Dark volcanic sand gives beaches on St Vincent a different look from the pale coral shores of the Grenadines. Salt Whistle Bay on Mayreau is a good example of the softer side of the islands. The beach is small, the water is sheltered, and there is little reason to rush away. Spend time swimming or just stay put. The contrast between black sand and white sand is part of what makes island hopping so enjoyable.

You are never far from the sea here, so sailing and diving fit easily into a holiday. Horizon Yacht Charters can take you between the islands, with time to stop for a swim or lunch ashore. Divers can look out for Japanese Garden, where sand, coral outcrops, sea fans and marine life create a varied underwater scene. Around the Tobago Cays, Horseshoe Reef is a further highlight, with turtles often seen in the surrounding waters.

Bequia Heritage Museum is small enough to visit without turning the afternoon into a history lesson. Inside, Amerindian pottery and other finds show how Indigenous communities lived on the island, while later pieces reflect European settlement. Near Kingstown, the Botanical Gardens add another side to local identity. This is one of the places where you may see the distinctive St Vincent parrot, an endemic species and the national bird of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

La Soufrière shapes the northern end of St Vincent and rises to more than 4,000 feet. The volcano erupted explosively in April 2021, and its presence is hard to miss from many parts of the island. For a gentler walk, the Vermont Nature Trail passes through forest where the St Vincent parrot may be seen around dawn or dusk. Offshore, the Tobago Cays bring together tiny islands, sheltered lagoons, coral reefs and open sea beyond.

Luxury is fairly low-key here. Beachcombers Hotel is highlighted for comfort, quality and its setting, while Serenity House is noted for spacious rooms and attractive views. A day on a yacht can feel just as indulgent as time at a hotel, particularly when there is no fixed schedule. Horizon Yacht Charters offers that option, with local knowledge that can also point you towards a good place for fresh lobster once you are back on shore.

Food does not need to be formal to feel special here. Flow Wine Bar and Kitchen gives Kingstown an option for wine and a relaxed meal, while fresh lobster is worth looking for when you are closer to the water. The islands suit long lunches, simple dinners and places where the setting matters as much as the menu. If you have been sailing all day, a meal by the sea can be more than enough.

Romance here is more about time and space than elaborate plans. A sailing day works well because you can move between islands without rushing, stopping when a quiet bay catches your eye. Salt Whistle Bay on Mayreau is especially easy to linger at, with soft sand and calmer water than the more exposed Tobago Cays. Keep the evening simple as well. A late swim, a drink and dinner after sunset are often all you need.

Wildlife can fill a family day without much organising. In the Tobago Cays, children can watch for turtles around Horseshoe Reef, while the Vermont Nature Trail offers a completely different setting among the trees. Bequia Heritage Museum is useful when you want a break from the sun, with pottery and other artefacts that bring earlier island communities into view. None of these outings needs to take over the whole day, which helps keep plans flexible.