Sailing in the Grenadines: St Vincent and Blue Lagoon

Johan Maier

St Vincent is the northernmost island of the Grenadines and, with over a hundred thousand inhabitants, one of the most densely populated islands in the eastern Caribbean. If you’re heading there on your yacht, I’ve got a few handy tips for you.

If you’re coming from the north, the Blue Lagoon is a good place to stop. You’ll then only have a short leg left before continuing on to the Grenadines. The lagoon is sheltered from the wind, but there’s often a bit of swell coming in. Depending on the wind, this can subside again. The entrance isn’t suitable for large monohulls. At low tide, the depth drops to around 1.6 metres in places. There’s also a wreck right at the entrance. You can and should sail close past it; then it’ll be fine. There are both private and official buoys on site. As usual, the Buoy Boys will help you moor for a small fee. 20 EC is usually sufficient.

You can also clear in and out at the Blue Lagoon. However, the office is rather slow, the atmosphere varies, and after 4 pm additional fees are often charged. Sailclear didn’t work for us, so we had to fill everything in by hand. The marina itself is well equipped. There’s a small mini-market, cash machines, showers, toilets and even a pool, which is surprisingly nice. The staff are friendly and helpful.

I’d advise against using the floating jetty. It’s in poor condition, quite choppy, and you have to moor there in the traditional way without any assistance. It’s not much fun and isn’t worth the effort.

As for food, Café Soleil is okay, but if you have the choice, you’re better off going to Driftwood. The food there is much better. In the evenings, you should generally be a bit careful. I’d tend to avoid walking around, especially alone or as a woman.

A clear recommendation is an island tour with a local operator. These usually include a hike up the volcano, lunch and a stop at a beach with a salt pond. Price-wise, you’re looking at around 75 to 100 USD for a full day including meals. The hike to the volcano offers stunning scenery, but it’s not for the unfit. On the way there, you’ll learn a lot about the island’s history as you drive through small villages. During the hike itself, you’ll also learn plenty about nature and the volcanic landscape. All in all, it’s really worth it.

It’s best to bring a rain jacket, a change of clothes, sturdy shoes and your swimming gear. Jumping into the sea after the tour is somehow part of the experience.