Dreamy sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and picturesque landscapes like in paradise – the Grenadines in the Caribbean are an unforgettable destination for young and old. The cross-border island chain lies between the Caribbean Sea in the west and the Atlantic Ocean in the east. In the north, it is bordered by the island of St. Vincent , which is crossed by an impressive chain of volcanoes. The mountainous regions, on the other hand, are overgrown with dense rainforest, so that passionate hikers will get their money’s worth here.
The Grenadines are also called “the Leeward Islands”, derived from the wind direction of the northeast trade winds, which provide a humid, tropical climate in the area all year round.
Temperatures in the Grenadines
The island state is located at the 13th parallel north latitude. Tropical rainforest temperatures prevail everywhere in the area. According to this, the islands promise wonderfully warm temperatures all year round. But especially the months of January to May are very popular with travelers, as this is the dry season in the Grenadines. From June to October, the amount of precipitation then rises sharply.
The lowest temperature is around 27°C degrees in January and February. The highest temperature is in August and September with 29°C degrees. Then there will be up to eleven hours of sunshine a day.
The water temperature fluctuates between 25°C and 28°C degrees all year round, guaranteeing ideal bathing fun.
The inhabited islands
The Caribbean island territory, which belongs to the Lesser Antilles , consists of a total of 32 islands, which are bordered west of Barbados and south of St. Lucia . Some of the larger islands are inhabited, while others live solely on nature. About 17,000 inhabitants live along the entire island chain.
Among the most famous inhabited islands are Bequia, Canouan, Mayreau, Mustique, Petit St. Vincent and many others.
Bequia
With its 18 square kilometers, Bequia is the largest island in the Grenadines and one of the most visited destinations in the Caribbean archipelago. Why? In addition to a species-rich, impressive underwater world and fabulous beach sections that look like powdered sugar, the island also has a large natural harbour in the main town of Port Elizabeth, which is a popular landing place for larger yachts and sailing ships. Port Elizabeth is the center of the entire island from a tourist point of view. An interesting and important attraction, which also vividly presents the history of Caribbean whaling, is the “Whaling and Sailing Museum”.
If you like a beach holiday, you should not leave out the most beautiful beaches on Bequia: The beaches “Friendship Bay”, “Princess Margaret Beach” and “Lower Bay” are all lined with palm trees and offer the ideal place to relax and swim. The fine sand resembles powdered sugar and promises unforgettable holiday memories.
Mayreau
The smallest inhabited island in the Grenadines is Mayreau, with about 300 inhabitants. There is only one street on the island and the only village that has a few bars and bars has had electric light since 2003. Salt Whistle Bay in the northwest is a nice anchorage for yachts.
Mustique
About 14 kilometers southeast of Bequia is the island of Mustique, which is privately owned by the “Mustique Company” and promises its visitors nothing less than 5* star holidays. First-class villas on the beach or high up on the tops of the hills offer luxurious ambience. On the island there is everything your heart desires: gigantic golf and tennis courts, breathtaking pool facilities, wellness programs and “barbecue under the stars”. With modern golf carts, the island can be explored in more detail. Particularly well-known: “Basil’s Bar“, which is located directly on the beach and is one of the top ten best bars in the world.
The uninhabited islands
The Grenadines include a large number of small, uninhabited islands: Baliceaux, Isle à Quatre, Petite Mustique, Petite Nevis, Pigeon Island and many more. All these Caribbean islands promise a picturesque backdrop and plenty of wild and beautiful nature. Particularly curious water sports enthusiasts are attracted to the uninhabited islands, as this is a popular sailing area and the ideal spot for diving. In addition to impressive coral reefs, there is another highlight for enthusiastic divers to discover: Two ships have been grounded here, where beginners and professionals can practice wreck diving.
Tobago Cays
The five uninhabited islands of the Tobago Cays also magically attract holidaymakers: The small islands are located a good two kilometres east of Mayreau and are a true paradise for nature lovers, water sports enthusiasts, sailors and sun worshippers. The best way for travelers to visit the islands is with an organized day boat trip. If you are privately on the water with a sailboat or yacht, you can moor at one of the prescribed anchorages. However, there are fees here, which the marine park supervisors collect on site.
Dreamlike bays and equally fascinating snorkeling and diving spots guarantee an unforgettable day trip on the Tobago Cays. The coral reef “Horse Shoe Reef” in the north convinces with its beautiful Caribbean underwater world and is a popular diving spot, especially for beginners. A little further east is the Sail Rock dive site, which is a popular destination for experienced underwater sports enthusiasts. A colourful variety of different fish and impressive green sea turtles are waiting to be observed more closely. If you’re lucky, you can even see nurse sharks and spotted eagle rays making their rounds through the shallow water. The clear, turquoise water guarantees perfect visibility! In addition, the Tobago Cays were the setting for the famous blockbuster “Pirates of the Caribbean”.
