St. Vincent Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Caribbean
St. Vincent
Written by Missy Johnston
A natural starting location for a crewed yacht charter, St. Vincent, is the anchor island of the nation, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and is located in the southern Caribbean Windward Islands just south of St. Lucia. Boarding or disembarking your charter yacht is in the anchorage between St. Vincent Island and Young Island; about a 20-minute drive from the airport in Kingstown on the southern end of the island. When starting a yacht charter on the southern end of this island the rest of the Grenadine Islands are all south for a downwind cruise on a yacht charter itinerary to explore the Grenadines.
St. Vincent Beach
This is the largest island in the island nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines where the local people are known as Vincentians. Christopher Columbus “discovered” this island, inhabited then by native Carib Indians, naming this island after the patron saint of Portugal, Vincent of Saragossa. The island is dominated by the still active La Soufriere Volcano, which erupted violently in known history in 1718, 1812 and 1902, and most recently in 1979. As an island with an active volcano, most of the beaches are covered with black sand, which is quite a contrast to the rest of the islands in the nation, where the beaches are covered with pristine white sand. The island is heavily forested with lush rain forests, and waterfalls and is home to the St. Vincent Parrot.
St. Vincent Friendship Bay
This island is a world class hiking destination with hiking trails available for all activity levels including, for a less strenuous hike, trails through forest lands in search of the St. Vincent Parrot along with hiking to one of the waterfalls. For the more athletically inclined, a more strenuous hike is available up to the top of La Soufriere Volcano, where on a clear day, from the volcano rim, you can see to the bottom of the crater. This volcano has left a mark on the island including previous lava flows and volcanic rocks that can be seen when hiking to the volcano rim.
St. Vincent Squirrel Reef
In coastal St. Vincent, spend time in the Montreal and Botanical Gardens with displays of the tropical flora and fauna native to this area.
What to Do and See on Yacht Charter on St. Vincent, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Caribbean
Montreal Gardens: Tucked inland, part in the rain forest, this is a beautifully designed botanical garden, hard to find, but considered well worth the effort for anyone with a strong interest in gardening and tropical plants.
The Kingston Botanical Garden: Located in Kingston the Capital of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, these are the oldest botanical gardens in the Western hemisphere having been established in 1765. Today they are a conservation home for the St. Vincent Parrot
La Soufriere Cross Country Trail: A hiking trail, approximately 9 miles log that wends its way from the flatlands on the coast to the top of La Soufriere Volcano. This is not an easy hike, however for those accustomed to this level of hiking, this trail offers terrific panoramic views across the island and the surrounding sea.
Fort Charlotte: Located overlooking Kingstown Harbor, this is a small fort, with cannons still in place is worth visiting for the terrific views of Kingstown Harbor and the Caribbean Sea. On a clear day, other islands that are part of this nation can be seen.
Dark View Falls: These falls are two waterfalls on a tributary of the Richmond River, one over the other and are part of a National Park. At the bottom of the falls is a natural pool to enjoy for a swim. After reaching the lower falls there is a climb up steps and over rocks to reach the second falls. These fall are located inland on the island in the rain forest.
The Vermont Nature Trail: This is a trail through the rain forest, which is an excellent way to enjoy and explore St. Vincent’s rain forest and see the tropical rain forest flora and fauna. And perhaps have a sighting of the St. Vincent Parrot in its natural habitat.
Black Rock Tunnel: Built by slaves 250 years ago, this 300-foot-long tunnel was excavated for a faster way to deliver sugar cane export goods from island plantations to the waiting ship just offshore. Best accessed by ship’s tender, this tunnel has also become a home and breeding ground to bats, so don’t be surprised to see a few bats when visiting.
Enjoy that which this island offers inland, or relax on the deck of your charter yacht and watch the low cloud cover moving across the top of La Soufriere Volcano for glimpses of the volcano rim. From St. Vincent set off for a crewed yacht charter cruising through the crystal-clear waters to explore the rest of the nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a lovely yacht charter location.