St. Vincent’s beaches are all public. In the south, Indian Bay, Villa, Young Island and Blue Lagoon beaches have soft, golden sand and border many of the island’s hotels and restaurants making it convenient for ordering food and drinks. The best snorkeling and safest swimming is along the Leeward coast. The dramatic Windward coast beaches have black sand as a result of volcanic lava flows and the sea is often quite rough with dangerous undercurrents.
Family Friendly Beaches
Villa Beach and Indian Bay
These two white sand beaches, divided by a small hilly projection, are easily accessible. Both offer good snorkeling and provide lovely views of Young Island and some of the Grenadine islands to the south.
Blue Lagoon
Surrounded by palm trees, with a lovely beach. Excellent for swimming and snorkeling, and it’s a very pleasant anchorage. This is now a port of entry with Customs and Immigration on site at the the Blue Lagoon Marina, a full service marina offering 20 slips and 4 alongside berths with water and 110/220 electricity with 50 Hz. Moorings also available at Barefoot Yacht Charters.
Snorkeler’s Paradise
Buccament Bay
A well-protected, very calm bay with an excellent anchorage shelf in the eastern corner close to the beach. There is exceptionally good snorkeling here.
Wallilabou
A picturesque bay and a good diving spot with reliable line handlers available to help secure yachts. Customs and Immigration can be cleared here between 4pm and 6pm (up to 7pm during the busier winter season).
Chateaubelair
With its 40-foot deep reef and array of brightly coloured fish, is a snorkeler’s dream. While usually a good anchorage, especially on the eastern half of the bay, the northerly swells in the winter months can cause difficulties. Customs and Immigration clearance is also available in Chateaubelair.
Petit Byahaut
Four moorings are available at the resort at Petit Byahaut. There is a small beach where diving and snorkeling are superb. At Dinosaur Head (face of Byahaut point) you will find a 120-foot wall covered in sponges, seafans and coral.
Troumakar Bay
This small well-protected bay, with room for only a handful of yachts, has some mooring posts on the beach. There is good snorkeling along the northern shore.
Young Island Cut
The anchorage here, lying in clear water, is a favourite with yachts people. Anchor with care, as the current sweeps both ways and the centre of the cut is 65 feet deep. Moorings are available, but stay clear of the sea bed close to Young Island itself.
The restaurant at Young Island Resort is a wonderful choice for breakfast, lunch or dinner in a relaxed beachfront setting, in the open-air, under thatched roof huts. Everyone raves about their freshly baked breads in six delicious flavours! Note, swimwear with a cover-up or shorts are acceptable for breakfast and lunch, but not for dinner.
Perfect for Picnics
On the Windward side of the island there are a number of beautiful black sand beaches with facilities . Because of strong undercurrents, most Windward beaches are not recommended for swimming.
Brighton Salt Pond
Brighton Salt Pond has a fascinating mangrove swamp which attracts many visitors. It is a popular recreational and entertainment spot.
Owia Salt Pond
Locatedon the northeastern coast, close to the Carib village of Owia, the 2-hour drive runs along the scenic coastline. This unusual gift of nature consists of a huge bathing pool enclosed by lava peaks and ridges. The pounding waves crash into this barrier and then gently cascade into the pool. Surrounded by mountains and the thunderous surf, the area is an ideal spot for picnics, swimming and snorkeling. Facilities include gazebos, bar, shower and washrooms, children’s play area, craft centre and fire pits.
Leeward Gems - above and below the surface
The west coast of St. Vincent offers some spectacular diving opportunities, with the impressive landscape continuing underwater. The dive shops here offer some dramatic wall dives, full of black coral and azure sponges steeply shelving away to volcanic sand. Divers often find themselves surrounded by schools of creole wrasse, blue tangs, or dozens of other curious species. Check out the local dive shops listed on the site and take the plunge!
