Things to Do in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Shoulder season pricing means you'll find accommodation rates 20-30% lower than winter peak season, with plenty of availability across all island categories without advance booking pressure
- Sea conditions are typically calm with 3-5 m (10-16 ft) visibility for snorkeling and diving, before the rougher Atlantic swells arrive in June - water temperature sits around 27°C (81°F) which is actually ideal without a wetsuit
- Mango season peaks in May across the islands, meaning roadside stands sell Julie mangoes for EC$2-3 per pound and locals are processing mango chutney and preserves - you'll taste the difference in restaurant dishes featuring fresh local produce
- The Grenadines inter-island ferries and mail boats run on their dry season schedules with reliable daily service, making island-hopping between Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, and Union Island straightforward without weather cancellations
Considerations
- May sits at the tail end of dry season transitioning into wet season, so you'll likely experience 2-3 quick afternoon showers per week lasting 20-40 minutes - not enough to ruin plans but enough to need flexibility in your daily schedule
- This is traditionally the quietest month for tourism, which means some smaller beach bars and guesthouses on outer islands reduce hours or close for maintenance before reopening for the summer sailing season in June
- Temperatures combined with 70% humidity create that sticky tropical feeling by midday, particularly in Kingstown where the buildings trap heat - you'll want to plan active outdoor activities before 11am or after 4pm
Best Activities in May
Tobago Cays Marine Park snorkeling expeditions
May offers some of the calmest conditions you'll find all year for exploring the Tobago Cays, with minimal wind chop and excellent underwater visibility around 4-5 m (13-16 ft). The protected reef system between the five uninhabited islands hosts hawksbill turtles that are actively feeding this time of year. Water temperature sits at 27°C (81°F), warm enough that you'll be comfortable for extended snorkeling sessions without a wetsuit. The low tourist numbers mean you'll often have entire coral sections to yourself, particularly if you arrive on the first morning boat before 9am.
La Soufriere volcano hiking
May weather actually works in your favor for this challenging 1,220 m (4,003 ft) summit hike on mainland St Vincent. Morning temperatures start cool at 22-24°C (72-75°F) at the trailhead in Fancy, and the occasional cloud cover prevents the brutal sun exposure you'd face in February or March. The trail takes 3-4 hours up through rainforest that's lush from recent months of rain but not yet muddy from heavy wet season downpours. You'll want to start by 6:30am to summit before midday clouds roll in and obscure the crater views. The volcano last erupted in April 2021, so you're still seeing the dramatic landscape transformation with new vegetation slowly reclaiming ash-covered slopes.
Bequia boat building yard visits and traditional sailing
May is actually when you'll catch the most activity at Bequia's traditional boat building operations in Paget Farm and Hamilton. Craftsmen are finishing vessels before the June launch season, working with white cedar and Caribbean pine using techniques passed down through generations. You can watch the process at several yards along Admiralty Bay where boats are constructed entirely without plans, just experience and eye. The island's sailing culture comes alive with local racing boats practicing for upcoming regattas. The consistent trade winds in May make for excellent sailing conditions on traditional wooden sloops, with 15-20 knot breezes that aren't overwhelming for first-timers.
Kingstown market and Leeward Highway food exploration
Saturday morning at Kingstown Market is when the entire island's agricultural output converges in one chaotic, colorful space. May brings the peak of mango season plus dasheen, breadfruit, christophene, and soursop at their freshest. You'll find vendors selling traditional preparations like arrowroot biscuits and cassava bread that tourists rarely encounter. The energy peaks between 7-10am before the midday heat settles in. Following the Leeward Highway north, roadside stands between Layou and Barrouallie sell fresh-caught fish by 2pm when boats return, plus local women prepare traditional dishes like callaloo soup and saltfish roti in small cookshops charging EC$10-15 per meal.
Falls of Baleine coastal boat access
This 18 m (60 ft) waterfall on St Vincent's remote northwest coast is only accessible by boat, making it feel genuinely isolated despite being one of the island's most impressive natural features. May's calmer Caribbean Sea conditions mean the 90-minute boat ride from Chateaubelair is more comfortable than later in the year when swells pick up. The falls flow strong from accumulated dry season runoff before dropping to a trickle later in summer. You'll anchor in a small bay and wade ashore, then walk 10 minutes through forest to reach the pool at the falls' base. Water temperature is surprisingly cool at around 22°C (72°F) from the mountain source, refreshing after the humid boat ride. Tourist numbers are minimal - you might share the site with one other group at most.
Mustique and Canouan day visits from mainland
May's low season means these exclusive islands feel more accessible than during winter when private jets clog the tiny airstrips. Mustique's famous beaches like Macaroni and Lagoon Bay are practically empty midweek. You can walk the island's 5 km (3.1 miles) of roads without encountering the celebrity-spotting crowds of high season. Canouan's Godahl Beach stretches for 2 km (1.2 miles) of white sand with maybe a dozen other people visible. The luxury resorts are quieter, and beach bars are more relaxed about day visitors using facilities. The ferry schedule from Kingstown makes day trips feasible, though tight - you'll have about 4-5 hours on each island before the return boat.
May Events & Festivals
Gospel Fest SVG
This multi-day gospel music event typically runs in late May, bringing together Caribbean gospel artists and international performers for concerts held at Victoria Park in Kingstown and church venues across the island. It's evolved into one of the region's significant gospel music gatherings, attracting both religious pilgrims and music enthusiasts. Evening concerts start around 7pm and run late, with the main stage shows on Friday and Saturday nights. The atmosphere blends worship service energy with festival vibes, and locals turn out in their finest church attire. Admission to most events is free or by donation, though VIP seating areas charge EC$50-100.