Things to Do in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in June
June weather, activities, events & insider tips
June Weather in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Is June Right for You?
Advantages
- Mango season peaks in June - you'll find dozens of varieties at local markets, including the prized Julie and Imperial mangoes that locals wait all year for. Vendors set up roadside stands across Saint Vincent, and prices drop to around EC$2-4 per pound compared to EC$8-10 in off-season months.
- Dive visibility reaches 24-30 m (80-100 ft) in the Tobago Cays during June, with water temperatures hovering around 28°C (82°F). The trade winds settle down compared to earlier months, making boat crossings to the southern Grenadines noticeably smoother and more comfortable for those prone to seasickness.
- Accommodation rates drop 25-40% compared to winter high season, and you'll actually have beaches largely to yourself. Popular anchorages in Bequia and Mustique that require reservations in January become first-come, first-served. Restaurant reservations at places like Mac's Pizzeria in Bequia are walk-in friendly most nights.
- The Vincy Mas carnival season builds momentum through June with preliminary events, calypso tents, and soca monarch competitions happening most weekends. You get the cultural immersion and street party atmosphere without the peak-week crowds and inflated accommodation prices that hit during the actual carnival in early July.
Considerations
- June sits squarely in hurricane season, though actual storm formation tends to peak later in August-October. You're looking at roughly 10 days of rain spread throughout the month, with afternoon showers lasting 30-45 minutes. This means you'll need flexible planning and shouldn't book non-refundable activities too far in advance.
- Ferry schedules between islands run on reduced frequency compared to winter months - the Bequia Express typically drops from 5-6 daily crossings to 3-4. Some smaller guesthouses and restaurants on the Grenadines close entirely for the month, particularly family-run operations where owners take their own holidays.
- The humidity genuinely affects your energy levels, especially if you're hiking La Soufriere volcano or exploring the Vermont Nature Trail. That 70% humidity combined with 29°C (84°F) temperatures means you'll be drenched in sweat within 20 minutes of any moderate activity. Plan outdoor adventures for early morning before 9am or late afternoon after 4pm.
Best Activities in June
Tobago Cays Marine Park Snorkeling
June offers some of the year's clearest water conditions in the Tobago Cays, with visibility reaching 24-30 m (80-100 ft) and calmer seas than the windier winter months. The five uninhabited islands and surrounding reefs see maybe 2-3 other boats on weekdays versus 15-20 in peak season. Water temperature sits at a comfortable 28°C (82°F), and you'll spot hawksbill turtles feeding on the seagrass beds without crowds of snorkelers surrounding them. The reduced wind makes the 90-minute boat crossing from Union Island or Canouan significantly more pleasant.
La Soufriere Volcano Hiking
The active volcano reaches 1,234 m (4,049 ft) and June's afternoon cloud cover actually works in your favor on this challenging 5-6 hour round-trip hike. Start at 6am to reach the crater rim by 9am before clouds roll in and obscure the views across Saint Vincent and neighboring islands. The trail passes through four distinct vegetation zones, and June's recent rainfall keeps the rainforest section lush without turning the volcanic ash paths into complete mud pits. You'll need serious fitness - the final 500 m (1,640 ft) of elevation gain is steep and exposed.
Bequia Island Day Trips
The nine-mile-long island sits just 14 km (9 miles) south of Saint Vincent and offers the best combination of local culture and beach time during June's quieter season. Princess Margaret Beach and Lower Bay have maybe a dozen people total on weekday afternoons. The island's boat-building tradition continues in the Paget Farm area, and June is when you'll actually see craftsmen working on traditional whalers without tourist crowds watching. The Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary operates year-round and typically has 15-20 juvenile hawksbills in various stages of rehabilitation.
Dark View Falls and Windward Coast Exploration
The twin waterfalls on Saint Vincent's rugged eastern coast flow strongest in June after the month's 150 mm (5.9 inches) of rainfall. The 15 m (50 ft) and 20 m (65 ft) cascades create natural swimming pools that locals favor on weekend afternoons. The Windward Highway from Kingstown to Georgetown showcases the island's agricultural heart - banana plantations, coconut groves, and arrowroot processing facilities that still operate using century-old methods. June's cloud cover makes this typically hot coastal drive more comfortable.
Kingstown Market and Cultural Immersion
The capital's central market operates Monday through Saturday with peak activity on Friday and Saturday mornings when farmers bring produce from across the island. June means mango season is in full swing - you'll find 15-20 varieties including Julie, Imperial, and Long Mango at EC$2-4 per pound. The fish market adjacent to the main produce hall gets fresh catches from 6am onwards, and vendors will explain local preparations for jack, kingfish, and the seasonal flying fish that appear in June waters.
Yacht Chartering and Island Hopping
June's reduced demand means bareboat charter rates drop 30-40% compared to winter peak season, and you'll find better availability for last-minute bookings. The Grenadines chain offers protected sailing between Saint Vincent, Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, Union Island, and the Tobago Cays with typical passages of 2-4 hours. Trade winds moderate to 12-18 knots in June versus 20-25 knots in winter months, making for more comfortable sailing and easier anchoring.
June Events & Festivals
Vincy Mas Preliminary Events
While the main Vincy Mas carnival happens in early July, June features the critical preliminary competitions that locals actually consider the heart of carnival culture. Calypso Monarch semifinals and finals typically occur mid-to-late June at Victoria Park, where calypsonians perform social commentary and political satire in song. Soca Monarch competitions happen on weekends throughout June, and these events draw passionate local crowds of 1,000-2,000 people. Tickets run EC$30-50, the atmosphere is authentically Vincentian rather than tourist-oriented, and you'll understand why carnival matters so much to the culture.
Bequia Fisherman's Day
This unofficial celebration happens around mid-June when the season's first large catches come in, and the fishing community in Paget Farm and Friendship Bay hosts impromptu beach gatherings. There's no formal schedule or ticketed event - it's genuinely just local fishermen grilling fresh catch, sharing rum, and playing dominoes on the beach. If you're staying in Bequia during June and hear about a fisherman's lime happening, you're welcome to join. Bring a contribution of drinks or side dishes, and you'll experience Grenadines hospitality at its most authentic.