Things to Do in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in January
January weather, activities, events & insider tips
January Weather in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Is January Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak dry season conditions with 29°C (84°F) highs and minimal rainfall - you'll get maybe 10 days with brief showers, but they typically pass in 20-30 minutes and rarely disrupt plans. The Tobago Cays are genuinely spectacular right now with 20-25 m (65-82 ft) visibility for snorkeling.
- Trade winds are consistent at 15-20 knots throughout January, making sailing conditions between islands absolutely ideal. Charter companies are fully staffed, and you'll actually have steady breezes without the gusty squalls that show up later in spring. The Grenadines chain is designed for January sailing.
- Carnival preparation season means you'll catch steel pan practice sessions echoing through Kingstown after 7pm, and local food vendors are testing recipes for the February festivities. You get the cultural energy without the massive crowds and tripled accommodation prices that hit in late February.
- Hiking La Soufrière volcano is genuinely comfortable in January - the 1,234 m (4,049 ft) summit sits above cloud level most mornings, and the cooler temperatures (around 18-20°C or 64-68°F at the top) make the 5-6 hour round trip far more manageable than the sweaty slog it becomes by April.
Considerations
- Peak season pricing hits hard - accommodation rates run 40-60% higher than summer months, and you're looking at minimum 3-night stays at most guesthouses. Flights from North America and Europe are similarly inflated, with Toronto and London routes particularly expensive. Book at least 8-10 weeks ahead or you'll pay even more.
- The yacht charter crowd descends on the Grenadines in serious numbers, which means mooring balls in the Tobago Cays and Bequia's Admiralty Bay fill up by 2pm most days. If you're planning catamaran day trips, you'll be sharing anchorages with 30-40 other boats. The intimate Caribbean experience gets diluted considerably.
- Seasonal northeasterly swells make the windward Atlantic coast of St Vincent genuinely rough - beaches like Rabacca and Orange Hill have strong currents and limited swimming conditions. You're essentially restricted to leeward Caribbean-side beaches, which narrows your options if you're staying on the main island.
Best Activities in January
Tobago Cays Marine Park snorkeling and swimming
January delivers the year's best underwater visibility at 20-25 m (65-82 ft) in the Tobago Cays, and water temperatures sit at a comfortable 27°C (81°F). You'll see hawksbill turtles feeding on seagrass beds most mornings between 8-10am before the day-trip boats arrive. The protected lagoon stays calm even when trade winds pick up in the afternoon. Worth noting that January crowds mean you won't have the place to yourself - expect 15-20 boats anchored on busy days - but the marine life doesn't seem to mind.
La Soufrière volcano summit hikes
The 1,234 m (4,049 ft) active volcano is genuinely spectacular in January when morning cloud cover typically clears by 9-10am, giving you those panoramic views across St Vincent and down the Grenadines chain. Temperatures at the summit run 10°C (18°F) cooler than sea level, which actually makes the steep sections manageable. The trail is drier now than during summer months, though you'll still encounter muddy patches in the bamboo forest section around 600 m (1,969 ft) elevation. Budget 5-6 hours round trip from the Bamboo Range trailhead.
Bequia island exploration and beach hopping
Bequia sits just 14 km (9 miles) south of St Vincent and offers that slower pace without the yacht charter intensity of the southern Grenadines. January means Princess Margaret Beach and Lower Bay have calm, swimmable conditions - the protected west coast stays flat even when trade winds blow 15-20 knots. The Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary releases hatchlings most mornings around 8am if you time it right. Port Elizabeth has that functional local vibe with grocery stores and bakeries, not just tourist shops.
Falls of Baleine coastal boat trips
This 18 m (60 ft) waterfall on St Vincent's remote northern coast is only accessible by boat - no roads reach it - which keeps crowds genuinely minimal. January's calmer seas make the 90-minute ride up the leeward coast actually pleasant, and you'll likely spot dolphins or pilot whales along the way. The falls flow strongest right now after December rains, and the freshwater pool at the base stays cool at around 22°C (72°F). The black sand beach and jungle setting feel properly isolated.
Dark View Falls and Vermont Nature Trail hiking
These twin waterfalls on St Vincent's windward side sit in proper rainforest about 30 minutes from Kingstown, and January's moderate rainfall means they're flowing well without being dangerously swollen. The 10-minute walk from the parking area is straightforward, and you can swim in the lower falls pool when it's not too crowded. The nearby Vermont Nature Trail offers a 2-hour loop through forest with decent bird watching - you'll likely see the endemic St Vincent parrot if you go early morning around 7-8am when they're most active.
Mustique day visits and beach access
The private island famous for celebrity villas actually allows day visitors, and January is when you'll see the most activity as villa owners tend to be in residence. Macaroni Beach on the Atlantic side has that perfect crescent shape with powder sand, though waves can be strong - Britannia Bay on the leeward side is calmer for swimming. The island is only 5.7 sq km (2.2 sq miles), so you can walk most of it, though the hills are steeper than they look in photos.
January Events & Festivals
Nine Mornings Festival
This pre-Christmas tradition technically runs through early January in some villages, with street parties and cultural performances happening in Kingstown and Layou. You'll catch steel pan practice sessions most evenings after 7pm as bands prepare for Carnival season. The energy is genuinely local rather than tourist-focused - vendors sell sorrel drinks and black cake, and the music echoes through neighborhoods until late.
Carnival preparation season
While the main Vincy Mas Carnival happens in late June and early July, January marks serious preparation time. Steel pan yards in Kingstown hold open practice sessions most evenings, and you can watch mas bands working on costumes in their camps. The cultural energy is building but without the intensity and crowds of actual Carnival week. Local food vendors start testing recipes for festival dishes.