
Telephone Codes:       - 1 – 784
 
Airport Departure Tax:   EC$30.00.
 
Passport/Visa Requirements:   Australian passport holders do not need a visa.

Health Certificates:      None required. Contact health authorities for latest information.

Shopping Hours:          Weekdays, 8am-noon and 1pm-4pm, and on Saturday, 8am-noon..

Banking Hours:            Monday- Thursday 8am to 1pm, and also 3-5pm on Fridays.
 
Time Zone:      14 hours behind Sydney (EST).No Daylight Saving Time is observed.
 
Electricity:        220 volts.
 
Weather:
Year-round temperatures hover between 77F and 81F with nearly constant tradewinds. The average rainfall per year is 60 inches on the coast and increases to 150 inches inland, with the wettest months being May through November.
 
Transport:  
Ferries: These provide some of the cheapest and most reliable modes of inter-island transportation. Favored by locals, ferries are typically tourist-free. One runs daily between St. Vincent and UnionIsland, with stops at Mayreau, Canouan and other islands. 
 
History:  
The St. Vincent island group was one of the last strongholds of the Carib Indians. Sighted by Columbus in 1498, the island was not brought under European control until the late 1700s, with the British outlasting the French. In 1969, St. Vincent became an AssociatedState of Britain. Ten years later, the islands gained independence.
 
 
You can see the evidence of the island’s earliest inhabitants in carvings on rocks at Layou and you can walk on a nature trail through the BuccamentValley to enjoy the sights and sounds of the rainforest. The Trinity falls, three falls dropping 100ft (30m) to a natural whirlpool, and the 60ft (18m) sheer Falls of Baleine are a must. And you can also take a restorative dip in the Owia Salt Pond.
Volcanic eruptions have deposited ash that acts as a superb fertiliser, making the island a riot of tropical vegetation. There are marvellous botanical gardens near the capital of Kingstown and high on a promontory above the town is FortCharlotte, the island’s main defence from which there are wonderful views.
It is also the hopping off point for The Grenadines, a string of 30 tiny islands spreading south along a 45-mile (72 km) arc. Some are well-developed – but never crowded – others are little more than a lonely, unsoiled beach and a collection of houses. All offer some of the best sailing in the world.
You can glide from island to island in an hour or so in trade winds of 10-25 knots, swimming ashore to a beach bar, watching giant sea turtles and bumping into visitors from all over the world for a drink at sunset. Or you can take ferries or fly in charter aircraft to see Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, the Tobago Cays, UnionIsland, Petit St Vincent and PalmIsland.
Watersport enthusiasts will find the tropical seas present a challenge to windsurfers and a delight for divers and snorkellers, including sheer walls and abundant coral.
 
Beautiful St Vincent has remained untouched by the ravages of mass-tourism. On this 18 miles by 11 island (500 sq km), the hotels, restaurants and bars retain the charm of a family touch.