The Grenadines are a Caribbean archipelago split between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (north) and Grenada (south). The Tobago Cays are five uninhabited islands with a protected inner lagoon and a resident population of green turtles. Diving and snorkelling in clear waters with intermediate-quality coral. Easily combined with sailing tourism (catamaran, charter) and island hiking.
The Grenadines are a chain of 32 small Caribbean islands stretching between Saint Vincent (north) and Grenada (south) in the Lesser Antilles. They are politically divided: the northern islands (Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, Tobago Cays, Union Island) belong to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (independent since 1979), while the southern ones (Carriacou, Petite Martinique) belong to Grenada (independent since 1974). Official language: English. No visa required for EU citizens (90 days). Currency: Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD).
Tobago Cays: five small uninhabited islands (Petit Rameau, Petit Bateau, Baradal, Petit Tabac, Jamesby) sheltered by a horseshoe-shaped coral barrier, Horseshoe Reef. Marine park since 1998. The inner lagoon is shallow (3–8 m), turquoise, and protected from swell. It serves as a breeding and feeding ground for green turtles (200+ residents). Ideal for snorkelling and shallow diving — turtles come within 1–2 m. Water temperature: 26 °C in February, 29 °C in September.
Dive sites: 1) Horseshoe Reef (coral garden along the barrier, 5–15 m). 2) Petit Tabac (remote site with walls and fish, 12–25 m). 3) The Boulders (rocks with swim-throughs and fish, 8–22 m). 4) Mayreau Gardens (coral gardens to the south, 10–20 m). 5) Pillory Cay (vertical walls, 18–32 m). 6) Petit Saint Vincent (coral walls and barracuda). Coral health is intermediate — degraded by boat traffic and bleaching events in 2005 and 2010. The main draw is the turtles and the underwater scenery.
Other diving in the Grenadines: 1) Bequia (north, walls and wrecks, 18–30 m). 2) Carriacou (south, Sandy Island Oyster Bed Marine Park, 15–25 m). 3) Union Island (vertical walls and large fish, 18–35 m). 4) Mustique (coral garden, exclusive access, 8–25 m). 5) Canouan (resort-based, fringing reef, 12–22 m). The destination mixes shallow diving with snorkelling and sailing cruises.
Logistics and costs: flights to Saint Vincent (SVD, Argyle International) direct from Toronto, New York, Miami, Barbados, and Trinidad. Most convenient connection from Europe: via Barbados (BGI). Tobago Cays reachable only by boat — catamaran charter from Bequia or Union Island, or a day-trip tour from Mayreau or Union (€60–100 per person). Dive operators: Bequia Dive Adventures, JT Pro Dive (Mayreau), Dive Carriacou. Cost per dive: €50–65. PADI Open Water course: €450–550. Accommodation ranges from guesthouses from €80 to hotels at €150–300 and catamaran charters at €200–500 per night.
The sailing appeal: the Grenadines are a premium Caribbean charter destination for yachts and catamarans. Inter-island distances are short (5–15 nautical miles), the waters inside the island arc are calm, and anchorages are secure. Operators such as The Moorings, Sunsail, and Dream Yacht Charter offer 38–50 ft vessels with or without crew. Cost for 7 days: €3,500–7,000 (catamaran for 6–8 people). Easily combined with diving at sites only reachable by boat.
The downsides: overuse by sailing tourism. Tobago Cays receives 100–200 yachts per day at peak season (December–April). Anchorages get crowded, prices rise, and the wildlife has grown habituated to humans. Coral quality has declined. For a more exclusive, less visited option, Carriacou (south, part of Grenada) or remote islands like Petit Saint Vincent are better bets. For healthy coral and pelagic life, better alternatives exist elsewhere in the Caribbean (Bonaire, Belize, Honduras Bay Islands).
Bottom line: the Grenadines are a nature-and-sailing Caribbean destination with resident turtles at Tobago Cays and diving in turquoise waters. Combinable with a sailing circuit of 7–14 days between islands. For a dedicated Caribbean shore-diving destination, Bonaire is a better choice. For a mixed sailing-diving-turtles holiday in calm, island-hopping waters, the Grenadines are a one-of-a-kind option. Best from November to May (Caribbean dry season). Easily combined with Grenada (south) and Barbados (east) for a Lesser Antilles circuit.