St Vincent & the Grenadines : Profile

Facts

• The island of St Vincent plus over 30 Grenadines have always been a popular yachting destination.

• The Northern Grenadines are administered by St Vincent, while the smaller southern group belongs to Grenada.

• On Bequia, Port Elizabeth in Admiralty Bay is one of the most famous watering holes on the international cruising scene; the range of repair facilities is more limited than St Vincent.

• Cruising attractions include the unspoilt Tobago Cays, exclusive Mustique.

• Ottley Hall Marina and Shipyard near Kingstown provides a complete range of repair and service facilities; there are also good repair facilities at Young Island and Blue Lagoon.

• A marina development on the south-west side of Canouan offers some services. On the other Grenadines facilities are very basic.

• As reported on the Caribbean Safety Net.
  Contrary to some rumours, the police in St. Vincent and the Grenadines have not made any arrests in the cases of the armed boardings in Chateubelair, north of Kingstown (see reports). They have stationed a three-man CID team there and have plans to install a VHF radio at the police station. In addition, the St. Vincent Coast Guard has increased their patrols in the area. Yachts visiting Chateaubelair are advised to call the police and the Coast Guard on VHF 16 to advise them of the yacht's intention to anchor there.

• Current advice (2009) is to avoid overnighting at Chateubelair, however the other West coast anchorages, including Wallilabou and Cumberand Bay, seem fine.

Weather

The islands lie in the tropical trade wind zone. December to May are the best months, dry, and outside the hurricane season, which lasts from June to November.

Main Ports

Bequia:  Port Elizabeth (Bequia) *

Mustique:  Dovers (Grand Bay) *

St Vincent:  Blue Lagoon * , Kingstown * , Ottley Hall * , Wallilabou Bay * , Young Island Cut *

The Grenadines:  Canouan * , Mayreau , Tobago Cays , Union Island *

*Indicates a port of entry.

Related Reports

Caribbean Clearance ESeaClear - Does it really work? (22 Jan 2010)

St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Yacht Crimes (12 Jan 2010)

Yacht Crimes in St. Vincent & the Grenadines (11 Jan 2010)

Bequia - Dinghy Stolen and not so friendly (02 Nov 2009)

Island Theft - Our Thoughts (14 Aug 2009)

Caribbean, St. Vincent, Chateaubelair - Armed Robbery  (21 Jan 2009)

Caribbean: Bequia, Port Elizabeth - Robbery  (14 Jan 2009)

Caribbean: Reported Crime Incidents Against Yachts, 2005-2008 (26 Aug 2008)

Cruising from St. Lucia Southwards (02 Jul 2008)

Grenada to the Virgin Islands, A Cruising Guide to the Lesser Antilles: Book Review (23 May 2008)

Credit Card Fraud In Caribbean Alert (29 Apr 2008)

Incident at St Vincent (17 Apr 2008)

Chris Doyle Responds To "Yacht Attack At St Vincent" (11 Mar 2008)

Island Nations Support Commercial Whaling (05 Jul 2006)

Compulsory moorings in the Tobago Cays (29 Jun 2004)

Caribbean Island Updates 2003 (23 Jun 2004)

Volcano Exclusion Zone (02 Jun 2003)

Oldhegg Turtle Sanctuary (23 Nov 2002)

Related News

Caribbean: St. Vincent, Chateaubelair, Assault and Robbery (05 Nov 2009)

Yacht Attacked At St Vincent: More Comments (04 Jan 2008)

Yacht Attacked At St Vincent (04 Jan 2008)

St Vincent Coast Guard Advice to Yacht Owners  (04 Jan 2008)

Yacht Attacked At St Vincent: Comments (03 Jan 2008)

Caribbean Marine Association Lobbies for the Interim Suspension of the Advanced Passenger Information System for Yachts (01 Nov 2007)

Caribbean Tourism Ministers Voice Concern Over Security Issues (16 Oct 2006)

Caribbean Marine Association Formally Launched (27 Feb 2006)

Caribbean Marine Association Close To Launch (10 Mar 2005)

Company Withdraws Controversial Proposal To Manage Tobago Cays (29 May 2004)

Cruising News from the southern Caribbean (03 Nov 2003)

New Yachts Fees in St Vincent & the Grenadines (15 Jan 2002)