'We don’t do mass tourism': Get off the beaten path in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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BUCCAMENT, St. Vincent – If you’ve ever seen the first “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie, you’ve seen St. Vincent.

The picturesque island comes into view within the first 10 minutes of the film and serves as the lush setting of Port Royal. What’s left of the movie set still draws tourists to Wallilabou Bay on the island’s west side.

Many travelers, however, aren’t familiar with St. Vincent and the Grenadines. None of its islands are among the most visited Caribbean destinations, according to travel booking site Hopper. And that may be just the way visitors and locals like it.

“Our tourism marketing logo ‘The Caribbean you’re looking for’ really rings true,” said Richard MacLeish, director of sales for the St. Vincent and the Grenadines tourist office in New York. “We still embody what the word Caribbean conjures up in people's minds."

I visited Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines this summer to see for myself.

A hidden gem

Seeing the craggy rocks and dense trees along St. Vincent’s shores, I immediately thought of pirate lore and imagined that this would be the perfect place to hide treasure.

It didn’t take me long to realize St. Vincent itself is the treasure.

“The island’s beauty is impossible to ignore: calm waters in every shade of blue, lush mountains, breathtaking valleys, towering waterfalls, and this incredible collection of 32 connective islands and cays,” Sandals Resorts’ Executive Chairman Adam Stewart said in a statement to USA TODAY. “But what truly makes this place so extraordinary are the Vincentian people. Their warmth and hospitality are all grace and heart.”

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“I think because we're not overtouristed, however you want to put it, there's no backlash or resentment. We've always been welcoming of people,” MacLeish said.  “We don’t do mass tourism ... When you're there, you can immerse yourself in the culture and the people, the cuisine, and not be tripping over a Spring Break crowd.”

There’s plenty of beach to go around with mostly black sand on volcanic St. Vincent (though Sandals’ sand is signature white), white sand in the Grenadines, and the clearest water.

What to see and do

While I didn’t make it to the Grenadines during my short stay, I took a sunset cruise up the coast toward St. Vincent’s volcano, La Soufrière. It last erupted in 2021, and the captain pointed out where lava flows carved paths through the trees, down to the water.

I also visited the capital city of Kingstown, which maintains a local feel without the throngs of souvenir shops and tourists seen in other port cities around the world. Vincentians filled the open-air markets I meandered through, eying freshly caught seafood and abundant local produce. Tropical fruit – like avocado, mangos, and the breadfruit of the national dish of roasted breadfruit and fried jackfish – grows wild.

“One of the advantages of having an active volcano is that the soil is very rich in minerals, so you literally can throw something on the ground, and it grows,” MacLeish said.

He shared insights on some of the other islands, which are each unique. Bequia, where his mother is from, is one of his favorites. “The people are very friendly. It has a rich boat-building history ... a lot of seafood,” he said, adding that the Grenadine island is easily accessible by daily ferry from St. Vincent.

He loves Union Island’s African-inspired culture. He said, “When they do weddings, for example, they do a cake dance. The whole community comes out for that.”

He called the Tobago Cays iconic, noting that “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” also filmed there. The unspoiled cays are home to a national marine park, where visitors can snorkel with sea turtles. There are so many different types of marine life in St. Vincent and the Grenadines that it’s called the critter capital of the Caribbean.

“I think what differentiates us is the actual diversity of the destination, the archipelago,” MacLeish said.

Only nine islands are inhabited, and the resort islands of Palm Island and Petit St. Vincent are closed after heavy damage by Hurricane Beryl, but they’re rebuilding. “We pride ourselves in our resilience,” MacLeish said.

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Is St. Vincent and the Grenadines expensive to visit?

It can be. There are plenty of pricey places to stay. MacLeish joked that the island of Canuoan is where billionaires go to escape millionaires and said celebrities and royalty enjoy the privately owned island of Mustique.

However, affordable hotels and dining options are also available.

Can US citizens travel to St. Vincent and the Grenadines?

Yes. Visas are not required for U.S. citizens visiting the islands. Only valid passports are needed.

How do I get to St. Vincent from the US?

American Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Caribbean Airlines offer direct service between the select U.S. cities and Kingstown on certain days. Most U.S. air travelers will have to connect through Miami, Charlotte or New York.

Several cruise lines, including MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, and Virgin Voyages also sail to Kingstown.

What language do they speak in St. Vincent?

English is the official language of the former British colony, but many Vincentians also speak a local dialect.

What is the currency in St. Vincent?

The Eastern Caribbean Dollar is the official currency of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, but many places also accept U.S. dollars.

What voltage is used in St. Vincent and the Grenadines?

"The country is wired for 220V with U.K. outlets while the U.S.A. is 110V," MacLeish explained. "Some appliances like laptop and phone chargers are dual voltage (110V – 250V), but would need an adapter for hotels that don’t offer the U.S. outlets."

He noted that some hotels offer both while others may offer step-down transformers.

What is the best time to visit St. Vincent?

Peak tourist season is December through April and low season runs July through November, according to Sandals Resorts, which notes both seasons have their perks. June through November is also Atlantic hurricane season.

Travelers hoping to avoid both hurricanes and crowds may want to consider visiting during shoulder months, but any time can be a good time.

“Generally, because of the trade winds, the ocean temperature’s 75 degrees all year round,” MacLeish said.

The reporter on this story received access to this experience from Sandals. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: St. Vincent and the Grenadines is ‘the Caribbean you’re looking for’