Snorkelling Paradise
Grab your snorkel and fins as you prepare to explore some of the best marine life in the world. Discover an underwater fantasy as you swim with eagle rays in Tobago Cays, seahorses off Bequia and turtles in Chatham Bay.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a sovereign state in the southern Caribbean, comprised of the main island of St. Vincent, down to Grenada. Encompassing a chain of 36 islands, this country is renowned for its yacht-filled harbours, luxurious resorts, volcanic landscapes and coconut beaches. Popular attractions include snorkeling off Tobago Cays and the architectural gems of Kingstown.
Pack your sunglasses and swimsuit because cheap flights to St Vincent and the Grenadines are now available! This southern Caribbean nation is served by E.T. Joshua Airport (SVD), located on a short 10-minute drive from St. Vincent’s capital city, Kingstown. The airport serves the regional Caribbean carrier, LIAT Airlines. Popular connecting flights to Kingston depart from Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. Flight duration from Johannesburg to Kingston is approximately 28 hours.
Flight Route | Airline | Trip Type | Travel Dates | Searched | Price From |
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Grab your snorkel and fins as you prepare to explore some of the best marine life in the world. Discover an underwater fantasy as you swim with eagle rays in Tobago Cays, seahorses off Bequia and turtles in Chatham Bay.
The islands offer riveting landscapes, incredible hiking trails, lush gardens, majestic waterfalls and intriguing diving sites, jutting off curvaceous pearly-white beaches. A hike up La Soufriere Volcano affords you stunning views of the surrounding islands.
Whether you’re lucky enough to charter a boat or stay in one of the 5-star hotels overlooking the bays, you’ll feel like a celebrity surrounded by private beaches and luxury resorts. The islands are the ultimate playground for living large.
Essential details you need to know before your trip
Currency | East Caribbean Dollar (EC$) |
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Exchange Rate | 1 ZAR = 0.21 XCD |
Language | English / Vincentian Creole |
Hub Airport | E.T. Joshua Airport (SVD) |
Airline | SVG Air |
Time Zone | GMT – 04:00 |
Travel Adaptor | Type A / B / G |
St. Vincent and the Grenadines experience a surge in tourists between December through to April. The islands bristle with music festivals and vibrant events, so be sure to book accommodation well in advance, that is, if you don’t mind paying exorbitant prices. Take advantage of lower rates during the sweet spots of May-June and November when crowds wane and toasty weather conditions make for great beach days. Key events to diarise include the Canouan Regatta and 12-day Vincy Mas Carnival. July to October is a rather stormy time to visit, with heavy rainfall and tropical storms throughout the region. If you don’t mind getting wet, you can be guaranteed bargain accommodation and travel costs during this summer season.
Average temperature (°C) & rainfall (mm) per month
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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Low °C | 21°C | 21°C | 21°C | 22°C | 23°C | 23°C | 23°C | 23°C | 23°C | 23°C | 23°C | 22°C |
High °C | 29°C | 29°C | 30°C | 31°C | 31°C | 31°C | 31°C | 31°C | 31°C | 31°C | 30°C | 29°C |
Rainfall (mm) | 111 | 87 | 83 | 97 | 147 | 236 | 267 | 244 | 236 | 292 | 259 | 176 |
A tropical paradise and haven for boaters, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a silhouette of 36 emerald volcanic islands extending down to Grenada. Its palm-fringed beaches, dramatic peaks, turquoise bays and white yachts bobbing along the waters exude a luxurious charm and natural retreat.
The main island of St. Vincent is home to wonderful architecture, museums and botanical gardens. Its capital, Kingstown, is famous for its colonial buildings, like the 1920 Georgian-style St. George's Anglican Cathedral. The historical St. Vincent Botanical Gardens encompass 20 acres of both exotic and indigenous tropical plants and trees, including mahogany, cinnamon and hibiscus.
Bequia, the second-largest of the Grenadines, is a yachting hotspot. With its bougainvillea-dotted hillsides tumbling down to stretches of golden sand, it is a picture-perfect scene.
The five uninhabited islands of Tobago Cays are encompassed by the Tobago Cays Marine Park, a paradise for divers with its coral gardens, stingrays and barracuda frolicking in the crystal-clear waters.
Golf lovers can tee off at the prestigious golf course on Canouan, known for its white-sand beaches, private villas, luxurious spas and fascinating coral reefs.
Charter a private boat and sail out to the tiny island of Mayreau, where the palm-fringed shoreline attracts sun-worshipers and boaters to its coastal oasis, Saltwhistle Bay.
If you’re lucky enough to rub shoulders with the rich and famous, you might just earn yourself a spot on the privately-owned island of Mustique. Aside from its luxury villas, the pristine Macaroni Beach is a favourite drawcard.
Pirates of the Caribbean fans can retrace the steps of Captain Jack Sparrow along the black sand beach of Wallilabou Bay, where remnants of the film sets are available to explore.
With arresting scenery, underwater adventures, and vibrant street life, St. Vincent and the Grenadines are a holidaymaker’s paradise.
Compare several airlines, and book your cheap flights to St. Vincent and the Grenadines online at Travelstart!
South Africans will be thrilled to know that you do not need a visa to visit this beautiful archipelago for a stay of up to 30 days. Ensure your passport is valid for 6 months after date of departure and that there are 2 blank pages available for entry stamps.
The islands are generally very safe with no major crimes known to occur towards tourists. Petty crime along the streets is not unheard of, particularly at night, so be aware of your belongings and avoid walking down dark, empty streets. Property has been known to be stolen from hotel rooms and yachts, so be sure to lock away any valuables. The island of St. Vincent is a major producer of marijuana but it is illegal and punishable by imprisonment if caught.
Keep in mind that if you’re going on a hike or bike trip, inform someone of where you are going as some mountainous areas can be hazardous.
There are no required vaccinations to enter the country, unless travelling from a yellow fever region, in which case, a certificate is required. The island of St. Vincent has a reservoir, making tap water reasonably safe to drink; however bottled water is highly recommended and widely available on the outer islands. Despite a few clinics and hospitals in Kingstown, healthcare is rather limited and often stretched to capacity.
A comprehensive travel insurance policy to cover theft and medical expenses is always recommended.
Item | Cape Town | Johannesburg | Kingstown |
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Meal, inexpensive restaurant | R 90 | R 100 | R 62 |
Domestic beer (0.5 litre draught) | R 22 | R 25 | R 24 |
Cappuccino (regular) | R 19 | R 20 | R 38 |
Taxi 1km (normal tariff) | R 10 | R 12 | R 40 |
Pack of cigarettes (Marlboro) | R 38 | R 38 | R 29 |
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