There are exceptional white-sand beaches on virtually all of the Grenadines and some tan and black-sand beaches on St Vincent. Apart from sunbathing or building sand castles, the islands offer first-rate diving and snorkeling. The waters offer excellent visibility and coral reefs. Divers will find colorful sponges, soft corals, great stands of elkhorn coral, branching gorgonian and black corals, and a few sunken wrecks. There's a range of dives for any level of experience.

Owia Bay, in the northeastern corner of St Vincent, has good tidepools and a popular swimming hole. Lower Bay, at the southern end of Admiralty Bay on Bequia, has some of the island's best swimming and snorkeling. Canouan, midway in the Grenadine chain, has beautiful beaches and great reefs for snorkeling. Unimpeded tradewinds make the Grenadines great for windsurfing; try Bequia's sandy Friendship Bay.

There are many good hikes on St Vincent, including the Vermont Nature Trails and the more challenging trek up the La Soufrière volcano, which passes through banana estates and rainforest and, weather permitting, up to the rim for a view of the crater.

St Vincent's carnival, called Vincy Mas, is the main cultural event of the year. Usually held during the first two weeks of July, it features a 12-day run of calypso and steel band music, colorful costume parades and lots of dancing. Most of the action is centered in Kingstown. On Bequia, there's a major regatta over the Easter weekend. A Christmas celebration called Nine Mornings starts on 15 December and features parades through the streets of Kingstown, bicycle races, string band serenades and carolling. May Day is also Fisherman's Day on St Vincent, which comes at the end of a week's worth of contests when the island's fishermen catch as many fish and mend as many nets as they can.

Public Holidays

1 January - New Year's Day

22 January - St Vincent & the Grenadines Day

Easter Holidays - Good Friday, Easter Monday

First Monday in May - Labour Day

Eighth Monday after Easter - Whit Monday

Second Monday in July - Caricom Day

Mid-July - Carnival Tuesday

First Monday in August - August Monday

27 October - Independence Day

25 December - Christmas Day

26 December - Boxing Day