St. Vincent & the Grenadines
How to get to St. Vincent & the Grenadines starts with Argyle International Airport (SVD) on the main island of St. Vincent — the country’s only commercial gateway for international flights. Argyle opened in 2017, replacing a much shorter runway that had kept the island dependent on small prop planes for most of its history. The new airport changed everything: American Airlines operates nonstops from Charlotte, Miami, and New York-JFK; Delta from Atlanta; and Air Canada from Toronto. Once on St. Vincent, the Grenadines open up by ferry and small charter — Bequia is an hour south by boat, and the chain continues through Canouan, Mayreau, Union Island, and all the way to Petit St. Vincent. Mustique sits just off the chain but operates as its own world. US and Canadian citizens enter visa-free. The currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD, fixed at 2.70 to the USD), though US dollars are accepted widely. This is not a resort-strip Caribbean destination — it’s the real thing, and it takes a little more intention to reach, which is exactly why it rewards non-revs so well.
Tourism Board
Why Go
Key Carriers
How to Get to St. Vincent From North America
| Nonstop From | Code | Carrier(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸Atlanta | ATL | Delta Air Lines (DL) |
| 🇺🇸Charlotte | CLT | American Airlines (AA) |
| 🇺🇸Miami | MIA | American Airlines (AA) |
| 🇺🇸New York-JFK | JFK | American Airlines (AA), JetBlue (B6) ⚠, Caribbean Airlines (BW) ⚠ |
| 🇨🇦Toronto | YYZ | Air Canada (AC) |
The Grenadines — Islands Beyond St. Vincent
All international flights land on St. Vincent (SVD). From there, the Grenadines are reached by ferry, water taxi, or small charter flight. This is the heart of what makes SVG special for non-revs — the main island is the gateway, and the real discoveries are the islands beyond.
How to get there: The Admiralty Transport Company ferry runs multiple times daily between Kingstown (St. Vincent) and Port Elizabeth (Bequia). The crossing takes approximately 60 minutes. Book at the ferry terminal in Kingstown — no advance booking needed for most departures, though high-season and holiday periods can fill up. Water taxis are also available for a faster and more scenic crossing.
Bequia is the largest of the Grenadines after St. Vincent — roughly 7 square miles — with a handful of beaches, excellent snorkeling, and a lively sailing community centered on Admiralty Bay. The Frangipani Hotel is the island’s social hub. The island has a small airstrip (BQU) but no scheduled commercial service — ferry is the practical way in.
Access: Ferry from Kingstown · No commercial flights
How to get there: Mustique is a private island — all visitors must be staying at a private villa or the Cotton House hotel to access the island. Charter flights operate into Mustique’s small airport (MQS) from Barbados (BGI), St. Vincent (SVD), and Grenada (GND). SVG Air and other regional operators serve the route. The flight from St. Vincent takes approximately 20 minutes.
The Mustique Company manages the island and all accommodations. There is no day-tripper access — you cannot visit without a confirmed stay. Villa rentals range from modest by Caribbean standards to some of the most expensive private rentals in the world. The Cotton House is the only hotel. For non-revs, Mustique is attainable but requires planning well in advance of your travel window.
Access: Charter flight from SVD or BGI · Villa or hotel booking required
The southern Grenadines string south from Bequia like a necklace. Canouan has a small airport (CIW) served by SVG Air and charter from SVD; it’s home to the Carenage Bay resort and increasingly sophisticated infrastructure. Mayreau is car-free and home to Saline Bay — one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful beaches — accessible only by boat. Union Island has a small airport (UNI) and is the jumping-off point for the Tobago Cays Marine Park, widely regarded as one of the finest snorkeling destinations in the Caribbean. From Union Island, water taxis reach the Cays in about 20 minutes. Palm Island and Petit St. Vincent at the southern tip of the chain are private-island resorts accessible by boat from Union Island.
Access: SVG Air small plane or boat from St. Vincent or Bequia
Common Questions
Do US citizens need a visa for St. Vincent & the Grenadines?
No. US citizens are admitted visa-free for up to 6 months for tourism — one of the most generous entry allowances in the Caribbean. Canadians are also admitted visa-free. A valid passport is required. Always verify current requirements at iatatravelcentre.com before travel.
What’s the currency in SVG?
The Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD) is the official currency, fixed at 2.70 XCD to 1 USD. US dollars are accepted widely across the islands, especially in Bequia, Mustique, and the tourist-facing businesses. Credit cards are accepted at hotels and larger restaurants; cash is important for ferries, local shops, and smaller guesthouses.
Can I fly directly to Bequia or Mustique from the US?
No. All international commercial flights land on St. Vincent (SVD). Bequia has a small airstrip (BQU) with no scheduled commercial service — ferry from Kingstown is the standard way in. Mustique’s airport (MQS) accepts charter flights only, and access requires a confirmed accommodation booking on the island. Plan your SVD arrival first, then connect to the outer islands by boat or small charter.
Is non-rev travel to SVG competitive?
It can be during peak season (December–April) and especially around the holidays. American’s CLT, MIA, and JFK routes are seasonal and capacity is smaller than a typical mainline route. Load monitoring a few days before is essential. The MIA route often has better load availability than JFK. If loads look difficult, positioning through Barbados (BGI) on British Airways and connecting on Caribbean Airlines or InterCaribbean is a solid backup that opens up more timing options.
Tourism source: St. Vincent & the Grenadines Tourism Authority — Discover SVG (discoversvg.com). Heritage citations: Botanical Gardens of St. Vincent. Entry requirements: IATA Travel Centre (iatatravelcentre.com). Route data compiled from airline and airport schedules.