Natural sites on Saint Vincent : Art & Culture

Discover Saint Vincent: Natural sites

MESOPOTAMIA VALLEY

Fertile and generous…
A marvellously rich valley as abundant as its name suggests, lush with magnificent glens of coconut palm, banana tree, cocoa as well as peanuts, hazelnuts and other varieties of stone fruit…A multitude of small plantations nest in the fertile soil of the valley. The view is simply magnificent in this region of the islands, dominated by the greenness of its crops and the silhouette of its mountains. The highest peak, Mount Grand Bonhomme (954m) is definitely worth the slight detour.

PETROGLYPHS & ROCKS CARVINGS

Carved rocks : a heritage of the past… Embark on an unforgettable trip to Layou, where a miniature part of the past is graved in the magnificent rocks, a memory of the creativity of the island’s earliest inhabitants. The rocky caverns overlooking sea and river most probably served as refuge for the Ciboney, and were subsequently the dwelling place of Arawaks and Caribs themselves. History is overwhelming and can be read, seen and felt all around the site. On leaving Kingstown in the north-west direction, the lovely fishing village of Layou is situated thirty minutes from the capital, and the Rock Carvings are a mere five minutes off its main road.

BUCCAMENT VALLEY

An abundance of nature bound to take your breath away…
If you are a lover of trekking, start out on one of the area’s loveliest trails from the Buccament Valley, situated north of Kingstown halfway between Campden Park and Layou, on the Caribbean coast. To access the top, take one of the two well-known and signposted paths leading upwards equipped with all measures of security necessary. You will pass through the tropical forest, and discover its ravishing flora and fauna. If you are lucky, you may even spot an Amazona Guildingii or a Whistling Warbler, or hear the shrill cries of these curious parrots, endemic to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, today under national and international protection. Most natural trails are suitable for young and old, and require little physical form.

FORT CHARLOTTE

Overlooking the sea with its cannons turned inland…
The fortress stands as a reminder of the island’s ample history and the richness of its patrimony. Built in 1806, entirely out of stone on a steep cliff of 600 feet (196m) above sea level, it is situated five minutes from the capital, at the entrance of the Bay of Kingstown. The fort hosts an exhibition of the works of Lindsay Prescott, ex-marine officer in the English Navy, whose paintings give a perfect insight into everyday life on the island in his time, as well as into the basics of Black Caribbean history. The garrison’s peculiar, inland-turned cannons are due to the fact that residing troops of the times feared the sudden attacks of Caribbean Indians more than the methodical assaults of European enemy ships. Today, Fort Charlotte serves as a meteorological viewpoint and observation centre for the bay, and is preparing to host the works of a growing number of artists and craftsmen from the islands of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. This project is conceived to give visitors a new vision of the island, its art and history.

“LA SOUFRIERE”: THE VOLCANO OF SAINT VINCENT

Volcanic activity sleeping under a blanket of greenery

Mount Soufriere of Saint Vincent and Mount Saint Helen of the United States have the honour of being the two volcanoes examined from all angles by experts of every horizon imaginable. This is due to the fact that they show the same particularities concerning their way of eruption. The volcano of “la Soufriere” is a smaller-size model of Mount Saint Helen, culminating at 4,000 feet (1300 m) of altitude, but is just as active as its sister, spitting its contents on the island of Saint Vincent from time to time. Its two last eruptions took place in 1902 and 1979, causing a significant number of casualties and resulting in great damage. The mountain is situated at an hour’s drive north from Kingstown on the coastal road, passing through villages such as Villa, Calliaqua, Biabou and even Georgetown. Climbing the volcano is only advised for those who like a long walk (it takes four hours), but if you are willing to try, you will definitely be rewarded by the view of its astounding nature. The summit will reveal the volcano’s perfect crater (said to be the most beautiful crater in the world), its imperial dome, sulphurous vapours, paths, tracks, lake and tropical forest. The path departing towards the western slope leads to the Caribbean coast in the region of Chateaubelair.

BLACK POINT TUNEL

Colossal efforts of almost 100m..

A unique historical site, displaying the dimensions of human effort in digging a survival tunnel into the rock by pure force of hand. Completed in 1815, this 100-meter tunnel was the brainwave of Colonal Thomas Browne and the work of his African slaves and Caribbean Indian workers. The majestic endeavour was conceived to link the region of Grand Sable to the Bay of Byrea, in order to facilitate the transport of the island’s sugar reserves, to insure their storage and guarantee their export. Following the second war against Carib Indians, northern territories in the region of Byreat were divided among the English with the aim to enhance the culture and exploitation of sugarcane in the area. The tunnel is by all means a site to see, especially that the region hosts some of the world’s most beautiful beaches of black sand.

FALLS OF BALEINE

Nature in all its splendour…
The famous Falls of Baleine constitute one of the most important sites on the islands. Situated in the north-west of Saint Vincent, they are easiest to approach by boat from the sea. Blue, turquoise and green colours intertwine in its magnificent clear flow to which the greenery of the surrounding natural reserve serves as a beautiful contrast. The scintillating waters rush down the purified rocks, washing them clean only to spill into a large basin where visitors can swim about with their loved ones, family and friends. A moment of magic you will remember all your life! Visits to the falls are organised by all tour operators on the island and are definitely not to miss!

THRILLING GRENADINES

A multitude of islands to choose from..
Among the archipelago’s thirty two islands float the Grenadines, with little if anything to envy of any other region in this world. As a matter of fact, visitors from all corners of the globe stand in line to get a glimpse of these gems of the Caribbean Sea. The islands are easily accessible from Saint Vincent by air and sea, a daily ferry boat links the mother island to the isle of Bequia, and three boats leave per week to the islands of Canouan, Union and Mayreau, and the areas are also equipped with an airport fit to welcome a plane with 19 passengers on board. Other islands of the Grenadines are to be discovered departing from these strategic points. Accommodation possibilities are numerous and the population is more than welcoming and thrilled to make contact with travellers from various parts of the world.