Why St. Vincent and the Grenadines for a Honeymoon
This is a country for couples who want water and quiet more than nightlife. The Grenadines are best seen by boat. Even a single day sail shows you reefs, empty beaches and anchorages that most visitors to the Caribbean never see.
It also offers range. You can stay in a family-run hotel on Bequia and eat grilled fish under a thatched roof, or rent a villa on Mustique with a cook and a private beach. Canouan has a luxury resort with suites on the sand. St. Vincent itself adds rainforest hikes, waterfalls and the oldest botanic garden in the Americas, founded in 1765.
Because access takes some effort, you share all of this with fewer people. That makes even the famous spots feel private.
Best Time to Visit
The dry season runs roughly from December through May. It is the best time for a honeymoon. Expect sunny days in the mid 80s Fahrenheit, cooling trade winds and steady sailing conditions. Rain picks up from June. The wettest months usually fall between August and November.
Hurricane season runs June through November. Beryl in July 2024 showed the risk is real, especially for the southern islands of Union, Mayreau and Petit St. Vincent. Some smaller hotels close in September or October.
The Bequia Easter Regatta draws sailors and music lovers each spring. Vincy Mas, the national carnival, takes over Kingstown in late June and early July. If you want calm water for the Tobago Cays, January through April is the most reliable window.
Where to Go
Bequia is the best all-round honeymoon base. Port Elizabeth on Admiralty Bay has a lively harbor walk, good restaurants and several stylish small hotels, while beaches like Princess Margaret and Lower Bay are a short walk or water taxi away.
Mustique is the private island option. It is owned by a company controlled by its homeowners, with roughly 120 villas, one main hotel and a strict sense of privacy that keeps paparazzi and crowds away.
Canouan is the choice for a polished resort stay. Its luxury beachfront resort fronts a long reef-protected lagoon. The island is a short boat ride from the Tobago Cays.
St. Vincent itself is worth a few days for hiking La Soufriere, Dark View Falls and the botanic gardens. Union Island and Mayreau were slower to rebuild after Beryl, so check before you book.
Sample 10-Day Itinerary
- Day 1: Fly to St. Vincent or Barbados. Overnight near Kingstown or connect straight to Bequia.
- Day 2: Ferry or fly to Bequia. Walk the Belmont Walkway at sunset.
- Day 3: Swim at Princess Margaret Beach and Lower Bay, then lunch by the sand.
- Day 4: Visit the turtle sanctuary at Park Bay and the hillside views at Moonhole.
- Day 5: Day sail from Bequia to Mustique for lunch and a walk on Macaroni Beach.
- Day 6: Transfer to Canouan by small plane or boat.
- Day 7: Spa morning, then snorkel the reef in front of your resort.
- Day 8: Full-day boat trip to the Tobago Cays to swim with turtles off Baradal.
- Day 9: Beach day, sunset cocktails and a final long dinner.
- Day 10: Fly from Canouan to Barbados or St. Vincent for your connection home.
Budget and Costs
Costs vary more here than in most Caribbean countries, so these are broad, approximate ranges.
- Bequia: small hotels and guesthouses often run about $200 to $500 a night in season. The best boutique suites cost more.
- Mustique: villa rentals and the island's main hotel usually start well above $1,000 a night in high season. Many villas cost several times that.
- Canouan: the luxury resort there is priced at the top of the Caribbean market.
- Inter-island flights: small-plane hops often cost a few hundred dollars per person each way.
- Day sail to the Tobago Cays: shared trips are more affordable than private charters, which can run into four figures.
Restaurant meals on Bequia are moderate by Caribbean standards. Groceries are pricey because most goods are imported. Check whether bills include tax and service charges before tipping.
Getting There and Around
Argyle International Airport (SVD) on St. Vincent has nonstop flights from New York JFK on JetBlue (daily) and Caribbean Airlines, plus American from Miami several times a week. American adds Saturday service from Charlotte in winter. Delta has flown Saturdays from Atlanta in some winters. Check current schedules, since routes here change often.
Many travelers fly to Barbados instead, which has more US flights. From there they connect on a small plane to Canouan, Mustique or Bequia. The Barbados to Canouan hop takes a little over an hour.
Between islands, ferries connect Kingstown with Bequia in about an hour, with a newer fast ferry cutting that closer to 40 minutes. Small planes link the main islands. Water taxis are the everyday transport on Bequia. Driving is on the left. Visitors need a local driving permit.
Culture and Etiquette
Vincentians are friendly but reserved with strangers. Greetings matter. Say good morning or good afternoon before asking for anything, from directions to a coffee.
Dress modestly away from the beach. Swimwear in Kingstown or Port Elizabeth markets draws looks. Churches expect covered shoulders. Ask before photographing people, especially market vendors and fishermen.
Bequia keeps a small, controversial traditional whaling quota under international rules. You may see whaling history at local museums; respect is expected even if you disagree.
Tip around 10 to 15 percent where service is not included. Respect the marine park rules in the Tobago Cays: no anchoring on coral, no touching turtles and no taking shells. Fees support the park. Boat boys may offer services in anchorages; a polite no is fine. Buying fruit or bread from them supports local families.
Mosquitoes can carry dengue, so pack repellent; if you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices for St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Quick tips
- If you plan to drive, you need a local temporary permit, sold by rental agencies and police stations.
- Hurricane Beryl hit the southern islands in July 2024; confirm that your resort, dock and island airport are operating.
- Carry small US or EC bills for water taxis, which are the main way to hop between beaches.
