This Caribbean Island Chain Has Black-sand Beaches and an All-inclusive Resort With Overwater Bungalows

In a corner of the Caribbean hidden far from the cruise ship crowds, St. Vincent and the Grenadines has long been challenging to reach — unless you have a private jet, that is. Studded with ultra-exclusive resorts and sumptuous private villas, islands in the Grenadines like Bequia, Mustique, and Canouan are said to be where billionaires go to get away from the millionaires. But what of St. Vincent, the largest of the nation’s 33 islands and cays?

“St. Vincent is known as an eco-lover’s dream destination,” says Jamila Soso-Vincent, public relations manager at the new Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Here, coastal cliffs and crags are punctuated by black-sand beaches and rich rainforest hides a towering volcanic cone. So abundantly adventurous is St. Vincent that the World Travel Awards designated it the Caribbean’s Leading Nature Destination in 2024.

St. Vincent is unspoiled but not unnoticed. A slew of new direct flights makes it more accessible, and the decidedly luxurious new Sandals resort makes it more tempting than ever to stick around. Now is absolutely the time to visit — it is one of Travel + Leisure‘s Best Places to Travel in 2025, after all.

Best Hotels & Resorts

Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines

It’s no exaggeration to say that the brand-new Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines gives discerning travelers a reason to stick around on St. Vincent rather than head straight to the Grenadines. Overwater bungalows suspended over turquoise waters are enviable, but even the entry-level rooms and suites impress with private balconies and patios. Surrounding mountains and a beautiful golden-sand beach make this an idyllic spot for those looking to stay put or a convenient launch pad for those excited to explore the island.

Mandarin Oriental, Canouan

Nestled on the most exclusive island in the Grenadines, the Mandarin Oriental, Canouan is the definition of an island paradise. This premier property boasts 26 palatial suites, as well as a handful of exquisitely appointed villas tucked into a verdant hillside to maximize ocean views. An intimate, guest-only spa features 10 oceanfront treatment villas and two overwater spa bungalows accessible only by boat.

Petit St. Vincent

Petit St. Vincent (currently closed for post-hurricane repairs) earns a spot on T+L’s list of the best all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, but this is nothing like the classic all-inclusive experience you might be picturing. This private island property features just 22 one- and two-bedroom cottages and villas surrounded by sandy shoals and crystal-clear waters. An intimate spa, a dive center, and exquisite dining round out a memorable experience in what has been called one of the most beautiful places in the Caribbean.

Palm Island Resort & Spa

It’s a journey to get here, but that is part of the appeal of Palm Island Resort & Spa (also currently closed for post-hurricane repairs). Pristine sands studded with, you guessed it, coconut palms hide just a handful of rooms, suites, and villas across a gorgeous 135-acre private island. Two restaurants and a laundry list of amenities and activities mean there will be no island fever here, though the resort offers plenty of opportunities for excursions, just in case you do.

Soho Beach House Canouan

Soho Beach House Canouan is the first Caribbean outpost of the collection of high-profile, members-only Soho House clubs that dot the globe, but in Canouan, guests can enjoy the exclusive feel without being a member. Each of the property’s 40 rooms features a private balcony or patio, making it easy to slip onto the white sands or unwind with uninterrupted ocean views.

Best Things to Do

Summit La Soufrière.

Take the La Soufrière Cross-country Trail to the crest of St. Vincent’s towering active volcano for views that will take your breath away. Guides are required for this 3-4 hour out-and-back journey, considered moderately strenuous but supremely rewarding. Or, “take a walk through the Vermont Nature Trail for lush vegetation and a glimpse of our national parrot flying overhead,” recommends Soso-Vincent for an easier alternative.

Snorkel in Tobago Cays Marine Park.

Known as the “Jewel in the Crown” of the Grenadines, Tobago Cays Marine Park encircles a cluster of five picture-perfect islands surrounding a clear lagoon. Sea turtles nest on these uninhabited islets rimmed with beaches, while vibrant reefs make it a snorkeler’s paradise and one of the most popular day-trip destinations from St. Vincent.

Swim under Dark View Falls.

Bathe beneath a two-tiered waterfall hidden in a destination so deep within the rainforest that many locals claim it was only first discovered a few decades ago. Tucked away near the island’s western coast, it’s now accessible via a short walk from a remote roadside, though it feels no less magical than it must have ages ago.

Visit black-sand beaches.

St. Vincent has a handful of golden-sand shores, but this volcanic island is best known for its even more stunning black-sand beaches. On the island’s western coast, tranquil Wallilabou Bay offers dramatic sands and accessible snorkeling spots, while Mount Wynne has two twin black-sand beachfronts that back up to the island’s oldest coconut plantation.

Go island-hopping.

Balance island adventures on St. Vincent with time spent basking in the beauty of the Grenadines. Visitors can plan full-day sailing excursions from the capital city of Kingstown, or take one of the frequent ferries to nearby Bequia for some of the country’s nicest beaches. As the Grenadines have emerged as a prime sailing destination, companies like Dream Yacht Worldwide now offer expertly curated multi-day cruise itineraries spent combing the archipelago’s most stunning spots.

Best Restaurants

Buccan

Vincentian fare is cooked in flame fed by solid fuel at Buccan, one of the 11 — yes, 11! — restaurants located within Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Harkening back to age-old local cooking techniques, Buccan is singular on the island and across the region, its unique methods elevating farm-fresh cuisine and bold Caribbean flavors.

Vee Jay’s Restaurant and Bar

It doesn’t get more local than Vee Jay’s Restaurant and Bar, a longtime haunt in Kingstown known for its generous portions of Vincentian favorites like roti and curry. A surge of locals swarms at lunchtime, a testament that visitors should account for when planning their itinerary.

Wallibou Anchorage

Pair a beach day or a visit to Dark View Falls with a stop for lunch at Wallilabou Anchorage, a tiny hotel offering simple fare and delicious cocktails in view of catamarans parked in the bay. The eatery leans heavily into its nautical pirate theme, but can you blame them? It was one of the filming locations for Pirates of the Caribbean, after all.

The Sapodilla Room at Grenadine House

Dining at the city-center Grenadine House in Kingstown is casual during the day on a terrace offering ocean views. It takes on a fine dining feel in the evening inside The Sapodilla Room, which offers a menu of both continental and Caribbean cuisine.

Young Island Resort Restaurant

Take a quick five-minute ferry ride from Villa Beach to the tiny Young Island, crowned by a small resort with a great oceanfront eatery. Lunch is à la carte, but the four-course prix-fixe dinner offered throughout the week and the lively barbeque buffet on Saturday nights make the restaurant shine.

Areas To Visit

Kingstown

Visitors tend to breeze through Kingstown, but don’t be so quick to count out the country’s capital. Spend half a day getting acquainted with this colorful Caribbean city, grabbing a fresh snack at the Kingstown Produce Market before marveling at the charming architecture on Bay Street. Climb the hillside — or take a taxi — to the hilltop Fort Charlotte for a remarkable taste of the island’s history with even more impressive views.

Wallilabou

If Wallilabou looks familiar, that’s because it probably is. This spot on St. Vincent’s western coast featured prominently in several of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, its jagged, untouched shores evoking the Caribbean of old like nowhere else can. Swimming at the black-sand beach and beneath nearby Dark View Falls will be memorable, but just wait until you hear stories from the locals about their brushes with celebrities during the filming process.

Best Time to Visit

Clear skies and calm seas live up to every Caribbean vacationer’s dream in St. Vincent between December and April, making it the best time to visit the island. May and June are an ideal shoulder season for travelers looking for that goldie locks combination of lower prices and great weather before the rainy season kicks off in full force. Though hurricane season lasts from June through November, most storms occur between late August and mid-October.

Contemplating a sailing trip to the archipelago? “The best sailing months are December to May, with February to April being preferred,” says Loïc Bonnet, president of Dream Yacht Worldwide. “The ‘Christmas Winds’ in December and January tend to be stronger and can occasionally reach 30 knots for a few days, which can be too strong for good sailing.”

Late June and early July are carnival season in St. Vincent, as Vincy Mas brings a packed calendar of events featuring island beats and colorful costumes to Kingstown. While it isn’t the largest or most well-known carnival celebration in the Caribbean, it can be a unique and memorable cultural experience for visitors who decide to make it a part of their trip.

How to Get There

Major airlines are taking notice of the new buzz surrounding St. Vincent and have increased their flight offerings accordingly. Jetblue and American Airlines have both launched new seasonal routes into St. Vincent’s Argyle International Airport (SVD) from New York and Charlotte, respectively. Direct flights from Miami will be offered daily, while flights from Toronto will increase to two times a week. Connections via other Caribbean islands like Puerto Rico and Barbados are even more frequent.

Travelers planning on sticking around in the Grenadines should consider flying into the smaller airports located on Canouan, Mustique, Bequia, and Union Island. They’re accessible via commercial flights from St. Vincent and nearby islands like Barbados, or by private charter. Tradewind Aviation, a leader in personal air travel in the region, offers direct flights into Canouan and Union Island.

How to Get Around

The twisting mountain roads that crisscross St. Vincent feel much more treacherous when you’re behind the wheel, meaning most visitors stick to taxi transport while exploring the island. Those determined to get even more adventurous can rent a car from companies like Avis, located at the airport. Make sure to stick to the left side of the road, and remember to bring an international driver’s license or get your license from home permitted for local use in Kingstown before you hit the road.