Cruise Diva
Goes Ashore in the Caribbean
Sights
to see & things to do
St.
Vincent & the Grenadines
Well
known to yachties, European royals, and rock stars, St. Vincent and
the Grenadines is a multi-island nation off the beaten path for
cruisers other than those on the smallest vessels.
Diversions
Buses
are an inexpensive and reliable way of getting around St. Vincent.
Cars are also available for rent; however driving is on the left and
takes some practice. Taxis, which are usually pick-up trucks
outfitted with benches in the back, are good options on St. Vincent,
Bequia, and Union Island.
Located
about a mile west of Kingstown is the St. Vincent Botanic Gardens,
the oldest in the western hemisphere. The
variety of tropical plant species is stunning as is the aviary
housing precious St. Vincent parrots.
Tropical
rainforest covers most of the interior of St. Vincent and abundant
coconut trees nestle amongst banana estates in the lowlands. Northeast
of Kingstown, some of the island's most fertile farmland and lush
landscapes are found in the Mesopotamia Valley.
Shopping
Locally
made handicrafts, including straw hats, bags, wooden bowls, West
Indian dolls, dried flowers, and art made out of everything from
straw to bananas are found throughout St. Vincent and the
Grenadines. Kingstown
has the majority of shops, though Bequia, Mustique, and Union Island
all have numerous boutiques.
Beaches
Exceptional
white-sand beaches are abundant throughout all of the Grenadines and
St. Vincent has some unique tan and black-sand beaches.
The islands’ coral reefs offer first-rate diving and
snorkeling in crystal clear waters. Buccament Bay, about twenty
minutes from Kingstown, is good for swimming; south of Kingstown,
Indian Bay has good snorkeling, but the sand is somewhat rocky so
wear your water shoes.
Fodor's Caribbean Ports of Call 2008 is all you need
to plan your days ashore, PLUS a cruise primer section and cruise
line profiles by Cruise Diva, Linda Coffman
Back to Caribbean
Ports of Call
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