Things to Do in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
April Weather in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Is April Right for You?
Advantages
- Dry season tail-end means you get mostly sunny days with brief afternoon showers that clear quickly - typically just 10 rainy days across the month, and when it does rain, it's usually a 20-30 minute downpour rather than all-day drizzle
- Sailing conditions are genuinely excellent in April - the trade winds are still consistent at 15-20 knots without being aggressive, and seas between islands stay relatively calm, making this one of the best months for multi-island yacht charters through the Grenadines
- Tourist numbers drop noticeably after Easter week, so from mid-April onward you'll find beaches like Lower Bay and Salt Whistle Bay significantly quieter than the February-March peak, yet all services and restaurants remain fully operational
- Sea visibility peaks in April at 24-30 m (80-100 ft) as the dry season keeps sediment low - this makes it the prime month for diving the wall at Petit Tabac or snorkeling the Tobago Cays, where you'll actually see reef sharks and turtles clearly without murky water
Considerations
- Prices haven't dropped to proper off-season rates yet - accommodation and yacht charters typically run 15-20% higher than May-June rates, though you do avoid the February-March peak pricing which can be 40-50% more expensive
- The humidity sits around 70% consistently, and with temperatures reaching 30°C (86°F), the midday heat feels oppressive if you're doing anything active between 11am-3pm - locals genuinely avoid outdoor activities during these hours
- Some smaller guesthouses and restaurants on the outer Grenadines start closing for their annual maintenance break in late April, particularly after the third week, so your dining and lodging options become more limited if you're island-hopping to places like Mayreau or Canouan
Best Activities in April
Tobago Cays Marine Park Snorkeling and Day Sailing
April offers the clearest water of the year at Tobago Cays - visibility reaches 24-30 m (80-100 ft) and the protected lagoon stays calm with consistent trade winds. You'll see hawksbill turtles feeding on seagrass, reef sharks cruising the shallows, and the coral formations are actually visible without sediment clouding everything. The wind conditions make for comfortable sailing from Union Island or Mayreau, and because tourist numbers drop after mid-April, you're not competing with 15 other boats for anchoring spots. Water temperature sits at a comfortable 27°C (81°F), so you can snorkel for hours without getting cold.
La Soufriere Volcano Hiking
April sits right at the edge of dry season, which means the trail to the summit at 1,234 m (4,049 ft) is less muddy than rainy season but vegetation is still lush from earlier rains. Start at 6am to avoid the midday heat - the temperature at sea level hits 30°C (86°F) but drops to around 18-20°C (64-68°F) at the summit. Cloud cover tends to be lighter in April compared to summer months, so you actually get decent crater views about 70% of the time. The hike takes 5-6 hours round trip from the Georgetown trailhead, and the UV index of 8 means you'll need serious sun protection on the exposed upper sections.
Bequia Island-Hopping and Beach Days
April weather makes Bequia particularly appealing - the beaches on the leeward side like Princess Margaret Beach and Lower Bay have calm, clear water perfect for swimming and paddleboarding. The 70% humidity feels less oppressive here than on mainland Saint Vincent because of the constant breeze. The ferry from Kingstown takes 60 minutes and runs 6-7 times daily, with fewer tourists after Easter week meaning you'll actually get seats. Local beach bars stay open through April before some close for May maintenance. Water temperature at 27°C (81°F) means you can swim comfortably without a wetsuit.
Dark View Falls and Vermont Nature Trail Exploration
The waterfalls still have good flow in April from lingering dry season reserves, though not the dramatic volume of rainy season. The 10-minute walk to Dark View Falls stays relatively dry underfoot in April, unlike the muddy mess it becomes June-November. Vermont Nature Trail through the rainforest gives you a genuine sense of the interior ecology - the 1.5 km (0.9 mile) loop takes about 90 minutes and you'll spot parrots and hummingbirds more easily in April when foliage is slightly less dense. Temperature in the forest stays around 24-26°C (75-79°F) even midday, making it one of the few comfortable afternoon activities.
Mustique Day Visits
April is genuinely one of the better months to visit Mustique if you're not staying at one of the villas - the island stays open for day visitors and Basil's Beach Bar operates full schedule before some staff take May break. The beaches like Macaroni Beach and Britannia Bay are less crowded than winter months when villa renters peak. Water clarity is excellent for snorkeling the near-shore reefs. That said, day visit costs are high - expect to spend 400-600 EC dollars including ferry, lunch, and beach access. The exclusivity is real, but April weather makes the beaches genuinely spectacular.
Kingstown Market and Local Food Exploration
Saturday morning at Kingstown Market is when locals do their weekly shopping, and April brings specific seasonal produce - breadfruit, mangoes starting to ripen, and fresh nutmeg from the interior. The market operates 6am-2pm but arrive by 8am before the midday heat becomes unbearable. You'll find local hot sauces, fresh fish at the waterfront section, and vendors selling coconut water for 5 EC dollars. The experience is genuinely local rather than tourist-oriented, which means you need to be comfortable navigating a busy, somewhat chaotic market. The nearby Botanical Gardens make a good afternoon pairing when it's too hot for beach activities.
April Events & Festivals
Bequia Easter Regatta
This four-day sailing event typically runs over Easter weekend in early April and attracts both serious racing yachts and local fishing boats competing in various classes. The atmosphere in Port Elizabeth becomes genuinely festive with beach parties, live music at waterfront bars, and food stalls. If you're visiting during Easter week, accommodation on Bequia books out months ahead, but you can day-trip from Saint Vincent to watch races from shore or join spectator boats. The regatta represents one of the oldest continuously running sailing events in the Caribbean.