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In Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, gorgeous beaches stretch as far as the eye can see. From sun-drenched golden shores to volcanic black sand beaches, you’ll have your work cut out for you choosing the best spot to sink your toes in—but, vacations aren’t about work, are they? Luckily, we know our way around this territory and can help point you in the right direction for beach lounging.
But, first things first. Before heading out, you'll need to decide the type of experience you're looking for. Do you want a scenic and remote beach setting or would you prefer a beach where water sports and entertainment are plentiful? How about a beach that's close to some of the best local bars and restaurants? Or, maybe a small, secluded beach you'll need to get to by boat? Whatever you’re looking for, we’re fairly certain there’s a beach with your name on it in SVG. Read on for some of our favorites!
Insider Tip: Saint Vincent is one of the main islands in the 32-island chain known as Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. If you stay in a Sandals Saint Vincent all-inclusive private villa suite for your vacation, you'll easily be able to book excursions to see nearby islands as well!
Best beaches for your Saint Vincent getaway
1. Mopion
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The beaches in The Grenadines are very much as easy going as this destination. As you explore some of the smaller beach areas like Mopion, this becomes even more apparent. Mopion is pretty much a sand bar island and it is located near the Tobago Keys. This beach makes a great day trip option providing that you don’t mind having to pack and take all your beach essentials with you. Once you get past that and get going, you can expect a fun and casual beach day that’s filled with exploration.
Mopion beach has a calm and relaxing atmosphere as compared to many of the beaches of The Grenadines. Remote really is an under statement here, but this can absolutely be a good thing. If you’re open to new vacation discoveries, you can get to this beach by boat from Saint Vincent. Snorkeling here is a must, so be sure to factor in snorkel gear. You’ll also need to bring along sunscreen, snacks and drinks (including water) for a visit to Mopion Beach.
2. Tobago Cays Marine Park
Visiting the Tobago Cays Marine Park is a must while in Saint Vincent & The Grenadines. This destination is often described as the “Jewel in the Crown” of the Southern Grenadines. Five uninhabited islands make up this grouping, and they are all surrounded by a clear lagoon. The thrill of an exploration here is that every one of these islands has at least one white sand beach, so beach hopping will definitely be in order. One of the most popular islands here is Jamesby Island which has a unique look and feel. This is due to the ‘edge of the world’ feel you’ll get looking over the shallow water in a large area, that gradually transitions into a barrier reef, before it touches the Atlantic Ocean.
While in the Tobago Cays Marine Park, we highly recommend snorkeling or scuba diving. Swimming with turtles is also possible here, if you’re lucky enough. Added to that, there are sea turtle nesting sites and feeding areas, mangroves, and coral reef systems that are among the most well-developed in St. Vincent — overall an excursion not to be missed!
Insider Tip: Want more water sports during your vacation in Saint Vincent and The Grenadines? Sandals Resorts in Saint Vincent offer all-inclusive water sports including scuba (up to 2 tanks per day).
3. Petit Tabac
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Petit Tabac offers a secluded beach escape that's sure to be one of the highlights of your Saint Vincent vacation. This is a sandy beach spot that was used as a filming location for Pirates of the Caribbean back in the day. In one of the scenes from this famous movie, there’s a clip where Jack Sparrow walks these shores. The imagery really highlights just how beautiful this beach really is.
Petit Tabac is deserted most of the time. Like with many of the more remote beaches of the Grenadines, a boat trip is required for a visit. As the beach doesn’t have any amenities, you’ll want to ensure that you bring along all the things you’ll need for the day, including food and water. Setting up a picnic lunch here can be a vacation highlight.
Good to know: The best way to get to Petit Tabac beach is by hiring a boat to take you there. The waters nearer to shore are quite shallow, so it can take a really skilled captain to dock here safely.
4. Princess Margaret Beach
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You can look forward to an above average beach experience at Princess Margaret Beach in Bequia. This is because this beach is not only beautiful, but it has some of the main conveniences beach goers look forward to including nearby restaurants and beach bars. One of our favorites is Mac’s Pizza & Kitchen — the pizza tends to be really delicious here. Plus, they also have vegan options.Jack’s Beach Bar is good for lunch or happy hour. If you have the time, stay for both! There are plenty of other small restaurants and bars near this beach too. You can grab some beers or a local drink before or after your swim.
Princess Margaret Beach is near Port Elizabeth on the island of Bequia. You can take a water taxi to get to this laid back beach, or drive as well. There's also the option of getting there via a rugged cliffside trail. This is a great beach option if you want to sunbathe, swim, or just relax on white, sandy shores.
Good to know: Most of the time, the water at Princess Margaret Beach is beautiful, clear, and conducive for swimming. On some days (depending on the weather), the water can also be a bit choppy too.
5. Macaroni Beach
Sunny and serene, Macaroni Beach is high on our list of beach favorites in SVG. The major appeal of this beach on Mustique in the Grenadines, is the bright blue hue of the water and the glimmering white sand. These views can really drive home the fact that your Caribbean vacation dreams have come to life. Add the fact that there’s lots of trees for shade, and what you have is the closest thing to island beach perfection.
If you plan on going swimming or snorkeling during your beach adventure, you’ll find that Macaroni Beach is a great place to do just that. There’s even picnic areas that you can book and hiking trails. The trick to getting to Macaroni Beach is scheduling a visit, as Mustique is a private island. Once you book early enough, you’re unlikely to run into any issues.
Expert Tip: Saint Vincent & The Grenadines offer some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean. You can experience this for yourself while sailing in The Grenadines. There are many boat charters available for these excursions and you can make a booking during your all-inclusive vacation.
6. Salt Whistle Bay
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Salt Whistle Bay has been growing in popularity in recent years. This beach is located on the island on Mayreau, a short boat ride (about 15 minutes) from The Tobago Cays. You can rent a boat to get to this beach or go on a sailing day trip to Mayreau which is the smallest inhabited island of the Grenadines. A popular option to get to Salt Whistle Bay is taking the MV Barracuda from Kingston; the trip takes around 3 hours.
While on Mayreau, you can go kite surfing, snorkelling, or stand up paddle boarding (SUP). Stand up paddle boarding equipment is provided on site. If you’re more interested in a relaxed getaway, you can just chill beachside and admire the views. When hunger hits at some point in the day you can visit the onsite restaurant and beach bar which have delicious menu options. As wait times for meals can be extensive, try to order your food in advance!
Good to know: The views at the end of the cove at Salt Whistle Bay are truly awe-worthy. When you venture to this area you'll be able to see the narrow strip of land that separates the Caribbean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean in a very noticeable contrast.
7. Lower Bay Beach
Lower Bay Beach on Bequia is known for its early morning sun rise views and breathtaking sunsets. The beach itself is just as impressive. From St. Vincent, you can take a boat to get to this beach and experience the mesmerizing blue hue of the water which many visitors have described as “spectacular.”
If you’re planning on visiting Lower Bay Beach, expect things to be more on the quiet side. On week days, you might even have the entire beach to yourself! Weekends are a little different though and that's when you can expect more activities and people in general. Overall, Lower Bay Beach has become one of the most popular beach hang out spots in Bequia.
Good to know: Snorkeling is a real good time at Lower Bay Beach! Sightings of stingrays, sea turtles and more are possible. After a day of lounging and exploring, you can settle in at one of the restaurants and bars in the area.
8. Cumberland Beach Recreation Park located at Cumberland Bay
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If a peaceful beach day away from the crowds sounds like your idea of an awesome SVG beach day, then Cumberland Beach Recreation Park can be an excellent choice. This beach is often described as a “hidden gem”, and we can see why, given that its tucked inside a park. Cumberland Beach is on the north-western coast of Saint Vincent, just about 21 miles from Kingstown.
Cumberland Beach has imported white sand, lots of palm trees, and a charming look and feel. If you look up this beach, you might come across the name of a man known as Cas. This is a local who frequently helps visitors anchor their boats. Cas is known to direct visitors to his uncle's restaurant nearby, which often has live music and dancing. Cas’s actions really emphasize the easy and accommodating feel of this beach in general, which is great for swimming, snorkelling, hiking, and so much more.
Good to know: Amenities at the Cumberland Beach Recreation Park include laundry facilities, showers and restrooms.
9. Young Island Beach
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There are several things to consider when deciding on which beach to visit in Saint Vincent. Distance without a doubt is one of those factors. If you don’t mind taking a short boat trip (about 5 minutes) across a channel to get to one of the most beautiful beaches in the Grenadines, then Young Island Beach might be just the right beach for you.
Before heading off to Young Island, one of the things to note is that it is part of a private resort. Even with that said, the island is open for visitors, and so is the beachside restaurant. The beach on this island, Young Island Beach, is one of the beaches in the Calliaqua settlement. This shady beach has both white and golden sand of a very fine texture. For the sake of relaxation, you’ll be able to find beach loungers and umbrellas here as well as changing rooms, showers, and toilets. There are also many beach activities you can get into, from riding jet skis, to catamaran explorations. If you're interested in either, bookings can be made near the beach.
10. Chatham Bay Beach
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It can be exciting to visit some of the more remote beach options in SVG, like Chatham Beach. This beach is located on the leeward side of Union Island and it is not easily accessed by land. This is because the bay here, which is deep and round, is surrounded by a forested ridge. However, there is a trail you can use to get to this beach if you’ll be heading there from another part of Union Island.
While Chatham Bay Beach is pretty secluded, there are restaurants and a couple bars near the beach. Rum punches here can be pretty potent, so keep that in mind as you sip at the little wooden bars. There’s often a jovial ambiance here with boaters, sunbathers and snorkelers congregating here and exchanging fun tales. Overall, with soft, white sand and clear, warm, turquoise water, this beach is one of the best in SVG.
Insider Tip: Spend more time in the water during your all-inclusive vacation with a swim-up suite at Sandals Saint Vincent. These suites make it possible to enjoy tropical garden views and take a dip into the pool straight from your balcony.
11. Indian Bay Beach
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What you see is what you get at Indian Bay Beach. This is a simple and scenic strand where you can enjoy calm, clear water (perfect for swimming or snorkeling), golden sands, and beautiful scenery. This beach is on the smaller side as compared to some of the more well-known options in Saint Vincent, but it makes up for this with its charm. The amenities which include bathrooms and changing rooms don’t hurt either!
Indian Bay Beach can sometimes be crowded during the holidays and on weekends. Again, this is due to its size. If a vibrant beach atmosphere is what you're going for, this won’t be too much of a bother, but will instead make your beach visit more fun. For a quieter visit, head to this beach before 8am. This beach is walkable from the main highway.
Good to know: There are plenty of shops along the beach at Indian Bay Beach and a bar just around the corner. Restaurants are in walking distance from this beach as well.
12. Mt. Wynne Beach
If you’ve never been to a black sand beach before, Mt. Wynne Beach in St. Vincent might be a cool place for that introduction. This beach is around 11 miles from Kingstown, the capital of St. Vincent. The draw of Mt. Wynne is not just its unique look, but also the fact that the beach is kept clean and snorkeling is great. In fact, Mt. Wynne Beach is probably one of the best places to go snorkeling in St. Vincent.
During your visit to Mt. Wynne Beach, you can simply soak in the peace of the moment or get into the entertainment and activities. Depending on when you go, you might come across local vendors selling snacks or food. Beach picnics are also common here. When spending the day at Mt. Wynne Beach, walk with a small amount of cash as it costs a few bucks to use the washroom.
13. Buccament Bay
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Buccament Bay will probably be one of the first beach recommendations you’ll get once you arrive to Saint Vincent. This is one of many black sand beaches on the island of Saint Vincent. Buccament Bay beach is a good option to spend a couple of hours or a full day if convenience and comfort are important to you while beach side. Once you get there, it won't be hard to get situated with sun beds and umbrellas. Some people enjoy taking in the seaside views from the gazebo that's set up right on the beach. Buccament Bay Beach is about 20 minutes northwest of Kingston. Beach vendors are available on this beach and there are local restaurants within walking distance.
Good to know: There can be a few stray dogs on this beach, but they are friendly for the most part and just go about their business without bothering anyone.
14. Richmond Beach
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Richmond Beach is the place to go for a quieter beach day where the focus can just be on unwinding. The sea here tends to be quite calm, which is great news for swimmers. While at Richmond Beach you'll likely run into many locals, some of whom love sharing details about the area, and about SVG life in general. This is a great beach for local immersion while in SVG. You can get to Richmond Beach via the Leeward Highway which runs up the west coast of St. Vincent.
Good to know: There's a large parking area at Richmond Beach as well as a restroom. Limited seating is available by the shore.
15. Big Sand Beach
The views and the warm, clear and accommodating waters are a huge part of the appeal for Big Sand Beach in Belmont Bay, Union Island. This beach is about half a mile north of Clifton and has alluring blue waters and scenic views. While vacationing on Saint Vincent, you can spend the day or night on Union Island and even extend your explorations to Mayreau, the Tobago Cays, and Palm Island. At some point during your Big Sand Beach visit, you can make some time to visit the manmade Happy Island for some drinks. This island is within the Union Island Bay.
16. Questelle’s Bay Beach
You won’t have to worry about paying an entrance fee to get to Questelle’s Bay Beach in Saint Vincent. This is a public beach and it is free to access. Questelle’s Bay Beach doesn't have as many amenities as some of the other more popular beaches on this island but it is still possible to enjoy a fun-filled beach day here.
Questelle’s Bay Beach is near Camden Park (close to Kingstown). This is a black and brown sand beach, and some people compare it to Buccament Bay. Parking is available and watersports too. Once you’ve gotten your fill of swimming and sunbathing, you can try other activities like snorkeling and stand up paddle boarding (SUP surfing).
17. Paradise Beach
The name of this beach sets the standard high in terms of what you can expect, but fortunately, Paradise is just what you’ll find here. The scenery might be one of the first things to catch your attention, particularly the sparkling blue water. This beach is surrounded by mountains and cliffs and there’s lots of trees for shade as well.
Beach traffic tends to be minimal at Paradise Beach, though the beach is easily accessible (near the road) and free to visit. This can definitely work in your favor, as you'll have more room to roam and overall just more beach to yourself. Paradise Beach has brown sand, and it is another one of the beaches of Coulls Hill settlement. There aren’t many amenities on this beach, so that's something to keep in mind ahead of a visit. Parking is available right on the beach.
18. Villa Beach
Centralized and convenient are words we love when it comes to beach explorations. This is precisely what makes Villa Beach worth exploring while in Saint Vincent. This beach is just a 10-minute drive from Kingstown and covers most of the basics: safe to swim, restaurants in close proximity (simple cafes), and lots of water sports. On the downside, this beach tends to be a bit crowded, especially on cruise ship days. The water sports and views do make up for this a bit, as does the convenience.
Expert Tip: Want more beaches? Check out the best beaches in Grenada and where you can find the best surfing in the Caribbean!
Things to do at the beaches in St Vincent
Swimming
Dip a toe, or better yet, dive right into the beautiful, crystal clear waters of Saint Vincent & The Grenadines. Who knows, maybe you won’t even need much convincing, what with the irresistible island allure. Most beaches in Saint Vincent offer calm seas, a peaceful atmosphere, and an overall scenic outlook. For the majority, it's safe to swim and enjoy the tropical ambiance!
Sunbathing
A vacation in the Caribbean is all about soaking in the warmth of the islands. This absolutely can include spending as much time as possible outdoors... specifically, at the pool or beachside. If you do make your way to the beach while in Saint Vincent, you'll find that many beaches on this island, and in The Grenadines as well, offer sunbathing essentials, like loungers and umbrellas. Aside from some of the more remote beach options, of course. Just a few beaches on this island have changing rooms and restrooms, so this can be something to research ahead of planning your beach day.
Good to know: Many beaches in SVG offer shade from trees or mountains, which is great if you want to sunbathe but also want to ensure that there's enough shade to cool off.
Snorkeling
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Dive right into adventure in SVG, a destination that has some of the best dive sites in the Caribbean. Saint Vincent and many of the other islands of the Grenadines are surrounded by beautiful coral reefs, which can be fun to explore. The clear water of this destination adds to its dive appeal as well. In SVG, there are snorkel sites that are near shore, and others that require boat trips to access. Both options are popular with divers but there are two sites in particular that are especially popular — Young Island Beach and Questelles Beach. These snorkel sites are both located on the mainland and they're known for their impressive sightings.
Hiking
If you want more of a physical challenge in an SVG excursion, you might want to try one of the islands’ hiking trails. There is no short supply of hiking trails in this territory much due to its mountainous terrain. Many of the best trails are located beachside, which can mean that you get the benefit of cooling sea breezes as you explore. Some hiking trails lead to amazing waterfalls as well. Even if you don’t set up a dedicated hiking trip, some of the more secluded beaches actually require a short hike to get there, so you might be able to get some hiking in anyway!
Good to know: In SVG, you can have your pick of a range of hiking trails, from beginner level, to more challenging options. Most of the hikes in this destination are quite scenic, which is a major vacation plus.
Watersports: SUP surfing and kitesurfing
Stand up paddle boarding (SUP) and kite surfing are quite popular in Caribbean islands like Saint Vincent. There are specific beaches on this island that appeal more to the kite surfing crowd, and this includes Salt Whistle Bay. You can find world-class surfing on this beach, and often even someone to teach you this still. At beaches like this, it is often possible to rent kite surfing equipment to use for the day.
Eat and drink
If you’re planning to spend the day at the beach, its completely understandable that you’re probably concerned about food. Many of the top beaches in Saint Vincent have stalls and stands where visitors can purchase refreshments. Some beaches even have restaurants and bars on site, or at least nearby. If the beach you have in mind doesn't have these options you can either bring your own food and drinks or scope what’s available in the general area. If you’ll be visiting a more secluded beach, picnic preparation can be a great idea.
Best beaches in Saint Vincent
We love that Johnny Depp, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the sheer beauty of the beaches are all part of what makes Saint Vincent one of the best vacation destinations in the Caribbean. Whether you spend most of your vacation on the mainland, or float around the Grenadines, we absolutely recommend spending time on at least a couple of the beaches in this destination during your vacation.
And speaking of beaches… you can enjoy the best of these just steps from your all-inclusive suite at Sandals Saint Vincent. This all-new beach resort offers inclusions like day and night entertainment, land and water sports, and 11 themed restaurants with cuisine from around the world. If you're seeking a beachy vacation that has all the comforts you’ll need while away from home, we’ll be happy to welcome you with open arms.
Expert Tip: Ahead of your Sandals Saint Vincent vacation, create a personalized top 5 beach list which can help ensure you get to see some of the most amazing beaches for yourself while in Saint Vincent & The Grenadines. Also, check out these romantic island getaways for even more incredible beaches!
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