Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Phone Code

+1

Capital

Kingstown

Population

110,000

Native Name

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Region

Americas

Caribbean

Timezone

Atlantic Standard Time

UTC-04:00

On This Page

Visa OverviewVisa TypesImportant NotesMoney & CurrencyAccredited missions

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an island nation in the Eastern Caribbean, part of the Lesser Antilles, made up of the main island of Saint Vincent and a chain of 32 smaller islands and cays known as the Grenadines, stretching south toward Grenada. Kingstown on Saint Vincent is the capital, and the country's roughly 110,000 people live mostly on the mainland. Independence from Britain came in 1979, and the country remains a Commonwealth realm. Citizens of the US, Canada, the UK, the EU and many other countries enter visa-free, though the permitted stay length varies by nationality (30-90 days).

Visa Requirements for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines offers visa-free entry to citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, European Union member states and most Commonwealth countries — around 100 nationalities in total — for tourism and business, with the permitted stay length varying by nationality (30-90 days). A passport valid at least 6 months beyond the intended stay is required, along with a return or onward ticket; proof of sufficient funds may be requested at immigration. Entry stamps are issued on arrival at Argyle International Airport on Saint Vincent, or on arrival by yacht at an official port of entry (Kingstown, Bequia, Canouan, Mayreau or Union Island). Citizens of countries not on the visa-free list should apply through a Saint Vincent and the Grenadines diplomatic mission — representation is limited, mainly in London, Brussels, Caracas and Taipei — or through a British embassy where SVG has no representation. See the visa categories below for the specific requirements, including yacht clearance.

Common Visa Types

Visa-Free Entry (Tourism/Business)

30-90 days depending on nationality (US: 30 days; Canada, UK, EU: typically 90 days; varies by bilateral agreement); passport valid 6+ months required; return/onward ticket required; proof of sufficient funds may be requested; entry stamp at arrival (Argyle International Airport for flights, or official ports of entry for yachts — Kingstown, Bequia Port Elizabeth, Canouan, Mayreau, Union Island Clifton); yacht cruisers must clear customs and immigration at the first port of entry before moving between islands; extensions available through the Immigration Department in Kingstown for a monthly fee — check current pricing; most visitors from Western countries, the Caribbean, and Latin America qualify for visa-free access.

For tourism, business, or sailing for citizens of United States, Canada, United Kingdom, EU, and approximately 100+ countries.

Visa Required (Advance Application)

Varies (typically 30-90 days depending on purpose and nationality); limited diplomatic representation means applications are often processed through the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines High Commission in London, through British embassies/consulates in some countries, or directly with the Immigration Department in Kingstown; required documents: completed application form, passport valid 6+ months, 2 passport photos, travel itinerary, return ticket confirmation, proof of accommodation, bank statements showing sufficient funds, travel insurance, and a visa fee — check current fees and processing times with your nearest mission; approval communicated via email; single-entry or multiple-entry visas available.

For nationalities not qualifying for visa-free entry, requiring advance visa application through Saint Vincent and the Grenadines diplomatic missions.

Yacht and Sailing Permits

Yacht clearance is mandatory at the first port of entry (Kingstown, Bequia, Canouan, Mayreau or Union Island — officials board or crews report to the customs/immigration office); crew passports are required, along with a crew list and yacht documentation (registration, insurance, radio licence); initial clearance typically grants 30-90 days depending on crew nationalities, and a cruising permit allows movement between islands within SVG waters. Customs, immigration, port and environmental fees all apply — check current rates. Popular anchorages include Bequia (Admiralty Bay, Princess Margaret Beach), Tobago Cays (protected marine park, mooring fees apply), Mustique (private island, advance permission required for some areas), Canouan (resort island), and Union Island (southern hub, gateway to the French islands). Annual sailing events include the Bequia Easter Regatta and the Mustique Blues Festival. Charter companies based in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines offer both bareboat and crewed yacht charters — check current rates, which vary widely by boat size and season. Yachting is the signature experience of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, with world-class island hopping, protected anchorages, trade-wind sailing and marine beauty.

For visiting yachts and sailing vessels, requiring customs and immigration clearance on arrival and cruising permits for extended stays.

Important Travel Information

Tobago Cays — Caribbean Paradise Marine Park: The Tobago Cays are five small uninhabited islands in the southern Grenadines — Petit Rameau, Petit Bateau, Baradal, Petit Tabac, and Jamesby — surrounded by Horseshoe Reef, a protective coral barrier. This 1,400-acre marine park, established in 2006 and under consideration for UNESCO World Heritage status, is considered one of the Caribbean's most beautiful natural areas. Crystal-clear turquoise waters, pristine white-sand beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and abundant marine life (sea turtles, rays, tropical fish, occasional dolphins and whales) make this a must-visit destination. The Cays are accessible only by boat — day-trip catamarans from Union Island (including lunch and snorkelling gear, a 30-45 minute sail), overnight yacht anchorages, or water taxis. Facilities are minimal (basic toilets on one island, no permanent structures) to preserve the natural environment. Activities include snorkelling (turtles swim close in the protected areas), swimming, beach relaxation and exploring the deserted islands. Marine park fees apply per person per day for day visitors, with a higher rate for overnight stays — check current pricing. Environmental protection is strict: no anchoring on coral (moorings are provided), no littering, no fishing, no touching turtles or coral. Petit Tabac was used as the desert island in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Best time to visit: calm seas December-May; rougher June-November with occasional rain.

Sailing and Yachting Capital: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is one of the world's premier sailing destinations, offering steady trade winds (December-May), calm protected waters between islands with line-of-sight navigation, numerous secure anchorages, minimal tidal variation, and striking natural beauty across the 32 islands. Popular sailing routes typically start in Union Island or Bequia: Bequia (Admiralty Bay — good provisioning, restaurants, Port Elizabeth town) → Mustique (exclusive private island, limited public access and high entry fees) → Canouan (luxury resorts) → Mayreau (tiny island, Saline Bay anchorage, Salt Whistle Bay beach) → Tobago Cays (the highlight, usually 1-2 nights) → Union Island (Clifton harbour, reprovisioning, gateway to French islands). Extensions are possible to Petit St. Vincent, Palm Island, or north to the Saint Vincent mainland. Yacht charters come as bareboat (sailing yourself, requiring certification and experience) or crewed (captain and chef included) — check current rates, which vary widely by boat size and season. Charter companies with bases in Blue Lagoon (Saint Vincent) or Union Island include Barefoot Yacht Charters, TMM Yacht Charters, Dream Yacht Charter, Sunsail and Moorings. Best sailing season is November-June (dry season, steady winds); July-October is hurricane season, with fewer charters and lower prices but weather risk. Annual regattas include the Bequia Easter Regatta (April, the Caribbean's premier sailing event) and the Mustique Blues Festival (late January/early February).

Bequia — The Heart of the Grenadines: Bequia (pronounced “BECK-way,” from a Carib word meaning “island of the clouds”) is the largest Grenadine island and the second-largest in the country after Saint Vincent, located 15km south of Saint Vincent. Port Elizabeth is the main town around Admiralty Bay, with colourful buildings, yacht clubs, restaurants, boutique shops, and provisioning for sailors. Bequia is known for its boat-building heritage — traditional wooden sailing boats are still built by hand at beachside boatyards, a tradition the Sargeant Brothers family continues. Highlights include Princess Margaret Beach (white sand, calm swimming, named for the visiting Princess Margaret who swam here in 1958), Lower Bay beach (quieter, local feel, reggae beach bars), the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary (a conservation project rescuing and releasing hawksbill turtles — check current visit/donation guidance), and Spring on Bequia pottery (local ceramics, workshop visits welcome). A limited, closely regulated tradition of hand-harpoon whaling of humpback whales continues under an International Whaling Commission exception, capped at a small annual quota — a genuine, if controversial, piece of local heritage rather than a tourist activity. Bequia has good infrastructure: a regular ferry from Kingstown (about an hour, multiple daily departures — check current fares), a small airport with short flights from Saint Vincent, taxis, and car/scooter rentals — check current rates for all of these. Accommodation ranges from guesthouses to boutique hotels to luxury villas, and restaurants are excellent, with fresh seafood, Caribbean cuisine and international options at a range of price points. Many sailors spend several days in Bequia enjoying the atmosphere and reprovisioning before continuing south to the Tobago Cays.

Discover Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Tobago Cays are five small islands that were never permitted year-round settlement, and Horseshoe Reef — the coral barrier curving around the group — breaks the open-ocean swell before it reaches the anchorage, which is what keeps the water calm and clear enough for turtles to swim right up to snorkellers in the shallows. Marine park status since 2006 formalised protections that were already informal practice among sailors — no anchoring directly on coral (moorings are provided instead), no fishing, no touching the turtles — which is why the reef and marine life here have stayed intact while more accessible, more developed islands elsewhere in the Caribbean lost theirs. The Cays are reachable only by boat, either a day-trip catamaran from Union Island or an overnight stop on a yacht charter.

Money & Currency

Money & Currency
$

East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)

Currency code: XCD

Practical Money Tips

Eastern Caribbean Dollar — USD Widely Accepted

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines uses the Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD), pegged at XCD 2.70 per USD. US dollars are accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and tour operators. Euros are not widely accepted — exchange at a bank in Kingstown.

ATMs in Kingstown — Limited on Outer Islands

ATMs are available in Kingstown (Bank of SVG, FirstCaribbean, RBTT) and at the E.T. Joshua Airport area. On the Grenadines — Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Union Island — cash availability is very limited. Withdraw adequate amounts before island-hopping.

Cards Accepted at Resorts — Cash Essential Elsewhere

Visa and Mastercard are accepted at hotels and larger restaurants. American Express is available at upscale resorts. On outer Grenadines islands, cash is essential. Apple Pay and Google Pay work at modern venues in Kingstown and Bequia.

Keep Cash for the Grenadines Islands

Mustique, Canouan, Palm Island, and Mayreau have minimal banking. Always carry XCD or USD cash when visiting outer islands. Tipping 10–15% is appreciated — service charges are rarely automatic.

Note: Always check current exchange rates before traveling. Currency exchange is available at airports, banks, and authorized money changers.

Common Money Questions

Frequently asked questions

Most Western nationalities — including the US, Canada, the UK and EU member states — enter visa-free for 30-90 days depending on nationality; check the current allowance for your passport, since the permitted stay length varies more here than in many Caribbean destinations.

Not strictly, but it's the standard way most visitors experience them — inter-island ferries only connect Saint Vincent and Bequia, so reaching smaller islands like Mayreau, Canouan or the Tobago Cays without a yacht means relying on small planes or water taxis, which are workable but less flexible.

Both work well — a day-trip catamaran from Union Island gets you snorkelling with the turtles and time on the beaches, while an overnight yacht anchorage lets you experience the Cays without the day-boat crowds, which is the difference most sailors say makes the extra time worthwhile.

This overview comes from Visaja's worldwide missions database (visaja.com), checked against official government sources; for binding answers, the mission itself always has the final word.