| Method | Route | Description |
|---|---|---|
| International Connecting Flight | Via Barbados / Saint Lucia / Miami / Toronto | Flights arrive at Argyle International Airport (SVD) in Saint Vincent |
| Inter-island Small Plane | Bequia, Canouan, Union Island Airports | Small aircraft with 10–20 minute frequencies, offering stunning views |
| Island Ferry | Kingstown – Bequia – Mayreau – Union Island | Daily fixed schedules, about 1–3 hours per leg |
| Chartered Boat / Sailing Yacht | Flexible island hopping | Book a private boat with captain or join a shared trip; cost-effective for groups of 4–6 |
In Kingstown, most places are walkable. For point-to-point travel around the main island, use licensed taxis and agree on the fare in advance. The ring road runs north along the east coast; many Soufrière volcano hiking tours include pick-up and drop-off. On Bequia, open minibuses and walking are the main modes of transport; it’s about a 5-minute walk from the dock to the main beach.
Island ferries are the go-to for budget travelers — it’s best to book tickets a day in advance during peak season. Day tours and chartered boats can be booked at the dock area or through your hotel. Sailing yachts can be chartered from Grenada or Saint Lucia, with the Saint Vincent leg being one of the highlights of the Caribbean sailing route.
The ferry from Kingstown to Bequia takes about 1 hour; Bequia to Union Island takes about 2–2.5 hours. Small plane segments last 10–20 minutes, but check-in requires arriving at least 1 hour early. Inter-island routes follow a roughly linear path — plan your itinerary to move either north-to-south or south-to-north to avoid backtracking. Sailors can come up from Carriacou in Grenada and sail downwind into the Tobago Cays.
Ferry tickets are purchased at the dock ticket office; during peak season, you can reserve a seat a day in advance. Small planes have strict weight limits — both passengers and luggage may be weighed on-site, so distribute heavy items among travelers or carry them on. If ferries are cancelled due to sea conditions, the ticket office will post rescheduling notices. If you can’t travel that day, contact the ferry operator to book the next available service; buffer days in your itinerary are designed for this purpose.
When moving between two or three islands, small planes are more expensive but faster, while ferries are cheaper and offer scenic ocean views. Travelers with lots of luggage or prone to seasickness should choose planes, while photography enthusiasts and sailing lovers should opt for ferries or charters. The Kingstown–Bequia ferry route has the most frequent departures, making it the safest hub for planning your entire island-hopping itinerary.